Big Bend National Park has such a wide variety of terrain, from the desert floor to the high Chisos mountains, that it offers a kaleidoscope of plant and cactus life. On this page we hope to offer you more species that live in the mountains, along the Rio Grande River, and more specifically geared to the National Park. If you are looking for something, be sure to check the plants & cacti page under Big Bend.
The Spanish Dagger or Torrey Yucca (Yucca
Torreyi) is one of the most characteristic plants of the Big Bend. In the
National Park, Dagger Flats, has one of the most abundant areas for this variety of
Yuccas. It has a bark like body with needle sharp leaves usually pointing upwards.
From the center the yucca blooms with full, bountiful blossoms. These flowers
are much desired by the deer and cattle. The fruits, when mature, are both soft and
sweet. The Indians were believed to dry the flowers and boiled them for a tea, this
was used a cough remedy. However, even present day locals and experimentalists have
been known to use the flowers and fruits in cooking a multitude of dishes. There are
numerous varieties of yuccas growing throughout this region. The irregular rainy
seasons and just lack of rain has left a sporadic blooming season and they have seen
blooming in just about every month of the year.
Mexican Poppies or Gold Poppies
(Eschscholzia mexicana) also dot the landscape of the Big Bend, especially Big Bend
National Park. The best place to spot these flowers is close to a particular
formation along the lower trail leading across Mesa de Anguilla. The are typical
seen in full bloom between approximately April - May. The are many other species of
poppies in the Big Bend including the desert prickly poppy.