A Second Spring: Fall Wildflowers in Texas
Fall is like a “second spring” in Texas as wildflowers bloom creating colorful landscapes. Purple and white asters, magenta ironweed and the fall-favorite goldenrod display rich colors right on cue. These are just several that are in bloom, and the prickly pear has edible fruit now too. The summer temperatures have finally cooled down, as the wildflowers, bushes and trees emerge with fresh new blooms. These flowers provide critical nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Texas provides habitat and nectar for migrating butterflies such as Monarchs on their way to Mexico. As you enjoy hikes and bikes during this fall weather, watch for wildflowers and you will be surprised how many bloom in the fall.
A quick check of the Native Plants Database shows that there are 1,388 wildflowers that bloom in Texas during August, September and October. You can check for your own region to narrow this down with these instructions. While the beloved bluebonnet state flower is not on display in the fall, don’t let that stop you from pulling over for photos in the magenta gayfeather stalks.
Asters
Asters (meaning “star” in Greek) are easy for kids to identify with their ray of petals that look like tiny daisies. They are white or purple, and look like little stars with many petals. Asters are highly-attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is also in the Aster family, with it’s hundreds of little gold stars on each stalk. This is the most prevalent wildflower that we are seeing this time of year. Kids should be able to remember this name since Crayola has a crayon color named goldenrod that perfectly matches the wildflower color.
Purple Passionflower
This unique wildflower has intricate styles and stamens radiating from the center. The fleshy fruit is about the size of an egg and also known as maypop, and “may pop” when stepped on. This leads to this flower’s other common name as “maypop”. The fruit is about the size of an egg and provides food for butterflies and other wildlife.
Gayfeather or Blazing Star
The Gayfeather or Blazing Star has fluffy vertical spikes that are purple or white and are well-loved by butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. This flower blooms over 4 weeks from top to bottom.
Ruellia
The violet ruellia has five petals, which open at sunrise and fall from the plant in early afternoon.
American Beautyberry
The American Beautyberry plant has glossy purple or magenta berries that provide food for many types of birds, especially the bobwhite quail. While the berries do not have much flavor, some people make jelly out of them.
Blue sage
Stop to smell the flowers in this stunning blue color of the blue sage plant. The flowers are in clusters and on long stalks.
Pincushion
Sweet Scabius, or the Pincushion is rich in nectar, and attracts pollinators. The flower looks like a cushion with pin-looking stamens, and resembles a pincushion. The flowers can grow one to two feet tall, and range in color from white to pink to lavender.
Ironweed
The ironweed plant forms striking magenta ray-like flowers seen along edges of fields. This plant very drought resistant and can be seen in pastures where it’s bitter leaves prevent cows from eating it.
Buffalo Bur
The Buffalo Bur is in the nightshade family with tomatoes, however this little plant has prickly stems to avoid. It gets its common name from when buffalo roamed the prairie and would roll in the grass and get these burs in their coats.
Sunflower
The sunflower is easily recognized by kids since its bright yellow petals radiate like a sun. Also in the aster family, this prevalent flower can be seen all over Texas in all types of terrains and soils. Native Americans used the flower in medicines, fiber and as a food source. Many birds and animals eat the seeds.
Silverleaf Nightshade
The petals of the silverleaf nightshade are purple or lavender, and the flower appears star-shaped with yellow anthers. The fruit of this plant is almost black when ripe, and was used by Native Americans in making cheese, cure sore throat and cure poison ivy. While we avoid poison ivy, it’s great to know this little plant might be useful if we get the rash.
Brickellbush
Also in the aster family, Brickellia is a flowering shrub with little stars with a unique smell. This plant produces a high amount of essential oil, Germacrene D as a natural insecticide. However some caterpillars and butterflies are not deterred by the insecticide.
Crane’s-bill
Named after the unusual shape of the fruit resembling a crane, this petite lavender flower is in the geranium family and the fragrant oils are used medicinally.
Straggler Daisy
These tiny flowers also in the aster family pop up in sprawling leaves that are close to the ground. We are seeing these in neighbors lawns, but can be found throughout Texas in all types of habitat.
Tievine
A species of morning glory, this funnel-shaped flower has a deep purple center and lines that divide it into five sections. Look for these vines climbing fences and posts.
Frostweed
Also a member of the aster family, Frostweed has a head of white flowers in a cluster. With the first freeze in Autumn, these can sometimes split and exude a sap that solidifies and appears like ice.
Wall rocket
These delicate yellow flowers of four petals are on a long stem. Its leaves are fragrant when crushed.
False ragweed
This small white flower looks delicate and unassuming, however the pollen is distributed by the wind causing major hay-fever symptoms. Chemicals in the plant can cause skin irritation.
Climbing Hempweed
The only member of the aster family that that climbs in Texas, these dirty white to pinkish clustered flowers are often found growing near wet areas such as ponds and creeks.
How to identify wildflowers in Texas:
Our favorite field guide is Wildflowers of Texas by Geyata Ajilvsgi that groups flowers by color. We are big fans of the iNaturalist app to identify and document wildflowers for citizen science research. Here is a quick and easy tutorial on how to use this easy app.
Remember, don’t pick the flowers since it’s food for our pollinators who are decreasing in numbers at startling rates. Every little bit of nectar helps! Take only photos and leave only footprints.
Special needs:
Being outdoors with all the sights and sounds is great for the brain and body. Being able to find and observe, compare and contrast, smell and touch, and identify and record wildflowers is great for kids to get to know their surroundings and use fine and gross motor skills. Don’t forget to look up in the trees and in the sky for squirrels, birds, hawks and other wildlife.
Know before you go:
Bring insect repellant and sunscreen.
Bring plenty of water and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Other Adventures
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Drive your car or take a guided tour through this 1,800 acre wildlife refuge with free-roaming animals, children’s animal center, and overnight cabins. Kids will have an interactive and unforgettable experience with the animals.
Cadillac Ranch
Bring your own can of spraypaint and leave your fleeting mark at the public art installation known as Cadillac Ranch. Spraypainting contributes to a surprisingly beautiful collective artwork by visitors. Don’t miss this uniquely Texas eccentric art.
