Terlingua Creek Cat's-eye

(Cryptantha crassipes)

Date of Listing: Endangered, 1991

© Photo courtesy Paul M. Montgomery

Terlingua Creek cat's-eye grows in what is perhaps the most extreme environment in Texas. Aptly termed the "moonscape" by many people in the area, plants are widely spaced (sometimes dozens of feet apart). Probably the reason behind this sparse arrangement is the presence of gypsum in the soil. The geologic formation, the Fizzle Flat Lentil, on which Terlingua Creek cat's-eye occurs, is thought to have a high content of this mineral. Few plants are adapted to grow where the gypsum content is high.

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 is restricted to an extremely small area in west Texas with a unique geology. Because of the barrenness of the site, off road vehicles use the area, damaging the plants and the habitat.

Size:

Perennial herb with flowering stems to 2 feet tall, arising from a cluster of silvery basal leaves.

Habitat (where it lives):

Badlands, almost devoid of vegetation, with low rolling hills covered with platelets of creamy-yellow limestone (probably with a high level of gypsum).

Range (where found in Texas):

Brewster County.

Reproduction:

Flowering primarily March-May; fruit probably maturing April-June.

Population Numbers:

Known from about 10 sites, all within a six- mile radius.