A plant that can be found in Starr and Zapata counties is now designated as an endangered species.

The federal government is now protecting the Prostrate Milkweed,

In Starr County, the milkweed is facing threats from road construction and border enforcement activities, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

“Where they grow in, Starr County has seen a lot of growth, a lot of urban sprawl — there's a lot of people moving there,” botanist Joey Santore said. “Oftentimes when people move there, they'll purchase a parcel of land and clear it."  

Road maintenance on rural Starr County roads has also been an issue.

STC instructor and graduate student Elizabeth Gonzalez said a road crew recently came by her property and cleared the land, removing all the seeds there.

Gonzalez said she’s working with Starr County Commissioner Roy Pena, so road crews would be aware of the issue.

The Texas Department of Transportation is set to start improvements on Highway 83. A spokesperson says locations of the prostrate milkweed have been logged, adding that some of the plants may stay in place, but some may be relocated.

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