April 6, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

Spring in the Hill Country

Giant Spiderwort on a granite outcrop

Three springs ago I was lucky enough to marry the love of my life. Before and since Carolina and I have shared many adventures in the natural world. It seemed fitting that we spend our anniversary in these wild places we love so much, so we decided to take a trip to the Texas Hill Country. It had been years since I spent any time exploring this treasure trove of natural wonders, and Carolina had only previously passed through. We looked forward to a trip full of searching for rocks, gems, wildflowers, and other wild things.

The rugged Texas Hill Country is part of the Edward’s Plateau, an extensive uplift in central Texas comprised of marine deposit that are 100 million years old or more. The region is primarily comprised of limestone, however extensive granite outcrops are present in areas. The variety of substrates harbors an incredible array of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Perhaps no other part of the state is as uniquely Texan as the Hill Country. The following blog post is a long one that highlights its natural beauty.

Spring in the Texas Hill Country

We covered a lot of ground during our trip, trying to see as much as we possibly could. Recent rains had swollen the clear streams of the region. While hiking we came across this tributary of the Colorado River, which I suspect is normally fairly tame. We enjoyed a swim in the cool, clear waters below the fall.

A Hill Country Waterfall

The wild’s of the Hill Country are full of beautiful sights, like this gnarled live oak growing from the top of a massive granite boulder.

A gnarled live oak takes hold on a granite outcrop

The Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) is certainly the most iconic of all Texas wildflowers. While I can’t deny their beauty, I am usually reluctant to photograph bluebonnets, as they have been so extensively planted that it’s hard to know when one has encountered a truly wild population. I found this large population in a clearing in an open oak/mesquite savannah far from any roads or developed areas, and am fairly certain it is a native population.

Texas Bluebonnets

We were lucky that a number of cacti had begun to bloom during our trip. I posted about the Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus) in my previous blog. I also mentioned the Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii). The latter deserves mention again here, as we found many in bloom while we were driving back roads in pursuit of Topaz and Celestite. While we did not find the precious stones, we were rewarded with the brilliant blooms of this spectacular cactus. The largest, most impressive individuals and groups were on private land well behind fences, however we did find several beautiful individuals within camera range.

A Lace Cactus clings to a granite outcrop

Lace Cactus

We also found a few Heyder’s Pincushion Cactuses (Mammillaria heyderi), which I had recently photographed in South Texas.

Heyder’s Pincushion Cactus

Perhaps one of the most spectacular wildflower displays came from the Giant Spiderwort (Tradescantia gigantea) which seemed to thrive on granite and limestone alike.

Giant Spiderwort

We observed a number of Penstemon species. The most common and widespread was the Prairie Penstemon (Penstemon cobaea). It was a treat to see such large, healthy populations of this species, as it is rare in the Pineywoods.

Prairie Penstemon

We even found a few Prairie Penstemons with a striking lavender wash.

Prairie Penstemon

We also found the much less common Guadalupe Penstemon, which is endemic to the Texas Hill Country.

Guadalupe Penstemon

County level distribution for Penstemon guadalupensis from http://www.bonap.org. Yellow counties indicate that the species is present but rare.

The most spectacular of the Penstemons, however, was the Hill Country Penstemon (Penstemon triflorus), another Edward’s Plateau endemic.

Hill Country Penstemon

County-level distribution for Penstemon triflorus from http://www.bonap.org.

The Fringed Bluestar (Amsonia ciliata) was fairly difficult to spot among the grasslands and oak savannahs, despite its bright blue blooms.

Fringed Bluestar

The Green Milkweed Vine (Matelea reticulata) is native to Texas and northeastern Mexico. It is easy to see where it gets one of its alternate common names: The Pearl Milkweed Vine.

Green Milkweed Vine

After spending a couple of nights camping we visited our good friends Scott Wahlberg and Ashley Tubbs in Kerrville. Scott and I are known for our absurd conversations and hypothetical scenarios. We are lucky that we have such tolerant women to put up with our shenanigans. After spending the night at their place, they showed us a beautiful series of canyons that had eroded into the limestone hills. The Endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) serenaded us as we explored its domain.

In addition to being rich in endemics, the Texas Hill Country is home to many species typical of the central or Eastern United States that are disjunct from the main portion of their range. These species generally exist in these cool, moist canyons and are relicts of cooler, wetter times. Scott has found Western Slimy Salamanders (Plethodon albagula) here. Luckily I had seen them in the Hill Country before, as we were unable to find any this trip. We did, however, see several Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) in bloom.

Eastern Red Columbine

We observed several False Day Flowers (Tinantia anomala) in bloom. These bizarre blooms reminded me of some alien creature.

False Day Flower

We also found another uncommon endemic growing in these canyons: The Scarlet Clematis (Clematis texensis).

Scarlet Clematis

County-level distribution for Clematis texensis. Yellow counties indicate that the species is present but rare.

The Texas Madrone (Arbutus xalapensis) is a typical tree of the slopes grading into these canyons. We were lucky to find a few in bloom.

Texas Madrone

With all of the wildflowers in bloom, the pollinators were out in force as well. Perhaps the most beautiful, and definitely the most cooperative were the many Juniper Hairstreaks (Callophrys gryneus) that we observed.

Juniper Hairstreak

As is so often the case for me, as the trip came to an end I was hit with a feeling of sadness. But it’s hard to be too sad when I was returning to the Pineywoods, where so many interesting species were awaiting me.

April 4, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

Seeking the Claret Cup

Target Species: Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus)

Claret Cup Cactus and Fairy Swords

The Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus) is one of the few species on my list that Carolina really wanted to see. Though she almost always accompanies me on my adventures into the natural world, and her eagle sharp vision usually spots my targets before I do, she is usually just following my lead. Ironically, I was far more successful at spotting the bright scarlet blooms of this cactus than she was – a significant divergence from the norm.

Also known as the Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus, Echinocereus coccineus is a species of the desert southwest that reaches the eastern edge of its range in the Edward’s Plateau of central Texas. Carolina and I were thinking about a quick getaway for our Anniversary, and settled on this beautiful region. We camped at some of the many state parks in the area, and spent our Anniversary rock hounding and plant hunting.

Claret Cup Cactus Flower Detail

I first saw this species over a decade ago when backpacking in the Hill Country. It was in bloom among the limestone bluffs northwest of San Antonio. I had an early point-and-shoot camera with me at the time, and did capture some photos, however I have since wanted to return with my current knowledge and photographic skill set.

A Claret Cup Cactus takes root in a crevice in a large granite outcrop.

This time we found them blooming among crevices and at the base of large rocks in extensive granite outcrops. While many species show preference for either limestone or granite, the Claret Cup seems able to thrive in both. The cacti were often forced to share their preferred growing sites with other plant species seeking a refuge from the inhospitable conditions on the exposed granite. Most notably was the arid country fern known as Fairy Swords (Cheilanthes lindheimeri).

The flowers of Echinocereus coccineus are unique for a couple of reasons. Unlike most other members of the genus Echinocereus, whose flowers close at night and reopen in the morning, the flowers of E. coccineus apparently remain open 24-hours a day, lasting a few days. And while most cacti are pollinated by insects, the Claret Cup is primarily pollinated by hummingbirds.

Claret Cup Cactus and Fairy Swords

One day I would like to photograph the Claret Cup in the high Chisos of Big Bend National Park, however for now I was thrilled to have the chance to capture them near the eastern edge of their range. It was a truly incredible thing to see them growing from what little soil was able to develop among a seemingly endless sea of granite.

Claret Cup Cactus

There were other cacti among the granite as well. I had really hoped to see a Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) in bloom. After a few days of finding lots of plants and no blooms, we finally found a few blooms, some within a stone’s throw of the Claret Cups. Looking at the spines of Lace Cactus, it is easy to see how it earned its name.

Lace Cactus

Fairy Swords were abundant, seemingly envigorated by recent rains. The combination of the gray-green ferns and lichen stained boulders was truly beautiful.

Fairy Swords

In deeper depressions within the granite outcrops where debris was able to collect and deeper soils could form species such as Texas Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) and Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) were able to take hold and thrive. While both species are exceedingly abundant, and often planted along roadways throughout much of the state, it was a thrill to see them growing in their natural habitat.

Texas Paintbrush and Texas Bluebonnets

Texas Bluebonnets

Another common species of the granite outcrops that was also found growing alongside the Claret Cup Cactus was the Giant Spiderwort (Tradescantia gigantea). This species really lived up to its name, reaching heights of nearly 3 feet. This species occurs primarily in the Texas Hill Country, with a few disjunct populations in northeast Texas and parts of Louisiana.

Giant Spiderwort

Giant Spiderwort with Claret Cup Cactus in the background

There was more than plants among the outcrops. We saw many animals including Rock Squirrels (Spermophilus variegatus), Crevice Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus poinsettii), and a Texas Patchnose Snake (Salvadora grahamiae), but as is often the case, I was unable to capture any of these on film. The scenery alone was worth the trip, however. There is something magical about these granite monoliths and the flora and fauna that eke out a living around them. As night fell we laid on flat slab of granite, still warm from the day’s sun, and looked up at the brilliant stars. We pondered life’s questions, big and small, and reveled in the magic of the Texas Hill Country.

Hill Country Magic

March 28, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

South Texas Part IV: Star Hunting

Star Cactus

The Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias) may be the rarest, most unique cactus in the country. It is known from only a handful of sites in the Tamaulipan thornscrub of extreme southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. It is so imperiled that it has been listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is severely threatened by land use conversion and habitat loss. Fortunately The Nature Conservancy in Texas acquired the property that may have the largest remaining Star Cactus population in the country. Here they undertake conservation measures and reintroduction efforts to ensure that this iconic cactus remains for generations to come.

I have donated a number of photographs to The Nature Conservancy in the past. When we decided on traveling to South Texas I reached out to them to see if I could arrange a visit to see and photograph these imperiled cacti. They graciously approved my request, and we met with volunteer Paul Bryant, who gave us an excellent tour of the property. Having previously worked for a non-profit land trust similar to the Nature Conservancy, I know how heavily we relied on our volunteers. I also learned to recognize the good ones, and I had no doubt that Paul was a valuable asset to the Nature Conservancy.

Star Cactus

Though many were growing in the open, the star cactus was extremely difficult to spot. When its not flowering, it is inconspicuous, blending in with the scattered rocks covering the gentle slopes where it grows. Also known as the Sea Urchin Cactus, Sand Dollar Cactus, and False Peyote, it is a spineless cactus that lies relatively flat against the surface in times of drought. Following rains, however it swells with water and can appear quite plump. I had hoped to photograph the bright yellow blooms, but it was not to be. We saw a number of plants that had recently blooms, and others that were preparing to, but we weren’t fortunate to catch any in the act. That was ok though, it was a wonderful experience just to get to see them in their element. The plant itself is beautiful, and made for some interesting photographs even without its bloom.

Star Cactus

There were several other cacti growing in the vicinity of the Stars. The most conspicuous was the aptly named Glory of Texas (Thelocactus bicolor). In Texas this species only occurs in the extreme western and extreme southern portions of the state. Though the populations are disjunct in Texas, they are more or less connected through Mexico. We saw many of their bright pink blooms, both in the open and at the base of nurse plants.

Glory of Texas

We also saw a few of the formidable Horse Cripplers (Echinocactus texensis) in bloom. Looking at these beasts, its not hard to see how they got their name.

Horse Crippler

I only saw one Runyon’s Pincushion Cactus (Coryphantha pottsiana) in bloom. Though not as scarce as the Star Cactus, this species is also rare in Texas, where it is known from only three counties along the Rio Grande.

Horse Crippler

And then there were more Lady Fingers (Echinocereus pentalophus). Though these proved to be fairly common during the trip I never tired of seeing them, and could not resist every opportunity to photograph them.

Lady Finger Alicoche

I found one particularly robust flowering specimen growing among a clump of Varilla (Varilla texana). I came to learn that where Varilla grows, there are usually other interesting things to be found.

Lady Finger Alicoche

We also observed several Strawberries Pitayas (Echinocereus enneacanthus), Fitch’s Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus fitchii), Heyder’s Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria heyderi), and a few Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) on the property, however these weren’t in bloom. I had hoped to photograph Peyote this trip, but a suitable opportunity did not present itself.

There were plenty of other flowering plants to admire, however. Perhaps the most striking was the Berlandier’s Nettlespurge (Jatropha cathartica). It seemed to prefer the same gravelly slopes as the cacti.

Berlandier’s Nettlespurge

While on my knees looking for Peyote I spotted a group of tiny yet striking blooms. The Glandular Milkwort (Polygala glandulosa) occurs in only a handful of South Texas Counties.

Glandular Milkwort

It was hard not to stop and admire the Guayacan (Guaiacum angustifolium), which was blooming throughout the thornscrub.

Guayacan

After arriving at the property, we split up to scour the area. Seth soon came to find me. He had an excited grin and told me that he had something to show me. He led me to a large Texas Tortoise (Gopherus berlandieri) that had crawled halfway down its burrow. I wanted so badly to photograph it, but despite waiting for some time, it refused to show its face, and we had to continue our hunt for the Star Cactus. I was luck enough to photograph another South Texas Treasure, the orb-weaver Argiope blanda. A. blanda occurs in the United States only in extreme southern Texas.

Argiope blanda

Though I did not get to photograph the Star Cactus in bloom, it was a day full of natural wonder spent in good company, and I left with a real sense of contentment, both in the things I had seen and photographed, and in the knowledge that organizations like the Nature Conservancy exist to protect our planet’s great biodiversity.

March 27, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

South Texas Part III: The Lady and the Pencil

Lady Finger Alicoche

Though the Trans Pecos is the center of cacti diversity for Texas, the cactus community of the Tamaulipan thornscrub is no less spectacular. It includes a number of Mexican species that just barely enter the states in extreme South Texas. Two species in particular, have been on my bucket list for years now: the Lady Finger Alicoche (Echinocereus pentalophus) and the Pencil Cactus (Echinocereus poselgeri). I would have included them on my 2017 biodiversity list, however I didn’t anticipate taking a trip to South Texas this year. So when a march trip to Big Bend fell through, I delighted in the opportunity to finally observe these species in their natural setting.

This is the part of the story where the patience of Carolina, my parents, and my brother really come into play. They waited patiently while I sought out and photographed these species, and even helped me in my endeavor. Carolina has a real interest in cacti as well, and she enjoyed seeing so many species in bloom.

Lady-Finger Alicoche

The Alicoche is a cactus of the Tamaulipan thornscrub of northeastern Mexico and South Texas. It can form large mats under the shade of nurse plants, however its stems are relatively nondescript, and the plant itself is difficult to see when not in bloom. When it blooms, however, its gives its presence away in spectacular fashion. The huge pink blooms seem to explore from the thornscrub. It is easily one of the most spectacular plants I have ever had the good fortune to observe.

County-level distribution of Echinocereus pentalophus from http://www.bonap.org. Yellow counties indicate that the species is present and rare.

I found the Lady Finger to be an extremely photogenic plant, lending itself both to portraits of the blooms and landscape shots featuring the plant as a foreground element. We were fortunate to observe many individuals in many different settings throughout the trip. Spending time with this species was a truly memorable experience that I look forward to repeating some day in the future.

Lady Finger Alicoche

Remnant Tamaulipan thornscrub forest with Lady Finger Alicoche in bloom.

Fortunately the Alicoche was fairly easy to find. That was not the case with the Pencil Cactus. If the Lady Finger is hard to see when not flowering, the Pencil Cactus is virtually impossible. Also known as the Sacasil or Dahlia Hedgehog Cactus, the Pencil Cactus has an extremely narrow stem that does not look much different than a stick. Couple that with their tendency to grow among dense tangles beneath thornscrub shrubs, and you could imagine how hard it would be to pick them out. When they bloom, however, the light up the thornscrub.

I spent a large part of the trip looking for this species in vain. I went to sites where others had seen them, and scoured seemingly suitable habitat. I did not see one until late afternoon on our last day in the valley. After trudging through the dense thornscrub, cut, tired, and full of spines from allthorn, mesquite, and prickly pears I was ready to give up. Then, as we were preparing to leave, driving through an undeveloped area adjacent to a small subdivision Carolina shouted “STOP! The Pencil Cactus!”. I looked up and saw it. It’s flower had been nipped off. Disappointed, I looked around hoping that there might be another in the area, and then I saw it up a steep slope. I grabbed my camera and scrambled up the slope. As my shutter clicked I felt a real sense of contentment, both in having found the Pencil Cactus, and that I have such a wonderful family that indulges my passion and obsession for the natural world.

Pencil Cactus

The range of the Pencil Cactus is virtually the same as that of the Lady Finger. It seems to be found in slightly denser clumps of brush where its slender, fragile stem can lean on the limbs of nurse plants for support.

County-level distribution for Echinocereus poselgeri from http://www.bonap.org. Yellow counties indicate that the species is present and rare.

We were lucky enough to observe two other species of Echinocereus in bloom in our pursuit of the Lady and the Pencil. The Strawberry Pitaya (Echinocereus enneacanthus) was abundant throughout much of the thornscrub. We were a bit early in the season to see many flowers, but I was lucky enough to spot a few in bloom. E. enneacanthus is a fairly widespread species throughout much of Mexico and southern and western Texas and New Mexico. The variety in South Texas is Echinocereus enneacanthus var. brevispinus, identifiable by its short spines.

Strawberry Pitaya

Much less common was the Fitch’s Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus fitchii). E. fitchii was initially, and still is considered by some to be a variety of Echinocereus reichenbachii, the Lace Cactus. There are significant differences between the two, however, including root structure and spine and flower characteristics. Most cactus flowers are at their best midday on sunny days. This makes photographing them a challenge, as shading them often takes away some of the brilliance of their blooms.

Fitch’s Hedgehog Cactus

Most of the cacti we observed during our trip were on Nature Conservancy property. I can’t say enough good things about the Nature Conservancy in Texas. I will discuss the Nature Conservancy and their contributions to conservation in my next blog post, but wanted to mention them here, as one afternoon Seth and I took a hike at one of their South Texas preserves. We saw more cacti on this hike than the rest of the trip combined. Echinocereus pentalophus and E. enneacanthus were abundant, as were Texas Prickly Pear (Opuntia lindheimeri) and Dog Cholla (Grusonia schotii). We also observed Christmas Cholla (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) and Lower Rio Grande Valley Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus hamatacanthus var. sinuatus), though none were in bloom. We were, however, fortunate enough to see three other species in bloom: Heyder’s Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria heyderi), Hair-Covered Cactus (Mammillaria prolifera), and Twisted-Rib Cactus (Hamatocactus bicolor).

Heyder’s Pincushion Cactus

Hair-Covered Cactus

Twisted-Rub Cactus

We also observed several other interesting plants in the thornscrub. Some of these have been covered in previous blog posts. Others I didn’t photograph for various reasons. One of the most interesting was the terrestrial bromeliad Gaupilla (Hechtia glomerata). We also observed a number of birds typical of the desert southwest, including Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatis), Black-throated Sparrows (Amphispiza bilineata) and Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus). At one point I flipped over a dried cow patty and found a little Western Narrowmouth Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea) sheltering in some remnant moisture beneath it.

Western Narrowmouth Toad

Stay tuned for more cactus-seeking adventures in my next blog entry.

March 23, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

South Texas Part II: Into the Thornscrub

Common Pauraque

Beyond the South Texas coastal dunes, marshes, and prairies lies a unique, biodiverse community dominated by a variety of shrubs and small trees. Variably referred to as South Texas brush country, mezquital, and Tamaulipan thornscrub, this semi-arid, subtropical community occurs in South Texas and the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, and Coahuila. It is home to plants and animals found nowhere else on earth, and in South Texas, marks the northern extent of several Latin American species that just barely enter the United States.

Tamaulipan Thornscrub with blooming Lady Finger Alicoche alongside Strawberry Pitaya.

The Tamaulipan thornscrub in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas is one of the United State’s premier birding locations. My parents and I have made a number of birding trips here in the past, drawn in by the promise of catching a glimpse of one of these South Texas specialties. During this trip the birding was fairly slow, but we did see many of the typical Rio Grande Valley species including Plain Chachalacas (Ortalis vetula), White-tipped Doves (Leptotila verreauxi), Green Jays (Cyanocorax yncas), Long-billed Thrashers (Toxostoma longirostre), Altamira Orioles (Icterus gularis), and Olive Sparrows (Arremonops rufivirgatus). Unfortunately these species did not present me with any good photo ops. I did luck out, however, when we found another Valley specialist, the Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) roosting alongside a trail. These members of the nightjar family are nocturnal and rely on their camouflage to roost on the ground during the day. It was nearly invisible among the dried leaves and sticks littering the earth. I utilized the dense natural debris to create the window effect seen on the photo at the start of this blog entry.

Many mammal species also reach the northern extent of their range in deep South Texas. Unfortunately many of them are now gone. The last Jaguar (Panthera onca) in Texas was killed in the Tamaulipan thornscrub in the 1940’s. There are some that still hold onto hope that there may be a few Jaguarundi left in the Rio Grande Valley. Though there have been no verified sightings in many years, there have been unverified reports. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are still hanging on in the brush country, though they are now rare, and protected under the Endangered Species Act. In our explorations of the thornscrub we observed a number of mammals including White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Collared Peccaries a.k.a. Javelinas (Tayassu tajacu). The only mammal I was able to photograph was the little Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) pictured below.

Eastern Cottontail

There are many reptile and amphibians whose United States distribution is also limited to the Rio Grande Valley. Being an amphibian enthusiast, I was disappointed that we missed the heavy rains that brought out such rarities as the Mexican Burrowing Toad (Rhinophrynus dorsalis) and White-lipped Frog (Leptodactylus fragilis) by just a couple of days. These species are explosive breeders that emerge to breed after heavy rains. I did spend some time looking for the beautiful Speckled Racer (Drymobius margaritiferus), a primarily Latin American species that is known from only a couple of sites in South Texas. I struck out on the snakes, but was able to photograph a couple of the areas conspicuous lizards: the Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) and the Rose-bellied Lizard (Sceloporus variabilis).

Texas Spiny Lizard

Rose-bellied Lizard

The Rio Grande Valley is also world famous for its butterflies. While we observed many species, the only one I obtained a decent photo of was the Common Mestra (Mestra amymone).

Common Mestra

The Tamaulipan thornscrub is named for the typically thorny shrubs and small trees that dominate the community. Typical species of this community include Mesquite (Prosopis gladulosa), Chaparro (Ziziphus obtusifolia), Whitebrush (Aloysia gratissima), Texas Paloverde (Parkinsonia texana), Texas goatbush (Castela erecta), Saffron Plum (Sideroxylon celastrinum), Blackbrush Acacia (Vachellia rigidula), Corona de Cristo (Koeberlina spinosa), Guayacan (Guaiacum angustifolium), and Ebano (Ebenopsis ebano). These shrubs form often impenetrable thickets. On some sites, particularly as one moves further west in the Rio Grand Valley the shrubs may become more scattered, forming dense clumps with areas of exposed gravel and caliche. It was in areas such as this where we observed the rare Baretta (Helietta parvifolia).

Texas Paloverde

Occasionally growing in the crooks of mature Ebano, a real botanical treasure can be found. The epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia baileyi, commonly known as Bailey’s Ball Moss barely enters the United States in South Texas, where it is rare. It is much more striking than other members of its genus, which includes the familiar Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides).

Bailey’s Ball Moss

A conspicuous component of the South Texas brush country is the Anacahuita or Mexican Olive (Cordia boissieri). Its bright blooms illuminate the native brushlands, and it is a popular native ornamental in South Texas. The tree was reportedly utilized by native cultures and Spanish settlers to make jellies and dyes. The leaves can be brewed in a tea that may help with rheumatism and various ailments of the lungs.

Anacahuita

Many invertebrates can be found utilizing Anacahuita leaves and flowers. The Wild Olive Tortoise Beetle (Physonota alutacea) is found exclusively on these small trees.

Wild Olive Tortoise Beetle

Many pollinators also frequent the blooms. They due so at their own risk, however, because predators lurk beneath these flowers. We observed this crab spider (Mecaphesa sp.) awaiting an unsuspecting victim.

Crab Spider

South Texas is also home to a variety of native lantana species. Brushland lantana (Lantana achyranthifolia) could occasionally be found scattered about the thornscrub.

Brushland Lantana

We also observed a couple of species of heliotrope, including the widespread Seaside Heliotrope (Heliotropium curassivicum), and the more range restricted Scorpion Tail (Heliotropium angiospermum) which occurs in South Texas and southern Florida.

Seaside Heliotrope

Scorpion Tail

Fiddleleaf Tobacco (Nicotiana repanda), a species of central and southern Texas, was also fairly common.

Fiddleleaf Tobacco

Shrubby Blue Sage (Salvia ballotiflora) occurs in the U.S. only in southern and western Texas.

Shrubby Blue Sage

Over the millennia, the meanders of the Rio Grande has slowly changed course, leaving in their wake old depressional oxbow scars. The scars eventually filled with rainwater and runoff and developed a unique flora. Known as Resacas these unique wetlands provide habitat for a host of rare plant and animal species. We observed many Least Grebes (Tachybaptus domincus), another bird species whose U.S. distribution is restricted to South Texas in them. We also observed the rare Runyon’s Water-Willow (Justicia pacifica) here.

Runyon’s Water Willow

As one moves further west along the valley, one begins to notice more and more of a desert influence. I observed many familiar species that I have photographed in West Texas including Snapdragon Vine (Maurandella antirrhiniflora) and Cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens). The latter blooms in response to rainfall and humidity.

Snapdragon Vine

Cenizo

I observed Purple Groundcherry (Quincula lobata) here. These showy groundcover primarily occur in the southwestern United States.

Purple Groundcherry

I also observed Bearded Prairie-Clover (Dalea pogonathera) here. This member of the pea family is primarily a species of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Bearded Dalea

South Texas is also home to a few woodsorrel species that do not have the typical “lucky clover” leaf. Pictured here is Peonyleaf Woodsorrel (Oxalis dichondrifolia).

Peonyleaf Woodsorrel

The open caliche hills were home to the beautiful Berlandier’s Nettlespurge (Jatropha cathartica), which is restricted to South Texas and adjacent Mexico.

Berlandier’s Nettlespurge

The most spectacular element of the Tamaulipan thornscrub, however, were the cacti. These famed succulents were my main target in South Texas, and I was fortunate to observe many species. Though my next two blog posts will be dedicated to the incredible diversity of South Texas cacti, I have decided to provide a preview of things to come below.

Lady Finger Alicoche (Echinocereus pentalophus)

Glory of Texas (Thelocactus bicolor)

Heyder’s Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria heyderi)

March 22, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

South Texas Part I: Along the Coast

Coastal Dunes with Beach Morning Glory

When I was developing my 2017 list I added several species that were contingent on a spring break trip to Big Bend. Unfortunately I did not plan ahead enough, and by the time I tried to make arrangements out west everything was already booked up. Fortunately there are so many biodiversity hot spots in Texas that it was not hard to find a substitute. We decided on the varied subtropical habitats of Deep South Texas. Here one can encounter a suite of endemics and Mexican specialties that are found nowhere else in the country. It may come as no surprise that immediately after posting my 2017 list I began thinking about my 2018 list, in which I planned to include many of the South Texas specialties.

So Carolina and I began an adventure with my entire family: my brother, Seth, my mom, Jolynn, and my dad, Jack. We traveled south in two vehicles intent on seeking out plants, birds, herps, and good food. Our first couple days were allocated for time along the coast, from Port Aransas to South Padre.

The South Texas coast contains several extensive dune fields, primarily along the barrier islands. Some are ever shifting, and some have been stabilized with vegetation and debris. One might be surprised to find plants clinging to life in these sandy wastelands, however several species thrive in these shifting sands. The most conspicuous species during our trip was the Beach Morning Glory (Ipomoea imperati), which is a coastal specialist ranging from the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Florida to the Gulf Coast of Florida to Texas. We enjoyed the view from the base of the dunes as Sanderlings (Calidris alba), Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres), Willets (Tringa semipalmata), and Black-bellied Plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) chased the receding waterline only to swiftly retreat with each incoming wave.

Beach Morning Glory

Beyond the dunes lie a variety of habitats including wet and dry prairies and marshes. Marshes vary from saline to brackish to freshwater, depending on the influence of tidal waters. We spent time exploring some high quality saltmarshes, one of my favorite communities, where we observed several bird species including Long-billed Curlews (Numenius americanus), Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa), Spotted Sandpipers (Actitus maculatus), Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melenaleuca), American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus), Clapper Rails (Rallus crepitans (formerly R. longirostris)), American Coots (Fulica americana), Common Moorhens(Gallinula chloropus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Redheads (Aythya americana), Northern Pintails (Anas acuta), Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors), Black-bellied Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis), and Mottled Ducks (Anas fulvigula). Mottled Ducks are coastal specialists that range from Florida to central Mexico. These close relatives of the Mallard have experienced population declines throughout much of their range as coastal habitat has been lost to development and sea level rise.

Mottled Duck

The marshes were also home to a variety of wading birds including American Bitterns (Botaurus lentiginosus), Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja), White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), Green Herons (Butorides virescens), Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias), Great Egrets (Ardea alba), Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula), Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens), Yellow-crowned Night-Herons (Nyctanassa violacea), Black-Crowned Night-Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), and some cooperative Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) and Little Blue Herons (Egretta caerulea).

Tricolored Heron

Little Blue Heron

A number of songbirds were also present. We observed several Common Yellowthroats (Geothlypis trichas) and scores of Red-winged Blackbirds (Agaleius phoeniceus) and Great-tailed Grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus). The Grackles were particular tame, and would perch on the boardwalk support posts mere feet away from us.

Great-tailed Grackle

Slight variations of topography along the coast result in vastly different vegetative communities. On small sandy crests and ridges dry prairies and scrublands persist. These prairies are dominated by a variety of grasses and forbs. The most visible member of this community is the Spanish Dagger (Yucca treculeana). These stately yuccas are common in these dry prairies, and in the United States are restricted to southern Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Spanish Dagger

Spanish Dagger Flowers

Along the wetter transition zone between marsh and prairie Carolina spotted a pair of Texas Feathershanks (Schoenocaulon texanum). These bizarre members of the lily family can be found in south, central, and west Texas and southwest New Mexico.

Texas Feathershank

The contact zone between the dunes and coastal prairie also harbor an interesting flora. Arkansas Lazy Daisy (Aphanostephus skirrhobasis) is a widespread species of the south central states that can be common in this community.

Arkansas Lazy Daisy

The lazy daisy is popular with pollinators, and coincidentally with their predators like this crab spider (Misumenoides formosipes) that awaits a hungry pollinator to fall into its trap.

A crab spider awaits an unsuspecting pollinator

American Bluehearts (Buchnera americana) was also fairly common in this community.

American Bluehearts

I have always been a fan of milkworts. I was delighted to see several White Milkworts (Polygala alba), which we don’t have in East Texas.

White Milkwort

Texas Palafox (Palafoxia texana) is primarily restricted to southern Texas. Its brilliant pink blooms added a splash of color to the primarily brown grasses of the coastal prairie.

Texas Palafox

I observed this wasp, Campsomeris tolteca (thanks to Seth Patterson for the ID), feeding on the nectar-rich flowers of the Texas Palafox..

Campsomeris tolteca

Scattered along the coast are a series of woodlots primarily dominated by Live Oak (Quercus virginiana and Quercus fusiformis) and Hackberry (Celtis laevigata). Here we observed a variety of Neotropical Migrant birds including Yellow-throated Vireos (Vireo flavifrons), Northern Parulas (Setophaga americana), Black-and-white Warblers (Mniotilta varia), and Yellow-throated Warblers (Setophaga dominica).

These woodlots are also home to Drummond’s Hedgenettle (Stachys drummondii). This member of the mint family is restricted to the Texas Coast and the Rio Grande Valley.

Drummond’s Hedgenettle

County Level Distribution for Drummond’s Hedgenettle from http://www.bonap.org

The wealth of biodiversity along the coast was not limited to land. We observed a variety of shells, jellyfish, and dead fish along the shore, as well as a number of dolphin pods on the move offshore. The most exciting encounter of the trip, however, came in the form of this juvenile sea turtle, which I believe is a Mexican Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Thanks to a tip from my good friend John Williams, we were able to observe several foraging just offshore. Despite the cool morning, 40 mile per hour winds, and spitting rain, everyone enjoyed watching this rare marine reptiles as they surfaced for a breath before returning to the depths.

Green Sea Turtle

The South Texas Coast was good to us, however the trip had only begin. Next we would be venturing into the South Texas Brush Country, famed for its biodiversity and specialty species that can be found nowhere else in the country.

March 20, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

Common Plant, Uncommon Beauty

Target Species: Blue Curls (Phacelia congesta)

Blue Curls

Most of the species on my 2017 biodiversity list are rare, unusual, range-restricted, or hard to find. I added Blue Curls (Phacelia congesta) simply because they are beautiful and I wanted to photograph them! One might wonder how a species that can be prolific along roadsides eluded my lens for so many years, but these lovely spring wildflowers do not occur in the Pineywoods, and though I have most certainly passed by them at 75 miles per hour on the free way, I never took the time to stop and smell the Blue Curls, so to speak.

Blue Curls

Phacelia congesta is an iconic Texas wildflower, and is featured prominently in virtually every wildflower guide and photo tribute book covering the region. In fact, the majority of its range is centered in the Lonestar State, and it just barely spills over into New Mexico and Oklahoma. Blue Curls tend to occur on coarse sandy or gravelly soils, primarily in central, south, and west Texas. Here it occurs in open brushlands, woodlands, savannahs, and roadsides. In open areas it can form dense colonies, literally blanketing the ground with its light blue to purple blooms. It is my experience that blue, pink, and purple flowers differ dramatically in how the reflect color under sunny vs. cloudy conditions.

Blue Curls, showing the buds along the curled inflorescences.

Phacelia congesta is a plant of many names. I have seen it referred to as Caterpillars, Fiddleneck, Spider Flower, and Wild Heliotrope. I chose Blue Curls for the blog, as it is the common name I have most frequently seen associated with this species. To me, it is also the most fitting. The flower buds are arranged on long, curled inflorescences. As the flowers begin to open, the inflorescences slowly unfurl until all of the flowers have bloomed.

Blue Curls

I found this large group of Blue Curls on a Spring Break trip to South Texas with my family. They were kind enough to indulge me much more than any normal patient person would (more on that in future blog posts). The plants were much more robust, and even more spectacular than I was expecting. We found them just after a rainy day had cleared to a beautiful afternoon, and I delighted in photographing several of the beautiful plants in this healthy population.

Blue Curls

Blue Curls was not the only species of Phacelia in the area. We also found several individuals of Sand Phacelia (Phacelia austrotexana). This one still had a few raindrops clinging to the bloom. P. austrotexana was recently split from P. patuliflora. It is restricted to South Texas and northern Mexico.

Phacelia austrotexana

Another South Texas endemic we found in the area was the Sand Brazos-Mint (Brazoria arenaria). Carolina’s sharp eyes spotted this rare species. It is a close relative to another species on my list, Brazos truncata, which I hope to photograph later this spring.

Sand Brazos-Mint

Rio Grande Phlox (Phlox glabriflora), another South Texas specialty, was also present. Considered by some to be a subspecies of Phlox drummondii. It is best differentiated by the later by its trailing stems.

Rio Grande Phlox

Barely visible and easily overlooked among the larger, more showy wildflowers, were several blooms of Smallflower Milkvetch (Astragalus nuttallianus). This species occurs at a few sites in East Texas, but it is rare there, so it was a treat to see it blooming by the thousands. A slight breeze made photographing the tiny flowers a near impossibility.

Smallflower Milkvetch

Another widespread species that was present in good numbers was Berlandier’s Yellow Flax (Linum berlandieri).

Berlandier’s Yellow Flax

Checking Blue Curls off my list was a great way to start our trip to South Texas. It was a sign of good things to come, I hoped.

March 9, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

Are we in East Texas or Appalachia?

False Rue Anemone

I’m going to break my own rule again and make a post that is not about a species on my 2017 list of biodiversity goals to tell you about what may be, in my opinion, the nicest patch of forest in all of Texas. A couple of years ago Carolina and I were fortunate enough to meet Susan and Viron through a mutual friend. We joined them on a hike through the Sabine National Forest and it became clear that we were meant to be friends. They shared our love for exploring wild places. During our hike they talked about the property they owned in East Texas. They mentioned some plants that they had on their property including bloodroot and trout lily, and naturally my ears perked up. We parted ways with a promise to explore their land to see what other treasures it might hold.

We got our chance the next spring, and visited them at their home – a log cabin that they built themselves – nestled on a high ridge overlooking a steep, scenic slope. As we approached the house I could already begin seeing drifts of Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium rostratum) and clumps of Sabine River Wakerobin (Trillium gracile). After visiting for a while we set out to explore.

A mesic calcareous slope on private land rich in spring ephemeral forbs that are rare in Texas. Taken in March 2016

They took us down a trail that lead away from the house. It climbed to the top of a hill covered in Mayapple (Podphyllum peltatum), and as we crested the ridge I was not prepared for the view that lay before me. I saw a steep slope that was literally carpeted with thousands of spring ephemeral herbs that were flowering in spectacular profusion. Thousands of Yellow Trout Lilies and Cutleaf Toothworts (Cardamine concactenata) had opened their blooms. Both species are rare in Texas. The scene seemed more appropriate for the slopes of the Great Smoky or Blue Ridge Mountains than East Texas.

There was also a species growing among them that I did not immediately recognize. It turned out to be False Rue Anemone (Enemion biternatum), and I was unsure if it had been previously documented in Texas. After returning home that evening I sent an e-mail to Jason Singhurst, the state botanist with TPWD and began doing a little research. It turned out to be the second documented population in the state. Having found the only other population, Jason was anxious to get out and explore the property to document this population and see what else this wonderful land might harbor.

False Rue Anemone

He got his chance a couple of days ago on a warm, rainy spring day. Jason and a group of excellent botanists joined me on the property, and while it rained on and off throughout the day, I could not find it in me to complain about the weather. To me, days like this are the epitome of spring in the eastern forests. Like me, Jason and the others could not believe their eyes. After arriving we soon located the False Rue Anemone which was blooming by the thousands.

The mesic, calcareous slopes turned out to be far more extensive than I originally thought, stretching for acres across the property. Perhaps the most dominant spring ephemeral forb was the Yellow Trout Lily, which had sent up hundreds of thousands of leaves. While there were several blooms they remained closed throughout the day, as they only open under warm, bright conditions. Fortunately I was able to photograph this species at the site the previous year. Yellow Trout Lily is rare in Texas, known only from a few high quality mesic forests. It is one of a few yellow-flowered in Eastern North America. It is easily differentiated by the others by its erect flowers and tepals (combination of petals and sepals) that are not reflexed.

Yellow Trout Lily. Taken in March 2016

Perhaps even more rare than the Yellow Trout Lily is the Cutleaf Toothwort. It too was blooming by the thousands here. This rare member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) is a typical flower of eastern deciduous forests that is only known from a few locations in Texas. It is one of the hosts for the Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea). Though we saw many of these beautiful butterflies during our visit, they were impossible to photograph as they refused to pause while bouncing from flower to flower in their quest for nectar.

Cutleaf Toothwort. Taken in March 2016

Several flowering groups of Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata) were also present. This showy phlox is rare in Texas, where it reaches the southwestern periphery of its range. However it can be downright abundant in the hardwood forests of the Appalachians and eastern North America.

Wild Blue Phlox

The rain presented several unique photographic opportunities. The day must have been just warm enough for the Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) to open. We found several of this quintessential forb of the eastern deciduous forest. I captured this photogenic plant with fresh raindrops on the petals. Like so many of the other plants at this site, Bloodroot is rare in Texas. Probably never particularly common, it has suffered through more than a century of habitat destruction and over-collection for its medicinal properties.

Bloodroot

Growing among the Bloodroot were several Southern Twayblade Orchids (Listera australis). It was the only orchid species we located during our visit, but there is certainly potential for more to be out there.

Southern Twayblade Orchid. Taken in March 2016

The Sabine River Wakerobin was also up in force. This attractive trillium is endemic to the Pineywoods of East Texas and western Louisiana.

Sabine River Wakerobin. Taken in March 2016

The understory was also full of flowering shrubs and small trees. Perhaps the most notable were the thickets of Red Buckeye (Aescuslus pavia). They seemed to have all bloomed in unison, and painted the understory red with their beautiful flowers.

Red Buckeye

The Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida) were also in bloom. To me, this plant, more than other, represents the essence of spring in East Texas and eastern North America.

Flowering Dogwood. Taken in March 2016

We took a break from searching for plants to admire this particularly robust Ravenel’s Stinkhorn (Phallus ravenelii) pushing up from the leaf litter.

Ravenel’s Stinkhorn

There were many other rare plants that were not yet in flower including Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica), Virginia Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) and one species on my 2017 list: Starry Campion (Silene stellata). The presence of these botanical treasures provided an added incentive to return, however in truth the only reason we need is the opportunity to spend a day in the woods with our good friends Susan and Viron. After a long day, botanists and landowners parted ways content in seeing a bit of paradise nestled deep in the Pineywoods.

March 6, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

A Tale of Two Trillium

Left: Texas Trillium (Trillium texanum). Right: Bloody Butcher (Trillium recurvatum).

This post does not include any of my 2017 biodiversity targets, however I had such a good time on a recent outing looking for two species of trillium in East Texas that I couldn’t resist posting about it. Both species are also very rare in Texas and are certainly worthy of their own treatment in my blog.

Last Thursday was Texas Independence Day. Working for the state I get all kinds of obscure holidays off. Even so, I decided to go into work in the morning to rack up a few hours of comp time and left a little before lunch. I set out in pursuit of two members of one of my favorite genera. Their populations are within a half an hour of one another, and I figured I could visit both in an afternoon, despite my tendency to lose track of time.

Texas Trillium

Texas Trillium (Trillium texanum) is one of the pedicillate trilliums (subgenus Trillium). Members of this group have uniformly green bracts and flowers separated from the leaf-like bract by pedicels. It is the only member of this group in Texas. It was formerly considered a variety of Trillium pusillum.

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

Texas Trillium is extremely rare, occurring in only a few populations in East Texas and western Louisiana, though I recently heard from a botanist friend that it had been discovered in southwest Arkansas. While other trillium species in Texas generally occur on rich, mesic slopes, Trillium texanum occurs in forested seeps, growing from permanently saturated ground amid sphagnum moss in the shade of Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) and other tree species typical of these communities.

Texas Trillium

I found thousands of plants in my short visit, however only a small fraction of them were in bloom, with most plants only put up single bracts. The flowers were all fresh. As they age they will gradually turn a deep shade of pink before the petals weather away.

Texas Trillium

Growing near the Texas Trillium were several groups of Primrose-leaved Violet (Viola primulifolia). This tiny violet is similar to Viola lanceolata but can easily be differentiated by its leaves. It grows in similar saturated environments.

Primrose-leaved Violet

After spending an hour or so with the Texas Trillium I was ready to move on to the next Trillium species. As I’m driving I frequently glance on the roadside in search of any interesting plant that might catch my eye. While travelling between the two trillium sites I glimpsed a large patch of Carolina Vetch (Vicia caroliniana), an uncommon denizen of rich forests that barely enters Texas in the eastern part of the state.

Carolina Vetch

Trillium recurvatum has a number of common names, including Prairie Trillium and Red Trillium. My favorite, however, is Bloody Butcher – no doubt a reference to the deep red flowers. Bloody Butcher is one of the sessile-flowered trilliums (subgenus Phyllantherum). These differ from the subgenus Trillium by having variously mottled bracts and sessile flowers. Trillium recurvatum can be easily differentiated from the other sessile-flowered trillium of Texas by its petiolate bracts.

Bloody Butcher

Trillium recurvatum is a fairly widespread species. It is common throughout much of its range, but rare on the periphery, which includes Texas. In contrast to the mucky seep where I found Trillum texanum, I found Trillium recurvatum growing on a rich mesic calcareous slope with a variety of mesophytic hardwoods and calciphilic forbs.

County level distribution for Trillium recurvatum from http://www.bonap.org. Yellow counties indicate that the species is present but rare.

The majority of the plants I observed had deep maroon flowers, but a few were pale yellow. In the past I have also observed individuals with lemon-yellow blooms at this site. As is often the case with these East Texas rarities, at the few sites in the state that Trillium recurvatum does occur, it can be quite abundant. I was fortunate enough to observe hundreds of blooms.

Bloody Butcher with pale yellow flowers

Bloody Butcher with pale yellow flower

Once again while driving I caught sight of an irregularity on the roadside. This time it was not a plant, but one of our most spectacular insects: the Luna Moth (Actias luna). Luna Moths may have as many as three generations per year in East Texas with the first emerging in early spring. The individual pictured is a male, identifiable as such by its extremely feathery antennae. These antennae are loaded with receptors that can detect the pheromones of a female from miles away. They are members of the giant silk moth family (Saturnidae), and are among the largest moths in North America.

Luna Moth

I ended the evening in the floodplain of the Attoyac River admiring a particularly expansive patch of Butterweed (Packera glabella). The light was perfect, and I tried to capture a landscape image that showcased the beauty of these early spring wildflowers. Growing among them were Springcress (Cardamine bulbosa) and hundreds of violets. It was the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon.

Butterweed in the Attoyac River floodplain

March 4, 2017 by mattbuckinghamphotography

Cure-All

Target Species: Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima)

Yellowroot

I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to check this one off my list. I first learned that Yellowroot occurred in Texas while looking through Geyata Ajilvsgi’s book Wildflowers of the Big Thicket. I then saw it mentioned in a couple of scientific publications and decided to do a little research. There are very few records from Texas, and those that exist are fairly vague as to the species’ location. Looking at the publications I had an idea where to look, but I had no idea if the plant would be common at that location, easy to see, or when it might bloom. I tried my best to guess the bloom time in East Texas based on the species’ phenology in other states.

A couple of weeks ago I caught a break. While attending the Texas Black Bear Alliance meeting I was chatting with a friend that works for a large timber company who happened to be a naturalist and plant enthusiast. He has access to hundreds of thousands of timber company lands and a penchant for exploring wild places. I casually asked him if he has ever seen yellowroot on timber land, and he said that he had, though he hadn’t seen it in bloom. We talked about getting out to look for it, and finally made it happen yesterday.

County-level distribution of Xanthorhiza simplicissima from http://www.bonap.org

Yellowroot is a subshrub that primarily occurs in the southern Appalachians. There is a disjunct population in East Texas and western Louisiana. Here it is very rare, occurring at only a handful of sites. It’s tiny flowers hang on drooping, branched panicles originating from the main stem. It grows on the banks of small streams that wind through sandy, acidic soils.

Yellowroot Panicles

My friend first took us to a site that I have visited before. We were joined by another friend with a love for the outdoors. We found many plants growing along the margins of a clear, spring fed stream just before it poured from a 20-foot waterfall. Seeing it here, one wouldn’t expect it to be so rare in the state. The sandy stream edge was lined with thousands of plants, many of them in full bloom.

East Texas Waterfall. Photographed in July, 2016.

Yellowroot is so-named for it’s bright yellow roots which contain berberine, an alkaloid with numerous medicinal properties. Native Americans and settlers used Yellowroot as a die and as a cure for a variety of ailments. Yellowroot tea was used to treat sores and other issues in the mouth and gums, congestion, allergies, stomach ulcers, upset stomachs, and indigestion. Crushed roots were used in salves that treated sores, cuts, rashes and swelling. Contemporary research has shown that Yellowroot has the potential to lower blood pressure and improve liver health and function. Advocates of homeopathic remedies still utilize Yellowroot tea as a natural cure-all.

Yellowroot Flowers

Perhaps these medicinal properties helped spell doom for Yellowroot populations in East Texas. It is entirely possible that over collection, along with habitat loss contributed to its current scarcity.

The tiny flowers are really striking, though they require some magnification to appreciate. We saw blooms ranging from brown to purple to greenish yellow. We wandered along the creek for a while enjoying the warm spring air and cold, clean water.

Yellowroot Flower detail

After leaving the falls we traveled to another site where we found Xanthorhiza simplicissima growing in great abundance. This site is also home to a slew of other plants that are exceedingly rare in Texas, including Silky Camelia (Stewartia malacodendron) and Common Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea).

Typical Yellowroot habitat along a clear, springfed stream.

My friend has a great knowledge of East Texas culture, history, and pre-history. He regaled us with stories of Native Americans and recent residents. It was fitting that while in search of a plant so important to native cultures that we would find an artifact alluding to a time long ago before East Texas was colonized by Europeans. We found this arrowhead along one of the streams we were exploring. Not a day goes by that I don’t long to see the East Texas that the native tribes experienced.

Arrowhead

Before going our separate ways, my friend had one final surprise in store for us. He took us to a relict dating even further back, to a time prior to human habitation, and possibly predating the speciation of Homo sapiens. This ancient palm fossil lies on exposed boulder of the Catahoula formation. It was a fine day spent in fine company. I learned a lot, particularly about the history of the region. I look forward to returning soon to find what other treasures this country is hiding.

A Naturalist's Journey

My Quest for Biodiversity

Wildflowers

Spring in the Hill Country

Seeking the Claret Cup

South Texas Part IV: Star Hunting

South Texas Part III: The Lady and the Pencil

South Texas Part II: Into the Thornscrub

South Texas Part I: Along the Coast

Common Plant, Uncommon Beauty

Are we in East Texas or Appalachia?

A Tale of Two Trillium

Cure-All