Kimberly Juarez - Columns

In early November, Texas winter berries start to emerge. You may see these as you travel closer to the coastal areas in Aransas County. Texas native Yaupon Holly (Ilex Vomitoria) is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Tiny flowers on female yaupons in the fall lead to red berries that are poisonous to humans but nourish birds and mammals during the winter months. 

Native Americans once brewed a strong tonic from yaupon leaves and twigs, both of which contain caffeine. They would drink this tea to induce vomiting, which is the reason behind its botanical name, “vomitoria.” 

You can use this beautiful native evergreen shrub in your landscape; just don’t eat the berries! Its pop of red during the winter months brings beautiful festive color to your yard. You can train a yaupon into a small tree or a hedge. Depending on your available space the yaupon can grow upwards 15-25 feet and 15-20 feet wide. So be mindful when planting these natives as they could become larger than anticipated. 

DECEMBER NATIVE PLANT

Yaupon Holly

Tree Description:

A thicket-forming shrub or small, multi-trunked tree to 25 feet tall and stems up to 6" in diameter, with a dense, conical or rounded crown of dark green foliage.

Range/Site Description:

Common on the fertile, moist soils of East Texas bottomlands, but also south to Matagorda Bay and west to the edge of the Edwards Plateau.

Leaf:

Simple, alternate, 1" to 2" long by 0.5" to 1" wide, oval, leathery, with blunt teeth along the margin. Leaves are glossy and dark green above, paler below, evergreen, and persistent for 2 to 3 years.

Fruit: 

BB-sized bright red berries that mature in winter and remain attached to plants until cedar waxwings and other migrating birds feed on them in early spring.

• Gender of plants: male and female plants are separate, so if you want fruit, you must buy a female plant and there must be a male plant somewhere nearby. (Pollinated by bees.) If the plant you’re looking at has one or more berries (even if they’re green), it’s a female plant. 

• Best time to plant: winter.

• Pest problems: none.

What’s a keystone species? Keystone species are native plants that hold an entire ecosystem together. 

Gardening with native plants is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Native plants, their absence can cause a catastrophic domino effect, leading to ecological collapse. Sounds concerning right? One keystone species is the Oak Tree. A single Oak tree can support more species than any other native tree, with estimates ranging from 2,300 to over 4,000 species: 

Insects: Hundreds of species of insects, including caterpillars and oak gall-forming wasps, rely on oak trees for survival. 

Birds: Oak trees provide food for hundreds of different caterpillars, which are a primary food source for many birds. 

Mammals: Squirrels and other mammals make their homes in oak trees. 

Fungi: Oak trees support up to 108 types of fungi, including 57 that are entirely dependent on the tree. 

Other species: Oak trees also support reptiles, amphibians, bats, raccoons, and more.

Discover the vital role of keystone species in your local ecosystem. In this month's native gardening column, we'll explore how to identify and attract these essential plants to your garden, creating a thriving and balanced natural habitat.

NOVEMBER NATIVE PLANTS

Keystone Trees: Oak Species (previously mentioned), Cedar Elm and Sugarberry/Hackberry

Cedar Elm

Cedar elm is a large, oval-rounded tree growing 50-70 ft. high and 40-60 ft. wide. The bark is scaly, and the drooping branches have corky ridges. Dark-green leaves are small and rough-textured.

Keystone Count:

143 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant.

Sugarberry/Hackberry

Tree with a broad, rounded, open crown of spreading or slightly drooping branches. Sugar hackberry can grow 60-80 ft. in height and equally as wide with a broad crown and graceful, pendulous branches. Its smooth, pale bark is marked with lighter, corky patches.

Keystone Count:

58 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant.

 At least 10 species of birds including robins, mockingbirds, and other songbirds eat the sweetish fruits.

Keystone Perennials: Goldenrod and Wild Petunia

Goldenrod (Seaside Goldenrod)

Seaside Goldenrod features dense, deep-yellow flowers, which bloom on terminal stalks, August-October. The thick, waxy leaves deter salt and sand penetration, making this plant a good choice for coastal gardens. Seaside Goldenrod provides a nectar source for native bees, honeybees, and butterflies. The dried seeds provide a food source for birds. It attracts beneficial predatory insects, which prey on garden pest insects in your yard. Use Seaside Goldenrod in borders, butterfly gardens, seaside gardens, and coastal landscapes.

Keystone Count:

82 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant.

Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis)

Wild Petunia’s multi-branched stem may reach a height of 2 ft. but is usually less than a foot tall. The short internodes give the plant a compact, leafy, bushy appearance. Its showy flowers are petunia-shaped and vary in color from lavender to purple.

Keystone Count:

6 species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant.

Hello there Kingsville!  Kimberly Juarez here from Tejas Prairie, a native plant farm located right here! 

Gardening with native plants is becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Native plants, which have evolved naturally in a specific region for thousands of years, play a crucial role in supporting local wildlife. These plants have formed symbiotic relationships with native animals, providing essential food and habitat.

One striking example is the Monarch butterfly, whose survival depends on native milkweed. Monarchs have adapted to feed exclusively on this plant, which is toxic to most other animals. By consuming the toxin, Monarch caterpillars protect themselves from predators.

How Can You Help?

Planting native plants in your own yard is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to the health of local ecosystems. By doing so, you can provide vital resources for pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Common Native Plants in South Texas

Many native plants can be found growing wild in South Texas. These plants are often overlooked or considered weeds but are essential for supporting biodiversity. In this series, we'll explore some of the most common native plants in our region and their benefits for wildlife.

This Month's Natives: Frogfruit and Horseherb

Let's start with two versatile native plants: Frogfruit and Horseherb. These plants are well-suited to South Texas' climate and can be found in various habitats. We'll provide detailed descriptions and photos to help you identify and cultivate these plants in your garden.

By incorporating native plants into your landscaping, you can create a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space that benefits both you and the local environment.

OCTOBER NATIVE PLANTS

Frog Fruit Verbena 

A Native Ground Cover. Frog Fruit Verbena forms a dense mat that can take the place of traditional turf. You can even mow it like a lawn! It's an evergreen perennial with gray green foliage. In winter the foliage sometimes turns a purplish hue from cold temperature.

Host Plant to the Common Buckeye, Phaon Crescent and White Peacock butterfly.

Horseherb

A Native Ground Cover. If you have a shady lawn anywhere within its range, you probably already have it. It gained in popularity during the growth in interest in native plants and is now occasionally available for sale at native plant nurseries (though it is so easy to propagate that you can easily grow it on your own). Thriving in sun or shade, its tiny, yellow daisy flowers add a minute touch of color to shady areas and attract small butterflies like sulfurs and skippers.

Horseherb is a host plant for the bordered patch butterfly

Native Milkweed

There are several varieties of native milkweed in South Texas. For this month's column we will focus on the one highly visible currently across the county. Climbing Milkweed, Funastrum cynanchoides. A smooth vine with umbels of pale white, star-like flowers and long twining stems often clambering over tops of bushes. 

Milkweed is a host plant to Monarch and Queen Butterflies.