A Walk in a Fern Bluff Park (12 May 2007)

This walk took place in Veteran's Memorial Park

by Jerry Cates (with thanks to Marguerite)

Sunny, Perfect Weather for a Walk...

Is this a Blue-eyed Grass?

Blue-eyed grass blossoms are typically deep violet blue, with bright yellow stamens that erupt from the center of the flower, quite unlike this pale blue flower with stamens buried in its bosom. I cannot find this flower in my reference books, and am unable to identify it.  We saw zillions of them in Veteran's Park today.  Below is a side view of another specimen. (Note to Marguerite: if you see anything in your guides that identify this flower, please let me know)

Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana)

This shrub is found throughout Veteran's Park, and is presently sporting large numbers of small green globular fruit.  These will mature into black persimmons that are prized by raccoons, opossums, and birds.

Agarita (Berberis trifoliolata)

Agarita berries are used to make jellies, and the roots of the plant have been used to make yellow dye.

Saffron-plum Bumelia (Bumelia angustifolia)

This shrub, on the edge of Veteran's Park, was loaded with tiny, blue-black fruit.  The species flowers in October-November, and its fruit ripens in April-June, just in time for the newly arriving migratory birds.

 Prickly pear (Opuntia spp.)

As in the past two weeks, the prickly pears are blooming with great exuberance. This small specimen, off the Park in a pasture nearby, has an unusual reddish hue to its petals.

AWIFBP Home...

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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