....
and Xyris (Yellow-Eye-Grass). Both genera can be quite tricky to
key to species,
especially after pressing and drying.
The dense pink-flowered spikes belong to Marsh Milkwort (Polygala
cruciata,
not shown). There are twenty-seven species of Polygala in Texas,
but this is the
only one that tends to prefer bogs.
There is a lot of belly-botany to be done on the pond rim. Marsh
Pennywort
(Hydrocotyle sp.) has minuscule flowers but charming round,
scalloped-edged
leaves.
Cap Burmannia (Burmannia capitata, not shown) has very tiny white
flowers only
the eagle-eyed can discover. Its closest cousins, however, are in the
showy orchid family.
Despite its name, Larger Water-Starwort (Callitriche heterophylla,
not shown) is
still a little plant. Appreciation of its flowers requires a
microscope.
Hypericum mutilum (Dwarf St. John's-Wort) is a little bigger. It
has small
yellow flowers on slender stems.
Hypericum crux-andreae (Ascyrum stans, St. Peter's-Wort) is
larger still.
It is actually a very small shrub. It has yellow, cross-shaped flowers.
Its most distinctive
feature is its unequal sepals--the outer two much larger than the inner
two.
This pond edge has a rich grass, sedge, and rush flora. Beakrush
(Rhynchospora
sp.) is common,
as is Cyperus strigosus (False Nut-Grass).
Juncus trigonocarpus (not shown) is another species that grows as
a surprise here,
far to the west of its normal range. It doesn't look much different from
other rushes at
first glance, but under the microscope its unusual seeds have a tiny
white tail at either
end.
The outer rim of this wet pond edge boasts a few characteristic woody
species. Nyssa
sylvatica (Black Gum) is a tall tree related to Dogwoods. It has
clusters of unisexual
flowers followed later in the season by drupes.
Myrica cerifera (Wax Myrtle) is a dioecious shrub. Both male and
female plants
have resinous, aromatic foliage. The waxy covering of the small,
blue-gray berries can
be used to make candles.
....
....
Chapter VII - Sandy Uplands above the Pitcher Plant
Bog and
Pond
Flynn Bogs System Home Page