(Remember that clicking on any thumbnail image will bring up a larger image.)

When we're properly cooled off, there are more plants to look at. We find something truly remarkable among the many Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera --Asteraceae) plants.  There are lots and lots of normal heads...

...but look at these freaks!  This type of abnormal development is called fasciation, a developmental aberration.  In this case, the group of of cells that produced the stem and the inflorescence multiplied from a small point into a narrow line.  Everything above the mutation is fasciated.  These were extremely hard specimens to press!

This Starrush Whitetop Sedge (Rhynchospora colorata--Cyperaceae) was much more cooperative.  The white-based structures on this plant are bracts.  Most sedges are not this showy and do not need to be, since they are wind pollinated.  Insect-pollination, however, has been documented for this genus, and perhaps the white bracts serve the same function as a corolla might in attracting pollinators.

These Bluets (Hedyotis nigricans--Rubiaceae) are definitely insect pollinated.  This species exhibits heterostyly.  That is, some plants have flowers with long stamens and a short style; these flowers are called thrums.  Other plants produce flowers with a long style and short stamens; these are called pins.  This serves to encourage outcrossing, since pins and thrums are self-incompatible--only a pin x thrum cross will produce seeds. (First and third images by James Manhart.)

What are these little purple porcupines?  They are the fruits of Hedge-parsley (Torilis arvensis--Apiaceae.)  Usually the fruits are greenish, but sometimes they develop a nice metallic purple color.  As you can imagine, they're very difficult to get out of socks or fur.

We're sorry this next image isn't quite in focus, but we did want to share the extraordinary color of this Dakota Vervain (Verbena bipinnatifida = Glandularia bipinnatifida--Verbenaceae.)  This species is found throughout Texas and can be variable as to leaf shape, flower size, and corolla color.  Usually the flowers are some shade of purple, but this individual had blossoms of a very beautiful fuchsia.

These flowers are a beautiful color too.  They belong to Mealycup Sage (Salvia farinacea--Lamiaceae.)  The corollas are strongly bilabiate--divided into an upper and a lower lip.  The first image is a top view of the flower and the middle image is a side view.  The calyces in this species are quite hairy and nearly truncate (cut off square) as seen in the third image, a cluster of flower buds.

This next plant amazed all of us.  Mentzelia reverchonii (Loasaceae) has coarse, scratchy foliage.  The flower buds and large fruit are interesting enough, but nothing spectacular.  We discovered, though, that the flowers are on a time clock, opening around dusk.  The first one we collected opened its blossom in the collecting bag and surprised us all when it came time to do the pressing.  On our second trip to the river, we were a little later and were able to catch the whole plant covered in big yellow sunbursts.

Eventually we had to leave the Sabinal.  On the trip back to the ranch house, though, we had to stop a few more times.  The first time it was to collect this Retama or Mexican Paloverde (Parkinsonia aculeata--Fabaceae/Caesalpiniaceae.)  This shrubby, prickly legume has very tiny leaflets.  The flowers are yellow marked with red.  A plant in flower has a lacy, tropical look, and these are wonderful plants for a drought-tolerant landsaping project.  (Second image by James Manhart.)

Just as it was getting too dark to collect and photograph, we found one last miracle. This marvel of geometry is the bud of Jimson Weed or Indian Apple (Datura wrightii--Solanaceae.)  It will unfurl into a luminous, lemon-scented funnel 15 cm long.  The leaves have a heady, musky smell.  The whole plant is toxic, including the nectar, but the seeds and dry leaves are sometimes ingested for their euphoric properties (an *extremely* dangerous practice.)

All too soon, it is time to say goodbye to the Sabinal and to Winston Ranch.  We hope to return soon and to share our travels with you.