Hidden Gems

Purple Star Milkweed Vine, Matelea biflora
All photos by Eva Frost

Eva Frost

I drive down Texas roads and see so many fields with flowers of all colors. But I never knew about some of the harder-to-see stuff until I pulled off the highway and stopped to “smell the flowers,” as they say. And boy, was it worth it!

There’s this whole ecosystem going on out there, that is joined and protected by these beautiful small flowers. The scents that fill the air are heavenly, and you sure don’t get that unless you take a minute to stop and explore the landscape a little closer.

Here are some of the unique and intricate flowers of all colors that I’ve discovered along the roadways in Hays County. And if you’re intrigued enough to try it out for yourself sometime, just remember that other creatures—snakes, bugs, and spiders—are also enjoying them, and some of these plants can be toxic to both humans and animals.

Celestials, Nemastylis geminiflora

Prairie Paintbrush, Castilleja purpurea var. lindheimeri

Two-flower Anemone, Anemone edwardsiane var. edwardsiana

Texas Honeysuckle, Lonicera albiflora

Golden Dalea, Dalea aurea

Wand Milkweed, Asclepias viridiflora

Trailing Ratany, Krameria lanceolata

Pearl Milkweed Vine, Matelea reticulata

Yellow Ground Cherry, Physalis viscosa

Indian Mallow, Abutilon incanum

Black Dalia, Dalea frutescens

Frog Fruit, Phyla nodiflora

Rock Flax, Linum rupestre

Zizotes Milkweed, Asclepias oenotheroides

Green Lily, Schoenocaulon texanum

Scarlet Leatherflower, Clematis texensis

Plateau Milkvine, Matelea edwardsensis

Tiny flower crab spiders love hunting on Pearl Milkweed Vine

Previous
Previous

World Migratory Bird Day 2023

Next
Next

About the Cover…