From a distance, Guayacan (pronounced "why-a-con") (Guaiacum angustifolium) appears as if it might be an evergreen in the Cupressaceae (Cypress) Family such as a Juniper or Cedar. Upon closer inspection, it becomes evident this shrub has pinnately* compound leaves with thick, leathery, dark green, small leaflets. Guayacan is in the Zygophyllaceae (Creosote-Bush) Family.
In late Fall and persisting into Winter, there are bright, scarlet-red seeds, giving the shrub a festive appearance:
I have heard numerous stories in the South Texas oral tradition about the Guayacan being used as a Christmas tree during the Great Depression of the 1930s by families that could not afford to purchase a traditional Christmas tree. The root bark makes an excellent soap for washing woolen products, so another common name for the shrub is Soapbush.
This set of photographs was taken along the El Camino Trail at the Medina River Natural Area on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.
* Correction, Saturday, November 23, 2013, 10:20 AM: In the original version of this post I had inadvertently typed "palmate" instead of "pinnate." It's quite cold outside. I think I have visions of palm trees on my mind.
A fairly complex story could be written about this freshwater mussel half shell and how it came to rest here in the muck on the bank of the Medina River, but for now, its simple beauty is enough:
This pair of photographs was taken along the bank of the Medina River in the Medina River Natural Area on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.
Did I hear someone say South Texas does not have Fall color?
Right now, Western Soapberry is one of the trees providing a splash of bright Fall color throughout the woods of Bexar County. This tree gets its name from the amber fruit that has been used as a soap for washing clothes.
This set of photographs was taken along the El Camino Trail at the Medina River Natural Area on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.
Almost all of this year's wildflowers are either well on their way or have already gone to seed. Many of the wildflowers produce a seedpod with their own distinctive beauty:
These are the seedpods of Velvet-leaf Mallow. Each pod consists of five carpals in a star shaped pattern.
This set of photographs was taken along the El Camino Trail at the Medina River Natural Area on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.
Whether in an upland or in a riparian area, when it comes to soil stabilization, very few grasses will hold soil in place more effectively than Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum):
Switchgrass can easily grow to a height of eight, sometimes even ten, feet tall. The dense fibrous roots will grow as deep in the soil as the plant is tall and they are strong enough to penetrate soil stratification. The soil around these roots will be held firmly in place through wind, runoff and flood events.
This set of photographs was taken along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River near the Roosevelt Park Trailhead on Thursday, October 31, 2013.
Countless Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) damselflies flew about over the shallow water of the Salado Creek wetland. Their gossamer wings would periodically catch the sun at just the right angle, appearing as small, bright flashes above the water's surface. These bluets are among the smallest of the damselflies. I had to watch intently to see where they momentarily perched:
This set of photographs was taken along the SSG Morningstar Boardwalk on the Salado Creek Greenway Trail on Monday, November 11, 2013.
