It was First Wednesday at the LBJNG. Ok, it really isn’t the first Wednesday of the month, but it was necessary to move the outing to a different date because I had other plans next week.
The morning was cloudy and bit chilly. However, there was not a wind. Certainly that was good for the outing today.
I had a plan. It was to be a mile hike to reach the destination I had planned for the group. In order to reach the place, no botany speed allowed. Of course, you probably know what botany speed is right? Very slow. So don’t stop until we reach it. The group was ready and our pace was good.
We heard Blue-gray Gnatcatchers. Also I paused a moment to tell the group about the Crested Caracara before we reached the destination area.. Note: all the sunny photos were taken on my scouting day (Sunday).
The barrens! Here was the area where the Caracara had been spotted on my scouting trip on Sunday. However, there was not a Caracara today. Also this was the planned destination site. Botany speed now was encouraged. 🙂
Reason number one for this barren, the Blue Funnel-lily (Androstephium coeruleum). A tiny plant that will grow only a couple of inches tall.
The leaves are grass-like, but more fleshy than blades of grass.
A closeup! The Funnel-lily is only in three states, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Oklahoma and Kansas does not have a conservation status on the plant. However, Texas ranks it as imperiled (S2). A plant that needs monitoring and protected!
Cymopterus (Vesper macrorhizus) was also on the barrens. Its status is G4 (apparently secure). None the less, a plant I am always happy to see.
The second reason for coming to this barren, Engelmann’s Adder’s-tongue (Ophioglossum engelmannii). Another small plant who’s height reaches three or four inches tall at max. The status of this plant has no ranking at this time in Texas. However, in Arizona, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia its status is ranked critically imperiled (S1). The eighteen other states in which it is present, the status ranges from imperiled (S2) to no status rank (S5).
A Dainty Sulphur was still and chilled.
A white glob caught my attention on a dead stalk of Queen’s Delight (Stillingia texana). In fact, it was a cluster of insect eggs!
The Stemless Primrose (Oenothera triloba) from a distance looked like a faux Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia) blooming. LOL
So here was a great find for me today! A tiny 4mm Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici) caterpillar on a Redbud. Moreover, it was my first larva of this species that I have found. The Redbud is one of its host plant. Additionally, BugGuide mentions plums (Prunus) also.
Indeed, a great group! And furthermore, another fabulous day on the LBJ grasslands!
Today was lovely. Thought you’d want to know – I just read that this genus has been recently reclassified from Liliaceae to Asparagaceae. I can’t keep up. 😥
Was definitely another great day at LBJ.
Grest article on the trees and warming – had no idea that color would help with determining temps
It’s crazy right on the colors. 😊
Today was lovely. Thought you’d want to know – I just read that this genus has been recently reclassified from Liliaceae to Asparagaceae. I can’t keep up. 😥
Thanks and totally agree. 😊
Wow an elfin baby!! I wish I knew why we don’t see them in town. Mostly. I know one person in a different part of town who has reported them…
I only saw one or two adults this spring. I don’t remember ever seeing one on Prunus like BugGuide said was possible.