Photos / Sounds
What
Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Large shrubs across from the Education Building. The leaves were used as an insect repellant.
Photos / Sounds
What
Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Erythrina herbacea -- very showy flowers, seeds/fruit is poisonous
Photos / Sounds
What
Swamp Titi (Cyrilla racemiflora)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Several large shrubs across from parking lot at entrance to park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Gulf Sebastian-Bush (Ditrysinia fruticosa)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Sebastian Bush -- nice little shrub about 1 1/2 to 2 feet tall. Located on Beechwood Trail across from Marker #5. Saw it on 5-2-15 and Jason Singhurst identified it, I looked it up in some of my books. I had to return on 5-3-15 to get a better picture. (My camera had the wrong date and time.)
Photos / Sounds
What
American Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)Observer
sharonsoDescription
On Beechwood Trail near fork at beginning of trail, near Iron Wood Tree.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Common Names: Iron Wood Tree, Hornbeam, Blue Beech.
Trunk muscled look, smooth bark, mottled gray/brown. Catkins in spring.
These on Beechwood Trail, one near entrance, one near bridge.
Village Creek State Park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Mosses (Phylum Bryophyta)Observer
sharonsoDescription
This is a dead tree trunk, note the perfect little round holes in perfect lines around the trunk -- evidence of SAPSUCKER activity (Sphyrapicus varius).
Also nice green moss growing.
Photos / Sounds
What
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Near walkway to cabin on right
Photos / Sounds
What
Willow Oak (Quercus phellos)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Large tree near canoe launch in parking lot
Photos / Sounds
What
Straggler Daisy (Calyptocarpus vialis)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Horseherb, low growing ground cover with very small yellow flowers.
(Note: camera had wrong date recorded)
Photos / Sounds
What
Fleabanes and Horseweeds (Genus Erigeron)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Along the edge of Park Rd. 74 and around the parking lot at end of road. In sunny places.
Photos / Sounds
What
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Picture around Cabin, but this creeping vine is widespread through out the park.
Photos / Sounds
What
Parsley Hawthorn (Crataegus marshallii)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Parsley Haw -- lacy leaves. This was just a seedling, I am sure there are mature trees in the park. Small white flowers in spring, red fruit in late fall.
Photos / Sounds
What
Violets (Genus Viola)Observer
sharonsoDescription
In area around Cabin. Common violet. Probably Viola missouriensis.
Photos / Sounds
What
Prickly Pears (Genus Opuntia)Observer
sharonsoDescription
In front area around cabin. Prickly Pear Cactus
Photos / Sounds
What
Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus)Observer
sharonsoDescription
6 Lined Strutter ??
Was under the Redbud tree in front of the Cabin. It was so quick it was very hard to get a photo!!
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Edge of driveway to cabin, off Park Rd. 74. This shows flowers.
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)Observer
sharonsoDescription
On edge of driveway to Cabin off of Park Rd. 74. I did not know this tree, someone in our group identified it, then I remembered seeing it years ago and it was called a Hop Tree. I found it descriped in a book:
"Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Louisiana" by Charles M. Allen, PhD, Dawn Allen Newman, M.S., and Harry H. Winters, M.D.
People may have used the fruit/samara or wafers as a substitute for hops to make beer.
Photos / Sounds
What
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Lots of these in the park. This one on edge of Park Rd. 74.
Photos / Sounds
What
Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Muscadine grape vines are scattered around the parking area by canoe launch and all along the trails in the woods.
Photos / Sounds
What
Lesser Centaury (Centaurium pulchellum)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Gentian family. Very small plant 3 to 8 inches tall. Tiny (1/4 inch) star shaped flowers, beautiful pink, bloom May - August. Scattered around in several sunny places along Park Rd. 74 and parking lot.
References:
"Wildflowers of Houston" by John & Gloria Tveten
"Wild Flowers of the Big Thicket, East Texas, and Western Louisiana"
by Geyata Ajilvsgi
Photos / Sounds
What
Common Elephant's-Foot (Elephantopus tomentosus)Observer
sharonsoDescription
This is my "best guess" after consulting some books with different species E.nudatus and E.carolinianus, this one seems to be more similar. These are very common in the park and tended to be along the trails in the woods. This one was on Beechwood Trail.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)Observer
sharonsoDescription
In edge of woods along Park Rd. 74
Photos / Sounds
What
Littleleaf Sensitive-Briar (Mimosa microphylla)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Along edge of Park Rd. 74
Photos / Sounds
What
Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Lyre Leaf Sage
Great ground cover, evergreen leaves, blue spring flower.
Photos / Sounds
What
Possumhaw (Ilex decidua)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Ilex decidua
Edge of Park Rd. 74, common. This one still had berries, which is unusual in May.
Photos / Sounds
What
Greenbriers (Genus Smilax)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Saw Briar or Greenbriar
Photos / Sounds
What
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)Observer
sharonsoDescription
Ilex vomitoria
lots of this all over the park. This one was taken on side of Park Rd. 74.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
sharonsoDate
Missing DateDescription
Wooly White or Old Plainsman
On edge of Park Rd. 74 and around trash bin in parking area
References:
"Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region" by Sally Wasowski with Andy Wasowski
"Wild Flowers of the Big Thicket, East Texas, and Western Louisiana" by Geyata Ajilvsgi
