Photos and descriptions courtesy of Wildseed Farms, Fredericksburg, Texas.
Texas Bluebonnet Lupinus texensis (Fabaceae) A hardy winter annual native to Texas. Adopted as the State Flower of Texas, this is the most commonly seen variety along roadsides and in uncultivated pastures throughout the state. Flowers are densely arranged on a spike with a characteristic ice white terminal tip. |
Mexican Hat Ratibida columnaris (Asteraceae) A robust, drought tolerant annual to perennial variety native to the mid west and has naturalized throughout North America. The characteristic black, cone-shaped heads are surrounded by drooping, fire-red ray flowers with a splash of yellow accent. At maturity the upright branching stems may become woody. |
||
Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa (Asclepiadaceae) An extremely hardy, long-lived perennial native to North America. The magnificent, bright orange flowers are concentrated in compact clusters at the top of branching stems. The flowers produce a large quantity of nectar which attracts butterflies throughout the growing season. |
Maximilian Sunflower Helianthus maximiliani (Asteraceae) A stout, upright perennial native to Texas extending north throughout the central plains states. Numerous bright yellow 3 inch flowers are found on the upper half of unbranched stems. The leaves are 4 to 8 inches in length, tapering at both ends. |
||
Indian Blanket/ Firewheel |
Gay Feather Liatris pycnostachya (Asteraceae) An erect perennial herb, native to the midwestern United States, with flowers arranged on a thick spike. The purple to lilac flowers begin to open from the terminal end of the spike and slowly descend toward the base. |
||
Drummond Phlox Phlox drummondii (Polemoniaceae) A short, hardy, upright annual, native to Texas, but adapted throughout the southeastern United States. lt is a variety that has been used extensively in European gardens for many decades. Flowers are concentrated in clusters on top of sturdy, erect stems. |
Mealy Blue Sage Salvia farinacea (Lamiaceae) A hardy, upright to sprawling perennial native to Texas, and easily grown throughout the southern portion of the United States. The densely congested violet blue flowers are concentrated in whorls surrounding a square stem. |
||
Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea (Asteraceae) A robust, drought tolerant perennial, native to the midwestern and southeastern United States. Flowers are arranged individually on sturdy, elongated stems with soft lavender or purple petals surrounding an iridescent red-orange, coned center. |
Moss Verbena Verbena tenuisecta (Verbenaceae) A sprawling perennial, native to South America, and introduced to the southern United States. The small flowers have a rich violet to purple hue, clustered together forming a small bouquet. |
||
Texas Paintbrush Castilleja indivisa (Scrophulariaceae) An upright, hairy annual, perennial or biennial herb native to Texas with single erect stems and a slender taproot. The terminal red-orange flower color is a misconception. Actually the flower is tiny, creamy white to pale yellow, encircled by the red-orange leaf-like bracts. |
Standing Cypress Ipomopsis rubra (Polemoniaceae) A sturdy, upright perennial variety native to the southeastern portion of the United States. The brilliant red, tubular flowers are marginally spaced throughout the entire length of the spike. The leaves are finely divided making this variety easy to identify when not in bloom. |
||
Black-Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta (Asteraceae) A stiff, upright annual or shortlived perennial native to the eastern United States, but has become endemic throughout North America. The Black-Eyed Susan is probably the most common of all American wildflowers. The characteristic brown, domed center is surrounded by bright yellow ray florets. |
Showy Primrose Oenothera speciosa (Onagraceae) A hardy, upright to sprawling perennial, native to the southeastern United States extending into Mexico. The four petalled flowers are soft pink, making a transition to glistening white toward the center. Flowers open in the early morning lasting only a single day. In many southern regions they often form large breathtaking colonies. |
||
Lemon Mint/Purple Horse Mint Monarda citriodora (Lamiaceae) A hardy annual or tender perennial native to the midwest and southern United States. A typical member of the Mint family with its distinctive square stems. Flowers are arranged in whorls stairstepping up a single stem. Blooms are deep purple to lavender surrounded by colored bracts. |
Return to Wildflower Trail home page " Return to Festivals home page " Other links