**ARCHIVED POST **
Took a few walks around my yard and nearby locations, to see if the Phemeranthus calycinus aka Rock Pink or Flame Flower, might be in bloom, since we had had several days of rain recently. No such luck. There had been at least 20 specimens in the immediate area about four years ago, and earlier this year I found one in bloom, but even the Bitterweed (Helenium amarum) seemed to be scorched, for the most part, although I did take a photo of one. Also found a Rain Lily (Cooperia sp.) that had been mowed fairly close to the ground but was still putting out a bloom. (For an article describing the flower I was looking for, and some photos, see Stalking the ephemeral Rock-Pink). Although little else was in bloom in the wild, parched, limestone based soil, there were still some items of interest.
The area I’ve dubbed “Lace Cactus Lane” because of its concentration of Echinocereus species, was in fairly decent condition. and a pass through the area I call “Vine Street” revealed some Pearl Milkweed Vine (Matelea reticulata) pods dried and open, as well as some Carolina Snailseed (Cocculus carolinus), starting to put out its berries. Smilax was present, easily confused with Carolina Snailseed at first glance, but with distinctively different leaf shapes and thorns present on the stems. Of course, there was the usual Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia ) and Sevenleaf Creeper (Parthenocissus heptophylla). And I took a few shots of the Bearded Swallow-Wort vine (Cynanchum barbigerum) just to illustrate the way it braids itself along whatever is supporting it. And a Mustang Grape vine, competing for space with the Pearl Milkweeds.
A bit closer to home, aided by supplemental watering, Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is in bloom, as are Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides) , Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa), Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii), Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea), Skeleton-leaf Golden-eye (Viguiera stenoloba), Four-nerve daisies (Tetraneuris sp.), Flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus), Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii), and Manzanilla (better known by the name Turk’s Cap, and rarely called Texas Red Mallow)(Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii). Butterfly Bush (Aloysia gratissima) is also blooming, giving the bees something to feed on as well. Wright’s Skullcap (Scutellaria wrightii) continues to bloom. Even the Wild petunia (Ruellia nudiflora) has been putting out blooms lately, and the Yellow Passion Flower (Passiflora lutea) seems to have just recently finished its latest cycle.
Which leads to a mention of the life cycle of the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) butterflies, which have tried their best but haven’t succeeded in stripping the Passiflora vines completely this year. Given that it is safe to speculate that the suburban subdivision where I reside has little habitat for these beautiful pollinators, one can only hope that my little nursery is keeping the local population going.
Words, words words, to quote Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Enough talk. Let’s take a look at some of these items of interest.
[cycloneslider id=”central-texas-mid-summer-walkabout”]
**ARCHIVED POST**
**ARCHIVED POST LINKS & PICTURES MAY NOT WORK**
**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: rkamper
