A rare new sunflower species has been discovered in Big Bend National Park in Texas, nearly 50 years after the last new plant genus was recorded in a U.S. national park. The discovery, made in the Chihuahuan Desert, challenges what we know about this studied ecosystem, revealing that nature still holds many secrets.
The newly identified species, Ovicula biradiata, also known as the “wooly devil,” is a member of the sunflower family but looks quite different from its familiar relatives. Scientists from the California Academy of Sciences, Big Bend National Park, Sul Ross State University, and CIDIIR in Durango, Mexico, published the finding in the journal PhotoKeys.
This is the first new plant genus discovered in a U.S. national park since 1976 when the Dedeckera eurekensis was found in Death Valley.
Isaac Lichter Marck, the lead researcher, emphasized the significance of this discovery. “While many assume that all plants and animals in national parks have been documented, new discoveries continue to surprise scientists in these protected areas,” he said.
The wooly devil first caught attention in March 2024 when park volunteer Deb Manley spotted the plant and shared images on iNaturalist. Botanists quickly realized the importance of this discovery, which led to further investigation.
The plant is small, with a diameter of only about three inches, and is considered a “belly plant” because it requires a close look to fully appreciate. Upon examining it under a microscope, researchers discovered glands that could have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits.
Despite its exciting discovery, experts are concerned about the wooly devil’s survival. Climate change, which accelerates desertification, poses a threat to delicate ecosystems like the one where this plant thrives. Marck warned, “Highly specialized plants like the wooly devil face extinction as deserts become hotter and drier.” So far, the plant has only been observed in three small areas in the northern part of the park, raising concerns that it may already be on the brink of extinction.
This discovery highlights both the incredible diversity of plant life in fragile desert ecosystems and the urgency of preserving them for future generations.
