December 09, 2016

Zizotes Milkweed Flourishing on South Padre Island

Zizotes milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides) is still flourishing in south Texas on South Padre Island. Earlier this week while I was conducting botanical and plant ecology surveys at Brazos Island State Park in Cameron County, I encountered robust plants of zizotes in late flower, fruit, and seed dispersal. There were lots of Monarch’s visiting this milkweed and the many members of the sunflower family blooming along the lower cost of Texas. Although old man winter has arrived in the northern half of Texas, there are lots of native plants still flowering in the Coastal Bend and southern Texas. So if you happen to be along the middle or lower coast over the next month, keep and eye out for zizotes and make a milkweed observation or two. Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 09, 2016 06:02 PM by jsinghurst jsinghurst | 1 comment | Leave a comment

September 08, 2015

Milkweeds are flourishing in the Plains, Fayette Prairie, and Upper Coastal Prairies of Texas

During the months of July and August many landscapes in Texas have received very little rain and consequently milkweeds are scarce. However, in late July through August while traveling and conducting botanical survey in the Rolling Plains, High Plains, and Upper Coast of Texas, a few landscapes have received rain that has initiated an amazing response from several of our native milkweeds. While traveling through Brady, Texas and on to San Angelo, Big Springs, Lamesa, and Plains, Texas, I made observations of broad-leaf milkweed (Asclepias latifolia) which was abundant along highway rights of way. This past two weeks while traveling though the Fayette Prairie and Upper Coastal Prairie Counties from La Grange across through Beeville, Sealy, and Brookshire, Texas, I encountered Zizotes (Asclepias oenotheroides) and green milkweed (Asclepias viridis) profusely flowering and fruiting. I encourage all milkweed enthusiasts that live in or nearby these regions of Texas to get out and make observations. Its prime milkweed time!

I also want to send a special thanks to our newest curator Mr. Gregg Lee for contributing his services to the Milkweeds and Monarchs Project as well as lending his expertise regarding the life cycles of green milkweed (Asclepias viridis) and antelopehorns (Asclepias asperula). I also want to thank all of the observers that have contributed to this project thus far. It appears we should be receiving ample rainfall over the next few weeks, hopefully in time for the return of monarchs.

Posted on September 08, 2015 07:18 PM by jsinghurst jsinghurst | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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