Musings on Native Plants

  Texas Ebony 

Don't you just love trees!

Since it is summer time,

I have been out riding

and seeing things in this

Wild Horse Desert

that some people don't

see the beauty in.

 The above Ebony tree is the largest of this kind I have ever seen.

This wonderful tree, located on a local ranch,

 was covered with blooms.

This is the reason people see it as a 'trash' tree.

 

But it is trees and plants like this that helped

the Native Americans

and  settlers of this country survive.

The seed pods are thick and woody.

In Mexico, the green seeds are cooked

and eaten and the ripe seeds are roasted.

Early settlers ground the husk

of the beans to use as a coffee substitute.

There are many other uses for this tree

and most native plants.

The leaves and seed are a food source for wildlife.

It is the preferred nesting site for

white-winged dove.

I always think of how people of long ago

 used almost everything in nature,

and how that has become a thing of the past.

I recently went on a wildlife tour of a local ranch,

but the plants interested me too.

I didn't get photos of everything I saw

but here is some info in case you are interested,

as I am.

I would like to know what you have in your area.

Lotebush...

The leaves are grey-green and coursely-toothed.

The roots have been used as soap

and a treatment for livestock wounds.

The fruit and leaves provide

food for wildlife.

Retama...

The Native Americans ground the seeds to make flour.

Texas Prickly Pear-Nopal...

This is the flower of the cactus prickly pear.

The pads and fruit provide food for humans and wildlife.

The Mexican people and

Native Americans used this plant extensively for food.

The young pads (Nopalitos)

are cooked and eaten.

They selll these in the local markets here,

or canned.

The white wooly webs,

sometimes seen on the p lant,

are the cochineal Bug,

a source of red dye.

Spanish Dagger...

Some parts of this plant are edible.

The roots are pounded and  used for soap.

The flowering head is often the first sign of spring in South Texas.

Brasil-Capul Negro...

The wood of this plant yields a blue dye.

I would like to learn how to

 dye fabric

with some of these plants

one day.

 Savor the Day!

Yvonne