What is a Prairie? The land you’re standing on now in North Texas is in an area called the Blackland Prairie. In the BLACKLAND past, an uninterrupted sea of waist-high grasses covered the land. When Europeans colonized PRAIRIE the area, they replaced the grasses with fields of crops, and planted trees to shelter their homes. On the prairie, naturally occurring wildfires kept trees from establishing on the prairie. Texas GUIDE TO 100 settlers started putting out these fires to protect their homes and livestock, and the landscape COMMON SPECIES changed.

This booklet tells about • plants and animal species original to the Blackland Prairie • some newly introduced “invasive” species endangering original native species • where you can find these plants and animals • how you can get involved preserving the natural diversity of our area.

Acknowledgements Special thanks to the sponsors of Texas Master Naturalists: Texas Parks and Wildlife http://tpwd.texas.gov/

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/

Become involved today! Join the North Texas Master Naturalists in education, outreach, and service. Blackland Prairie Map (above) from TP&W http://public.ntmn.org/about-the-master-naturalist- program Photo on cover: Brad Criswell Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Native Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnaris) Where can I experience perennial with cone-shaped Perennial blooms May-Oct. Red and yellow flower head and drooping sombrero shaped blooms. Found in prairies, Blackland Prairie today? purple to lavender petals on meadows and roadsides throughout TX. a single stem 2-5 feet tall. Photo: Wing-Chi Poon Following are some places you can go to discover, Popular garden plant that is find, and learn near you: easily grown. Photo: Public Domain Cedar Ridge Preserve 7171 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas TX Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja indivisa) Drummond Phlox (Phlox drummonii) http://audubondallas.org/cedarridge.html Annual blooms Mar.-May. Red and orange Annual blooms Mar.-Jun. White, red, pink paintbrush like spiky blooms. Semi-parasitic, or purple blooms. Found in grasslands and its roots grow into roots of other plants open woodlands in east and central TX. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area to obtain more nutrients. Grows 12-18 Photo: Tim Ross Jones and Kealy Street, Lewisville, TX inches tall. Found in prairies, meadows, http://llela.unt.edu/ and roadsides all over TX. Photo: Mahalie Stackpole White Rock Lake Conservancy Indian Blanket (Gaillardia Wine Cup Mallow (Callirhoe E. Lawther Drive, Dallas, TX pulchella) Annual blooms May- pedata) http://www.whiterockdallas.org/visit/nature/ Aug. Showy flower red flower Perennial blooms Mar.-May. heads tipped with yellow. Found Dark red to pink cup-shaped Connemara Conservancy in dry plains and open areas all white blooms with white centers. 300 Tatum Rd., Allen, TX over TX. Found in open woodlands and Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife on rocky hills in shrublands and http://connemaraconservancy.org/wordpress/meadow- Service thickets. Photo: Lee Page nature-preserve/

The Heard Museum Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) Prairie Verbena (Verbena bipinnatifida) 1 Nature Place, McKinney, TX Perennial blooms May-Sept. Small orange to Annual or short lived perennial blooms yellow blooms. This member of the milkweed Feb.-Oct. Pink to purple blooms. Common http://www.heardmuseum.org/nativeplantgarden family is the larval food of Queen and throughout south-central to north-central Monarch butterflies. Found in the eastern 2/3 TX and the panhandle. of TX in prairies, open woodlands or hillsides. Photo: Pauline Schafer Rare in the Hill Country. Photo: Derek Ramsey

Brown-eyed Susan Pink Evening Primrose (Oenothera (Rudbeckia hirta) speciosa) Perennial blooms Feb.-Jul. Perennial blooms May- Pink or white four-petaled blooms. Sept. Yellow ray flowers Spreads via both runners and seeds encircle a head of brown or Native to all grasslands throughout TX. black disc flowers. Found Each flower lasts only a single day. Photo: all over TX. Photo: Shelby Louisiana State University Raymond

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Blazing Star (Liatris mucronata) Perennial blooms Jul-Sept. Showy red Perennial flower of prairies blooms blooms. Found all over TX in moist to wet late summer to fall. Feathery purple soil. Pollinated by hummingbirds because flowers on tall spike, narrow linear of the blooms’ tubular shape. Photo: Dr. leaves dense on stem. Photo: Thomas G. Barnes Clarence A. Rechenthin, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database Photo: Brad Criswell Silver Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus Monarch (Danaus p. plexippus) Commonly Prairie Glossary clarus) Commonly seen March - October. seen throughout the metroplex March – Rapid flight pattern. White spots on November. Caterpillar host plants: Various Annual - plants living for a year or less, reproducing by underside of hind wings. Caterpillar host Milkweed. seed plants: Various Locusts; Clovers; Kudzu; Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Wisteria. Lepidopterist’s Society Carnivore - classification of animal that only eats other Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County animals Lepidopterist’s Society

Deciduous - classification of broadleaf trees that shed Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) Seen leaves annually Viceroy (Limenitis a. archippus) Commonly everywhere throughout metroplex seen throughout metroplex April – October. February – November. Caterpillar host Best seen by lakes/creeks where willows and Diurnal - active during the daytime plants: Mustards; Nasturtium; Cabbages; cottonwoods are prevalent. Caterpillar host Cruciferous Vegetables. plants: Various Willows; Various Poplars. Evergreen - classification of plant that has leaves year- Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County round Lepidopterist’s Society Lepidopterist’s Society Herbivore - classification of animal that solely eats vegetation Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole) Goatweed Leafwing (Ananea andria) Seen throughout metroplex February – Commonly found in disturbed areas and Invasive - species that tend to spread prolifically and late November. Caterpillar host plants: fields throughout the metroplex February – undesirably or harmfully. Various Dogweeds; Cultivated Marigolds; November. Caterpillar host plants: Various Common Sneezeweed. Crotons; Doveweed. Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Leaf: a leaf may be single, or composed of multiple leaflets Lepidopterist’s Society Lepidopterist’s Society Leaflet: a small component of an entire leaf Migrant: moves regularly with the seasons to follow food American Snout (Libytheana carinenta Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) supply bachmanii) Commonly seen throughout Seen throughout metroplex February – the metroplex February – November. November. Intolerant of extreme cold. Caterpillar host plants: Sugarberry; Net- Caterpillar host plants: Yellow or Blue Native - species original to an area Leaf Hackberry. Passionvine; Various Flax. Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Noctural - active at nighttime Lepidopterist’s Society Lepidopterist’s Society Omnivore - classification of animal that eats a varied diet of plants an other animals Olive Juniper Hairstreak (Callophrys Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa c. celtis) gryneus castalis) Can be seen March – Commonly seen throughout metroplex mid- Palmate: arranged in the shape of a hand October. Always found near host plant or late April – first frost. Caterpillar host plants: by tapping bark. Caterpillar host plants: All Hackberry trees. Perennial - plants that persist for several years, and have Eastern Red Cedar; Red-Berry Juniper. Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County new growth each year Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Lepidopterist’s Society Lepidopterist’s Society Pinnate: arranged in a shape like a feather Resident: stays in one area year-round Common Checkered Skipper (Pyrgus Common Buckeye (Junonia c. coenia) communis) Commonly seen throughout Seen throughout metroplex March – Tendril: specialized stem or leaf with a threadlike shape metroplex February – November. Especially November. Caterpillar host plants: Various used by climbing plants for support and attachment common in low growth habitat and disturbed Plantains; Paintbrush; Snapdragon vines. areas. Caterpillar host plants: Hollyhock; Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Various Mallow. Lepidopterist’s Society Photo: Dale Clark – Dallas County Lepidopterist’s Society American Beaver (Castor Canadensis) Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) Diurnal, semi-aquatic. Average size 30-60 Nocturnal, reclusive omnivore. Member Invasive and Non-Native lbs. Has dark brown to golden coat and of the raccoon family. Weighs 3 lbs at webbed hind feet. Uses large, orange-tinted maturity. Long, black & white striped tail. Species incisor teeth to feed on inner bark of trees Seldom seen, though common from E. and shrubs. Bears 1-8 young called kits. TX, westward. Photo: Public Domain These non-native species are commonly Photo: Steve Hersey seen in the Blackland Prairie

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Mainly nocturnal but Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) Bastard Cabbage (Rapistrum may come out before dusk. Medium sized, Largely nocturnal omnivore. Highly rugosum) Invasive: This brown and gray coat with dark spots, tufts social and often dens together. Black member of the mustard family on ear tips. Short tail, long legs & large fur with white stripe down flanks has yellow flowers on a tall feet. Diet of small animals and birds. and sides of tail. Produces strong many branched stem 1-5 feet. Photo: Texas Parks & Wildlife musk spray as defense and has few Non-native crowds out all other natural predators. Found in wooded flowers. Photo: Mark Simmons, or brushy areas, insects form bulk of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower their diet. Photo: TP&W Center Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Virginia Oppossum (Didelphis Pincushion (Scabiosa atropurpurea) Nocturnal omnivore, gray to brown fur virginiana) Annual. Blue or purple blooms. overall; black mask around its eyes, and North America’s only marsupial. Invasive, tends to crowd out other rings around its tail. Its paws resemble This omnivorous scavenger flowers. Native to Africa. Photo: human hands. Adept climbers. Found in is found in woods and urban Christian Ferrer woods and urban environments. Photo: environments. Climbs trees easily Dave Menke with sharp claws and a prehensile tail. Photo: Orsulak, USFWS

Coyote (Canis latrans) Lanky, large- Black Tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) eared dogs, 3-4 ft. long, 30 lbs. californicus) Third largest hare in North Introduced in 1890 from Europe; Upperparts variable, usually brownish; America, a vegetarian and most active aggressive and destroys eggs of native belly/throat are pale. Tail held down at dusk and night. Does not hibernate or cavity nesting birds. Year round resident; when running. Common in all habitats migrate. Prefers the high visibility of open black iridescent purple/green all over with including suburban areas. areas and pasture land to spot predators. white speckles; yellow long pointed beak Photos: Texas Parks and Wildlife Lifespan in the wild is eight years. Photo: in summer & gray in autumn. Very vocal. Texas Parks & Wildlife Photo: Dr.Thomas G. Barnes - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Chinese Privet (Ligustrum floridanus) Year-round resident. Secretive omnivore is nocturnal or sinese) Evergreen shrubs with Large ears, upperparts are heavily crepuscular (most active in evening and opposite leaves. Many fragrant furred in brown/gray; belly/undertail early morning). Salt and pepper coat, white white flowers in April- June. furred in white. Widely distributed in throat and underbelly and black tipped tail. Fruit is berries that begin green, a variety of habitats.Photo: U.S. Fish Mating season Dec.-Apr., litters appear in ripening to dark purple to black. and Wildlife Service April. Photo: Texas Parks & Wildlife Photo Joseph Wong Kai Yan

Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) Largest White Tailed Deer (Odocoileus species of tree squirrel in North virginianus) Long tail is brown on top America. Often found among oak, and with distinct white and fringed hickory, walnut, pine, and other trees. underside. Male antlers have small Highly adaptable and common in urban vertical tines off the single main areas. stem. Variety of forested habitats. Photo: Pat Durkin Photo: Texas Parks & Wildlife Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) O O This small bird spends spring and summer in The northern flicker which reaches a Texas State Symbols Texas eating grass seed. Has twittering call. height of 12 to 13 inches is the only These Texas symbols are commonly seen in Female plumage is dull green. The male, with member of the woodpecker species with blue head, red underside, and green back is a brown-colored back and feeds on the the Blackland Prairie. rightfully called the most beautiful bird in North ground. The male can be distiguished by America. the red or black moustachial stripe. Photo: Joyce Phillips Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service O Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) Harris’s Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) Dickcissel (Spiza americana) Dickcissels State Flower of Texas bears fragrant stalks of Largest of all sparrows; spends winter have a large pale bill, a yellow line over indigo and white flowers in the spring. Leaves among tallgrass prairies & urban the eye, brownish upperparts with black are palmate, composed of 7-10 leaflets. Stem birdfeeders. Winter color is tan; black patch streaks on the back, dark wings, a rust and undersides of leaflets are hairy. Like other from crown to breast; white under parts with patch on the shoulder and light underparts. members of the bean family, bears fruit in the streaked sides. Breeds only in Canada. Has Adult males have a black throat patch, a form of a seed-filled pod. Photo: Dr. Thomas G. a very pleasant song. yellow breast and grey cheeks and crown. Barnes Photo: Robert Nunnally Photo: Kelly Colgan Azar

O Northern Mockingbird (Mimus Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) polyglottos) State bird of Texas is aptly This robust brown/buff striped bird has America’s smallest falcon feasts on named - it means “many-tongued mimic”. bright yellow from chin to belly with a insects in TX year-round. Very colorful- Imitates many other area birds’ calls, singing distinct black V on the chest; has white blue on crown & edges of wings; red triplets of one call before switching rapidly outer tail feathers. Found year round sitting on breast and back, with rows of dark to another. Gray bird with long tail and bright on fence posts and along roadsides. Eats spots all over. Signature vertical stripes white patches on dark wings. Photo: Texas insects, grains & seeds. Photo: Matthew underneath eye and ear. Parks & Wildlife Paulson Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

O Nine Banded Armadillo Eastern Kingbird (Tyrrannus tyrannus) Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) (Dasypus novemcinctus) Prefers Found during summer months. Slender, long-tailed hawk with small warm, rainy environments Gray with black head & tail, white head and beak. Often winters in TX. throughout the Americas. underparts. White band on tip of tail Males are gray with black tips on Covered in bony armored when flying. This feisty flycatcher wings. Females are brown and have plates. Mainly nocturnal. enjoys harassing hawks & other threats. dark streaks on underside of wing and Insectivore. Can jump up to 4 Named “king of the tyrants”. Will hover tail. Photo: Don McCollough vertical feet when frightened. to pick up insects. Photo: Kelly Colgan Photo: Public Domain Azar Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus Red-tailed Hawk (Bueto jamaicensis) forficatus) This striking 14” long Large prairie predator can be found soaring flycatcher will easily capture your overhead year round. Brownish-tan head attention with its long scissor like tail as and wing, white belly with band of black they are seen perching along roadways spots, reddish tailfeathers. Will feed on or capturing food on the wing. The mammals, birds, snakes, and carrion. salmon sides stand out from the dark Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gray wings and buff breast. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) eastern bluebird is a small bird found Bulky, brown omnivore found in North in open woodlands, farmlands, and TX all year; will nest in tall grass during O Pecan (Carya illinoensis) A large deciduous shade tree orchards. The bright-blue breeding breeding season (March-July). Bare neck with pinnately compound leaves grows to 90 ft tall. Found in plumage of the male, easily observed on a with loose red skin and blue cheeks. bottomlands near streams and rivers. Its fruit is a small sweet nut wire or open perch, makes this species a Attracts mates with its snood, the fleshy that ripens in Sept and Oct. The Texas state tree. favorite of birders. sac hanging from face. Photo: Pauline Schafer and Brad Criswell Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo: William H. Majoros Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) Pill Bug Roly-Poly (Armadillidium Virginia wild rye (Elymus virginicus) One of 1” female with black and yellow abdomen, usually vulgare) This crustacean is a favorite the few native prairie grasses that thrives in hanging upside-down on the zig-zag of silk in the of children; rolls up in a ball when wooded areas. The drooping seedhead has a center of her round web, waiting for insects and threatened. Can live for two years and beige wheat-like appearance with long hairs small lizards. Males are smaller, inconspicuous nurtures its young. emerging from the florets. Grows to 2 1/2 ft brown. Photo: Spencer Bawden Photo: Joseph Sparks tall. Photo: Public Domain

Praying mantis (Stagmomantus carolina) Texas Grassland Cicada (Cicadetta Scribner’s panic grass (Panicum Predator of insects and each other; have texana) A small to medium cicada that oligosanthes) This cool weather grass blooms compound eyes, and bent front legs which are possesses a pair forming song system as early as May, maturing a seedhead of used to grasp their prey. Females have a larger where the male alternate short songs with multiple spikelets bursting from a central clasp abdomen than males; their egg sacs may hold short flights to a new perch on the stem. Grows up to 18 inches tall. 200 young. Photo: Kaldari Photo: Sheryl Smith-Rodgers Photo: Maya Ogren

Variegated meadowhawk dragonfly Robber fly (Asilidae) A powerfully built, Mead’s caric sedge (Carex meadii) Unique (Sympetrum corruptum) Perches with bristly fly with a short, stout proboscis to the northeastern tip of the Blackland his wings horizontal, like all dragonflies, enclosing the sharp, sucking tongue. prairie, this small grass-like plant is a sedge usually on the tips of grasses. Male 1” Aggressive predatory habits. that blooms in the spring while the warm with reddish-pink bands on his abdomen. Photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife season grasses are yet to awaken Grows Females gray, with yellow on her Department 6-15 inches tall. abdomen. Photo: Jim Kennedy Photo: Copyright © 2002-2015 by John Hilty

Harvester Ant (Genus Pogonomyrmex) Ox Beetle (Strategus aloeus) A species Collectors of seeds which are hidden of rhinoceros beetle, the “major” males in underground granaries in the of this species have three large horns community nest. Broad head larger on their thorax resembling a Triceratops. than abdomen. Reddish to black in Photo: Shawn Hanrahan color; can inflict a painful sting. Photo: Public Domain

Texas Bark Scorpion (Centruroides Prairie Tree Cricket (Oecanthus vittatus) Rarely over 2.5”, pale yellow with argentinus) Green with lacy, transparent 2 darker brown stripes down his side. wings; rapid trilling song; very elusive Found under rocks & debris, in old sheds. and hard to see due to coloration. Preys on insects; is eaten by birds, Photo: David J. Ringer reptiles, mammals. Sting is painful but seldom deadly. Photo: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Lady bug (Hippodamia convergens) White Blue-ringed dancer damselfly (Argia band around her head,13 black spots on sedula) The male Blue-ringed Dancer red shell. Larvae and adults eat ahpids is mostly black with amber-tinted wings. & insects. Larvae are black with orange The face is blue and the shoulder spots with a long abdomen and no wings. stripes are dark purplish blue. Photo: Releases a nasty chemical from her legs Joshua Rose, Ph.D., © Texas Parks when attacked. Photo: Walter Siegmund and Wildlife Department Students potting rescued prairie grasses for transplanting into a prairie restoration at LLELA. Photo: Maya Ogren Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) This Red Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta Diamondback Watersnake (Nerodia bold giant was once King of the Prairie elegans) Medium sized (6-10in), rhombifer) Nonvenomous, aggressive, displaying in late summer a distincitve omnivorous, semi-aquatic turtle with farily large (30-45in), thick bodied, splayed 3-part seedhead the shape of a wild signature red markings along the sides semi-aquatic snake. Body is brownish turkey’s foot. Stem base turns purplish to blue of the head. Legs are green with white grey color with net-like markings. when mature. Grows 3 - 10 ft tall. markings, shell is green with lighter brown Females are larger than males. Often Photo: Pauline Schafer markings. Photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife misidentified as Cottonmouth Water Department moccasin. Photo: Nathan Rains - TPWD

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) A wide- Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) Thick Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris open seed head, triangluar like a Christmas bodied venomous snake, ranging in length blanchardi) Very small, dark colored frog, tree, appears with the other tall warm-season from 20” to 40”. When approached by 0.5” to 1.5” in length, found in slow moving grasses in late summer and early autumn. humans, it will generally freeze, relying on or stagnant water, though it is considered a Grows up tp 5 ft tall. its camouflage to blend-in with leaf litter. tree frog. Breeding males make a metallic Photo: Pauline Schafer Usually found in deciduous forests near clicking call. water or wetlands. Feeds on rodents, frogs Photo: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren and insects. Photo: Edward J. Wozniak D.V.M., Ph.D., Centers for Disease Control Yellow Indiangrass Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer) (Sorghastrum nutans) In autumn Freshwater turtle with muscular build with Medium sized (2-4in) toad with color she stands stately, her leaves most adults weighing up to 35 pounds. varying from black to brown. Distinct a dusty blue carrying a seed Shells are 10-18in long and are tan to v-shaped crest between eyes. head of golden feathery tresses. dark olive brown in color. Broad fleshy Identified by white or yellow stripe Grows 6-7 ft tall. Photo: Pauline tongue is an easy way to confirm it’s not dowm center of back. Usually found Schafer an alligator snapping turtle. Photo: D. near a water source. Photo: Stanley Gordon E. Robertson Trauth

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) Woodhouse’s Toad (Anaxyrus In late summer to fall, this brownish-orange Small (4-8in) arboreal lizard. Bright woodhousii) Medium-sized (4in) clump of grass shows off tiny fireworks of green to dull brown in color with pale toad. Skin is bumpy, gray-brown puffed-up white seeds as if from a stem of underside. Males have a bright red or yellowish, marked with black 4th of July sparklers. Grows to 3 ft tall. flap (dewlap) on throat that is displayed speckles and a thin, pale stripe Photo: Pauline Schafer during mating or fighting. Photo: J.L. down the spine. Underside is pale ‘Rusty’ Smith gray/white and smooth. Call sounds like a sheep’s bleat. Photo: LA Dawson Side oats grama (Bouteloua Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata) curtipendula) This relatively short olivaceus) Large lizard, from 7” to 11” Terrestrial turtle with high, dome-shaped native grass is easy to identify long, with rough scales, grey to rusty- shell, often found in prairies and open since all the seeds hang from brown in color, often found on mesquite woodlands, where they eat insects and only one side of the stem. Grows and oak trees in prairies and open vegetation. Can live to be 100 years old. to 3 ft tall. woodlands. Photo: Clinton & Charles Photo: Patrick Feller Photo: Public Domain Robertson

Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) Rough Earth Snake (Virginia striatula) Plain Bellied Watersnake (Nerodia Favored for replacing non-native lawn Small, slender, non venomous erythrogaster) Nonvenomous, semi- grasses with a no-mowing alternative, burrowing snake found year round in aquatic snake which loses pattern once this prairie native grows only 4 - 6 inches TX. Black to grey-black in color, approx it reaches adulthood. Average adult tall, then self- seeds. 6 inches long. Diet consists of mostly is 30-48in long and has a flat head. Photo: Wasowski, Sally and Andy earthworms and invertebrates. Photo: Primarily feeds on fish and amphibians. Shannon Richardson Can be confused with Cottonmouth. Photo: Patrick Coin Bois d’Arc / Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) Deciduous tree Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) Deciduous tree grows 50-90 w/ glossy dark green leaves, thorned branches, and large (4-6” ft tall. Leaves turn scarlet in the fall. 3/4-1” acorns are almost diam.) lime-green bumpy fruits. Other common names: Hedge as wide as they are long. Named after former state geologist of apple, Bow wood. Photo: Pauline Schafer and Mahieddine23. Texas, Benjamin Franklin Shumard. Photo: Texas Parks & Wildlife

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) Evergreen tree is actually a Juniper, not a Cedar. Thin, peeling bark used by birds for nests. Bears small blue waxy berries. Its pollen is a potent allergen. Photo: Pauline Schafer

Southern Hackberry (Celtis laevigata ) A deciduous shade tree Post Oak (Quercus stellata) Small trees. Leaf shape is like a 60 feet tall or more with gray warty bark. Grows in a variety of Maltese cross. Like other oaks, only starts producing acorns soils as long as they are well drained. An extremely valuable tree when 25 yrs old. The name refers to the use of the wood for fence for wildlife. Photo: Pauline Schafer and Public Domain posts. Photo: Choess and Texas Parks and Wildlife

Black Willow (Salix nigra) Tree often found along streams, in Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia) A tough, deciduous shade tree to Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) Small deciduous tree 15 to 25 feet marshes. Leaves are narrow and lance-shaped. Bark is dark 50’ with small leaves and crooked branches found in woodlands tall. Often grows dense and bushy, spreading up to 15 ft wide. brown or blackish. Photo: Pauline Schafer and open slopes. Tolerates dry conditions and rocky soil as well Fruit is a small orange-red berry eaten by songbirds. Deer browse as heavy clay. It produces flowers and seeds in the fall. Photo: on young twigs. Photo: Pauline Schafer and Texas Parks and Public Domain - USDA & Texas Parks and Wildlife Wildlife

Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) Greenbrier (Smilax bona-nox) Vines Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) A thorny shrub or tree up to 30 ft tall. Bark with tendrils, short sharp thorns, and Recognize when in leaf by 3 glossy green is rough, gray. Leaves: Compound with deltoid or heart-shaped leaves. Flowers serrated-edge leaflets. In winter, ID by hairy- 12- 20 pairs of flat, oblong, green leaflets. spring - early summer. Fruit: clusters looking tree-climbing vines with white berries Small yellow flowers spring - summer. of small, shiny red or black berries that in late fall. Avoid contact with all plant parts. Fruit: flat yellow-brown pod with flat bean- stay on the vine through winter. Photo: Texas Parks & Wildlife like seeds. Photo: Texas Parks & Wildlife Photo: Texas Parks & Wildlife