Chaffseed

(Schwalbea americana)

Date of Listing: Endangered, 1992

Note: Special thanks to the photographers for providing images of Texas endangered and threatened plants. All rights to these images are reserved. Educational use permitted.

Although parasitic on the roots of a large number of trees, such as sweet-gum, bald cypress, hackberry, and various oaks and pines, American chaffseed is not tolerant of deep shade and is usually found along the margins of forest or woodlands where sufficient light is available.

The status of American chaffseed in Texas is currently a mystery. Although reported to occur in east Texas, there are no voucher specimens in any of the major Texas herbaria, and no extant populations are known.

Size:

Perennial root-parasite 1 to 2 feet tall.

Habitat (where it lives):

In grass-sedge communities in acid sandy soils in moist pine woodlands with open structure maintained by periodic wildfire or by fluctuating water tables.

Range (where found in Texas):

From New England south to Florida, west to Kentucky, Louisiana, and perhaps Texas.

Reproduction:

Flowering in the summer in the northeastern states, perhaps earlier in Texas.

Population Numbers:

No known existing populations in Texas.