Rayjacksonia aurea

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Rayjacksonia aurea

Imperiled (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Asterids
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae
Tribe:
Astereae
Genus:
Rayjacksonia
Species:
R. aurea
Binomial name
Rayjacksonia aurea
(A.Gray) &
Synonyms

Machaeranthera aurea

Rayjacksonia aurea is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names Houston tansyaster[1] and Houston camphor daisy. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, where it is known only from the Houston area. It is limited to Galveston and Harris Counties.[2][3]

Description[]

This species is an annual herb which generally remains small in its native habitat but in cultivation may be much larger.[3] It grows from a taproot. The small leaves are linear or lance-shaped and just a few millimeters wide. The flower heads contain several yellow ray florets which may reach nearly a centimeter in length.[4] The plant has a scent like camphor. Flowering occurs in October and November.[3]

Distribution and habitat[]

This plant grows on the Texas coastal prairie, especially on Mima mounds and in open areas such as fields and pastures.[5] It prefers sandy soils or loams, and typically grows in areas that are seasonally wet or are poorly drained.[5] The plant may occur with other rare local endemics, such as Texas windmill grass and prairie dawn.[5]

Conservation[]

The species is currently classified as imperiled, and fewer than 20 populations remain.[3] The species and its habitat are threatened by development and expansion of the Houston metropolitan area, as well as from competition from woody vegetation and non-native grasses.[2][5]

References[]

  1. ^ "Rayjacksonia aurea". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Machaeranthera aurea. The Nature Conservancy.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Rayjacksonia aurea. Center for Plant Conservation.
  4. ^ Rayjacksonia aurea. Flora of North America.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Comprehensive Report Species - Machaeranthera aurea". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2019-10-28.

External links[]

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