This is your guidebook for using the trail which starts at this
registration desk. For about one mile of this walk the interesting
plants, unusual geological features and other things of interest are
explained. _Each object of special interest is marked by a numbered
stake._ Refer to the corresponding number in this booklet, and you will
find the name of the plant or feature and a description. The information
recorded here is necessarily brief, but the rangers will be glad to
answer your questions and give additional information.
1. Evergreen Sumac (_Rhus virens_). This sumac is commonly found in
Green Gulch and through the Chisos Mountains. It bears attractive
clusters of small white flowers followed by red berries which are seen
in the late autumn and winter.
2. Alligator Juniper (_Juniperus deppeana_). Observe alligator skin-like
bark of the tree which easily identifies this evergreen and gives it its
name. Under favorable conditions the species attains an age in excess of
500 years.
3. Mexican Pinyon (_Pinus cembroides_), is the only species of pine
found along this trail. Pinyon is the name given by the early Spanish
explorers and was described by Cabeza de Vaca in 1536. The seeds are
used by Indians for food and in recent years the nuts of a close
relative, _Pinus edulis_, have become an article of commerce.
4. Gray Oak (_Quercus grisea_). There are several species of oak on this
trail, but this particular one is easily recognized by the blue-gray
color of its leaves.
5. Emory Oak (_Quercus emoryi_). Of the several oaks in the park, this
represents one of the larger evergreen groups. The acorns are edible,
sweet, and are important as food for birds and small mammals. Notice the
glossy hollylike leaves.
6. Graves Oak (_Quercus gravesi_). Here is another of the oaks with
typical notched or toothed leaf margins. The lovely fall colors of the
Chisos Mountains (pronounced CHEE-sose) are principally due to the
abundance of these trees whose leaves takes on the rusts and reds of
autumn.
7. Picture! From this point on the trail there is an excellent view of
Green Gulch. The high point on the left (north) of the gulch is Pulliam
Peak, 6,921 feet high. The faraway hills are the Rosillos Mountains, so
named because of their roan coloring.
[Illustration: _Agave_]
8. Agave (_Agave scabra_). There are many different species of agaves
(often called century plants) in the Southwest, several occurring in Big
Bend. Plants of this group furnish many important products in Mexico,
and were utilized by Indians in various ways. Among the products are
fiber, food, drink (mescal), soap and medicine. Agaves are grown
commercially in more than 40 countries. These plants store up food in
the root and leaf systems for many years, finally send up one
fast-growing flower stalk, mature their seeds, and then die. The bloom
stalk grows almost 10 inches a day and represents the largest bloom of
any North American plant.
9. Texas Madrone (_Arbutus texana_). This beautiful tree has thin,
peeling bark. Its red berries, which mature in November, are highly
favored by deer which often rise up on their hind legs to reach them.
The name “Naked Indian” is sometimes applied because the twigs and
branches are the copper color of the Indian torso. A close relative of
this madrone is found along the west coast. Most of the madrones along
this trail were killed by drouth. This one is sprouting from the old
base. There are a number of fine living madrones along the road in upper
Green Gulch.
A fine angle view of Casa Grande is obtainable here. This large single
mass of volcanic rock (rhyolite) is 7,300 feet high.
10. Skunkbush Sumac, or Squawbush (_Rhus trilobata_). Although this
sumac belongs to the same family as the obnoxious poison ivy, it has
none of the latter’s irritating qualities. Leaves turn brilliant shades
of red and orange in the autumn.
11. Basketgrass (_Nolina erumpens_). Although referred to as a grass,
this plant belong to the lily family. The narrow, fibrous grasslike
leaves often attain a length of 5 feet, making them excellent material
for native basketry. The compact clusters of small pinkish-white flowers
rarely rise above the rank mass of foliage.
12. Geological Explanation. This rock is called conglomerate, because it
is formed from many kinds of rocks from many places. Note the rounded
shapes of the individual stones, caused by wearing away of the sharp
corners and edges when they were being transported by streams millions
of years ago. Later these materials were deposited in beds and under the
terrific pressure of overlying masses of sediments were compacted with
mineral cementing materials to form the solid mass which you see here.
13. Drooping Juniper (_Juniperus flaccida_). Appearing to be slightly
wilted, the drooping aspects of this graceful evergreen suggests grief.
Botanists claim that Big Bend National Park is the only area in the
United States in which it is found.
[Illustration: _Drooping Juniper_]