Texas Wildbuds

December 2025
Big Bend National Park

A return trip to Big Bend in December, 2025, was planned at the last minute. I didn’t expect much in terms of wildflowers, and there weren’t any to speak of. I had been neglecting images of grasses, so, in the absence of colorful flowers, I decided to explore the members of the Poa  (grass) family. Eight new plant species were added to the collection.

Please contact me if you have any comments or corrections to my IDs. Thank you.

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NEW! Bothriochloa barbinodis
(Cane Bluestem)
5582
Photo Details
Common Name Cane Bluestem, Cane Beardgrass
Scientific Name Bothriochloa barbinodis
Family Poaceae
(Grass)
Date December 8, 2025
Location Laguna Meadows Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lens 6.9 mm f/1.8
Focal Length 78 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/1.8
Speed 1/750 sec.
ISO 64
More Photos and Plant Details
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Bouteloua curtipendula
(Sideoats Grama)
3455
Photo Details
Common Name Sideoats Grama
Scientific Name Bouteloua curtipendula
Family Poaceae
(Grass)
Date December 12, 2025
Location Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 85 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Eragrostis lehmanniana
(Lehmann’s Lovegrass)
3468
Photo Details
Common Name Lehmann's Lovegrass
Scientific Name Eragrostis lehmanniana
Family Poaceae
(Grass)
Date December 12, 2025
Location Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 135 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Hesperidanthus linearifolius
(Slimleaf Plainsmustard)
08724
Photo Details
Common Name Slimleaf Plainsmustard
Scientific Name Hesperidanthus linearifolius
Family Brassicaceae
(Mustard)
Date December 7, 2025
Location Laguna Meadows Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
Focal Length 24 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/2.8
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Heteropogon contortus
(Tanglehead)
3447
Photo Details
Common Name Tanglehead, Twisted Tanglehead
Scientific Name Heteropogon contortus
Family Poaceae
(Grass)
Date December 12, 2025
Location Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Juniperus deppeana
(Alligator Juniper)
08676
Photo Details
Common Name Alligator Juniper, Checker-bark Juniper
Scientific Name Juniperus deppeana
Family Cupressaceae
(Cypress)
Date December 7, 2025
Location Laguna Meadows Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
Focal Length 26 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/5.6
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Leptochloa dubia
(Green Spangletop)
08628
Photo Details
Common Name Green Spangletop
Scientific Name Leptochloa dubia
(Disakisperma dubium)
Family Poaceae
(Grass)
Date December 7, 2025
Location Laguna Meadows Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
Focal Length 70 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/4.0
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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Pectis angustifolia
(Lemonscent)
5644
Photo Details
Common Name Lemonscent
Scientific Name Pectis angustifolia
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date December 10, 2025
Location Paint Gap Road, Big Bend National Park
Camera Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lens 6.86 mm f/1.8
Focal Length 78 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/1.8
Speed 1/5600 sec.
ISO 64
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Setaria leucopila
(Plains Bristlehead)
3487
Photo Details
Common Name Plains Bristlegrass, Streambed Bristlegrass
Scientific Name Setaria leucopila
Family Poaceae
(Grass)
Date December 12, 2025
Location Window View Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia
(Cumberland Rock Shield Lichen)
08669
Photo Details
Common Name Cumberland Rock Shield Lichen
Scientific Name Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia
Family Parmeliaceae
Date December 7, 2025
Location Laguna Meadows Trail, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8
Focal Length 24 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/4.0
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 125
More Photos and Plant Details
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Yucca elata
(Soaptree Yucca)
3396
Photo Details
Common Name Soaptree Yucca
Scientific Name Yucca elata
Family Asperagaceae
(Asperagus)
Date December 9, 2025
Location River Road East, Big Bend National Park
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 85 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/4000 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Yucca treculeana
(Spanish Dagger)
5686
Photo Details
Common Name Spanish Dagger
Scientific Name Yucca treculeana
(Yucca torreyi)
Family Asparagaceae
(Asperagus)
Date December 11, 2025
Location Lajitas Airport Trails Loop 4, Brewster County
Camera Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lens 6.86 mm f/1.8
Focal Length 48 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/1.8
Speed 1/5600 sec.
ISO 64
More Photos and Plant Details

Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County

© Tom Lebsack 2025

Every attempt is made to provide accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information, but the completeness or accuracy of any information presented on this website cannot be guaranteed. I use authoritative references to insure high standards of accuracy and review and update the information frequently.