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A Walk in a Fern Bluff Park (14 April 2007) Page 2 (Still in Olson Meadows) by Jerry Cates Corn Salad (Valerianella spp.) Corn Salad is found throughout eastern North America, west to south-central Texas, and north to southern Ontario. Fifteen species are found in the U.S., twelve of which are native, and three of which have escaped from cultivation. All are herbaceous annuals, distinguished from mustards by their flowers having five petals rather than four, and from other Valerianaceae by their dicotomously (separated into two sharply opposed parts) branched stems, three stamens, and trilocular (having three chamberlike divisions or cavities) fruit. A cultivar of the species Valerianella locusta, known as 'Grosse Graine' (large seed) has spoon-shaped leaves and a reportedly excellent flavor. A variety known as 'Verte de Cambrai' (lamb's lettuce) is a common cultivar in France and Germany. This species is likely one of our native ones, and may be the narrowcell corn salad, Valerianella stenocarpa. If so, its presence has not been confirmed in Williamson County before, though it has tentatively been identified in Travis and in several surrounding counties in central Texas, and confirmed in a number of counties to our east. The leaves and roots are edible, at least in the cultivars (and presumably in the wild species as well). I have found this plant in all of our parks in Fern Bluff, where the young plant appears as a succulent green with--as can be seen in the photo below--interesting leaves and beautiful, though diminutive, flowers.
Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica) This flower is a member of the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). The leaves are oval, hairy, with incised margins. Flowers, produced on flowering stems, open in bright sunlight, but remain closed in the low light conditions we experienced today. The individual flowers are intricate structures, with deep blue petals marked with dark blue radial veins, two stamens, and a single style.
Eryngo (Eryngium spp.)? No less than 230 species of Eryngium have been identified thus far, and many are found in Texas. Despite its prickly appearance and demeanor, it is a member of the carrot, or parsley, family (Apiaceae). This flower head is in its early stages of development, though the mature flower is not fully organized until June or July. At this point, identification to species is difficult, if not impossible.
Drummond's Skullcap (Scutelleria drummondii)
AWIFBP Home... Back to Page 1... Continue to Page 3... Archives of previous walks in the park: 12 May 2007, 05 May 2007; 28 April 2007, 21 April 2007, 14 April 2007, 1 April 2007 Easter Egg Hunt; 24 March 2007, 17 March 2007; Nov. 03, 2001; April 04, 2001; March 25, 15, 10-11, 04, 2001; February 24, 18, 10, 2001 |
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