Despite the relatively hot and dry conditions, Central Texas is home to numerous species of ferns. The Edwards Plateau alone boasts more than 60 species of ferns and other lycophytes. Texas itself is home to more that 150 species of ferns and lycophytes, more than 18 of these Texas species occurring no where else in the United States. (See The Ferns and Lycophytes of Texas, by George M. Diggs, Jr. And Barney L. Lipscomb)
Our State Parks and State Natural Areas provide an excellent opportunity to observe ferns in Central Texas. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has numerous xeric ferns, as well as two endemic species of Isoetes, the quillworts related to the Ferns. I found the interesting Mexican Fern (Anemia mexicana) while hiking at Hill Country State Natural Area, and there are few seeps or springs in our parks without their draping of Southern Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris).
Colorado Bend State Park is an excellent place to look for ferns (and overall an excellent park for many activities and nature watching). On a hike this summer, I logged 11 species of ferns just through casual observation, but I am sure there are more there. Park at the Cedar Chopper Loop parking lot, take the left-hand Cedar Chopper Loop trail, turn onto the Tinaja Trail and follow to its end. Then head down the road toward the river, detour up the Gorman Spring Trail to its end and back. Take the River Trail along the river, turn onto the Dogleg Canyon trail, which will take you back to the Cedar Chopper Loop, and back to the parking area. It is about an 8 mile circuit.
You can cut off a mile by skipping the River Trail and Dogleg Canyon Trail and instead use Old Gorman Road trail back to the Cedar Chopper Loop. Follow around to the left and complete the circuit at about 7 miles, around to the right for a shorter 6.5 miles.
Most of the ferns are along the Tinaja trail, growing out of the limestone, with one in the Tinaja itself. A few other species are along the Gorman Spring Trail. You can catch some you may have missed along the Dogleg Canyon Trail.
Our State Parks and State Natural Areas provide an excellent opportunity to observe ferns in Central Texas. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has numerous xeric ferns, as well as two endemic species of Isoetes, the quillworts related to the Ferns. I found the interesting Mexican Fern (Anemia mexicana) while hiking at Hill Country State Natural Area, and there are few seeps or springs in our parks without their draping of Southern Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum capillus-veneris).
Colorado Bend State Park is an excellent place to look for ferns (and overall an excellent park for many activities and nature watching). On a hike this summer, I logged 11 species of ferns just through casual observation, but I am sure there are more there. Park at the Cedar Chopper Loop parking lot, take the left-hand Cedar Chopper Loop trail, turn onto the Tinaja Trail and follow to its end. Then head down the road toward the river, detour up the Gorman Spring Trail to its end and back. Take the River Trail along the river, turn onto the Dogleg Canyon trail, which will take you back to the Cedar Chopper Loop, and back to the parking area. It is about an 8 mile circuit.
You can cut off a mile by skipping the River Trail and Dogleg Canyon Trail and instead use Old Gorman Road trail back to the Cedar Chopper Loop. Follow around to the left and complete the circuit at about 7 miles, around to the right for a shorter 6.5 miles.
Most of the ferns are along the Tinaja trail, growing out of the limestone, with one in the Tinaja itself. A few other species are along the Gorman Spring Trail. You can catch some you may have missed along the Dogleg Canyon Trail.
(1) C. alabamensis, (2) P. purpurea (3) P. ovata (4) A. dealbata
So what can you see along this route?
In the Tinaja, there is what I believe is the Bigfoot Water Clover (Marsilea macropoda), looking just like its common name would suggest. The Gorman Spring Trail has the Southern Maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) and large stands of Lindheimer’s Maiden Fern (Thelypteris ovata var. lindheimeri). Most of the rest of the ferns are along the Tinaja Trail, peeking out of the limestone. These include the small Powdery False Cloak Fern (Argyrochosma dealbata), with its distinctive whitish undersides, the rather fuzzy Hybrid Scaly Cloak Fern (Astrolepis integerrima), and the Black-Stem Spleenwort (Asplenium resiliens). There are also at least two species of Cheilanthes (alabamensis and tomentosa), two Pellaea (atropurpurea and ovata), and the not uncommon Woodsia Obtusa.
I highly recommend getting a copy of Diggs’ and Lipscomb’s The Ferns and Lycophytes of Texas, published by BRIT Press (the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, which you can also visit and tour). Look through it before you go. Check the maps to see which species may be in the county you are visiting (Colorado Bend State Park is in San Saba County), become familiar with their look, any distinguishing characteristics, and their growing habit. You can jot notes in your notebook instead of lugging the field guide along with you on your hike. Be sure not to damage the ferns you observe (it is a State Park after all), and if you can photograph or draw both the upper and undersides (particularly if they have spores present, which can be an aid in identification). Take a small hand lens or magnifying loupe to look for hairs, or to admire the liverworts that are often found alongside the ferns.
Or just enjoy the walk knowing that there is such a variety of ferns along the path.
Happy Fern Hunting.
[While I have tried to use two three sources for identifying ferns in this post, there may still be some errors. If you notice any, please feel free to let me know.]
Or just enjoy the walk knowing that there is such a variety of ferns along the path.
Happy Fern Hunting.
[While I have tried to use two three sources for identifying ferns in this post, there may still be some errors. If you notice any, please feel free to let me know.]