Rayjacksonia aurea

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Rayjacksonia
Species:
R. aurea
Binomial name
Rayjacksonia aurea
(A.Gray) R.L.Hartm. & M.A.Lane
Synonyms
  • Machaeranthera aurea

Rayjacksonia aurea is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names Houston tansyaster[2] 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.[1][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.[1][5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Machaeranthera aurea. The Nature Conservancy.
  2. ↑ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Rayjacksonia aurea". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Rayjacksonia aurea. Center for Plant Conservation.
  4. ↑ Rayjacksonia aurea. Flora of North America.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Comprehensive Report Species - Machaeranthera aurea". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2019-10-28.

Data related to Rayjacksonia aurea at Wikispecies

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