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