A symmetrical, bright green mat of terrestrial water-starwort (Callitriche terrestris) growing on the exposed sandy shore of Lake Somerville. This tiny, native semi-aquatic plant behaves as an opportunistic pioneer on recently exposed mud and sand. When a seed germinates on bare, unobstructed ground, it sends out highly branched, creeping stems that radiate outward at an equal rate, rooting at the nodes as they travel. This uniform, radial growth is what creates the nearly perfect circular "cushion" seen here. Texas, February 28, 2026

Lake Somerville Trailway, Burleson County, Texas, United States