New Plant Species, 'Wooly Devil,' Discovered in Big Bend National Park

The tiny, fuzzy plant is the first new genus identified in a U.S. national park in nearly 50 years, highlighting both its rarity and vulnerability to climate change.

• The Wooly Devil, or Ovicula biradiata, was discovered in March 2024 in Big Bend National Park, Texas, by a volunteer and park ranger.
• This plant, part of the sunflower family, is so genetically distinct that it has been classified as a new genus, the first such discovery in a U.S. national park since 1976.
• The Wooly Devil is a small, drought-resistant plant with fuzzy white leaves and maroon petals, thriving in the rocky, arid conditions of the Chihuahuan Desert.
• Scientists are investigating its potential medicinal properties, as similar plants in its family have compounds with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Despite its resilience, the plant faces significant threats from climate change, with researchers noting it has only been observed in three narrow locations within the park.

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