Prairie Rose Chapter

December2019 Newsletter

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DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Possumhaw, the native holiday holly
Ilex decidua
Ilex decidua is a deciduous holly that is commonly called possumhaw. It can be found on limestone glades and bluffs, along streams in wet woods, and in lowland valleys, sloughs and swamps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

As you travel through this busy holiday season our hope is you take the time to enjoy the trip and perhaps reflect on this past year and think about the upcoming one.  In looking towards 2020, we have an exciting lineup of programs and activities, and hope you’ll join us in many of these.

With our crazy Texas weather there are still a few plants holding on to leaves or blooms.  As long as the stems are definitely green and not brown or the plant still has leaves and/or blooms, you should hold off on your winter pruning.  Otherwise, there is a risk of seriously damaging the plants as well as any new growth these plants are trying to produce on our 70 degree winter days. Many leave the pruning till early next year because the plants can provide extra cover or food for our native creatures.

Nemo, TX winter tree December 2018

 

JANUARY 27 MEETING

WINTER TREE IDENTIFICATION

By Courtney Blevins, CF, CA

Fort Worth Regional Forester

Citizen’s Center, 6 p.m.

207 SW Barnard St., Glen Rose, TX

Do you sometimes wonder what plant or tree you’re observing in the winter when there are no leaves, fruit or blooms to help identify the tree?  Courtney Blevins will talk about how to identify trees in the wintertime.  Winter identification can sometimes be difficult, so this is a great opportunity to learn how to do so.

 

WALK AT HIGH HOPE RANCH

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, time tbd

As a follow-up to his presentation, Mr. Blevins has graciously extended his stay through Tuesday morning.  He and his wife (also a forester) will guide us on a short walk at High Hope Ranch to practice what was discussed Monday night and identify different species of trees along our walk.

HAPPY 2020 NEW YEAR

 

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: prairierose

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason