Anonymous

“ Botanists claim that Big Bend National Park is the only area in the United States in which it is found.
Drooping Juniper
CACTUS GARDEN
14. Lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla) (pronounced lay-choo-GHEE-yuh) is a small species of agave whose leaf crown somewhat resembles a bunch of green bananas, and does not belong to the cactus family. The plant is so well protected by its spine-tipped leaves that even hungry goats refrain from eating it. The fibers within the fleshy leaves are used extensively in northern Mexico for making brushes, matting, coarse twine and rope. ”

“ Notice the banded color separation of the short needles. The small brown flowers grow around the plant in large numbers during the bloom period. Another variety, which grows at low elevations in the park, has yellow-orange blossoms reaching a diameter of 4 inches.
19. Mountain-Mahogany (Cercocarpus eximius) . The wood is extremely hard, so brittle that it may be broken very easily. Deer browse on the leaves, and, outside the park, cattle and sheep feed upon it. ”

“ As an inducement for hikers desiring to continue farther along this trail, an orientation table has been constructed about 11⁄2 miles beyond this point. The table points out the major landscape features together with their elevations. From the same general area, a spectacular view of the rugged Big Bend country may be enjoyed. ”

“ Engelmann Pricklypear (Opuntia engelmanni) is one of the desert’s most useful plants. Its fruits may be eaten raw and delicious jams and jellies may be made from them. When young and tender, the young joints are called “nopalitas” (no-pahl-EE-tahs) , and are cooked and eaten. ”

“ The bloom stalk grows almost 10 inches a day and represents the largest bloom of any North American plant.
9. Texas Madrone (Arbutus texana) . This beautiful tree has thin, peeling bark. Its red berries, which mature in November, are highly favored by deer which often rise up on their hind legs to reach them. The name “Naked Indian” is sometimes applied because the twigs and branches are the copper color of the Indian torso. A close relative of this madrone is found along the west coast. Most of the madrones along this trail were killed by drouth. ”