My next door neighbor, who is very knowledgeable about native Texas plants, spotted a very rare plant on his property recently and invited me over to see it. The plant is a Spiked Crested Coralroot Orchid (Hexalectris spicata). I have never heard of this plant, nor seen it anywhere else. It is very unusual and quite lovely.
Spiked Crested Coralroot Orchid (Hexalectris spicata)
There are also quite a few beautiful Madrone trees growing here as well. He cultivates and plants these wonderful trees, (and has been kind enough to share some seed and seedlings with me) which are also called Naked Indian trees due to their striking smooth reddish skin.
Smooth Red ‘Skin’ of the Madrone Tree
I was also treated to a tour of his exquisite garden, which he has agreed to let me photograph in the future. The beauty and peacefulness that surrounded me when I entered this garden was almost palpable. Most, if not all, of the plants in the garden are native, but not the usual suspects. And the setting of the garden, overlooking Sycamore Creek and nestled into the side of the valley, provides the perfect backdrop for this natural space. Look at the way the Madrone tree hugs the southeast corner of the house and the pathway beckons you to see what is around the corner.
Madrone Tree at SE Corner of House
I am also lucky to have many native, some rare, plants growing on my land as well. One of these is the Stiff Greenthread (Thelesperma filifolium). When I first saw this plant I thought it was some sort of coreopsis, but it is actually in the Aster family. Further research [1] revealed that this is a perennial herb that native Indians used to make a medicinal tea. With that knowledge in hand, I decided that this plant was worth trying to cultivate. It is growing on a hillside in a drainage area so I decided to protect it by surrounding it with rocks and I have started to water it once in a while. I also collected and planted some seeds.
Greenthread in Rock Surround
Our farm business is keeping me very busy. Our spring crops are growing well and new summer crops and succession plantings will go in soon. Meanwhile, I am already planning the fall crops and mapping out the new growing areas that we will be installing this summer. So much to do ….. so little time.
Market Garden May 18
5 Comments To "Exciting Discoveries"
#1 Comment By Pam/Digging On May 20, 2011 @ 4:31 pm
That native orchid is indeed lovely. And I love the madrones. I saw my first one at Bamberger Ranch a few months ago but since then saw one at the Wildflower Center. The trunks are stunning.
#2 Comment By Carol On May 24, 2011 @ 9:39 am
Madrones are wonderful trees; evergreen, beautiful bark, nice spring flowers and very pretty fall berries. What’s not to like? I guess they can be hard to grow though… I didn’t know that they had one at the WIldflower Center. How large is it?
The one next to my neighbor’s house, pictured above, is only 15 yrs old and must be 30′ tall, but he has another, that is the same age, that is only about half that size. He attributes the difference to the fact that the larger one is shaded from the afternoon sun and is planted in deep, well drained soil.
#3 Comment By patrick persijn On November 3, 2012 @ 1:15 pm
Hi Carol,
I was wonder if you can ask your neighbor for a few seedpods of the Hexalectris spicata orchid. I am in search for a few for some scientific experiment I do with growing of saphrophyte orchids growing in pot culture. At the moment I have seed of Limodorum abortivum germinating and seed of Neottia nidus-avis with success. It would help me very much, to get some seed from this plant, I am looking already quit some time for it. Thanks in advance. Seedpods can be send to:
LE Keyner, Vinkstraat 31, 4815AT, Breda, The Netherlands.
Kind regards,
Patrick Persijn
#4 Comment By Carol On November 4, 2012 @ 2:06 pm
Hi Patrick – I will contact my neighbor and see if he was able to collect any seedpods from this plant this year. He did mention to me in the spring that the plant had sprouted again so it is possible that he may have been able to get some seeds from it. I will let you know.
Regards,
Carol
#5 Comment By patrick persijn On November 6, 2012 @ 2:35 am
Ok, thank you very much, Carol