The Texas Poppy-mallow, or Callirhoe scabriuscula, is an endangered species that can be located in North America, but only in the great state of Texas in the United States. This flowering plant belongs to the domain Eukaryota and the kingdom Plantae. The Texas poppy-mallow lives in terrestrial areas and It derives most of its food and nutrients from the sun and river-deposited deep sands, this is why it usually only thrives alongside the Colorado River in the counties of Coke, Mitchell and Runnels ("Endangered Species").

Bees are very attracted to Callirhoe scabriuscula and help to disperse its pollen. One of the amazing characteristics about this plant is that it literally opens in the morning and closes at night, mimicking breathing movements. When it opens, the deep red to purple petals spread all the way out and its stamen are exposed to the air and wind. However, when it closes in the evening they all join together tightly and no stamen is visible ("Texas Poppy-mallow"). This is a great adaptation because after the Texas Poppy-mallow is pollinated it never opens its petals again. This increases its reproductive fitness because it ensures the pollen will not be lost so that reproduction is guaranteed to occur. Another adaptation that is unique to Callirhoe scabriuscula is its ability to grow 2 ½ feet or even taller. Typically, plants in the Malvaceae (Mallow Family) are shorter and the petals do no stand so tall and strong. This enhances the Texas-Poppy mallow’s reproductive fitness because it is able to catch more wind to spread its pollen and it makes itself more attractive to bees because it is easy to be seen (Kozak).

There are quite a few selective pressures that Callirhoe scabriuscula must endure, the most influential one being a significant loss of their natural habitat. Where farmers now grow produce, the Texas Poppy-mallow used to call home. Pasture planting, sand mining and urban development have also played a substantial role in the loss of this plant’s habitat. Also, and unfortunately, the Texas Poppy-mallow is so beautiful that it is often picked by citizens who want to take it home instead of leaving it to flourish. Thankfully though, since its status change in 1981 it is a federal offense to pick any Callirhoe scabriuscu (“TX Poppy-mallow”). Finally, another selective pressure is the use of pesticides. Imazapyr, or Arsenal, used in some pesticides can harm this flowering plant, so there is very specific protocol that applicators of Arsenal must follow (“Endangered Species”). To sum all of these important selective pressures into one, the major selective pressure for the loss of the Texas poppy-mallow’s habitat is humans. The more “advanced” we become, the more we seem to be hurting our environment that we love so much. So, if you’re ever in the Rolling Plains of Texas and see a Texas Poppy-mallow, don’t pick it; but take a picture because it might not be there for long.

References
"Endagered Species." Texas Department of Agriculture. 1 May 2008 <http://www.agr.state.tx.us/agr/program_render/0,1987,1848_5534_5796_0,00.html?channelId=5534>.

Kozak, Chuck. "Malvaceae (Mallow Family)." Native Plants of Montara Mountain. 11 Oct. 1999. 2 May 2008 <http://plants.montara.com/ListPages/FamPages/Malva.html>.

"Texas Poppy-Mallow (Callirhoe Scabriuscula)." Texas Parks and Wildlife. 11 Apr. 2007. 1 May 2008 <http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/popmallo/>.

"Texas Poppy-Mallow (Callirhoe Scabriuscula)." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2 May 2008 <http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/SpeciesReport.do?spcode=Q1TT>.

Images found at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/popmallo/