The Big Bend lays within the Chihuahuan Desert. The vegetation, however, can vary depending upon your location. With contrasts ranging from the desert floor to high mountains and lush growth of trees and other plants in the Chisos Mountains. Scattered springs and the river bed of the Rio Grande River add to this variance.
The mark of the Chihuahuan Desert is the lechuguilla. This cactus does not grow anywhere else in the world. The heart of the lechuguilla can be eaten, though its taste is a matter of discussion. It has long pointed shoots, usually a foot or so tall. Its points were used by the local Indians to create sewing needles that included a strong, fibrous thread. However, this cactus does contain a toxin so be careful when handling.
The Creosote Bush is yet another common
plant of the Chihuahuan Desert. It has a taproot that can grow up to 30 feet in
length and produces a toxin keeping all roots of competitive plants from growing
nearby. Also known as greasewood, it can be harvested to produce a tar that they use
on telephone polls. In spring and sometimes even blooming in the fall, the Creosote
Bush has yellow flowers that bloom. It has no known eatable value.
The
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), also known as Jacob's Staff, is a long spiny shrub
growing 10 to 15 feet tall. It lays dormant conserving water by eschewing its leaves
until a shower offers relief, developing and dropping its leaves several times a
year. It is also known as coach-whip and vine cactus. The earlier settlers and
present day residents collect the long unbranching slender stems and create a living
fence. Tying them together and then plant the roots, the fence can continue to grow,
complete with green leaves and flowers in the season. Red flowers adorn its tips in spring
and also on occasion in August - September with late summer rainfall. It is believed
that the Indians ate the flowers and fruit pods and that the Apaches used a concoction of
roots to relieve painful swellings. The flowers can be used to make a home tea.
The Prickly Pear cactus can be seen all throughout West Texas. There
are several varieties of prickly pears growing in the Big Bend. Prickly Pears
are characterized by the flat-jointed stems. These stems are covered
with small clusters of stiff hairs called glochids, and more obvious to are usually the
long, needle-pointed sharp spines. Ouch! These guys will hurt you! The
fruits of the prickly pear as well as the pads are used in a variety of cooking dishes,
including the most commonly seen, prickly pear jelly.
The Purple Prickly Pear is a purple
tinged variety of the prickly pear. Similar in color, shape, and appearance as its
counterpart. It has long spines on the pads of this cactus. It too blooms
during the summer, typically around May to August, with usually large yellow flowers.
Mesquite can also be seen all through west
Texas. There are numerous varieties of mesquite that grow in the Big Bend.
Along the river and near springs, and with some human pruning, some species grow into
trees. Mesquite does have thorns on it that can be poisonous. Watch out!
Of course Mesquite's timber (also called ironwood) has its obvious appeal the rich, woodsy
flavor that it adds when used to smoke meat. The timber can also be used in
woodcarvings. Mesquite beans have a long, slender seed pod fruit which is edible and
highly nutritious. When ground, the pod can be used to make food items. This
includes Mesquite Bread. Pictured is a honey mesquite in bloom.
The Bluebonnet (lupinus subcarnosus) is the
most popular wildflower of the Big Bend. It adorns the sides of highways and adds to
the already beautiful existing scenery. The Bluebonnet is also the Texas state
flower. After heavy rainfalls, the bluebonnets can be seen leaving a colorful blue
trail all the way to the tops of the mountains. The average height of bluebonnets
are 12 inches (30 cm), but as they say here in the big bend, everything's bigger in the
Big Bend. This also applies to the bluebonnets. They can be seen growing here
as tall as 24 inches and sometimes even more!