Broadleaf Plantain Plantago major. The broad, (2”) cross-hatched 7 veined leaves are up to 10” long, bearing large bare flower spike (396) The flower spike is short (3-4”), the flower head cylindrical (not cone shaped) and the white anthers barely project beyond the profuse bracts that hide the miniscule, green flowers, giving the bloom head a scaly look. Most common along paths, PDU, PL, roadsides (396) no pix 4/10/15-5/20/15; 4/17/16- ; 17 no obs; 4/?/18; 19 no obs; 20 no obs;
Soapberry; Western Soapberry Sapindus drummondii Hook;. Soapberry can grow to be a branching crown tree in some areas, but in the DFW area it is normally a short, spindly, deciduous bush of the understory, rarely more than 4” in diameter. The loose, light grey, extremely scaly bark is often tinged with yellow or orange lichens. Light green shoots produce a new crop of oddly pinnate leaves which alternate in a spiral around the stems, the asymmetrical leaflets alternating along the ribs, rather than being arranged in opposite pairs. Leaves turn bright yellow in the fall. Flower panicles, 6-10” long, bud from the tips of new growths, bearing tiny (1/4”), fragrant, short-lived, white flowers with 5 papery thin petals. Flowers have 8 or more stamen, each tipped with an off-white anther, which project out, far beyond the flower, giving the flower heads a fuzzy look. Flowers convert to yellowish, translucent berries with a solid pit, which look similar to Chinaberry seeds. When dried, the saponin rich berries can be vigorously rubbed in water to produce soap-suds. Otherwise, the berries, though used in moderation as a purgative and antiseptic, are considered toxic. Trees are parasitized by the Soapberry Borer beetle, which eats away the water carrying xylem layer under the bark. (683-684) 5/28/15 – 6/5/17; 5/25/17 – 6/5/17; 5/25/18; 19 no record; 5/28/20
Western Soapberry habit; a spindly tree of the understory with grey, scaly bark, alternating pinnate leaves, and terminal panicles of tiny, white flowers which convert to round yellow berries.
Note; alternating spirals of pinnate leaves composed of an odd number of asymmetrical, lanceolate leaflets which alternate along the rib, rather than being arranged in opposite pairs.
Note; panicles of fragrant, but short lived, very small, white flowers grow from terminal buds of new growth
Note; tiny white, ball like buds that open to small white flowers with 5 papery petals and 10 filamentous stamen, each tipped with a yellow anther
Note; translucent, yellowish fruit with a large, hard pit visible inside, make suds when scrubbed in water
Note; asymmetric leaves are bulged to one side
China-berry; China-Berry/ Neem/Umbrella Tree Melia azedarch L;. It is illegal to intentionally plant this invasive, soft, fast growing, deciduous tree, which germinates easily from ½” pulpy, yellow seeds, for it crowds out local vegetation. The dark blueish-green trunk is smooth with light furrowing when young, becoming somewhat rough when older, but never deeply furrowed. China-berry loses its leaves in the fall, growing new clusters of long, compound serrate leaflets on the ends of long branches every spring. Clusters of pleasantly fragrant, lavender and purple flowers, each with 5 narrow petals surrounding a purple central tube, bud from the axils of new leaves in March, making a nice centerpiece while they last. The leaves have a strong odor, and when crushed and immersed in water are used as insecticide elsewhere. In some places the fruit is pulped in water to make medicine for round worms, but the fermented fruit itself can be poisonous. Medicinal uses refer to the tree as Neem, or Arobaini (40 in Arbic), for the reputed 40 applications, while those who plant it for shade refer to is Umbrella Tree for its rounded canopy. Common in disturbed forests, especially where there is ample moisture. (602) 4/16/15-5/10/15; 4/10/16; 3/20/17-4/15/17; 4/15/18-5/10/18; 4/21/19; 4/9/20 – 5/9/20;
China-berry habit; a fast growing, invasive tree with soft wood, relatively smooth, greenish bark, and a rounded, open canopy, bearing fragrant, lavender flowers which convert to oval, yellow berries.
Note; clumps of coarsely toothed, compound pinnate leaves, each leaflet deeply toothed, are arranged in an alternating spiral, budding from the ends of long stems each spring,
Note; panicles of attractive, if small, heavily fragrant, lavender and purple flowers bud from this the axillary nodes of this year’s leaves
Note; five narrow, lavender petals surrounding a frilled, purple central tube that houses pistol and stamen, tipped with cream anthers
Note; round, green fruit surrounding a single seed, which turns yellow when ripe, falling in the spring
Note; fall colors yellow, with yellow berries
Ash; Hercules-Club Prickly-Ash (Toothache Tree) Zanthoxylum clava-herculis L;. A small understory tree with sharp thorns on young stems, which become corky protuberances with age. The deciduous, pinnate leaves have twin spines between each pair of leaflets. The odd number of leaflets (one terminal leaflet) each have a finely toothed margin, which produce a strong, lemony smell when crushed, and a stinging or burning sensation when chewed. Chewing the leaves temporarily numbs the tongue and relieves toothache, earning it the nickname “Toothache Tree”. Small clusters of white flowers form from tips of new growth each year, producing green berries which turn dark when ripe. The white wood is soft, and rots quickly. (594-595) 4/28/15-5/15/15, 17 no obs; 4/25/18; 19 not recrd; 20 no obs;
Prickly Ash habit; a deciduous understory tree with compound, with alternating leaves along new stems, each pair of leaflets guarded by a pair of sharp thorns. Thorns on the trunk reduced to corky knobs, clumps of small green flowers budding from new growth.
Note; sharp spines on young stems, which turn to corky protuberances with age
Note; twin sharp spines between pairs of leaflets of compound leaves
Note; leaflets have a finely serrated margin, and a sharp, spicy smell and taste when crushed or chewed,
Note; chewing the leaves numbs the mouth and tongue, earning it the moniker “toothache” bush
Note; white flowers (April) from leaf nodes
Torrey Yucca Yucca torreyi. Rising from a fibrous corm, which divides both under the ground and above, this member of the Amaryllis family first forms a flattened, untidy rosette of narrow, fibrous, lance-like leaves, up to 12” long. The pithy flower stem can grow very tall, branching to form a complex spray, unlike Y pallida, which remains as an unbranched spike, bearing flowers 2-4” across that, unusual for yucca, open fully and face outward, rather than drooping. Each flower has 6 identical, elliptical petals arranged around a fleshy pistol, and 6 narrow stamen with a conspicuous, outward crook. The narrow pods are more bean like than the peanut shaped pods of Y pallida. Y torreyi is more common in drier parts of West Texas, but a few are attested in the ILC area. Amerinds once used the fibrous leaves for cordage, after scraping the thin layer of pulp off, ate the corms and young flower stalks, and used to saponin laced corm to create a sudsing soap to bathe, or wash their hair in. (55) 5/10/15-5/25/15; 5/1/18-5/20/18; 5/5/19; 5/1/20 – 5/15/20;
Torrey Yucca habit; growing from a thick, fibrous corm, from which sprout multiple trunk like stems, this yucca forms an untidy rosette of narrow, fibrous, lance like leaves which produce a thin, branching flower panicle bearing large, cream flowers that open fully
Note; Torrey’s Yucca is more slender and taller than Pale Yucca, and the fibrous leaves less tidy looking
Note; the large, cream flowers open fully, the 6 petals broader than the sepals, all surrounding a fleshy pistol and 6 slender stamen
Note; Torrey’s flowers are more slender, more upright, and open wider than Pale Yucca flowers
Pale Yucca (Shiners Yucca, Soap Weed) Yucca pallida/arkansana/louisianensis/freemanii. Born from a thick, fibrous root or corm, this trunkless rosette of spine-like, grey-green leaves, 1’ or more long, often forms branching clumps. A flower spike with prominent nodes, growing up to 5’ tall bears large, waxy, nodding, cream colored flowers, which rarely open completely. 6 identical, linear veined petals enfold a fleshy pistol with 6 thick, bent stamen. Flowers are pollinated by sphinx moths, which lay their eggs on the pistol. The infant larva eat most of the seeds, exiting the pods in their first molt. Intolerant of shade, Yucca are found on open grassy or rocky areas, like power-lines or pastures. The fibrous leaves were used as a source of cordage by Amerinds. The thick roots contain saponins, which suds like soap, so Yucca are sometimes called ‘soap weed’. The flower spikes can be eaten like asparagus when first growing. (57-66) 4/28/15-5/28/15; 4/25/16; 4/7/17-5/28/17; 5/1/18-5/26/18; 4/28/19; 5/5/20
Pale Yucca habit; rising from a corm like stem, a rosette of long, flat, grey-green, spike like leaves grows a flower spike with prominent nodes at regular intervals, bearing large, nodding, cream colored flowers
Note; nodding, waxy, cream colored flowers, each with 6 sepals and petals, that do not open fully, are arranged in an alternating spiral around the flower spike
Note; new seed capsules, which turn woody with age, have a figure 8 shape
Note; old seed capsules are dark grey, splitting along three sutures to release flattened seeds
Trailing Wild Bean Straphostyles helvola. A wild bean with trifoliate leaves arranged in an alternating pattern around long, fibrous stems common in well watered areas, like stream banks, marshes or lake shores. Each of the three leaflets of the dark, glossy green leaves are broadly egg shaped. Showy pink flowers, ¾” across, are born on long pedicles from leaf axils, 3-5 buds opening in slow succession so that buds, one open pink flower and pendulant been pods might be present at the same time. The banner petal is pink, and slightly folded, forming a peaked hood over the wing petals and ovaries. A conspicuous, dark purple keel petal is coiled in the hood, and a bright yellow dot is clearly visible at the base of the ovary. Green bean pods hang straight down from the vines. Flowers lack fragrance, but are most notable for their curled keel petal, unique among legumes. Several Amerind tribes used parts of the plant medicinally, or ate the bean, both in green form and dried seed. The seeds float, helping spread the plant along water sheds. (Not in Book, 326 similar sp.) Stream beds along DORBA and Big Tree Circuit. 9/10/18; 19 not recrd;
Trailing Wild Bean habit; a long vine with glossy trifoliate leaves alternating along fibrous stems, and bearing single, showy, pink flowers which transform to long, round bean pods
Note; each of the three glossy, smooth leaflets is a broadly ovate (egg shape), the middle one born on a longer petiole
Note; round bean pods hang straight down from pedicles
Note; pink flowers open in slow succession so that buds, beans and flowers can be seen on the same pedicle at the same time.
Note; showy pink pea flowers are composed of a folded banner petal that forms a hood over the coiled, purple keel petal
Note; the visible yellow dot at the back of the hooded banner petal
Boneset; Late Boneset Eupatorium serotinum. A tall, slightly hairy looking , with opposite, long, lance shaped leaves that are rough to the touch, born on stems 2” long. The leaves have 3 prominent, longitudinal veins and a deeply toothed margin. Common in marshy areas. The plant is stiff and strongly upright, but rarely branches until the nearly flat topped flower head forms. Flower sprays bud from the axils of upper leaves and terminus, forming dense panicles of small flower heads, each with 5-7 filamentous flowers. The normal range of E serotinum is Illinois. The more common Boneset, E perfoliatum, native to North Texas, has clasping leaves that grow together so that the plant stem seems to run through the leaf, leading early homeopathic herbalist to believe it might help in healing broken bones. In fact, tea made from the leaves and flower heads can cause sweating, thereby reducing fevers, but it does not heal bones. Marshy areas. (Not in book, 110 related). 9/18/18; 19 no obs; 20 no obs;
Late Boneset habit; a tall, rough or hairy looking plant, with opposite, rough, deeply toothed leaves, bearing panicles of white flower heads
Note; opposite, lanceolate leaves have prominent, longitudinal veins and deeply toothed margins, and are born on stems nearly 2″ long
Note; readily branching flower head, composed of buds from leaf axils and terminal buds, forms a nearly flat topped panicle
Note, panicle is made up of many flower heads, each containing 5-7 filamentous, white flowers
Violet Sorrel Oxalis violacea. Growing from underground, nut like corms, this sorrel sends up long (6-8”), soft stems, each supporting one large, green or burgundy leaf with 3 squared off, triangular lobes 1.5” or more across. The squared lobes droop, or tent around the stem. The slender flower stalks arise from the base of leaves, sending up a single, dense, umbel cluster of deep, cup shaped flowers, white to light pink. Mostly grown in flower gardens, O violacea tastes like ascorbic acid. The burgundy leaves make a good addition to salads, or gardens. Does not grow naturally on the ILC (298) 4/20/15-; 3/1/16; 2/18/17-?; 3/5/18; 2/25/19; 2/20/20;
Violet Sorrel habit; dense clumps of triangular, deep purple leaves that tent around the long stems, bearing umbels of white to pink flowers
Note; dense clumps of deep burgandy to purple leaves, divided into three triangular leaflets, with zonal mottling along the midrib
Note; dense umbels of deep, white to pink flowers, the 5 petals fusing into a tube marked by greenish base.
Note yellow pistols and stamen deep in the throat.
Lavender Sorrel Oxalis violacea. Growing from nodules or corms up to 2” underground, the visible portions of this plant are large green, 3 lobed, drooping leaves and spikes of lavender tube flowers. Leaves, 1” or more across, which are deeply cleft, each lobe looking like a green valentine, are born singly. Unlike Wood Sorrel, which bears flowers singly, O violacea spikes bear umbels of pink-lavender flowers, each nearly ¾” across. The small clusters (3-5), of deep, cup shaped flowers, ranging from white to light pink, are a shallow tube opening to a corolla of five whorled petals. The pistols and stamen stay deep within the tube. Mostly grown in flower gardens, where it spreads primarily by division of the corms. The stems taste like vitamin C (ascorbic acid), making a good addition to salads. Although it is not native to the ILC it has escaped cultivation, now occurring along paths in the woods wherever the corms might have been dropped. (298) 4/20/15-; 3/1/16; 2/18/17- ; 3/5/18; 3/5/19; 3/28/20
Lavender Sorrel habit; Clumps of green, three lobed leaves rising from an underground corm, bearing sparse, umbel clusters of lavender tube flowers that open into a corolla of 5 petals
Note; the tube striped with deeper purple, yellow anthers contained deep within the tube.
Note; three lobed leaves, born singly on long stems, are divided into two lobes, like green valentines.
Trail Trotter's Flower Guide 