Woody plants and cacti are vital staple foods for cattle, deer, and other wildlife in drought-prone South Texas. Ranchers, hunters, and land managers who need to identify these plants relied on A Field Guide to Common South Texas Shrubs (published by Texas Parks & Wildlife Press and distributed by UT Press), which is no longer in print. Responding to ongoing demand for the book, Richard B. Taylor has completely updated and expanded it with seven new species, new photographs, and a quick plant identification key.
Common Woody Plants and Cacti of South Texas is an easy-to-use plant identification field guide to fifty species that comprise an estimated 90 percent of the region's woody canopy cover north of the Rio Grande Valley. The species accounts include photographs, descriptions, values to livestock and wildlife, and nutritional information. The book also provides historical perspectives and information on brush management techniques and strategies, as well as habitat appraisal. All of these resources will enable readers to analyze stocking rates for deer and cattle, evaluate a prospective hunting lease, or buy property.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Historical Perspectives
Brush Management
Habitat Appraisal
Plant Quick Key
Thorned Plants
Straight Thorned
Granjeno
Texas ebony
Texas palo verde
Honey mesquite
Huisache
Blackbrush acacia
Twisted acacia
Allthorn
Brasil
Knifeleaf condalia
Green condalia
Lotebush
Coma
Amargosa
Wolfberry
Curved Thorned
Fragrant mimosa
Retama
Guajillo
Catclaw acacia
Roemer acacia
Lime pricklyash
Thornless Plants
Four-wing saltbush
Littleleaf sumac
Agarito
Wild olive
Anaqua
Sugar hackberry
Desert yaupon
Texas persimmon
Vine ephedra
Southwest bernardia
False mesquite
Texas kidneywood
Mountain laurel
Live oak
Pecan
Shrubby blue sage
Narrowleaf forestiera
Hogplum
Coyotillo
Cenizo
Cedar elm
Whitebrush
Lantana
Guayacan
Creosotebush
Cacti, Succulents, and Yucca
Spanish dagger
Pricklypear
Tasajillo
Leatherstem
Appendix I. Benefits of Plants to Various Classes of Wildlife
Appendix II. Palatability Index of White-tailed Browse Plants in South Texas
Appendix III. Nutritional Value of Plants
Appendix IV. Common Scientific Names of Plants and Animals Mentioned in Text
Illustrated Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Richard B. Taylor is a certified wildlife biologist with over thirty years’ experience in natural resource management. He provides technical assistance with white-tailed deer and other game species management, game bird management, non-game wildlife management, livestock management, water management, habitat management, and prescribed burns. He lives in Uvalde, Texas.