The following lists are given to assist the reader in identifying
plants. Several special groupings are first given according to
conditions and habit of growth. If the plant sought does not qualify for
these lists, then the longer seasonal and color lists should be
consulted. Several wide-spread plants which the author had to omit
because of lack of space have been mentioned in the lists; these may be
recognized by the absence of a page reference. Several related species,
not mentioned in the text and which may be recognized as close relatives
of those illustrated although they may differ in color and season of
growth, have been included in the lists.
Opposite each name is given the number of the page on which the plant is
described and a symbol which designates the place of growth. The section
of the state is not given in the lists, as prairie plants are much the
same throughout the state as are the plants in the sandy soil of post
oak woods. However, climatic conditions of moisture and temperature
limit the range of many plants, and the text should be consulted for the
distributional range.
The time of flowering in Central Texas has been taken as the basis for
listing the plants according to seasonal distribution. Quite frequently
the season in North Texas will be a month later than that of Central
Texas, and in South Texas it will be a month earlier. Hence it may be
necessary to consult the lists for adjoining seasons if the desired
plant is not found in the first list to be checked. Some plants,
especially many herbaceous perennials on the western plains, have
flowering seasons in both spring and fall; others bloom throughout the
warmer months after heavy rains. If a plant cannot be located in the
fall list, the spring list should be consulted.
The month of April shows the greatest profusion of flowers in nearly all
parts of the state. At some of the wild flower exhibits held at the
University of Texas, nearly 500 species from Central and Southeast Texas
have been shown at one time. Therefore the reader is warned not to
expect to find every flower he picks up among the 257 illustrations
given in these pages.
The plants are listed in the following color groups: red and orange,
pink and rose, blue, white, yellow, purple, and green. Under white
flowers are grouped those delicately tinted with green, yellow, blue,
pink, or lavender. Blue flowers are seldom a true blue but are usually a
combination of blue and purple which may be interpreted by some people
as blue and by others as purple. Hence if a plant considered as
blue-flowered cannot be found in the blue list, then the purple list
should be consulted.