Species of Concern
Barbara's Buttons
Scientific Name: Marshallia grandiflora

Description
Barbara's Buttons is a member of the aster family, and is the only species of Marshallia known to occur in West Virginia. The flower heads of the plant are usually lavender, but can be white. The plants bloom from June through August. The leaves are alternate, three-nerved and entire. Basal leaves are elliptic to oval, while the upper leaves are linear-elliptic to lanceolate-acute. Additionally, the leaves can reach a length of up to six inches with the plant standing from eight to 20 inches high.. The specific epithet grandiflora means large-flowered, and refers to the showy flower heads of this distinctive plant.

Habitat
Barbara's Buttons are normally found in the sandy soils along flood scoured banks of fast flowing rivers and streams.  It can however also be found in bedrock crevices occurring along the same streams. In West Virginia it is known to occur along six river systems in 11 counties. These river systems include the Gauley, Tygart Valley, Cheat, Shavers Fork (of the Cheat),Greenbrier and Buckhannon.

Threats
The greatest threat to Barbara's Buttons comes from changes in the normal flooding cycles and activities such as logging or road building that might affect these cycles. Periodic flooding, with its scouring and deposition of sand, rock and gravel, is necessary to encourage the spread and propagation of this plant. In addition, this plant may be impacted by recreationists who trample or pick the plant.  At this time populations of Barbara’s Buttons seem stable yet fragile.