New Species of Pathetic Looking Spiny Plant Found in Texas

Posted on July 9, 2014

A new species of plant has been discovered growing in the tiny town of Valentine, Texas, which has a population of just 134. The plant, Solanum cordicitum, is described as pathetic looking, wilted and spiny. The plant grows to be just 14 inches (35 cm) tall.

The plant was identified by University of Utah botanist Lynn Bohs. The photograph above is of the third specimen of the plant ever found. Bohs found the plant last November. The plant has been identified incorrectly as the wrong species in the past.

Bohs says in a statement, "It's a new, unique plant from the United States. Plus it's from Valentine, which is extremely charming, and that gave rise to its name, S. cordicitum."

The plant grows spines that reach one-fifth inch in length. There are also prickles on the plant's flower clusters. Bohs says there are prickles "all over this sucker." The plant's leaves have three to four lobes on each side.

The newly identified plant is likely to be endangered. A research paper on the spiny plant can be found in the Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas.


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