Conservancy Botanist
Co-authors Texas Rare Plant Guide
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© Courtesy of Texas A&M University Press
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Considering the sheer number of rare plant species in Texas—more than 225 according to current estimates—there are scant few true authorities on the subject. Luckily for The Nature Conservancy of Texas, one of them is our staff botanist, William R. Carr. With the recent publication of “Rare Plants of Texas,” co-authored by Carr and Texas Parks and Wildlife botanists Jackie M. Poole, Dana M. Price and Jason R. Singhurst, Carr has cemented his reputation as one of the foremost experts on rare and endangered plants in the Lone Star State.
Published by Texas A&M University Press, “Rare Plants of Texas” is a comprehensive field guide to plant species of conservation concern. Unlike traditional field guides, however, “Rare Plants of Texas” features only those species officially listed, or candidates for listing, as endangered, imperiled or declining.
According to Carr, the book is a direct result of Texas’ Natural Heritage Program—now known as the Texas Natural History Survey an ongoing effort by public and conservation organizations to collect information on the diverse flora of Texas. And while only four authors are credited with writing the book, Carr notes “literally thousands of people contributed to it, either by sharing photographs or reporting rare plant sightings to the Texas Natural History Survey network.”
“Rare Plants of Texas” includes standard field guide features such as photographs, drawings and detailed maps, but expands on the format by addressing the history of plant conservation in Texas, current and future threats to plant species, and the recovery techniques and strategies used by conservation organizations. In addition to descriptions and physical details of plants, individual entries feature comprehensive information on typical habitat, range and distribution, as well as each plant’s current conservation status.
In a helpful introductory chapter, the authors separate Texas into 11 different natural regions and present detailed descriptions of the ecological and geographic characteristics of each one. These include information about the size and boundaries of individual regions, elevation changes, typical climate range, descriptions of historic vegetation and the geological conditions that helped create such a diverse topographical state.
Bill Carr has worked as a botanist for 28 years. He has been on staff as a field botanist for The Nature Conservancy of Texas since 1997.
For purchasing information, visit Texas A&M University Press.
