#tievine

6.11.25

Beautiful Clown Weevil

Eudiagogus pulcher

Observed at Galveston Island State Park 6.11.25. They are native to North America, are harmless to humans and are not known to be destructive.

They spend their life on and around sesbania plants such as the bigpod sesbania I found this guy on. The adults feed on the leaves and their larvae pupate in the soil by the roots of this plant.

Adults can fly but rarely do.

Females mate before going into a winter resting stage or diapause and spend this time under the bark of trees.

#beautifulclownweevil #Eudiagoguspulcher #citizenscience #native #insect #june #june11 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day162

6.12.25

Silvery Bryum

Bryum argenteum

Observed 6.11.25 at Galveston Island State Park. It’s a native moss that is also found on almost all continents.

Unlike most plants it does not have roots but rhizoids or thread like structures anchoring it to a surface.

It does not create and release pollen but can spread but pieces breaking off and starting new colonies.

It gets its name from the upper parts of the leaves lacking chlorophyll which help protect photosynthetic cells deeper in the leaves from harsh sunlight. It can go dormant under unfavorable conditions such as pollution or drought and then resume growth once conditions improve.

#silverybryum #Bryumargenteum #citizenscience #native #cosmopolitan #moss #nature #outdoors #june #june12 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day163

6.13.25

Common Lantana

Lantana camara

Observed at Galveston Island State Park 6.11.25. It originates from South and Central America but has naturalized in many places including Galveston. It is also considered invasive here, outcompeting native lantana for resources.

The plant is poisonous to animals especially livestock and the berries are even more so when unripe.

The flowers change from a creamy yellow to pink as the plant matures. They are aromatic as well. Good source of nectar for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

#commonlantana #Lantanacamara #citizenscience #lantana #nonnative #invasive #flora #nature #outdoors #june #june13 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day164

6.14.25

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Observed at Galveston Island State park and along the roadside 6.13.25. This species is native to Galveston. There are migratory populations but we get some that breed here as well.

They usually hunt for food alone but travel in small flocks and can create large breeding colonies. They eat a variety of animals but primarily feed on fish. They have excellent night vision so they can hunt at night.

When trying to attract a mate the males will present a stick to a females and may even do a dance.

They have feathers on their chest that fray into powder that protects them from slime and helps clean their feathers.

#greatblueheron #Ardeaherodias #citizenscience #native #bird #nature #outdoors #heron #june #june14 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day165

6.15.25

Hispid cotton rat

Sigmodon hispidus

Observed in Galveston Island State Park 6.15.25. It is native to Galveston and there is a study that shows Galveston County is a contacted zone for different genetic lineages of this species.

They are active year round and during both night and day. They mainly feed on grass and flowering plants but will also eat insects and seeds. They use dense vegetation for cover and have thick, stiff fur to protect themselves from sharp grasses and thorns.

They are reproductively prolific being able to have several litters year round with 5-7 babies each time. This is most likely because they only live about 6 months. They also play a vital role in their ecosystem as prey for snakes and birds.

#hispidcottonrat #Sigmodonhispidus #citizenscience #cottonrat #native #mammal #nature #outdoors #june #june15 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day166

A Great Blue Heron trying to eat a Hispid Cotton Rat. Circle of life in action!

6.16.25

Liriope

Liriope muscari

Observed at home 6.15.25. Native to East Asia and is not considered invasive here but has the potential to grow aggressively under the right conditions.

Though it looks like grass and can be used as ground cover it is actually in the asparagus family.

It stores water with its fleshy, tuber-like roots, helping it through periods of drought and making it a low maintenance plant.

It is good for people with cats because it is a safe plant for them to be around.

#liriope #Liriopemuscari #citizenscience #nonnative #ornamentalplants #flora #nature #outdoors #june #june16 #2025 #picoftheday #project365 #day167

6.17.25

Tievine

Ipomoea cordatotriloba

Observed at Galveston Island State Park 5.21.25 and most days after. A native morning glory species with a range from Southeastern US down to South America.

It is a purple flowered perennial, that can live more than 2 years. It blooms from spring to fall and is heat and cold tolerant and thrives in fun sun.

It attracts hummingbirds, larger butterflies and bees for its nectar. It is a host plant for variegated fritillary butterfly larvae.

It self seeds which can get out of hand causing it to become invasive.

It’s a good indoor plant because its leaves are able to help remove pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

Tievine? Ipomoea cordatotiloba

Tievine? Ipomoea cordatotiloba