What a lovely day to be in the field with Jeff Quayle! Jeff has been doing a plant survey for the owner of Chalk Mountain Ranch south of Glen Rose for several years now. Jeff organized a field trip and I was lucky enough to join the group.
Our first stop was along the road before we reached Chalk Mountain. This is the Sycamore-leaf Snowbell (Styrax platanifolius)! The plant has conservation status of G3 (Vulnerable). I believe Jeff said it was the northern most known occurrence of it.
There were not many flowers left.
Another photo of the leaves.
A Plains Nipple Cactus (Escobaria missouriensis) was just starting to bloom. The sunlight hit this one perfectly!
Another Plains Nipple Cactus even had one red fruit from last season left.
Multiple Monarch caterpillars were seen munching down on the Antelope Horns milkweeds!
You got to love the Fruit and Flower Chafer (Trichiotinus assimilis) on the Hairy Cornsalad.(Valerianella amarella) Almost looks like a bee with all that fuzz. 😉
As soon as I was lamenting about not seeing any fossils in the limestone. this one popped up. LOL
I didn’t get home until 6pm, but I am not complaining. Chalk Mountain was definitely worth the trip! Thanks Jeff!
Keep looking!
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know
5 Comments
Cactus flowers are all beautiful. At least all I’ve seen. Ive never seen Snowbell leaves. Sure are pretty.
Cactus flowers are all beautiful. At least all I’ve seen. Ive never seen Snowbell leaves. Sure are pretty.
What a great day !!
Great photos! Looks fun!
Thanks!
Great report! Happy about all the monarch cat sightings!