MILLER SPRINGS

PLANT SURVEY

Paul E. Boldt

PLANT IDENTIFICATIONS BY

William Carr, Thomas Robbins, and Ralph Hicks

Miller Springs Press, Belton, Texas

THE MILLER SPRINGS NATURE CENTER is a scenic 260 acre protected area in Bell County, wedged between an ancient geologic fault zone called the Balcones Escarpment (The Balcony) and a meandering river, the Leon (The Lion). Vegetation at Miller Springs is typical of that in the three surrounding geographical regions: the Blackland Prairie to the east, the Grand Prairie to the north, and the Edwards Plateau to the south and west (Fig.1). In addition however, some plants that are present along the Leon River such as American beautyberry, yaupon holly, and pink stonecrop are more common in east Texas, and not usually found in the central part of the state.

In order to better understand the relationship of plants to each other, scientists may group plants growing together in loose associations called communities. A community is a group of plants that grow close enough to interact with each other. The four major communities present at Miller Springs are: upland, basin, riparian, and canyon (Fig 2).

a) Upland. The Overview and the northern edge of Miller Springs are typical of the Edwards Plateau and Grand Prairie. The thin, clay­loam soil covers an underlying layer of Edwards limestone that absorbs excess rain. This layer creates a dry habitat which supports commonly known plants like honey mesquite, Ashe juniper, live oak, several species of cacti, and grasses such as little blue stem.

b) Basin. One hundred feet, almost straight down from the Overview lies a flat area of over 100 acres. The Basin formerly contained rich alluvial soil deposited over thousands of years by the wanderings of the Leon River. Many Blackland Prairie and Grand Prairie species must have been present here. In the early 1 950's, however, the Basin was stripped of up to 20 feet of top and subsoil that was used to build the Belton Dam. In 1991 water poured across the Basin moving large amounts of soil, gravel, and many large stones. Today, what remains in much of the Basin is a hard­packed mixture of gravel, sand and poor subsoil that supports only a few species of plants. The most common are KR (Kings Ranch) bluestem grass, pasture baccharis, sumpweed, ragweed, and cocklebur.

c) Riparian. Riparian communities include trees and a wide variety of shrubs and grasses adapted to conditions along the banks of streams and rivers. These are water and/or shade loving plants whose roots must reach water in order to live. Typical, broad­leaved trees in this community are cottonwood, black willow, ash, and pecan. Miller Springs has two riparian areas, one along the Leon River and another along New Stream. Riparian areas are commonly flooded during part of the spring or fall. Riparian plants slow flood waters and reduce downstream flooding.

d) Canyon. Erosion in the Balcones Fault zone caused by runoff from the Uplands, north of Miller Springs, has formed five canyons through which streams still flow during most of the year. Some of the streams flow underground suddenly appearing at the surface as springs. The Nature Center is named after one of the most well known of these, Miller Springs. The canyons are highly individualistic. Most canyons contain an abundance of cover and shade that offer shelter, food, and lower temperatures for many plants and animals. Cox's Hollow, the largest, has been relatively undisturbed for several decades. Tall trees, such as Texas sugarberry, bur oak, and sycamore, normally found in higher rainfall areas of the Edwards Plateau.

This pamphlet is written to assist teachers, students, and serious amateurs interested in exploring the natural beauty and diversity of the plants at Miller Springs. It is also the first inventory of plants found in Miller Springs and lists, as completely as possible, the plants present from 1991 to 1994. The common and scientific name, growth form, abundance, and habitat for each of over 300 plants is given. It is useful to know the common names but it is also helpful to learn the Latin names because one plant may have several common names that vary from place to place, and common names often do not reveal the connection of one plant to other related species.

We encourage you to browse and enjoy the plants at your leisure. However, this is a protected area. We ask that you stay on the paths and that you do not damage or remove any plant or animal that you find.

"To the degree that we come to understand

other organisms, we will place a greater

value on them, and on ourselves."

E. O. Wilson

FIGURES

Fig. 1. Location of Miller Springs Nature Center in Texas.

Fig. 2. Ecological habitats present in Miller Springs Nature Center.

Table 1. Vascular plants of Miller Springs Nature Center, Bell County, Texas, 1992­1993.