Texas Trailing Phlox

Texas trailing phlox is a herbaceous perennial and member of the family Polemoniaceae. Seven extant populations occur in Texas on private, public, and state-owned lands within Hardin, Tyler, and Polk counties. Extant populations, both natural and ex-situ populations (two reintroductions, one introduction), are distributed across the Big Thicket region of the East Texas Pineywoods. This fire-dependent species, often associated with long leaf pine (Pinus palustris) dominated uplands, was listed as endangered in 1991.  Known threats to the species included low population numbers coupled with a limited geographic distribution, lack of regulatory protections, and habitat disturbance.  Housing developments, silvicultural practices, fire suppression, herbicide exposure, and industry construction have all contributed to habitat loss for this sensitive species.  Additional stressors include off-road vehicle use, illegal dumping, burning of debris, and commercial take of plants. Currently, conservation efforts underway include seed banking, outreach, monitoring, and propagations/reintroductions. Research to better understand the genetic structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure of the species across its range and within the populations is underway. The Service’s partnerships with timber companies, private land owners, The Nature Conservancy, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, universities, Big Thicket National Preserve, Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and more, have made these conservation efforts possible.