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Flora
Helianthus debilis
Beach sunflowers ( Helianthus debilis) appear in the dunes early in the spring and bloom through the summer. A wheel…
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Flora
Hydrocotyle bonariensis
Largeleaf pennywort ( Hydrocotyle bonariensis) produces one large, rounded leaf at the end of a long stem. Because it spreads…
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Flora
Oenothera drummondii
Beach evening primrose (<em> Oenothera drummondii </em>) is a bright yellow flower with four large petals that is one of…
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Flora
Croton punctatus
Beach tea (Croton punctatus) is a low, dense shrub whose leaves have a distinctive silvery green cast. It grows up…
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Fauna
Living under the sand
If you’ve ever shone a light on the beach at night, you’ve probably seen armies of white crabs scurrying across…
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Flora
Uniola paniculata
Sea oats (Uniola paniculata) are often the dominant dune vegetation, usually found on the windward slope and crest of both…
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Flora
Chamaecrista fasciculata
The partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) is a sprawling plant with fronds that resemble mimosa. It is sometimes called a “sensitive…
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Flora
Panicum amarum
Bitter panic grass is native to the Texas Gulf Coast and frequently planted in dune restorations because of its stress…
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Flora
Ipomoea pes-caprae
Railroad vine, or beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is among the most common and recognizable flowers on Texas dunes. In…
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Ecology
Where do dunes come from?
Coastal dunes arise naturally as the wind blows sand across the beach and it slowly accumulates around grass and other…
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