Texas Wildbuds

Fall 2025
Rio Grande Valley

A late October trip to the Rio Grande Valley yielded an nice number of plants, especially considering the drought in the area. Three days were spent from a base in Mission visiting three state parks: Bensten-Rio Grande Valley in Mission, Estero Llano Grande in Weslaco and Resaca de la Palma near Brownville. Each park is somewhat different in the types of plants found, and all are temporary homes for migrating birds and butterflies. Each is part of the World Birding Center. In addition, I explored part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Manage Area in Mission. 

There are 15 new species for this collection being added as time permits. 

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

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NEW! Arundo donax
(Giant Reed)
5217
Photo Details
Common Name Giant Reed, Carrizo
Scientific Name Arundo donax
Family Poaceae
(Grass)
Date October 27, 2025
Location Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo 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 1/3900 sec.
ISO 64
More Photos and Plant Details
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Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
(Cayenne Pepper)
3074
Photo Details
Common Name Cayenne Pepper, Chilipiquin, Bird Pepper
Scientific Name Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Family Solanaceae
(Nightshade)
Date October 29, 2025
Location Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 110 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 2000
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Celtis pallida
(Desert Hackberry)
5225
Photo Details
Common Name Desert Hackberry, Spiny Hackberry
Scientific Name Celtis pallida
(Celtis ehrenbergiana)
Family Cannabaceae
(Hemp)
Date October 27, 2025
Location Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo County
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 1/1600 sec.
ISO 64
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Chromolaena odorata
(Siamweed)
2914
Photo Details
Common Name Siamweed, Crucita, Jack-in-the-bush
Scientific Name Chromolaena odorata
(Eupatorium odoratum)
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date October 27, 2025
Location Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Hidalgo County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 85 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/10 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Clematis drummondii
(Old-man’s Beard)
5201
Photo Details
Common Name Old-man's Beard, Drummond's Clematis
Scientific Name Clematis drummondii
Family Ranunculaceae
(Buttercup)
Date October 27, 2025
Location Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo County
Camera Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lens 2.22 mm f/2.2
Focal Length 24 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/2.2
Speed 1/1150 sec.
ISO 40
More Photos and Plant Details
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Cordia boissieri
(Texas Olive)
2884
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Olive, Anacahuita, Mexican Olive
Scientific Name Cordia boissieri
Family Cordiaceae
(Cordia)
Date October 27, 2025
Location Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Mission, Hidalgo County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/10
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 720
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Mimosa pigra var. asperata
(B;ack Mimosa)
5236
Photo Details
Common Name Black Mimosa, Puerto Rico Sensitive-briar
Scientific Name Mimosa pigra var. asperta
(Minosa pigra var. berlandieri, Mimosa asperata)
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date October 27, 2025
Location Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo County
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 1/1250 sec.
ISO 64
More Photos and Plant Details
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Solanum elaeagnifolium
(Silverleaf Nightshade)
5192
Photo Details
Common Name Silverleaf Nightshade
Scientific Name Solanum elaeagnifolium
Family Solanaceae
(Nightshade)
Date October 27, 2025
Location Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo County
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 1/2900 sec.
ISO 64
More Photos and Plant Details
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Verbena xutha
(Gulf Vervain)
2953
Photo Details
Common Name Gulf Vervain
Scientific Name Verbena xutha
Family Verbenaceae
(Verbena)
Date October 29, 2025
Location Resaca de la Palma State Park, Brownsville, Cameron County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 800
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.