Red Buckeye is prolific along Panther Spring Creek in Walker Ranch Historic Landmark Natural Area. This shrub sheds its leaves in mid to late summer, but rapidly develops large leaf buds. These buds remain dormant until late winter.
Early in March, the buckeye rapidly sets its new leaves and begins to blossom with red flowers that resemble exploding firecrackers. Thus, another common name for this buckeye is Firecracker Plant. On my walk along the Panther Spring Creek Trail last Wednesday (March 13, 2013), the buckeye stood out among the surrounding vegetation. Some of the shrubs were just beginning to set new leaves, while others where in full bloom:
No comments:
Post a Comment