Watching and Waiting

It’s a time of watching and waiting. Watching to see which plants survive this drought and waiting to see what reappears when we receive substantial rain. All summer I’ve been watching a plant that volunteered in my yard. It started out as a bright green shoot, and I fenced it to discourage the deer. It grew and grew and began to display leaves and thorns while the trunk that was the original shoot retained its bright green color. The thorns meant we were safe from neighborhood deer. Today my volunteer plant is a small tree standing seven feet tall, and I’ve not given it a drop of water. Well, it sounds like this deer proof, drought resistant species is one for Wimberley! Research tells me my new tree is a Parkinsonia aculeata commonly known at Paloverde, Retama or Jerusalem Thorn. It is a small tree native from Central Texas to Northern South America and west to Arizona. Next Spring I can expect a profusion of yellow blossoms each with a single orange spot. The nectar of the flowers will attract bees, butterflies, and other insects, while the seed pods that follow will provide food for birds and small mammals. It’s always important for me to know how a plant benefits members of the Animal Kingdom. These reciprocal relationships are what makes the world go ‘round.

As I walk across my crunchie yard or drive around the neighborhood, I watch to see what other plants are surviving our current weather situation. A surprising number seem to be doing ok - Lantana, Texas mountain laurel, Texas sage and dessert willow to name a few. I’m also waiting to see which of our native plants will revive once we finally have rain and moderate temperatures. Let’s all hope for a few nice surprises as we watch and wait.

Becky Denton, Hays County Master Naturalists