Scientists Seek an Answer to an Existential Question for an East Texas Hibiscus
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 14:43
in Earth & Climate
Since 1997, a shrubby perennial found only in East Texas has been on a waiting list to be officially declared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened. A ruling on the fate of the Neches River rose-mallow is expected by 2016, but the future of the white-petaled, ruby-throated hibiscus may hinge on its past: The jury is still out on whether the showy plant is actually its very own species. Researchers will present their most recent findings on the matter on Tuesday, April 23, at the Experimental Biology 2013 conference in Boston.