June 1, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

An Ode to Longleaf

Longleaf Pine Savannah

Before I post a May recap, I wanted to pay tribute to one of our countries most unique and biodiverse communities, the Longleaf Pine savannah. Over the past few years I have been slowly working on a manuscript for a book about East Texas. This post contains an excerpt of that manuscript and some photos that I intend to include in the book.

Perhaps no tree better represents the Pineywoods than the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), both in its historic influence over the landscape and its eventual plight. It most often made its presence known in extensive savannahs, where widely scattered individuals might have lived to be 500 years old, reaching diameters pushing four feet, and stretching well over a hundred feet toward the sky. Once ranging across the southeast, from Virginia to East Texas, the king of the southern pines has been reduced to less than 5% of its native range, and has disappeared across the vast majority of its range in Texas.

Longleaf Pine Savannah with Little Bluestem

Remnants of the fire-loving conifer and the habitats it defines can still be found, however. In the northern part of its range in Texas, which includes Sabine, San Augustine, Angelina, and northern Jasper and Newton Counties, it primarily occurs in rolling uplands. In areas that are managed with regular prescribed fires, one catch a glimpse of the great longleaf pine savannahs of the past. These were perhaps the most biodiverse communities in the southeast; a unique area where prairie and forest mingled.

Occurring on sands of moderate depth, these sprawling forests are kept free of woody understory encroachment by regular fires. The fire-tolerant longleaf pine thrives in the face of the flames, while most other species die out. However, on occasion hardwoods such as blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), Southern red oak (Quercus falcata), Post oak (Quercus stellata), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), farkleberry (Vaccineum arboreum), and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). In the absence of fire American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) and yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) may become invasive.

An ancient Post Oak has survived decades of regular fires in this Longleaf Pine Savannah.

The real show, however occurs on the savannah floor, where hundreds of species of grasses and forbs complete these spectacular ecosystems. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is an important component in East Texas, and often occurs in the company of other grasses such as Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), Pineywoods dropssed (Sprobolus junceus), and wiregrass (Aristida palustris). Brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum) often carpets the ground and xeric (drought loving) species like Louisiana yucca (Yucca louisianensis) and Eastern prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa) take advantage of the droughty conditions created by pockets of deeper sand. Forbs typical of this community include goat’s rue (Tephrosia virginiana and Tephrosia onobrynchoides), Carolina false vervain (Verbena carnea), Pickering’s dawnflower (Stylisma pickeringii), Carolina Larkspur (Delphinium caroliniana), Sanguine’s purple coneflower (Echinacea sanguinea), soft green eyes (Berlandiera pumila), racemed milkwort (Polygala polygama), propeller flower (Alophia drummondii), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), clasping milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis), pineland milkweed (Asclepias obovata), birdfoot violet (Viola pedata), and false dragonhead (Physostegia digitalis). A number of species that are rare and declining in East Texas occur here as well, including leadplant (Amorpha canescens) and incised groovebar. The range-restricted scarlet catchfly (Silene subciliata) is endemic to the Pineywoods of eastern Texas and western Louisiana.

Scarlet Catchfly blooming in a Longleaf Pine Savannah

These savannahs also harbor a unique, and declining fauna. In fact, some species are so closely tied to this community that they are unable to adapt in its absence. Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and Louisiana Pine Snake are in such peril that they have been afforded protection under the Endangered Species Act. Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginiana) favor the dense, rich herbaceous layer beneath the longleafs, where bunch grasses provide ideal cover and high species diversity of grasses and forbs results in a bounty of insects. Both species have become rare in East Texas, however efforts to reintroduce the wild turkey have been met with some success.

Other species such as the Bachman’s Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis), Brown-headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla), Northern Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea), and Southern Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus) are on the decline. Species such as the Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) and Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) remain common, perhaps due to their adaptability. The Tan Racer (Coluber constrictor etheridgei) is a race of racer that is also confined primarily to this community. Surprisingly, even amphibians can eek out a living in these sandy environments. Explosive breeders like the Hurter’s Spadefoot (Scaphiopus hurteri) and Mole Salamander (Ambystoma talpoideum) live the majority of their live deep underground, emerging during significant rains to breed in areas that can hold water long enough for their larvae to develop.

Northern Scarlet Snake

The downfall of the longleaf pine savannah began with the arrival of European settlers to the region. Longleaf lumber was of a superior quality. Rot resistant, and straight as an arrow, it was utilized heavily for the masts of ships. As it began to rapidly disappear, those tending to the forest’s regeneration noted that due to its unique ecology longleaf took a very long time to grow to a size suitable for harvest. So instead of replanting them, they opted for species like loblolly (Pinus taeda) and the non-native slash pine (Pinus elliottii), that, though the quality of their wood was inferior, grew much faster and could yield a marketable stand in less time. At the same time a culture of fire suppression was arising. The Europeans did not see fire as a useful tool, as did the Native Americans before them, but rather as a threat to their livelihood. As a result they took steps to eliminate fire from the landscape, and in doing so woody shrubs eventually filled in the open grass-dominated savannahs.

Sun sets in a Longleaf Pine Savannah

The following are a variety of photos of the longleaf pine savannah and its flora and fauna.

Longleaf Pine Savannah

Longleaf Pine seedling

Louisiana Yucca blooms in a Longleaf Pine Savannah.

Longleaf Pine Savannah

Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus)

Birdfoot Violet

Ox Beetle (Strategus antaeus)

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera)

Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata)

Southern Coal Skink

Hurter’s Spadefoot Toad

Soft Green Eyes

Eastern Coachwhip

Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus)

Clasping Milkweed

Wrinkled Festive Tiger Beetle (Cicindela scutellaris rugata)

Racemed Milkwort

Sanguine’s Purple Coneflower

Carolina Larkspur

Eastern Gammagrass

Leadplant

Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster)

False Dragonhead

Texas Red-headed Centipede (Scolopendra heros)

Texas Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia reticulata)

Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)

Butterfly Weed and Bracken Fern

Pineland Milkweed

Carolina False Vervain

Texas Brown Tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi)

Slowinski’s Corn Snake (Pantherophis slowinski)

Eastern Fence Lizard

Netleaf Leather Flower (Clematis reticulata)

Propeller Flower

May 21, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

Purple People Eater

Target Species: Purple Bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea)

Purple Bladderwort

This is one I have wanted to see for a long time. Utricularia purpurea is an aquatic, carnivorous plant that inhabits much of the Eastern United States. It barely enters Texas in the extreme southeast portion of the state, where it is rare. I suspect that very few people have seen the Purple Bladderwort here, as the few known populations are not particularly easy to access. Pursuing the photographs seen here was a true adventure, and the highlight of my 2017 quest for biodiversity thus far.

Purple Bladderwort

The Purple Bladderwort has a peculiar distribution, not unlike that of another species on my 2017 list, the Blue Lupine. In the case of the bladderwort I suspect that its distribution can somewhat be explained by the presence of appropriate wetlands in the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains, and in glacially formed depressions in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions.

County-level distribution of Utricularia purpurea from http://www.bonap.org. Yellow counties indicate that the species is present but rare.

To see this rarity, I once again called on the good people of the Nature Conservancy of Texas. Wendy Ledbetter, Forest Project Manager, told me that U. purpurea had been reported from a series of flatwood ponds on one of the properties they protect. It was, in fact, very close to where I photographed Streptanthus hyacinthoides a few weeks ago. She was kind enough to take time from her busy schedule to meet me one morning and show me the areas where it had been reported. She brought me to two spectacular flatwoods ponds. We were unsure if any of the elusive carnivores would be in bloom, but sure enough, after minimal effort I spotted one, then another, then another.

Purple Bladderwort

After showing me around for a couple of hours in the morning, Wendy had to leave to tend to other engagements. I thanked her profusely, both for her time and consideration, and for the fine work that she and her colleagues at the Nature Conservancy have done to protect so much our great state’s incredible biodiversity. After Wendy left I returned to the ponds to try to capture some unique images of this spectacular little plant. I was trudging through water that was mostly between 1 and 3 feet deep. To capture some of these images I had to sit, kneel, or completely submerge myself in the water, with just my hands and camera above the surface.

Purple Bladderwort

As previously mentioned, and eluded to in the title, Utricularia purpurea is a carnivorous plant. It contains intricate leaves that float just below the water’s surface. These leaves are loaded with small air-filled bladders that help keep the plant afloat. Each bladder is equipped with a small, hair-like trigger. As tiny aquatic organisms swim by and brush against the trigger, the bladders instantly open, and as the water rushes in to occupy the vacant airspace, the organisms are sucked in. The bladder then snaps shut, trapping them inside where they are slowly digested. In the late spring through the summer the lavender flowers emerge from the depths. U. purpurea is one of several species of Utricularia in Texas, but it is the only one with purple blooms. The others are all yellow.

Purple Bladderwort. If you look closely you can see some of the round bladders under the water.

The flatwood ponds in which I photographed the Purple Bladderwort that day were the finest I have ever seen. These unique aquatic communities occur in clay-bottomed depressions where over the millennia water and organic material have accumulated. Historically they were dominated by a variety of grasses and sedges, kept free from woody encroachment by regular wildfires. In the modern era of development and fire suppression, however, high quality examples have all but disappeared. They have persisted on this Nature Conservancy property, however, as a result of their excellent stewardship which includes frequent burns that penetrate into the ponds. Scattered trees, mostly Swamp Tupelo (Nyssa biflora) exist on the margins, but the centers of the pond are open for acres.

Unfortunately I did not take any photos looking toward the center of the ponds, however I did capture the photo below looking back to the margins. I found U. purpurea to be most common among the grasses and trees along the ponds’ margins.

Flatwoods pond margin

I spent what must have been at least 15-20 minutes lying on my belly, almost completely submerged in the water in order to get a low angle on a particularly attractive grouping of Purple Bladderworts. After finishing I began to retrace my steps out of the pond. As I did, I noticed something that was not there on my way in. There was an 8-9 foot alligator laying on the bottom not 20 feet from where I was laying. I suspect that its sudden presence was a coincidence, and that it hadn’t been slowly stalking me, but none-the-less it gave my heart a good jump. Fortunately the water was shallow and clear, giving me a clear view of the magnificent creature, otherwise I was likely to have stepped on it. I slowly made my way around it, and it never moved. Though somewhat difficult to see, you can make out its head and part of its back in the photo below.

American Alligator

The Purple Bladderwort shared its ponds with its cousin, the Humped Bladderwort (Utricularia gibba). Like Utricularia purpurea, it also relies on the bladders of its submerged leaves to obtain nutrients from animal prey.

Humped Bladderwort

There were several other interesting aquatic species in the flatwoods ponds, but the Floatinghearts (Nymphoides aquatica) really stood out. It is also commonly known as the Banana Plant for its banana-shaped roots.

Floatingheart

The flatwoods ponds were surrounded by a spectacular series of xeric sandhills occurring on ancient sand deposited by rivers as they changed course over time. I spent some time exploring these beautiful communities, where I found a number of Eastern Prickly Pears in bloom.

Eastern Prickly Pear blooms in a xeric sandhill

I also took a moment to photograph the Pickering’s Dawnflower (Stylisma pickeringii), another species typical of deep sands, as it bloomed among the cacti.

Pickering’s Dawnflower

As if all of the above wasn’t enough, in the morning Wendy and I observed this Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) up to its anti-predator high jinks. It spread the ribs of the anterior portion of its body creating a hood-like effect similar to that of a cobra. This behavior has earned it the colloquial name of “spreading adder”. Occasionally it would feign a strike, but never attempted to actually bite me. Eastern Hognose Snakes feed primarily on toads, and have specially-adapted pointed fangs that can deflate toads that fill themselves with air in an attempt to make themselves larger to avoid being swallowed. They also contain a mild venom that likely helps subdue their prey, though it is harmless to humans.

Eastern Hognose Snake

Seeing the Purple Bladderwort and exploring these incredible habitats is an experience I will never forget. I can’t wait to return in the future to spend more time among the carnivores (large and small) of the Big Thicket.

May 10, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

Jewel of the Sandhills

Target Species: Smooth Jewelflower (Streptanthus hyacinthoides)

Smooth Jewelflower

I have long admired the bizarre blooms of the Smooth Jewelflower, but had not previously sought it out. Though it may be locally abundant, Streptanthus hyacinthoides is uncommon to rare in Texas. A species of deep sands, it is most frequently encountered in the northern reaches of the Post Oak Savannah. Globally it occurs from extreme southern Kansas and central Oklahoma through northeast Texas into northwestern Louisiana. There are also a couple of disjunct populations in the Pineywoods: in the Big Thicket in Hardin and Newton Counties.

Smooth Jewelflower

It was here that I sought them out. In the Pineywoods they occur in xeric sandhills. In the literature, these unique communities are variably referred to as xeric sandhills, oak-farkleberry sandylands, xeric sandylands, sandhill pine forests, etc. Here soil conditions inhibit the growth of many species. The deep, coarse sands here ensure that even in times of high rainfall, the water percolates down through the soil very rapidly. As a result, xeric sandhills exist with perpetual drought-like conditions, and only drought-adapted species persist.

Smooth Jewelflower

I was able to locate this population thanks to the help of my botanist friend Eric Keith, and Wendy Ledbetter, the Forest Program Manager of the Nature Conservancy in Texas. Like so many more of our imperiled species, these rare jewels are protected by the Nature Conservancy. I found them growing in a series of sandy clearings in a xeric sandhill dominated by Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) and Bluejack Oak (Quercus incana).

Smooth Jewelflower

I found the strange flowers somewhat difficult to capture. I found them strikingly beautiful in their uniqueness. Beyond habitat preference, I could find little on the life history of this species while researching my 2017 list. It seems that there is still much to learn about this peculiar jewel of the sandhills.

Smooth Jewelflower

Xeric sandhills are also home to a variety of other unique and beautiful flowering plants. Cacti and yucca, typically considered genera of the southwestern states, thrive here. Traditionally the cactus species of this region was considered to be Opuntia humifusa, however recent work by Majure, et. al. is challenging that (More on that in a later blog post). Using their new dichotomous key I keyed this species to Opuntia mesacantha.

Opuntia cf. humifusa

The beautiful Carolina Larkspur (Delphinium carolinianum) was also blooming in profusion. I photographed the individual below from different angles, to see how the angle of light changed affected their color.

Carolina Larkspur

We also found the bizarre Large Clammyweed (Polanisia erosa) nearby. I have heard the blooms described as miniature moose heads. Large Clammyweed, like many species of xeric sandhills, is endemic to the West Gulf Coastal Plain.

Large Clammyweed

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) was also blooming in profusion. This striking milkweed is common in sandy habitats throughout much of the United States.

Butterfly Weed

Farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) is a conspicuous mid and understory component in xeric sandhills. This blueberries produce edible fruits. Though they are much smaller and less flavorful than what you might find in your grocery store, they still make for a refreshing treat while wandering across the parched sand.

Farkleberry

Growing tangled among some of the numerous Farkleberries we found the twining stems of the Netleaf Leather Flower (Clematis reticulatus).

Netleaf Leather Flower

Xeric sandhills are certainly one of my favorite places to explore. This post barely scratched the surface of the diverse flora that occurs here, and I didn’t even mention the many rare and interesting animal species that can be found in these deep sands, and I hope to revisit these special places in future blog posts.

Cacti bloom in a xeric sandhill

May 4, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

April Recap

April was off to a good start. I managed to check off five species early on, and had high hopes for the rest of the month. Unfortunately I couldn’t keep up the momentum and was unable to find any of my targets in April’s second half. I tried to locate Clasping Jewelflower (Streptanthus maculatus), Creeping Bluestar (Amsonia repens) and Texas Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes brevilabris) at some historic sites with no luck. I hoped to check some locations in northeast Texas for Tapertip Trillium (Trillium viridescens), Fire Pink (Silene virginica), and Downy Yellow Violet (Viola pubescens), but was unable to make it that way. I doubt that I’ll get a chance to see these species this year…maybe next year! The following are the species on my 2017 biodiversity list I was able to find and photograph in April:

Missouri Foxtail Cactus (Escobaria missouriensis)

Nuttall’s Death Camas (Toxicoscordion nuttallii)

Widow’s Cross (Sedum pulchellum)

Blue Lupine (Lupinus perennis)

Green Adder’s Mouth Orchid (Malaxis unifolia)

2017GoalsApr

The following are some interesting observations I made in April:

I’ll start this post like March’s recap, with a giant Saturniid moth. For me, seeing this Promethea Moth (Callosamia promethea) was one of the most exciting of the year thus far. The Promethea Moth is a species typical of the rich deciduous forests of the Eastern U.S. Though range maps show it entering extreme eastern Texas, I am aware of few records of its occurrence in the state. I certainly have never seen one. Pictured is a female. Promethea Moths are sexually dimorphic, with males being much darker. I spent some time photographic her in all of her brilliance, and left her to continue pumping pheromones into the evening air, leaving chemical trails for males to seek her out and propagate future generations.

Promethea Moth

In April I also found a few new populations of the uncommon Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica) on the rich deciduous slopes of the Pineywoods.

Indian Pink

While looking for the Kentucky Lady’s Slipper we came across this attractive Three-toed Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis). Most box turtles immediately withdraw into their shells when approached. This individual was fairly bold and allowed us to approach for some portraits.

Box Turtles have an interesting relationship with Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), a spring ephemeral of rich eastern forests. These terrestrial turtles are the primary dispersal mechanism for Mayapple seeds. Most parts of the plant are toxic, however the ripe fruits are edible. While other animals will consume, process, and deposit the seeds; studies have shown that those that have passed through the digestive system of the box turtle have the highest rate of germination. Indeed, the drooping fruits seem to rest at a perfect height for a hungry box turtle.

Three-toed Box Turtle

Mayapple taken in March 2014

While exploring the Big Thicket we came across the uncommon Piedmont Staggerbush (Lyonia mariana). A member of the heath family (Ericaceae).

Piedmont Staggerbush

Carolina spotted this White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) dutifully incubating its eggs.

White-eyed Vireo

The Carolina Larkspur (Delphinium carolinianum) is Carolina’s favorite Texas native flower. Every year we seek them out. This year we found a large population in a xeric sandhill north of San Augustine. We also observed several Prairie Milkvines (Matelea cynanchoides), another species typical of these woodlands on deep sands.

Carolina Larkspur

Prairie Milkvine

We also spent an afternoon in a Fleming Prairie Remnant, where I photographed the Reflexed or Topeka Coneflower (Echinacea atrorubens), and Prairie Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea), two species that are rare in the Pineywoods.

Reflexed Coneflower

Prairie Penstemon

I hope to focus on the unique flora and fauna of xeric sandhills and prairie remnants in future blog posts. As the temperatures warm in May I hope that I will finally be able to check the first animal species off my list, though there are still plenty of plants to seek out, and special places to explore.

April 20, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

An Adder in the Understory

Target Species: Green Adder’s Mouth (Malaxis unifolia)

Green Adder’s Mouth

The Green Adder’s Mouth is a peculiar orchid of the Eastern United States that reaches its southwestern limit in the Pineywoods of East Texas. I saw and photographed this species a few years ago, however it was when they were first emerging from the leaf litter and were not yet in bloom. I have since wanted to photograph them in full bloom.

Last year a friend told me about a population less than an hour from my house. This year I visited the site in hopes of catching them at peak bloom. The Green Adder’s Mouth tends to be found on gentle moist slopes adjacent to streams, seeps, and wetland margins. This particular population is adjacent to a wetland swale deep in a pine-hardwood upland. The site delivered as promised, and we observed hundreds of individuals in bloom scattered along the gentle slope grading into the wet depression. We even found a few scattered among the adjacent uplands.

Green Adder’s Mouth

The specific epithet unifolia is in reference to the single leaf that emerges from the leaf litter in later March/Early April. The leaf emerges with with a developing cluster of flower buds. As the plant grows the buds begin to spread out and unfurl, revealing the tiny, intricate blooms that lend the plant it’s common name. Adder’s Mouth is in reference to the pronged lip (lower petal), which is said to appear the fangs of an adder. The detail of individuals blooms is best appreciated from above, as in the shots that follow.

Though the plants may eventually reach heights of a foot or more, it’s tiny cryptic flowers and generic leaf make it a real challenge to spot. As Joe Liggio speculates in his book The Wild Orchids of Texas, it may indeed be more common than we currently suspect.

Green Adder’s Mouth

There was little blooming near the orchids, with the exception of the beautiful White Milkweed (Asclepias variegata). This is one of the earliest milkweeds to bloom in East Texas. The red band below the flowers’ hoods lends it the alternative common name “Redring Milkweed”

White Milkweed

Milkweed blooms are highly popular with pollinators. Just about every plant had a myriad of flies, bees, and beetles.

Trichiotinus lunulatus

Zebra Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus zebra)

It felt good to finally get the photos I have long wanted of the Green Adder’s Mouth, but just as rewarding was exploring an unfamiliar area of the Pineywoods. I can only hope that my pursuit of my 2017 biodiversity goals will continue to take me to new, exciting (at least to me!) places.

April 20, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

The Other State Flower

Target Species: Blue Lupine (Lupinus perennis)

Blue Lupine

In keeping with the theme of “everything is bigger in Texas”, the Texas Legislature decided in 1971 that the original state flower, Lupinus subcarnosus, which was designated in 1901, simply wasn’t enough. Instead the Lonestar State decided that we would call any member of the genus Lupinus occurring within the state to be our official state flower. This would include the rare Blue Lupine (Lupinus perennis), even though it only occurred at a handful of sites in extreme southeastern Texas.

Known by other regional common names like Wild Lupine and Sundial Lupine, Lupinus perennis was first discovered in the 1930s in Orange County but subsequently disappeared from the county. In the 1970s it was rediscovered by premier East Texas botanist and conservation pioneer Geraldine Watson in the Big Thicket National Preserve.

Blue Lupine

Geraldine Watson was one of the most important, influential individuals in protecting the Big Thicket. She spent much of her life fighting to protect this unique area and documenting the flora of East Texas. Finding Blue Lupine after it was thought to be lost is just one of a long list of exceptional accomplishments attributed to her name.

Blue Lupine prefers open, sandy forests and savannahs. It has a curious distribution, occuring in Eastern North America, it ranges from eastern Minnesota in the west to the east along the Great Lakes into New England, then south and west again along the coastal plain until it reaches Deep East Texas. It is noticeably absent from the southern Appalachians and most of the South Central states. Lupinus perennis has been experiencing significant declines throughout its range. It has been extirpated in Maine, and has been declared as Threatened or Endangered in many of the states where it occurs. In many of the others where it is not listed, such as Texas, it probably should be.

County-level distribution of Lupinus perennis from http://www.bonap.org.

I had previously seen and photographed Lupinus perennis in Maryland, where it is also rare. It has long been a dream of mine to see it in East Texas. I researched Geraldine Watson’s herbarium specimens, and though the location information was rather vague I used it to look at aerial imagery and soil maps to determine where I thought they likely occurred. I contacted the state botanist as a backup, and the area he described was right in the vicinity of the spot I had identified. Carolina and I set out with some friends, and after an adventure of a trek through sketchy, flooded backroads, we finally found our quarry.

Blue Lupine

Blue Lupine is a spectacular plant. Much more robust than the more familiar Texas Bluebonnets, its raceme (flowering body) may be close to a foot long. The upper petals start out with white centers that turn purple with age. It is believed that the turn occurs after the flower has been pollinated. As bees, the primary pollinator for lupines, will more likely visit the fresher, whiter blooms to receive a greater pollen reward.

Blue Lupine

In my humble opinion, Blue Lupine is one of the most spectacular plants of the Big Thicket. It is a shame they aren’t more common, but seeing them at peak bloom in East Texas is an experience I will never forget.

April 19, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

A Tribute to an Ice Age Relic

Kentucky Lady’s Slipper

Recently I made the annual trip to see what may be my favorite plant – the Kentucky Lady Slipper (Cypripedium kentuckiense). This year I was joined by my friends John Williams, Skip Pudney, and Terry Hibbitts, who were anxious for the chance to see and photograph the slippers.

The Kentucky Lady’s Slipper finds refuge deep in the cool, moist ravines of the Pineywoods. Here the sunlight barely penetrates the canopy, and in April, if the conditions are just right, its curled petals and broad sepals will unfurl, revealing the cream yellow slipper to the world.

Kentucky Lady’s Slipper

Today this spectacular orchid is rare throughout its range, hanging on as scattered populations from Virginia to East Texas. It occurs in the dwindling southern hardwood forests that remain as relicts from the last ice age. Here tends to be found adjacent to small, often springfed streams on small benches or the lower terraces of steep slopes.

As the glaciers began their retreat rich hardwood forests with beech, maple, hickory, and oak were likely the dominant cover type in the southern United States. As the glaciers receded and the climate warmed and dried, dominant species like American beech were pushed to these ravines where they remain as relicts – reminders of the forests that once were. They are accompanied by a suite of other species typical of northern and Appalachian hardwood forests. The Kentucky lady’s slipper is perhaps the most charismatic example of relictual flora in East Texas.

Kentucky Lady’s Slipper in habitat (shot in 2016)

Cypripedium kentuckiense is huge by orchid standards. The plants may reach close to a meter tall, and the slipper, which is really a modified petal may be the size of a chicken egg. This orchid is a bit of a trickster, as it lures bees, fully expecting a sweet nectar reward, into the lip. The bees find no reward inside though, as the orchid does not produce the sugary substance that the pollinators depend on. It is unlikely that many bees will make the mistake of returning to a lady slipper bloom after this initial disappointment. Therefore it is believed that the orchids are pollinated primarily by inexperienced individuals.

Kentucky Lady’s Slipper in habitat (shot in 2016)

The Kentucky Lady’s Slipper truly is one of the most striking inhabitants of the Pineywoods, and for my money one of the most beautiful plants in the country. Populations continue to decline, however, as these sensitive species succumb to a myriad of pressures from habitat destruction, climate change, increasing isolation of populations which creates a barrier for gene flow, and more. Fortunately many of the remaining Cypripedium kentuckiense populations in East Texas are protected, at least for the moment. So at least for now, these botanical treasures will continue to brighten our rich mesic slopes each spring.

Kentucky Lady’s Slipper in habitat (shot in 2014)

April 17, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

The Flora of Weches Glades

Target Species: Widow’s Cross (Sedum pulchellum)

Widow’s Cross

Weches Glades are unique communities in the Pineywoods that occur where the underlying Weches Formation reaches the surface. Here lie exposed iron rocks and soil that are rich in glauconite, a greenish mineral composed primarily of iron and potassium. Weches Glades occur in a narrow band stretching across Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and Sabine counties and are home to a unique flora, including species that are found nowhere else on the planet.

The coarse soil of the Weches Glades are often saturated in the spring and summer, occasionally forming shallow pools in small depressions in bare rock. The heat and sweltering sun of summer quickly evaporates these pools, and leaves the soil dry and brittle. In the spring the boulders at some of the few remnant glades turn light pink, awash with the blooms of the Widow’s Cross (Sedum pulchellum).

Widow’s Cross is a species of the South-Central states, from extreme Northeast Georgia, Tennesse, and Kentucky in the east to Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas in the west. It is generally limited to glades and outcrops, communities where little else can grow. It thrives under shallow, harsh soil conditions. As these communities are often limited across the landscape, Sedum pulchellum is generally uncommon to rare throughout its range. In Texas it occurs in just a handful of counties in the northern and central portions of the state. In the Pineywoods it is limited to Sabine and San Augustine Counties.

Widow’s Cross

Widow’s Cross owes much of its success in these environments to its succulent leaves, which can quickly absorb and store water from fall and winter rains in order to put on a spectacular spring show. It’s easy to see how the plant gets its name. It’s actually named for the cross like shape of the four-petaled flowers, however the inflorescence also often forms in the shape of a cross.

Widow’s Cross

Though Weches Glades were likely always infrequent and highly localized, a great deal have been lost to glauconite mining. This mineral which seems critical for some species has long been used for soil enhancement and road filler. As result small scale surface mining operations have destroyed many of these unique communities. The vast majority of those that remain are on private land and site unprotected to this day.

Widow’s Cross

While I had previously photographed this species, I captured it on the tail end of its blooming cycle and the plants were past their prime. This year I aimed to capture them at their peak. While they generally bear 3 or 4-pronged racemes, I found some with 5 prongs.

Widow’s Cross

Weches Glades are also home to 2 endemic, Federally Endangered plants: The Texas Golden Gladecress (Leavenworthia texana) and the White Bladderpod (Lesquerella pallida). Leavenworthia texana is endemic to Sabine and San Augustine Counties. Here it occurs almost entirely on private land. These diminutive plants bloom in early spring, ad by the time Widow’s Cross blooms they have already dispersed their seeds. I photographed the individuals below in mid-February. In the second photo the developing stems of Sedum pulchellum can be seen.

Texas Golden Gladecress

The White Bladderpod is restricted to a handful of Weches Glades in San Augustine County. It is named for its spherical seed pods, which can be seen adjacent to the blooms on the photo below. It was in full bloom at the same time as the Widow’s Cross. Curiously, the bladderpod and gladecress generally don’t occur at the same outcrops.

White Bladderpod

White Bladderpot

While photographing the flora of the Weches Glades, one will immediately note the strong smell of mint that fills the air. This is a result of dense populations of the Limestone Calamint (Clinopodium arkansanum).

Limestone Calamint

There are many other interesting species that can be found blooming in Weches Glades. I leave you with a few of them.

Comanche Daisy (Astranthium ciliatum)

Drummond’s Stitchwort (Minuartia drummondii)

Pitcher’s Stitchwort (Minuartia patula)

April 12, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

Two For One at a Sandstone Outcrop

Target Species: Missouri Foxtail Cactus (Escobaria missouriensis) and Nuttall’s Death Camas (Toxicoscordion nuttallii)

Missouri Foxtail Cactus

Grimes County sits in an interesting area of Texas, especially for a naturalist. Here three ecoregions (as defined by Texas Parks and Wildlife) converge: the Pineywoods, the Post Oak Savannah, and the Blackland Prairies. As one might expect, it is not an abrupt and sudden change from one ecoregion to the next, so what results are certain areas that display characteristics of all three areas. It certainly makes for an interesting plant community.

In western Grimes County a series of sandstone outcrops of the Oakville formation reach the surface. These create a stark contrast to the surrounding landscape, resulting in rocky hillsides that exhibit a unique flora. It was on these remarkable outcrops that I pursued my quarry.

The Missouri Foxtail Cactus (Escobaria missouriensis) is a widespread cactus occurring primarily in the Great Plains and portions of the Intermountain West. It is a cold-hardy species, reaching as far north as northern Montana and North Dakota. In Texas it occurs primarily along the eastern edge of the Edward’s Plateau, and outcrops and barrens in the Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairies. On the sandstone outcrops we found them clinging to exposed rocks, and in areas of sandstone and shallow stand over the underlying bedrock.

Missouri Foxtail Cactus

The stems of E. missouriensis are small, inconspicuous, and difficult to see for most of the year. They sit barely 2 inches above ground level, and in times of drought, moisture loss may pull them down to be nearly flush with the ground. The plants remain nearly invisible for most of the year until in the late spring their brilliant blooms betray their presence.

Missouri Foxtail Cactus

The flowers are generally pale yellow and display various tinging of pinks, greens, and tans. The flowers tend to open in the early afternoon and close at night. When we arrived at the first outcrop at around 1 pm, the flowers were still tightly closed, but within an hour most were wide open. The fruits ripen overwinter, and turn bright red in the spring. Though we did not observe it, I have read that it is common to find flowering plants with fruit still attached. Under optimal conditions the flowers may last a few days.

Missouri Foxtail Cactus

Escobaria missouriensis was formerly included in the genus Coryphantha. Subtle differences in the seeds, flowers, and tubercles are used to differentiate the genera.

Missouri Foxtail Cactus

During our visits we saw groupings of various sizes, from single stems to pairs, to clumps of ten or so. The day provided a wealth of photographic opportunities, and I delighted in moving from cactus to cactus to capture their likeness.

Missouri Foxtail Cactus

While exploring the most extensive outcrop I came across the fruits of another species on my 2017 list. I actually saw a large population of Nuttall’s Death Camas (Toxicoscordion nuttallii) in March in the Pineywoods about 30 minutes from my house. Unfortunately it was behind a fence in a pasture. I tried to find and contact the landowners but had no luck, and was concerned that I might not get the chance to check this one off my list. My heart admittedly sank a bit when all of the plants on the sandstone outcrop were in fruit, and appeared to have flowered weeks ago. Then, in the shade of a Post Oak I found a single plant in bloom.

Nuttall’s Death Camas is primarily a plant of the south-central plains, occuring from Kansas to Arkansas to central Texas. It is named for its poisonous bulb, which is said to be highly toxic to mammals.

Nuttall’s Death Camas

There was also a wealth of other interesting plant species on the outcrops. We observed Lesquerella gracilis, Calylophus berlandieri, Linum berlandieri, Chaetopappa asteroides, Marshallia caespitosa, Krameria lanceolata, Echinacea atrorubens, and more in bloom. Unfortunately heavy winds made photographing them a real challenge. Fortunately I was able to capture some acceptable images of White Milkwort (Polygala alba), Prairie Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea), and Reverchon’s False Pennyroyal (Hedeoma reverchonii). The latter is restricted to central Texas and a handful of sites in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

White Milkwort

Prairie Penstemon

Reverchon’s False Pennyroyal

There is something really special about exploring unique habitats like this. Sites that were probably never common on the landscape. I look forward to returning to this outcrop in the future to see what other treasures may bloom throughout the year.

April 11, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

March Recap

Due to a combination of changed plans and other factors, March was not as productive in terms of 2017 biodiversity goal species as I was expecting. I was able to check off three species:

Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima)

Blue Curls (Phacelia congesta)

Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus)

I spent most of the month of March exploring outside my home turf of the Pineywoods. From the South Texas Plains to the Edward’s Plateau, I observed an incredible diversity of habitats and species, which are highlighted in previous blog posts. I did however get to spend some time in the field around here. To follow are some of March’s highlights from East Texas.

This year has been good for Luna Moths (Actias luna). I observed several freshly emerged males. Males utilize their feathery antennae to pick up subtle pheromone cues from females and may fly miles to find a mate. Adult Luna Moths lack feeding mouth parts, and live on average about a week. As adults they really are driven by a singular purpose: to breed.

Luna Moth

March is a great time to enjoy flowering trees and shrubs in East Texas. This year most species put on a decent show. The Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) seemed to peak in late February, however several were still in flower in early March.

Eastern Redbud

Among my favorite spring displays is that of the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). This small tree ranges throughout much of the eastern United States. To me it is one of the emblematic spring blooms of East Texas. Christian accounts claim that Jesus was crucified on the wood of a dogwood tree. Story goes that they were once tall, stately trees that Jesus, following his crucifixion, morphed to their current gnarled form – presumably so no others could ever again be crucified upon their wood. Their “flowers” now appear as crosses each spring around Easter.

In reality the white “flowers” are modified leaves called bracts. The flowers are the yellow structures at the bracts’ centers. In the late summer the tree will bear red fruits that are cherished by wild turkeys. I also think that their growth form only lends beauty to this already stunning species.

Flowering Dogwood

Flowering Dogwood in the understory of a longleaf pine savannah

The Fringetrees (Chionanthus virginicus) seem to hit their peak as the dogwoods are beginning to fade. Their wispy, whitish green blooms light up the forest edge and the understory in open woods.

Fringetree

Dangling like little snowdrops are the blooms of the Two-winged Silverbell (Halesia diptera). These attractive little trees are often found along streams and in moist stream bottoms.

Two-winged Silverbell

Azaleas are a favorite of gardeners and nature lovers alike. In East Texas the Hoary Azalea (Rhododendron canescens) reaches the southwestern extent of its range.

Hoary Azalea

I couldn’t resist photographing a particularly large Sabine River Wakerobin (Trillium gracile). This lovely trillium is endemic to rich forests in the Pineywoods of East Texas and western Louisiana.

Sabine River Wakerobin

Another springtime favorite of mine is the Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum). This characteristic spring ephemeral of eastern forests can form large colonies in East Texas, often carpeting the forest floor. The fluffy white blooms hang below the large umbrella like leaves. Occasionally, as pictured below, the flowers may have a pink tinge to them.

Mayapple

Though I photographed a few in February, I couldn’t resist stopping to photograph some roadside populations of Birdfoot Violets (Viola pedata) in early March.

Birdfoot Violets

Birdfoot Violet

Also common along roadways and dry, open woods is the Plains Wild Indigo (Baptisia bracteata).

Plains Wild Indigo

I photographed this Yellow Star-Grass (Hypoxis hirsuta) with fresh morning dew still clinging to the bloom.

Yellow Star-Grass

Another characteristically eastern forb that reaches its southwestern extent in East Texas is the Lousewort (Pedicularis canadensis). Most of the flowers in Texas are yellow, however I have occasionally observed them with hints of maroon. Lousewort is reported to provide a plethora of medical uses. It’s roots have long been used to brew a tea that helps treat digestive and stomach problems and ulcers. Its leaves can also reportedly be ground into a poultice that helps alleviate swelling, muscle pain, and several skin conditions. Drinking its leaves in a tea is said to sooth sore throats, coughs, and headaches. It is also said to act as a powerful aphrodisiac.

Lousewort

The beautiful Big Thicket Phlox (Phlox pulcherrima) is endemic to the forests of East Texas. Like so many other species in this area of significant habitat modification by man, it is now most common along roadsides.

Big Thicket Phlox

The Nodding Penstemon (Penstemon laxiflorus) is also common along roadsides. It is so common that I never gave it much thought as a photographic subject, however this native has truly unique, beautiful flowers when viewed up close.

Nodding Penstemon

During March I also made a few visits to the Big Thicket to check on a species that I checked off my list in February: The Federally Endangered Texas Trailing Phlox (Phlox nivalis ssp. texensis). The plants were looking healthy and were still blooming mid-March.

Texas Trailing Phlox

Growing near the phlox I saw several Dollarleafs (Rhynchosia reniformis), a species of the coastal plain of the southeastern United States.

I’ll close out this March recap with a beautiful scene from a longleaf pine savannah near one of the few known locations of Texas Trailing Phlox. Here Rose Mock Vervain (Glandularia canadensis) thrives following a fire. These showy blooms are a testament to fire’s ability to maintain and vitalize certain vegetative communities.

With March of 2017 behind us, it’s time to move into April, where I hope to really start get going on my 2017 list of biodiversity goals.

A Naturalist's Journey

My Quest for Biodiversity

Wildflowers

An Ode to Longleaf

Purple People Eater

Jewel of the Sandhills

April Recap

An Adder in the Understory

The Other State Flower

A Tribute to an Ice Age Relic

The Flora of Weches Glades

Two For One at a Sandstone Outcrop

March Recap