Common Native Plants of the South Plains

This presentation will help you learn some of the more common native trees, grasses, cacti, and

wildflowers of the Texas South Plains.

There are three slides for each plant.

The first slide shows one or more pictures. The next slide gives you a hint about the plant.

The third slide gives the name of the plant.

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Mrs. W.D. Bransford, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This common wildflower is

named after a small town south

of Lubbock

Mrs. W.D. Bransford, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Tahoka Daisy (or Tansy Aster)

This common wildflower is

named after a small town south

of Lubbock

Mrs. W.D. Bransford, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Sam Strickland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

this is the State Grass of Texas

Sam Strickland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sideoats Grama

this is the State Grass of Texas

Sam Strickland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Although it looks like a

tree, it is actually a

cactus

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Cholla (pronounced “Choy' ah”)

Although it looks like a

tree, it is actually a

cactus

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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Marcus A. Joseph, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Some people use the

seeds of this plant for

medicinal purposes

Marcus A. Joseph, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Evening Primrose (Buttercup)

Some people use the

seeds of this plant for

medicinal purposes

Marcus A. Joseph, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Mrs. W.D. Bransford, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Native Americans made soap and

baskets from this plant

Mrs. W.D. Bransford, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Yucca

Native Americans made soap and

baskets from this plant

Mrs. W.D. Bransford, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Kimberly Kline, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Melody Lytle, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Latin name of this plant literally means “stinky cucumber”

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Kimberly Kline, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Melody Lytle, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Buffalo Gourd

The Latin name of this plant literally means “stinky cucumber”

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Kimberly Kline, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Melody Lytle, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This tree likes draws and

creeks

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Cottonwood

This tree likes draws and

creeks

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Paul Cox, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This grass is known for its

“eyelash” appearance

Paul Cox, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Black Grama

This grass is known for its

“eyelash” appearance

Paul Cox, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Thomas L. Muller, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

People make jelly from the edible fruit of this cactus

Thomas L. Muller, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

People make jelly from the edible fruit of this cactus

Thomas L. Muller, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Prickly Pear

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Joseph A. Marcus, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Steven Schwartzman, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This large plant has a unique

seed pod

Joseph A. Marcus, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Steven Schwartzman, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Devil's Claw

This large plant has a unique

seed pod

Joseph A. Marcus, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Steven Schwartzman, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Melody Lytle, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This shrub likes caliche soils along

the Caprock breaks

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Melody Lytle, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Feather Dalea

This shrub likes caliche soils along

the Caprock breaks

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Melody Lytle, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Animals eat the berries of this common evergreen tree

Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Juniper

Animals eat the berries of this common evergreen tree

Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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Joseph A. Marcus, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This sweet-smelling flower has reddish

brown stripes on the back of its petals

Joseph A. Marcus, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Chocolate Daisy

This sweet-smelling flower has reddish

brown stripes on the back of its petals

Joseph A. Marcus, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Beth Anderson, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Beth Anderson, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The wood of this tree is prized for

barbecuing

Beth Anderson, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Beth Anderson, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Mesquite

The wood of this tree is prized for

barbecuing

Beth Anderson, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Beth Anderson, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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James C. Rowland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Farmers grow some varieties of

this plant for its edible

seeds

James C. Rowland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sunflower

Farmers grow some varieties of

this plant for its edible

seeds

James C. Rowland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?Sally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Sam C. Strickland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This plant is used as a drought tolerant

turf grassSally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson

Wildflower Center

Sam C. Strickland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Buffalograss

This plant is used as a drought tolerant

turf grassSally and Andy Wasowski, Lady Bird Johnson

Wildflower Center

Sam C. Strickland, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Common along

roadsides, it is also

cultivated in flower

gardens

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Indian Blanket (Gaillardia)

Common along

roadsides, it is also

cultivated in flower

gardens

Norman G. Flaigg, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

?

Kimberly Kline, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

This flower is named for

its sombrero shaped

appearance

Kimberly Kline, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Mexican Hat

This flower is named for

its sombrero shaped

appearance

Kimberly Kline, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

All images are courtesy of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Austin, Texas

www.wildflower.org