“Reproductive biology and ecology of the Zapata Bladderpod (Physaria thamnophila; Brassicaceae): an endemic to the Tamaulipan thornscrub, USA”
- Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
- Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- With:
- Brenda Molano-Flores – Principal Research Scientist-Plant Ecologist & Conservation Biologist Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- Janice Coons – Emeritus Botany Professor; PR Institute Affiliate Eastern Illinois University; Illinois Natural History Survey
The Zapata Bladderpod (Physaria thamnophila; Brassicaceae) is a federally and state endangered species endemic to the Tamaulipan thornscrub of South Texas with documented occurrences in Northern Mexico. In this project we documented the breeding system, flower visitors, reproductive success, and seed germination of this species. From 2022-2024, data were gathered at eleven sites ranging from federal, private, and NGO lands. All the data gathered during this project has expanded our knowledge of the biology and ecology of Physaria thamnophila and can contribute to future reintroduction efforts for the species. The latter is extremely important due to the anthropogenic pressures associated with habitat loss and degradation facing Physaria thamnophila and the Tamaulipan thornscrub in south Texas.
A graduate of The University of Iowa, Dr. Molano-Flores got her Ph.D. in 1997. Shortly after she became a Research Scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey (perhaps the oldest state scientific survey of the US). Her research focuses on various aspects of plant-insect interactions, threatened/endangered plant species, plant reproductive biology, and grassland ecosystems
Dr. Coons has investigated reproductive biology of several federally listed plant species including ones in Florida, Arizona, and Texas. She has studied two other Physaria species. She also has developed protocols using seeds to overcome seed dormancy, and then propagate plants to be transplanted to their natural habitats. Her degrees include botany and horticulture, which gave her the necessary skills for these restoration approaches. She retired as an emeritus professor from Eastern Illinois University in 2014.
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