| 1 | 1 | | 87R11498 CW-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Campbell S.C.R. No. 38 |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | CONCURRENT RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | WHEREAS, Among the fascinating array of flora in the Lone |
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| 7 | 7 | | Star State, one of the most unique species, both in appearance and |
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| 8 | 8 | | life cycle, is the Texas star mushroom; and |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, This extremely rare mushroom, known scientifically |
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| 10 | 10 | | as Chorioactis geaster, was first collected in Austin in 1893 and is |
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| 11 | 11 | | nearly exclusive to Texas, with Japan being the only other place in |
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| 12 | 12 | | the world with a notable population; highly selective about where |
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| 13 | 13 | | it chooses to grow, the mushroom's Texas range is limited to the |
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| 14 | 14 | | central and northern parts of the state and includes Fayette, |
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| 15 | 15 | | Guadalupe, Hays, Travis, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, and Hunt |
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| 16 | 16 | | Counties; and |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, The Texas star appears in winter, most commonly on |
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| 18 | 18 | | the exposed roots and decaying stumps of cedar elm trees; it emerges |
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| 19 | 19 | | as a dark brown capsule about four inches in length, which inspired |
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| 20 | 20 | | its nickname, the devil's cigar; and |
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| 21 | 21 | | WHEREAS, After rains, the mushroom explodes open with an |
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| 22 | 22 | | audible hiss, seemingly puffing smoke as it fills the air with a |
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| 23 | 23 | | cloud of spores that waft away to help ensure a future generation |
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| 24 | 24 | | for the species; in addition to its other memorable traits, the |
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| 25 | 25 | | mushroom, once opened, has a starlike shape that makes it seem |
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| 26 | 26 | | custom designed for the Lone Star landscape; and |
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| 27 | 27 | | WHEREAS, A poignant reminder of the natural diversity that |
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| 28 | 28 | | surrounds us, the Texas star mushroom is as uncommon and striking as |
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| 29 | 29 | | the state that serves as its home, and it is indeed deserving of |
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| 30 | 30 | | special recognition; now, therefore, be it |
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| 31 | 31 | | RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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| 32 | 32 | | hereby designate the Texas star mushroom as the official State |
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| 33 | 33 | | Mushroom of Texas. |
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