We carry the remnants of long-extinct viruses—and they may hold the key to future treatments.

As Texans, we get pretty used to seeing prickly pear cactus, after all, it is our state plant. With that official title, you’d think the world of prickly pears would be well defined, but things get blurry fast. Figure 1. The resilient prickly pear cactus spotted in San Antonio, Texas. I’d be lying if I said I was sure about this particular prickly pear’s species—it’s almost impossible to properly identify one without DNA testing.

If you’ve been on social media in the last decade, you’ve probably heard about probiotics and the microbiome: the collection of helpful microbes that live in and on our bodies. The idea that some microbes can make us healthier has been around for over a century, if not longer. The early 2000’s brought the concept of probiotics to the public consciousness.

Often overshadowed by the bluebonnet, the Indian blanket deserves its moment in the sun—because it thrives in it. If you’ve driven through Texas in the summer, you’ve probably noticed this flower growing happily on the side of the road. This is due to its admirable ability to thrive in drought conditions and dry, sandy soil. When left undisturbed, Indian blanket will emerge year after year, providing some color in the hot summer months—almost like magic.