I can never seem to get enough of this flower. Whether biking or hiking, I literally stop in my tracks when I spot a Texas Skeleton Plant in bloom. I photographed these two photos on a hike at Doeskin Ranch, part of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a reliable spot for Hill Country wildflowers not far from home.
Texas Skeleton Plant (Lygodesmia texana) is a member of the aster family, and it goes by a few other names: Texas Skeleton Weed, Purple Dandelion, and Flowering Straw. Each plant grows 1 to 2 feet tall (30 to 61 cm), with a single flower head opening at a time, about 2 inches (5 cm) across. Look closely, and you’ll count 8 to 12 petal-like ligules, each tipped with five tiny teeth — the fringed edges you can see in these photos.
Several things attract me to this flower. First and foremost, I like its light, orchid-pink color. It brings to mind how delicate these flowers are. On the other hand, since they grow wildly across the Texas Hill Country and even in parts of Austin, I know this has to be a tough plant to endure our heat. It favors dry, well-drained limestone soil and blooms from April through August, sometimes into fall.
The second thing I love about this flower is the curling white filaments at its center. Don’t you think they look like light bulb filaments, the kind you’d find in an old-fashioned bulb? Those coils are actually the style branches — the tips of the pistil — which twist and curl as they emerge from the fused ring of stamens at the flower’s heart. The plant’s name comes from a different feature altogether: its nearly leafless, wiry stems, which grow at odd, bare angles and give the whole plant a skeletal look. Break one, and it bleeds a milky sap that hardens into a gum. You can see that in the photo below.
Butterflies love it as a nectar source, and it’s mostly left alone by deer — one more reason this plant holds its own in tough Hill Country conditions. I doubt I’ll ever walk past one without stopping for a photo.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Balcones Canyonlands NWR, Doeskin Ranch, Flower Hour, One Step, Parks, Texas, Texas Skeleton Plant, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour #33.
Posted for Pepper’s One Step at a Time #14.
Sources:
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Native Plant Database — Lygodesmia texana — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LYTE
- Native Plant Society of Texas — Lygodesmia texana — https://www.npsot.org/posts/native-plant/lygodesmia-texana/
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Donna Robinson Photography
Beautiful flower and images, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment, Donna. Much appreciated!
Steve Schwartzman
I do see the resemblance to light bulb filaments. Now you’ve got me wondering whether a glass artist could craft a piece that would look like one of these flower heads and whose filaments would actually light up from an electric current passing through them.
Egidio Leitao
Your creative mind is always moving. Great idea!
Wandering Dawgs
I love the colors and details of these flowers.
Egidio Leitao
That’s what attracts the most, Beth. Thanks.
Pamela Zmija Photography
So beautiful Egidio! Incredible detail.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly, Pam.
Leanne Cole
I would almost consider going to Texas just photograph these, they are so beautiful Egido.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. You might enjoy the wildflower season here.
Pepper
Beautiful captures of the Texas Skeleton plant. 👏
Pepper
Hey, Egidio. I think your link may be going to an earlier One Step post. This week’s should be One Step #17. I sure don’t want anyone to miss you beautiful flower closeups. 😉
Egidio Leitao
That is correct, Pepper. I already did a post for this week’s One Step #17. I’m catching up with previous posts in the series.
Pepper
Oops, my mistake! Should have clicked with me. I appreciate you catching up, Egidio. 😊
Egidio Leitao
Not a problem at all. Since I had some free time, I decided to catch up on the missing challenges you had. I’m caught up now.
Pepper
Much appreciated. 😉
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Pepper.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
What a gorgeous flower Egídio, beautifully captured! 😊
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Xenia. So glad you liked it.
SoyBend
What a delicate beauty, Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
It truly is. Thank you.
shoestringdiary
The filaments of this plant are unique and gorgeous. Your macro shot captured it perfectly.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your kind words and feedback.
Anne Sandler
What a beautiful and delicate flower, Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Effettivamente è molto bello.
Egidio Leitao
Grazie mille.
Writing to Freedom
What an interesting plant. Thanks for the beautiful photos and tour Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Brad.
Toonsarah
An interesting name for a very interesting plant! The flowers are truly beautiful – like you I love their delicate shade and the tiny filaments that do indeed look a bit like those in a light bulb.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah. The name gets me. It’s very Halloween-ish.
shoreacres
This is one of my favorites, as well. I once found them mixed with Gaillardia amblyodon, the maroon blanket flower, in the hill country, and the combination of red and delicate purple was lovely.
Egidio Leitao
Oh my! That combination must be unforgettable. Thanks for writing.
I. J. Khanewala
Wonderful photos. It’s a lovely lower.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, I.J.
Anita
Beautiful captures of this remarkable little wildflower, Egídio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita.
margaret21
A lovely, delicate looking plant.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Margaret.
bushboy
Ever so beautiful Egidio. A wonderful find and great macros
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a million, Brian.
restlessjo
A delicate but tough little beauty, Egidio. Lovely photos xx
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Jo. xx
Terri Webster Schrandt
Truly a stunning flower, Egidio, no wonder it stopped you in your tracks! I always enjoy your field notes.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for these kind words, Terri.