Texas Wildbuds

Fall 2026
Coastal Bend

In Mid-October we made our first visit to Mustang Island State Park near Corpus Christi, and predictably, the dune and beach environment yield a number of new species for this site, 10 actually.

After a couple days there we drove a ways up the coast to to Goose Island State Park north of Rockport. This was our third time here and was not as productive as previous times because of the recent drought conditions. That said, we still found a number of plants in bloom, including many Crotons and Mistflowers but also others as shown below. We found couple new ones, too.

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

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NEW! Asclepias curassavica
(Bloodflower)
6852
Photo Details
Common Name Bloodflower, Scarlet Milkweed
Scientific Name Asclepias curassavica
Family Apocynaceae
(Dogbane)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Packery Channel Park, Mustang Island, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 400 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Bacopa monnieri
(Herb-of grace)
6806
Photo Details
Common Name Herb-of-grace
Coastal Water Hyssop
Scientific Name Bacopa monnieri
Family Plantaginaceae
(Plantain)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Chamaecrista fasciculata
(Partridge Pea)
6674
Photo Details
Common Name Partidge Pea
Scientific Name Chamaecrista fasciculata
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Centrosema virginianum
(Butterfly Pea)
7081
Photo Details
Common Name Butterfly Pea
Scientific Name Centrosema virginianum
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date October 12, 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/20 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Conoclinium betonicifolium
(Betonyleaf Mistflower)
7102
Photo Details
Common Name Betonyleaf Mistflower
Scientific Name Conoclinium betonicifolium
(Eupatorium betonicifolium)
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date October 12, 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Cordia boissieri
(Texas Olive)
6867
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Olive, Anacahuita, Mexican Olive
Scientific Name Cordia boissieri
Family Cordiaceae
(Cordia)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Packery Channel Park, Mustang Island, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 400 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Croton heptalon
(South Texas Woolly Croton)
7088
Photo Details
Common Name South Texas Woolly Croton, Woolly Croton
Scientific Name Croton heptalon
Family Euphorbiaceae
(Spurge)
Date October 12. 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 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
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NEW! Croton punctatus
(Gulf Croton)
6650
Photo Details
Common Name Gulf Croton, Beach Croton
Scientific Name Croton punctatus
Family Euphorbiaceae
(Spurge)
Date October 9. 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Desmodium incanum
(Creeping Beggarweed)
7088
Photo Details
Common Name Creeping Beggarweed
Scientific Name Desmodium incanum
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date October 12. 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/20 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Diodia virginiana
(Virginia Buttonweed)
6735
Photo Details
Common Name Virginia Buttonweed
Scientific Name Diodia virginiana
Family Rubiaceae
(Madder)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/50 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Eustoma exaltatum ssp. exaltatum
(Beach Gentian)
6828
Photo Details
Common Name Beach Gentian, Catch-fly Prairie Gentian
Scientific Name Eustoma exaltatum ssp. exaltatum
(Eustoma grandiflorum)
Family Gentianaceae
(Gentian)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Helianthus argophyllus
(Silver-leaf Sunflower)
6802
Photo Details
Common Name Silver-leaf Sunflower
Scientific Name Helianthus argophyllus
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Hydrocotyle bonariensis
(Largeleaf Pennywort)
6698
Photo Details
Common Name Largeleaf Pennywort, Largeleaf Marshpennywort, Sombrerillo
Scientific Name Hydrocotyle bonariensis
Family Araliaceae
(Ginseng)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Ipomoea imperati
(Beach Morning-glory)
6767
Photo Details
Common Name Beach Morning-glory
Scientific Name Ipomoea imperati
Family Convolvulaceae
(Morning-glory)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 85 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Ipomoea pes-caprae
(Goat-foot Morning-glory)
6940
Photo Details
Common Name Goat-foot Morning-glory, Bay-hops
Scientific Name Ipomoea pes-caprae
Family Convolvulaceae
(Morning-glory)
Date October 10, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Lantana strigocamara
(Lantana)
7155
Photo Details
Common Name Lantana
Scientific Name Lantana strigocamera
(Lantana camara)
Family Verbenaceae
(Verbena)
Date October 12, 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum
(Wolfberry)
7283
Photo Details
Common Name Wolfberry, Carolina Desert-thorn
Scientific Name Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum
Family Solanaceae
(Nightshade)
Date October 13, 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
(Turk’s Cap)
7158
Photo Details
Common Name Turk's Cap, Wax Mallow
Scientific Name Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
Family Malvaceae
(Mallow)
Date October 12, 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/8 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Oenothera drummondii
(Beach Evening Primrose)
6889
Photo Details
Common Name Beach Evening Primrose
Scientific Name Oenothera drummondii
Family Onagraceae
(Evening Primrose)
Date October 10, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 118 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/25 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Phytolacca americana var. rigida
(American Pokeweed)
6862
Photo Details
Common Name American Pokeweed
Scientific Name Phytolacca americana var. rigida
Family Phytolaccaceae
(Pokeweed)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Packery Channel Park, Mustang Island, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 200 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/15 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Pluchea odorata
(Sweetscent)
6914/6920
Photo Details
Common Name Sweetscent, Marsh Fleabane
Scientific Name Pluchea odorata
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date October 10, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/40 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Samoleus ebracteatus
(Limewater Brookweed)
6815
Photo Details
Common Name Limewater Brookweed
Scientific Name Samoleus ebracteatus
Family Polemoniaceae
(Phlox)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/10
Speed 1/800 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Sesuvium portulacastrum
(Shoreline Sea-purslane)
6772
Photo Details
Common Name Shoreline Sea-purslane, Cenicilla
Scientific Name Sesuvium portulacastrum
Family Aizoaceae
(Carpet-weed)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Sida abutifolia
(Spreading Fanpetals)
7349
Photo Details
Common Name Spreading Fanpetals
Scientific Name Sida abutifolia
(Sida filicaulis)
Family Malvaceae
(Mallow)
Date October 13, 2026
Location Lamar, just outside Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 70 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Solanum triquetrum
(Texas Nightshade)
7250
Photo Details
Common Name Texas Nightshade
Scientific Name Solanum triquetrum
Family Solanaceae
(Nightshade)
Date October 13. 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Thelesperma filifolium
(Greenthread)
7299
Photo Details
Common Name Greenthread
Scientific Name Thelesperma filifolium
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date October 13. 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/22
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Verbesina encelioides
(Golden Crownbeard)
7315
Photo Details
Common Name Golden Crownbeard, Cowpen Daisy
Scientific Name Verbesina encelioides
Family Asteraceae
(Sunflower)
Date October 13. 2026
Location Goose Island State Park, Aransas County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 78 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Vigna luteola
(Hairy-pod Cow-pea)
6880
Photo Details
Common Name Hairy-pod Cow-pea, Wild Cow-pea
Scientific Name Vigna luteola
Family Fabaceae
(Pea)
Date October 9, 2026
Location Mustang Island State Park, Nueces County
Camera Nikon D850
Lens Nikon-Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 400
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 2026

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. Please contact me if you find errors.