Texas Poppy-mallow

(Callirhoe scabriuscula)

Date of Listing: Endangered, 1981

You can tell the Texas poppy-mallow from the common winecup because the stems are stiffly erect and thick as a pencil. Also, the leaves of Texas poppy-mallow have broad, irregularly-shaped lobes. The poppy-mallow usually blooms from May to June. Bees use the flowers for nectar, pollen, and shelter, and help the plants reproduce by spreading pollen between plants. The flowers open each morning 2-3 hours after sunrise and close right before sunset. Within 30-90 minutes after pollination, the flowers close forever. If not pollinated, flowers continue to open each morning for 6-8 days.

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.

Reason for Concern:

The Texas poppy-mallow grows only in specific areas of deep sandy soil along the upper Colorado River. It is endangered because of habitat loss due to farming, pasture planting, sand mining, and urban development. Because it has such beautiful flowers, the poppy-mallow is threatened by people picking the flowers or collecting plants for their garden. If you see this plant, don't pick the flowers or disturb the area where it is growing. Take a picture instead!

Size:

Two feet and 6 inches tall or taller.

Habitat (where it lives):

Wind-blown, river-deposited deep sands near the upper Colorado River.

Range (where found in Texas):

Coke, Mitchell, and Runnels counties in the Rolling Plains of Texas.

Reproduction:

Red to purple cup-shaped flowers, about 1/2 in. long and 3/4 in. wide.

Population Numbers:

Over 10 known populations in Coke, Mitchell, and Runnels Counties.