Euphorbia antisyphyilitica
Euphorbia antisyphyilitica is (Candelilla) a member of the
Euphorbiaceae.
This is a large and diverse family, and some Euphorbiaceae--
particularly those from hot and dry regions of Africa--resemble
members of the Cactaceae. However, these similarities do not reflect
common ancestry, as the Cactaceae and Euphorbiaceae clearly are not
closely related. The name of this species of Euphorbia comes
from the use of the juice to treat syphilis. The plants have a waxy
covering which can be isolated by boiling the plants and scooping
the wax off the surface. This is a high quality wax and its
desirability has resulted in the eradication of this plant from many
areas.
Koeberlinia spinosa
Koeberlinia spinosa (Allthorn) more than merits its common
name. There is only one species in this genus and it is a member of
the Capparidaceae
(Capparaceae). Quail use the plant for cover and eat the
fruits.
Sarcostemma on Lycium texanum
Sarcostemma (in flower with long narrow leaves that are
wider at the base) is a member of the Asclepiadaceae
(Milkweed Family). This vine is growing on the
shrubbyLycium texanum (Texas Wolfberry), which is a member of
the Solanaceae.
Ziziphus obtusifolia
Ziziphus obtusifolia (Gumdrop Tree) is a member of the
Rhamnaceae
(Buckthorn Family). The fruits it produces are drupes which are
eaten by birds and small mammals.
Atriplex obovata
Atriplex obovata (Saltbush) is a member of the Chenopodiaceae
(Goosefoot Family).
Populus deltoides
Populus deltoides (Cottonwood) is a member of the
Salicaceae
(Willow Family). The seeds have long hairs attached to them which aid
in wind dispersal. You would see large amounts of what looks like
cotton flying around when the seeds are released.
QUERCUS
The genus Quercus (Oaks) is a member of the Fagaceae
(Beech Family). These are trees with alternate leaves that produce a
fruit called an acorn. Acorns are nuts partially covered by a cup
composed of bracts (the cap). Acorns are generally not edible by
humans due to their very bitter taste. They are usually identified by
looking at leaf and acorn characters, but this can be difficult due to
variability in their morphology. It is not unusual to encounter
plants that are intermediate between two species and it is thought
that at least some of this variability is caused by
hybridization.
Quercus gambelii (Gambel Oak)
Quercus turbinella (Scrub Oak)
Quercus undulata
Mortonia sempervirens
Mortonia sempervirens (Rough Mortonia) is a member of the
Celastraceae
(Stafftree Family). This plant has erect whitish stems.
Celtis pallida
Celtis pallida (Spiny Hackberry) is a member of Ulmaceae
(Elm Family) and, as the name implies, is spiny. Unlike most
members of Celtis , it is a shrub rather than a tree.
Prunus harvardii
Prunus harvardii (Harvard Plum) is a member of the
Rosaceae
(Rose Family). The fruit type of Prunus is an edible fruit
called a drupe. Some cultivated members of Prunus include
cherry, peach, and plum. Surprisingly, almonds also produce drupes
but the fleshy part that is edible in all the others is not edible in
almonds. Thus, almonds are really not nuts but endocarps (stones) with
edible seeds inside.
Rhus trilobata
Rhus trilobata (Fragrant Sumac) is a member of the
Anacardiaceae
(Sumac Family). Poison ivy and poison sumac are also members of
this family, but Fragrant Sumac is not poisonous. As the common name
indicates, it is rather aromatic. The main function of aromatic
compounds in plants is probably to hinder their consumption by
animals.
ACACIA
The genus Acacia is in the Mimosaceae
(Mimosa Family) or the subfamily Mimosoideae of the Fabaceae
(Leguminosae or Legume Family), depending on the particular reference
that you are using. They can be trees or shrubs, many have spines or
prickles, and the white to yellow flowers occur in tight clusters.
Some are important browse plants for wildlife and some are valued for
their nectar, an important component of honey production in
some areas.
Acacia roemeriana
Acacia schottii
Parthenium argentatum
Parthenium argentatum (Guayule) is a member of the
Asteraceae
(Compositae or Sunflower Family). This particular species is known
for its production of high quality rubber
Caesalpinia gilliesii
Caesalpinia gilliesii (Bird-of-Paradise) is in the
Caesalpiniaceae
or subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the Fabaceae. The flowers are very
attractive and the plant is used as ornamental. Notice the long red
filaments (a part of the stamens). The leaves and seeds may be
poisonous.
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