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If you didn’t know where to look and weren’t already on your hands and knees, you’ve likely missed Earth Fruit (sometimes Tiny Tim, Geocarpon minimum) in the field. In fact, no one in Texas had positively identified the species in the field until 2003.
Rarely growing more than an inch or two in height, this succulent winter annual usually completes its four week growing cycle in the spring, from late February to late March. During winters of extreme drought, Earth Fruit may not be present at all. Young individuals of Earth Fruit are a grayish, dull green color with opposite, cup-shaped leaves. As Earth Fruit ages, the stems turn a reddish or burgundy color. A member of the Caryophyllaceae (Carnation Family), Earth Fruit is the only species in the monotypic genus Geocarpon.
Photo by Kevin Janni
Earth Fruit was once widespread in North America, however changes in climate and habitat have reduced its distribution. Today Earth Fruit is known to occur in 37 sites across four U.S. states (Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas). Only three populations are known in Texas. Earth Fruit’s inconspicuous nature is confounded by its strict habitat requirements.
The diminutive species usually occurs on sparsely vegetated areas of highly saline prairies just above the Neches River floodplain.
These areas, sometimes known as barren slicks or saline slicks, are also characterized by a ring of micro-flora called the cryptogrammic lip. This ring, or lip, is found on the edge of these barren slicks and generally consists of lichens, mosses, and liverworts. These rootless species are weak competitors against Earth Fruit and thus it thrives.
Unfortunately this habitat type is as rare and as hard to find as the species itself. Some common plants associated with saline prairies include, Bluets (Houstonia rosea), Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa), Dwarf Silverling (Evolvulus sericeus), Dwarf Plantain (Plantago pusilla) and Rock Pink (Talinum parviflorum). It’s important to note that Earth Fruit isn’t solely found on the barren slicks of these saline prairies, but can sometimes occur where there is a thin grass canopy.
Like most threatened and endangered plant species, the loss of native habitat drives the loss of species. Silviculture, pasture, agriculture, and road expansion have likely led to most of the habitat loss for Earth Fruit in Texas. In Missouri, cattle trampling and grazing has been documented as a threat to Earth Fruit habitat; however, it has also been argued that this activity can create the barren spots needed for Earth Fruit to grow.
Earth Fruit wonderfully illustrates both the fragile nature of ecosystems and the difficulty in raising awareness towards its conservation. It is no coincidence that conservation groups have chosen large organisms (whales, pandas) to be the icons of their efforts. Indeed those organisms are more widely recognized by the general public. However the actual efforts and goals of biological conservation are not prioritized by an organism’s public recognition, rather by protecting the unique habitats that support them. The saline prairie habitat where Earth Fruit thrives is one of many habitat types that support threatened or endangered species in the state. Nevertheless, these habitats are often threatened by various forms of modification and development. By protecting these habitats we not only help protect the species under threat but also our rich native landscape.
Further Reading and References: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/tinytim/
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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: kjanni
