Big Bend Chapter

Three hikes coming up…

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[from Dallas Baxter]

Scenic Vistas Trail, Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve
Date: Friday, August 10, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
Details: Leave the McIvor Center at 9:00 a.m. on the Scenic Vistas Trail. Hike led by Marty Havran.
To Sign Up: Contact Tara Poloskey at 432-426-2390 or tara.poloskey@tnc.org.

Tobe Canyon Hike, Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve
Date: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Time: Meet at the McIvor Center at 9:00 a.m.
Duration: 4-5 hours (approx., including 1 hr car ride)
Details: Hike up Tobe Canyon in the Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve. The emphasis will be on flowering plants and trees. For description of the hike, see https://www.npsot.org/wp/bigbend/files/2018/08/Tobe_Canyon_2018.pdf. Hike is limited to 10 participants and will be led by Gary Freeman, retired UT embryologist.
To Sign Up: Call the Nature Conservancy Office in Fort Davis 432.426-2390 and make a reservation.

Madera Canyon Trail, Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve
Date: Sunday, August 12, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
Details: Leave the Leonard Wood Picnic Area at 9:00 on the Madera Canyon Trail. Hike led by Marty Havran.
To Sign Up: Contact Tara Poloskey at 432-426-2390 or tara.poloskey@tnc.org.

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**ARCHIVED POST AUTHOR: billarmstrong

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