Tha is indeed unusual, I have never seen that either, could be a new variety?
Josephine.
Texas Native Plant Pictures ( Shrubs )
Lindheimer Senna, Velvetleaf cassia (Senna Lindheimerii), Caesalpiniaceae Family, Texas native, perennial, blooms late May through October, poisonous to animals
The one with bright yellow blooms ...
Velvetleaf senna is found mostly in the Edwards Plateau, South Plains west through the Trans-Pecos and to Arizona and south into Mexico. It is common in shallow limestone, sandy, sandy loam soils on hillsides and rocky ravines. Dry, rocky soils. It does best in exceptionally well-drained alkaline soils.
Velvetleaf senna is an erect, perennial that has one to several velvety stems arising from a deep, woody root. The up to 6 in. (15 cm) long, pinnately compound soft leaves have four to eight pairs of leaflets, Each leaflet is 1 to 2 in. (2.5 to 5.0 cm) long and are rounded or oblong. They are covered with fine, velvety hairs (especially the undersides) that are soft and silvery. The leaf color varies by native region with western populations being greener and eastern ones more silver. About 1-1.25 inches across, bright yellow to yellow-orange flowers (5 to more than 20) are held in short racemes near the tips of the stems. The seeds are formed in elongated pods. Pinch back the tips to make the plant fuller and blooming more profuse if desired.
Seeds provide an important source of food for birds. It is a butterfly nectar source and a larval host for the Sleepy Orange and other Sulphur butterflies. Although drought tolerant, In the desert regions, it needs to be watered two or three times a month in the summer to do its best flowering and to keep the plants in good condition. In its native regions or in milder areas this species needs only intermittent watering during a drought. Plants freeze to the ground at 20°F (−7°C) but recover quickly Plant velvetleaf senna makes a great specimen plant and looks great as an accent in rock gardens. xeriscapes and wildscapes.
It is known to be a strong laxative when the leaves are brewed into a tea. It can also be toxic if eaten by livestock. Velvetleaf senna is very unpalatable and is consumed only during severe drought and other unusual circumstances. The chemicals responsible for the toxicity are not known. The symptoms are diarrhea, dark urine and weakness. Most animals that are poisoned by Lindheimer Senna do not recover.
A flower which may have a more orange-yelow color then this type ...
Lindheimer Senna, Velvetleaf cassia (Senna Lindheimerii)
The one to two inches long and 3/8 to 3/4 inches wide velvety leaves ...
Lindheimer Senna, Velvetleaf cassia (Senna Lindheimerii)
The seed pods (seedpods) form here after the flower has been pollinated.
Roosevelt Weed, New Deal Weed, Jara Dulce, Poverty Weed (Baccharis neglecta), Asteraceae Family, native, deciduous, blooms late summer through November, invasive
Poverty weed is a tall shrub with many willow-like branches which can be found growing in the South Texas Plains and the Edwards Plateau regions in Texas.on prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, savannahs and disturbed areas. It grows in various soil types including sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, granitic and calcareous; howeverr, it prefers calcareous soils The elliptic, narrow leaves are approximately 1- 2 1/2 inches long. They can have a smooth or jagged margins. In the late summer, it starts to bloom and looks beautiful blowing in the winfd with the sunlight illuminating the flowers and later the seeds. Male and female flowers are on different plants. The white cotton-like pappus of theseeds is very conspicuous in the fall and is distributed by wind
Its common names purportedly are derived from the fact that after the great Dust Bowl, it was planted as a cheap, fast and easy way to revjuvinate the severly damaged soil. However, the qualities that mafe it desirable then, have made it a real problem now. Both B. neglecta and B. halimifolia (listed above) have become a pian in the neck in rangelands and disturbed areas. It spread fast and overtakes forage plants with its deep roots using up a large amount of water. It is very difficult to eradicate because livestock do not feed upon it as well as it prolifically produces seeds. However, it is a good nectar plant for many pollinators including some butterflies.
County distribution:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Texas&statefips=48&symbol=BANE2
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1747/index.html
Female flowers ...
Roosevelt Weed, New Deal Weed, Jara Dulce, Poverty Weed (Baccharis neglecta), Asteraceae Family, native, deciduous, blooms late summer through November, invasive
Male flowers which do not produce fruit ...
Roosevelt Weed, New Deal Weed, Jara Dulce, Poverty Weed (Baccharis neglecta)
Female branch ...
Roosevelt Weed, New Deal Weed, Jara Dulce, Poverty Weed (Baccharis neglecta)
Male branch ...
Wright's False Mallow, Big Flower False Mallow, Golden False Mallow (Malvastrum aurantiacum), Malvaceae Family, endemic Texas native, perennial, shrub, subshrub, blooms March through August
Wright's false mallow can be found growing natively in Central and South Texas in pastures, along creeks and river floodplains. I can find very little information about this plant. It is a host plant for the tropical checkered skipper (Pyrgus oileus) butterfly.
County distribution:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Texas&statefips=48&symbol=MAAU
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/116622/live_view/
A bloom just about ready to fully open ...
Fairy Duster, False-Mesquite, False Mesquite Calliandra (Calliandra conferta), Mimosaceae Family, endemic Texas native, perennial, shrub, subshrub, groundcover, blooms March through early summer and sporadically in the fall, can be invasive
Fairy Duster, False-Mesquite, False Mesquite Calliandra (Calliandra conferta) is an endemic Texas native plant that is hardy to 15 degrees F. It frequently grows natively in the South Texas Plains and Edwards Plateau regions in.caliche and limestone as well as less frequently in other areas. It resembles mimosa sp., but it does not have thorns. Usually, it is three to twelve inches in height with a width of between 1 and 3 feet; but, it sometimes grows as tall as 3 feet. An airy looking groundcover, it provides erosion control. The blooms are white to cream or sometimes pink-toned with white stamens. It produces blooms from March to May. This plant is often browsed by cattle and white-tailed deer and hummingbirds are attracted to the blooms. It is a great plant for xeriscapes and wildscapes.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/113126/index.html
Not fully opened blooms ...
Fairy Duster, False-Mesquite, False Mesquite Calliandra (Calliandra conferta)
A view of the foliage and seed pods:
Fairy Duster, False-Mesquite, False Mesquite Calliandra (Calliandra conferta)
Another view ...
Texas Bear Grass, Bunch Grass, Devil's Shoestring, Sacahuista (Nolina texana), Liliaceae Family, Texas native, perennial, evergreen, subshrub/shrub, blooms March through July
Texas sacahuista natively occurs in the rocky soils of various habitats including hills, brushy areas and grasslands from Central Texas (very abuindant in the Edwards Plateau Region) to the upper Rio Grande Plains to most of the Trans-Pecos Region and into northern Mexico. It is adaptable to a variety of soils including rocky, limestone-based, sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay, and caliche. It has numerous 2 to 5 foot long thin leaves which when young are arching, but with age, form a weeping mound The foliage is smooth or only slightly rough and has widely spaced teeth on the margins. The leaves are 0.08 - 0.16 in. (2-4mm) wide which gives it a grassy appearance. With adequate moisture, one or more flowering rather short, 12 to 24 inches long, stems appear. They have large panicles of creamy white to greenish flowers which are sometimes tinged with lavender. They are nestled among the leaves unlike some other species of Nolina blooms. Nolinas are polygamo-dioecious: which means that they usually have male and female flowers on separate plants; however, each plant also has a few perfect flowers (male and female flower parts on one flower). To propagate, remove individual offshoots from mature plants in winter. Collect seeds when the capsule begins to dry and spread the seeds in thin layer. Dry at room temperature. Seeds should be planted in a cold frame or greenhouse in late January (cool weather). The seedlings do best if transplanted into 4 to 6 inch pots and given light shade the first season. The seeds may be stored in sealed, refrigerated containers up to one year.
Texas sacahuista is suitable for use on dry slopes, to accent limestone boulders, in rock gardens and wildscapes or in lightly shaded spots in wooded areas. Being evergreen, it adds winter interest. Native Americans used the leaves or the fibers from the leaves for weaving baskets and mats. It attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. It is a larval host for the Atea hairstreak Sandia hairstreak, Atea hairstreak and Sandia hairstreak butterflies. While the leaves are safe, the bloom buds, blooms and fruit (which are roundish) are toxic to sheep, goats and cattle. The toxin, capsicum annuum, can be an irritant to some people. It is deer resistant.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/112114/index.html
A view of the growth habit ...
Texas Bear Grass, Bunch Grass, Devil's Shoestring, Sacahuista (Nolina texana)
A closer view of the leaves ...
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
(See its information on a post above)
Just wanted to add photos of the bloom clusters ... My relative who lives near Seguin, killed all of his American beautyberry plants because he had just moved to his acreage and did not know what they were. They bloom now and the blooms are very small.
The bloom clusters appear at the base of the leaf axils. This photo shows bloom buds forming and no open blooms.
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Bloom bud clusters ...
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
The very small blooms ...
Bush Croton, Croton fruticulosus, is a small native deciduous shrub growing up to 3 feet tall. Found growing in the Hill Country areas to West Texas and a few other western states. Leaves are light to medium green, aromatic if crushed, slightly fuzzy. The blooms occur from spring to fall, not very showy, whitish to cream-colored or very pale yellow. The seed capsule is 3-lobed, as many of the Euphorbiaceae family tend to be. I have sometimes seen fall color of very appealing oranges and yellows. The native crotons are not well known and seldom grown in home landscapes. But I have often admired this plant and think it is worthy of growing in yards. It is a host plant for butterflies. I acquired mine last month from a sale by the S. A. chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Lucky me! And already I have discovered caterpillars which appear to be some kind of leafwing, probably either the Goatweed or Tropical Leafwing. Hopefully I'll know which when they get bigger, as they are now pretty small.
Excellent Linda, Please keep us informed.
Josephine.
Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus), Malvaceae Family, naturalized, perennial, evergreen in areas with no freezes (dies to ground and returns in spring in colder zones), blooms mid-summer through fall
County distribution;
http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Texas&statefips=48&symbol=MAAR14
Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) is a spreading shrub that grows to about 2 to 3 m high and 2 to 3 m wide (average size 8 feet by 8 feet). It often spreads by layering. The stems and leaves are densely covered with stellate hairs. The ovate to suborbicular leaves are shallowly 3-lobed or not lobed and have crenate-serrate margins. The 20 to 35 mm long flower petals are scarlet. The red fleshy fruit are about 1 to 3 cm in diameter. It can be propagated by layering, cuttings, root division and seed. Malvaviscus arboreus is a great plant for a hummingbird garden. It is not suitable for a small garden because it tends to ramble. There are dwarf cultivars of this plant. The young leaves, flowers and fruit are edible.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114737/
Blooms ... Photo (cropped by htop) courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr.
Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus)
Bloom with bee - closer view ... Photo (cropped by htop) courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr.
Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus)
Bloom buds and leaves showing hairs and venation ... Photo (cropped by htop) courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr.
Giant Mexican Turk's Cap, Mazapan, Sleeping Waxmallow, Sleeping Hibiscus, Aloalo Pahūpahū (Malvaviscus penduliflorus), Malvaceae Family, naturalized, perennial, evergreen in areas with no freezes (dies to ground and returns in spring in colder zones), blooms summer through fall
County distribution according to the USDA;
http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Texas&statefips=48&symbol=MAPE3
Regional Distribution according to Texas A&M:
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/cgi/vpt_map_name?reg=6&name=%3Ci%3EMalvaviscus+arboreus%3C/i%3E+Cav.+var.+%3Ci%3Ependuliflorus%3C/i%3E+(DC.)+Schery.
Giant Mexican Turk's Cap will grow in Zone 8a and 8b; however, it will freeze to the ground after hard freezes to return in the spring. The stems have fairly dense split hairs. The undersides of the leaves of M. penduliflorus are glabrate (smooth); whereas, the underside of the leaves on M. arboreus are pubescent. The serrated leaves are oval or sword shaped, mostly unlobed and 4-10 cm long with a pointed tip. The flowers are 2 to 2.5 inches (5 to 6 cm) long with protruding stamensflowers and are humming-bird pollinated. In Hawaii, they are occasionally made into lei with each Micronesian style (tied or woven into a flat collar), 40-inch (100-cm) lei needing about 90 blooms.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/170054/
Blooms ... Photo (cropped by htop) courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr.
This message was edited Mar 10, 2008 10:15 PM
Giant Mexican Turk's Cap, Mazapan, Aloalo Pahūpahū (Malvaviscus penduliflorus)
Blooms and leaves ... Photo courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr.
Giant Mexican Turk's Cap, Mazapan, Aloalo Pahūpahū (Malvaviscus penduliflorus)
Habit ... Photo courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr.
Giant Mexican Turk's Cap, Mazapan, Aloalo Pahūpahū (Malvaviscus penduliflorus)
Habitat in Hawaii - There are many plants that grow in Hawaii that also grow in Texas. I saw a lot of these plants especially in the area shown in this photo ... Photo courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr. Hana Hwy, Maui, Hawaii.
Wow Hazel, all those pictures from Hawaii sure are pretty.
Josephine, we are so lucky to be able to use Forest and Kim Starr's photos. They are dedicated to documenting, researching, preserving and re-planting the native plants of Hawaii which are being destroyed. They also document any plants that grow there. Sound familiar? :o)
Mexican Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus), Malvaceae Family, naturalized, perennial, evergreen in areas with no hard freezes (dies to ground and returns in spring in colder zones), blooms heaviest from late summer through fall
Regional Distribution:
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/cgi/vpt_map_name?reg=6&name=%3Ci%3EMalvaviscus+arboreus%3C/i%3E+Cav.+var.+%3Ci%3Emexicanus%3C/i%3E+Schlecht.
Mexican Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus) has almost glabrous leaves with truncate bases; whereas, Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) has densely tomentose abaxial leaf surfaces and cordate bases. M. arboreus var. mexicanus has larger flowers (up to 50 mm long) and leaves than M. arboreus var. drummondii (flowers 35 mm long) and is more more "Hibiscus-like" or upright in habit. M. arboreus var. mexicanus blooms usually hang downward; whereas, M. arboreus var. drummondii blooms are more erect. M. arboreus var. drummondii is smaller in stature and has more of a "sprawling" habit. M. arboreus var. mexicanus is less free-flowering than M. arboreus var. drummondii with the heaviest bloom production in late summer through fall. Also, M. arboreus var. mexicanus is a bit less hardy than M. arboreus var. drummondii.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1819/
Blooms of plant growing in the rainforest region of Maui, Hawaii ... Photo by htop
Mexican Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus)
Bloom drenched with tropical rain ... Photo by htop
Mexican Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. mexicanus)
Bloom capturing a large bead of water at the bottom. The water bead provides an image of the plant's leaves ... Photo by htop
Turk's Cap, Turk's Turban (Malvaviscus arboreus Drummondii) -see Frostweed's description and photos above on the July 21, 2005 posts.
There are photos and information shown on the Texas Gardening: Texas Native Plant Pictures by color ( Red ) page
by princessnonie:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=2717078
by LindaTX8
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=3175314
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=3175327
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/56887/index.html
This message was edited Mar 11, 2008 10:09 AM
Indigo Bush, False Indigo, Bastard Indigo, River Locust
Amorpha fruiticosa
I am really enjoying this shrub, (thanks Josephine)!! It is quickly becoming one of my all time favorites for it's many functions and stunning beauty.
Functions: Nectar source for many species of early season butterflies. As a larval host plant for Southern Dogface and Silver-spotted Skipper.
As a beautiful shrub of a special color of green foliage with great relief texture for the landscape of a native Texas Garden. The blooms are a slow savoring experience all unto themselves.
Indigo Bush, False Indigo, Bastard Indigo, River Locust
Amorpha fruiticosa
Just the beginning!
Wow Deb!! Yours are a lot farther along than mine, that looks beautiful.
I was pleasantly surprised myself Josephine. They do love the sunshine and their fair share of water. I have a taller one back in a tad more shade and it is moving a little slower than these 2. Still had a feeling about this plant when you gave it to me. I knew it would be something very special, and it really is!
TYVM!
I have been with my daughter in Allen, Texas near Plano since 3/29. I had hoped that I would be able to meet with some of you that are in the area and to observe some native plants. However, I am disappointed that my plans have changed a lot due to unforeseen circumstances and I am unable to do so. There are many plants here that do not grow in the San Antonio area. Deb, thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
Hazel, are you sure we can't at least meet? We can come to see you, I so want to meet you in person, Please don't let this opportunity pass us by. Let me know if it is possible, I think it would be great.
Josephine.
Josephine, I too think it would be great. Unfortunately, I am going home tomorrow to finish my income tax return and take care of some other business. My daughter is not up to having company right now and I am not able to leave her home for any length of time. I will probably will be back to Allen quite soon.
Well, i am sorry we can't do it right now, but next time be sure to let us know with plenty of time so we can plan something special.
Josephine.