Wee flowers

As I was out weed eating the King Ranch Grass along the roadside of my yard I spotted some precious small dark pink wildflowers that I had not noticed when casually walking in my neighborhood. These low growing plants (3 to 7 inches tall) with dark pink flowers (and a yellow center) are called Lady Bird’s Centaury (Centaurium texense) in honor of Lady Bird Johnson. The flowers have 5 petals and are said to be found in dry open grass (exactly where I found them in my yard) from May to July. It is an annual native flower that reseeds itself.

Another Gentian that blooms at this time is Mountain Pink (Centaurium Beyrichii). This low growing plant has light pink flowers that looks like a bouquet growing in the dry barren caliche outcropping. The best place to see it locally is on Spoke Hollow Road as you go up the hill after turning off from Ranch Rd. 12. Whereas you might not notice Lady Bird’s Centaury in the grass, Mountain Pinks stand out because of their unique form.

This is also the time of year to see small white Prairie Bluet (Stenaria Nigricans) wildflowers. The plant resembles Baby’s Breath the way the flowers are spaced like stars in the sky. Each flower is only 1/4th of an inch wide and has exactly 4 petals which are arranged as a cross. The whole plant is about a foot tall and the leaves are threadlike. Prairie Bluets are perennials and return each year.

I hope you too can find solace in nature’s small wonders.

Written by Jackie Mattice