Bill > SR402

This resolution commemorates the remarkable botanical discovery by Deb Manley and Cathy Hoyt at Big Bend National Park, recognizing their identification of a new plant species called the "wooly devil" (scientifically named Ovicula biradiata) in March 2024. The tiny plant, which ranges from half an inch to three inches across, was found nestled among desert rocks and features fuzzy leaves and narrow, maroon-colored petals, representing not just a new species but an entirely new genus within the daisy family. The discovery was significant enough to attract the attention of researchers from multiple institutions, including the California Academy of Sciences and Sul Ross State University, and highlighted the unique biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert. The resolution specifically praises Manley, a park volunteer, and Hoyt, a supervisory interpretive park ranger, for their keen observation and contribution to scientific understanding, especially noting the plant's rarity and potential vulnerability due to prolonged desert droughts. By officially recognizing their discovery, the Texas Senate's 89th Legislature aims to celebrate these individuals' important scientific contribution and bring attention to the remarkable botanical findings within Big Bend National Park.

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SR402