As we prepare for our possibly wet camping trip this weekend, here are a few more things we are likely to see on our hike and perhaps in our campsite. Although we have been focusing on Central Texas trees the past month or so, there are a lot more than trees to see in our scrubby woodlands if you keep an eye out.
A Few Cacti Along the Trail
Row 1: Prickly Pear (Opuntia sp.) - We have several different species of prickly pear cacti in Central Texas. As a group they are easily identified by their pads. The fruit is edible (but watch the spines). Locally you will often see cochineal insects on the pads - it looks like a whitish fuzz, but inside are the insects that were long a source of red dye.
Row 2: Tasajillo (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) - Known by many names (from Turkey Pear to Desert Christmas Cactus), this is a local Cholla with very slender "branches."
Row 3: Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) - Lace Cactus thorns lay nearly flat against the stem, making a white, lace-like pattern giving them their common name. They aren't very tall, so look low, and watch for them also emerging from around the edges of rocks.
Row 4: Twisted Rib Cactus (Theleocactus septisinus) - Another cactus given several common names (miniature barrel cactus, fishook cactus, hedgehog cactus - all three are also names given to many other species), this little cactus has central recurving spines and notable "twisted" ridges along the side.
Row 1: Prickly Pear (Opuntia sp.) - We have several different species of prickly pear cacti in Central Texas. As a group they are easily identified by their pads. The fruit is edible (but watch the spines). Locally you will often see cochineal insects on the pads - it looks like a whitish fuzz, but inside are the insects that were long a source of red dye.
Row 2: Tasajillo (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis) - Known by many names (from Turkey Pear to Desert Christmas Cactus), this is a local Cholla with very slender "branches."
Row 3: Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii) - Lace Cactus thorns lay nearly flat against the stem, making a white, lace-like pattern giving them their common name. They aren't very tall, so look low, and watch for them also emerging from around the edges of rocks.
Row 4: Twisted Rib Cactus (Theleocactus septisinus) - Another cactus given several common names (miniature barrel cactus, fishook cactus, hedgehog cactus - all three are also names given to many other species), this little cactus has central recurving spines and notable "twisted" ridges along the side.
Some Fauna As Well...
We are certain to see White-Tailed Deer, and we will likely see (or at least see the tracks of) Raccoons. Other possible encounters include Armadillos, Foxes, Jackrabbits, snakes, lizards, and various spiders and insects.
We are certain to see White-Tailed Deer, and we will likely see (or at least see the tracks of) Raccoons. Other possible encounters include Armadillos, Foxes, Jackrabbits, snakes, lizards, and various spiders and insects.
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