December in the canyon is a time of subtle beauty and unexpected activity. The Madrone trees have been putting out red berries since November and they create a festivity in contrast to the slowly dying plants that are turning shared of brown. Bluebonnet rosettes are plentiful and many other wildflowers are either releasing seeds or setting the beginning of spring plants.
In order to keep the Canyon natural and a happy habitat for native plants, we have been removing invasive species. On November 15th 30 volunteers removed over 100 King Ranch Bluestem grass and at least 12 False Willow trees! The photo to the below captures folks removing KR - hard but very gratifying work.
A new addition to the landscape are the cheerfully decorated Ashe Junipers that can be seen from Bee Cave along the canyon perimeter. As you can see, decorations are falling off, and animals may decide to use these materials for nest building or for other purposes that can harm them. We hope that those who decorate secure objects tightly and return to remove all materials after the holiday season. All decoration debris on the ground will be removed.
The bits of rain here and there have sustained a variety of blooming plants and created some water filled drainage areas appealing to animals.
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| Shrubby Boneset |
Shrubby boneset or white mist flower (Ageratina havanensis) can be seen in the upper trail nestled between Lindeheimer's Silk Tassel and an Ashe Juniper. Hummingbirds, moths and
butterflies are attracted to this lovely shrubby plant. At the end of its blooming period, Plateau Goldeneye (Viguiera dentata ) adds a smattering of sunlight among the grasses and rocky canyon walls. These plants will provide bird seed well through spring. Combined with the water available the canyon provides a comfortable home for migrating and permanent birds.
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Goldeneye
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As the cooler weather finally starts approaching we begin to see some changes in the canyon. The intermittent rains and cooler evening temperatures are evident in plants, the trail itself (with a bit of erosion), and increasing shadows as the days grow shorter.
A growth spurt of native (and non-native) grasses and wildflowers are crowding the trails with lively color and textures. Most notable is f False Foxglove or Purple Geradia (Agalinis Purpurea). Reported to prefer moist soils, some of the Canyon's False Foxglove are confused - you can find them on the upper Canyon trail in the rocky dry cliff breaks.
Another notable resident making a showing this fall is parralena (Thymophylla pentachaeta). It has three rather evocative common names, according to the Wildflower Center: Five needle pricklyleaf, Five-needle, and Fetid Marigold.This is evidently the easternmost location of this relatively common plant. Growing low to the ground it is distinct for its dill scent released when leaves are crushed. It also is very attractive to native bees.
The native grasses that are going to seed are also adding diversity. While the color variations in Little Bluestem, and Texas Grama are subtle they add dimension and depth the landscape. They also provide valuable habitat for a variety of Canyon critters. The Canyon also has a good deal of King Ranch Bluestem (a non-native invasive species) that we are trying to remove as it pushes out native plants, particularly wildflowers.
In the area? Check our hike schedule or join us for a workday on Saturday, November 15, 2014 anytime between 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM - we'll be removing KR grass and Poverty Weed shrubs. Bring a digging tool!
August was hot and dry but September brings a bit of rain and cooler temperatures. We see the beginning of a purple trend that started with Wooly Ironweed last month will increase as we enter October.
Right now you can find a distribution of Gay Feather (Liatris punctuate), a wild flower that wears a purple feathery top. Also know as Blazing Star, this single stem wildflower erectly salutes the approaching fall. It is a host plant for many butterflies.
Gay Feather and Indian Paintbrush are hemi-parasitic meaning that while they grow independently when they share water and nutrients through their root system they both benefit. A friendly and hidden relationship. They are not in bloom at the same time and this relationship is not harmful to either plant.
While we have had more rain and less extreme temperatures, August is a month when plants and animals settle back to conserve themselves during the hottest month of the year. There is not much color, except for the hardy Wooly Ironweed (Vernonia lindheimeri) that loves the dry hot summer weather. This plant flourishes in soil that is well drained so it grows in loamy or sandy areas as well as rocky areas that provide a way for water to run off. Butterflies and native bees also rely on the Ironweed. The Painted Lady butterfly's larvae particularly appreciated the leaves.The roots of the plant have boiled as a tea to purify the blood and reduce fevers as well as in a poultice to treat snakebites.
While we see many wildflowers throughout the summer, few are as spectacular as Mountain Pink (Centaurium beyrichii) that has a happy home in the Edwards Plateau and westward. Vibrant in color, this bouquet-like plant prefers the rocky outcroppings of Central Texas to deeper and richer soils of the Blackland Prairie to the east. Early settlers called this plant "quinine weed" and used it to reduce fevers. Evidently hard to propagate, the seeds should be collected when the blooming period wanes at the end of summer then seeded before or just after a rain. Mountain Pink provides nectar for butterflies, moths, bees and insects. Look for these colorful bouquets on the eastern canyon wall and along the western trail that runs parallel to Bee Cave Road.
The heat of summer also brings out cold-blooded animals and on our July hike we were rewarded by a snake, which we think is a Ribbon Snake (see this article for a discussion
about the difference between ribbon and garter snakes). Can you see this three-foot long snake in the middle of this photograph? It is well camouflaged among the plants, soil and rocks in the canyon trail. Like garter snakes, ribbon snakes are non-venomous beneficial to gardens as they eat worms, insects, and small rodents.
As our unusually cool spring of 2014 winds down the Madrone Canyon has been full of an incredible diverse group of wildflowers. Biodiversity contributes to an ecosystem's productivity. For example the more diversity the greater the ability to capture carbon dioxide which has been associated with global warming. Historically American's have prized mono-cultures, particularly in lawns, when in fact, encouraging greater variety of plants contributes to a healthy ecosystem.
One plant of particular note that bloom's throughout the late spring and summer is Fluttermill or Missouri Primrose (Oenothera missouriensis). At first glance this member of the primrose family looks like it should be growing on a beach somewhere. With a woody stem, narrow leaves and a four-petaled flower, this native plant loves the barren caliche canyon walls.
Notice the distinctive seed pod has four large 'wings' that 'flutter' thus explaining the origin of the name.
Spring has finally arrived in full force in the Madrone Canyon! The Madrone trees bloomed in late March, the grasses are turning green and establishing themselves for the long summer, and the wildflowers are adding new color to the landscape on a daily basis. Most notable is the Mealy Sage, a lovely blue flowering plant that loves the steep incline running parallel to Bee Cave Road. Butterflies and hummingbirds are particularly fond of this sage's nectar. To see it, go into the canyon and follow the road bed to the right - when you have passed the bridge on the left, look for a marker on the right and descend along the trail. You should see several plants along this area.
