In the rugged terrain of Big Bend National Park, a new flower called the wooly devil has recently been discovered by researchers. This flower, with furry leaves, purplish-striped petals, and pops of yellow, belongs to the Asteraceae family, the same as sunflowers and daisies. Discovered last year by a park volunteer and a ranger, the wooly devil is a new genus and species that has sparked excitement in the scientific community.
Since its discovery, scientists have been eager to learn more about this unique flower, including when it blooms and how it reproduces. With rain falling in the area last week, researchers are hopeful that the flowers will bloom again in a couple of weeks, providing an opportunity to study them further.
The discovery of the wooly devil marks the first new plant genus and species found in a U.S. national park in nearly 50 years. Researchers have already extracted DNA from the flower but admit there is still much to learn about it. They are hopeful that studying the wooly devil will provide insight into its potential uses, reproductive habits, and whether or not it is endangered.
Named Ovicula biradiata for its appearance, the wooly devil has piqued the interest of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Its discovery showcases the importance of continued exploration and the fact that there are still many unknown species waiting to be found in the world. As researchers await the flower’s next bloom, the scientific community is excited to uncover more about this intriguing new discovery in West Texas.
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