For the second and final stop, Jeff led us to another limestone barren. And the treasures were just as great the first stop. 🙂
The Comanche Peak Prairie-clover (Dalea reverchonii) were in even bigger clumps. In fact, one clump spread out for about a meter or so!
I have heard that farmers don’t like Bindweed vine (Convolvulus equitans) because it got tangled in their equipment. However, I find them quite beautiful. The species name equitans is Latin means astride as in riding a horse. The leaves are semi-clasping.
The Firewheel (Gaillardia pulchella) were spectacular! I have searched many a Firewheel but have yet to find the Painted Schinia (Schinia volupia). Its host plant is the Firewheel. Always hopeful and when I do, you might hear me exclaim YIPPEE.
Sometimes the Firewheels are all yellow. However, sometimes they are all red as well.
The White Milkwort (Polygala alba) likes the barren, but it will also grow on sandy soils.
A second plant that is rare (G2G3), the Turniproot (Pediomelum cyphocalyx). Jeff knows how to find the good stuff! 🙂
To help me remember, I took close ups. It was smooth on the top of the leaf, but hairy on the underside.
The stem was hairy too!
Look at the glands (the lighter spots)!
Even more showy on a non-blooming one in the sunlight!
Moving on up the hillside were a couple of Foxgloves (Penstemon cobaea).
Nearby the Coneflower (Echinacea atrorubens) with its yellow pollen!
The Pale Yucca (Yucca pallida) were blooming at the site. Additionally, there were the tiny white yucca moths nestled in many of the blossums!
And before you know it, it was time to head home. A special place, the barrens!
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know.
8 Comments
You should frame that coneflower! Great shot with the background blurred. It really stands out like a NPSOT photo contest contender.
Who is the little critter on it to the left?
My E. angustifolia never grew greatly in Carrollton but boy does it like it here. It does get water but I get more plants every year. I knew better than to grow purpurea, the common nursery species.
And about the Gaillardias, I have never seen a solid yellow. That is so cool! There are large populations of solid red along hwy 16 between San Saba & Llano for anyone that ventures that way. They are stunning.
You should frame that coneflower! Great shot with the background blurred. It really stands out like a NPSOT photo contest contender.
Who is the little critter on it to the left?
My E. angustifolia never grew greatly in Carrollton but boy does it like it here. It does get water but I get more plants every year. I knew better than to grow purpurea, the common nursery species.
And about the Gaillardias, I have never seen a solid yellow. That is so cool! There are large populations of solid red along hwy 16 between San Saba & Llano for anyone that ventures that way. They are stunning.
I sse the reds more often too. The creature is a leafhopper. I thought you would see it. 😊 and thanks.
The photo of the glands is great – sparkles actually!
Moss article – am gobdmavked too!
I thought you might like the article 😎
Ditto Jeanne
Great field trip day! Cool
Articles too
I will look for a painted schinia. The Gaillardia in our pocket prairie is having a spectacular year.
Send me your photo when you find yours😊