A perfectly symmetrical winter basal rosette of a yellowcress (Rorippa species, likely Southern marsh yellowcress, Rorippa teres) blooming on the exposed sandy shore of Lake Somerville. This native wetland pioneer is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). During the cooler months, it forms this flat, circular spray of deeply cut (pinnatifid) leaves to anchor firmly in the shifting sand while maximizing sun exposure and avoiding cold winds. At the very center, the plant has just begun to bolt, producing the tiny, four-petaled yellow flowers characteristic of its family. Texas, February 28, 2026

Lake Somerville Trailway, Burleson County, Texas, United States