Slender Rush-Pea

(Hoffmannseggia tenella)

Date of Listing: Endangered, 1985

© Photo courtesy Paul M. Montgomery

The slender rush-pea is only known from Texas. Its tiny blooms are produced between early March and June, and sporadically thereafter depending on rainfall. It sometimes occurs in association with another endangered species, the south Texas ambrosia (Ambrosia cheiranthifolia). Little is known about the reproductive biology of this species, however propagation techniques have been studied at the Kika de la Garza Plant Materials Center near Kingsville. Competition between slender rush-pea and introduced non-native grasses is also being studied.

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.

This species may be particularly susceptible to competition from non-native grass species such as King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica) and Kleberg bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum). Consequently, mowing at a sufficient height and at appropriate times may not be detrimental to this species. Mowing that impacts the species during reproduction should be avoided. The use of herbicides for right-of-way maintenance poses a threat to this species. Conversion of coastal prairie habitat to other land uses is likely the most important factor contributing to the demise of the slender rush-pea.

Size:

Perennial three to six inches tall with bipinnately compound leaves.

Habitat (where it lives):

Clayey soil of blackland prairies and creek banks.

Range (where found in Texas):

Kleberg and Nueces counties, south Texas.

Reproduction:

Small orange flowers about a quarter of an inch long. Fruit a two to four seeded legume.

Population Numbers:

Three or four populations in Nueces and Kleberg Counties.