Introduction
Editor’s Note: Thank you to Brandt Mannchen for the original detailed article and thank you to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database for the links to the flowers.
Wildflowers have long sparked our imaginations and inspired our hearts. Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF) has a diverse array of forests, streams, prairies, and savannas, each with its own collection of Nature’s brightly colored jewels, wildflowers.
The Bay Area Sierra Club is collecting photos of flowers for their Photography Project, and posting these photos on the Facebook Page. For information about the Photography Project, see Bay Area Sierra Club News.
For a complete introduction to the flowers in the SHNF, and a list of spring wildflowers, see Spring Wildflower Tour in Sam Houston National Forest.
1) Plant Community 1, Roadsides (R) – Roadsides include local, state, and U. S. Forest Service grassed road right-of-ways. Prime areas for viewing and enjoying wildflowers include FM 1375, FM 149, FM 1791, and Forest Road (FR) 208. These and other roadsides are great places to begin your wildflower journeys. Wildflowers you may see include:
Wild Petunia (Ruellia nudiflora)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RUNU
Firewheel/Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GAPU
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea sanguinea)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ECSA
Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERHE4
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta v. angustifolia)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RUHIA
Showy Primrose (Oenothera speciosa)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OESP2
Horse-nettle (Solanum carolinense),
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SOCA3
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ASTU
Bitterweed (Helenium amarum)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEAM
Sensitive Briar (Schrankia hystricina, Mimosa hystricina)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MIHY2
Texas Dandelion/False Dandelion (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PYCA2
Old Plainsman/Woolly-white (Hymenopappus artemisiifolius)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HYAR3
Dayflower species (Commelina species)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COER
Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHVI
Meadow Pink (Sabatia campestris)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SACA3
Wine Cup (Callirhoe papaver)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CAPA2
2) Plant Community 2, Blackland Prairies (BP) – Blackland Prairies in SHNF (Welch Prairie, 209A2 Prairie, Taliaferro Prairie, and Harmon Creek Prairie) consist of small areas of alkaline, dark, high shrink-swell, clay soils. Many blackland prairies (like the Fayette Prairie) exist to the west and north of SHNF. Wildflowers that you may see include:
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea sanguinea)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ECSA
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta v. angustifolia),
ttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RUHIA
Showy Primrose (Oenothera speciosa)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OESP2
Horsemint (Monarda species)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOCI
Bitterweed (Helenium amarum)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEAM
Old Plainsman/Woolly-white (Hymenopappus artemisiaefolius)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HYAR3
Bluebell Gentian (Eustoma grandiflorum)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=EUEX5
Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHVI
3) Plant Community 3, Upland Open Pine Forest (UP) – On ridges and rolling hilltops these forests are dominated by Shortleaf and Loblolly Pine trees with scattered dry-tolerant (xeric) upland hardwood trees like Post Oak, Black Hickory, and Blackjack Oak. These forests are usually more open and have a considerable number of grasses and herbaceous plants (wildflowers) and may be considered savannahs (a mixture of trees and grasses). These forests can be found in the Double Lake Recreation Area, Kelly’s Pond Campground, and Stubblefield Recreation Area. Wildflowers you may see include:
Wild Petunia (Ruellia nudiflora)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RUNU
Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERHE4
Trumpet Vine/Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CARA2
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta v. angustifolia),
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RUHIA
Showy Primrose (Oenothera speciosa),
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OESP2
Horse-nettle (Solanum carolinense)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SOCA3
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ASTU
Sensitive Briar (Schrankia hystricina, Mimosa hystricina)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MIHY2
Texas Dandelion/False Dandelion (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PYCA2
Dayflowers (Commelina species)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COER
Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHVI
Louisiana Yucca (Yucca louisianensis)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=YULO
Pigeon Wings (Clitoria mariana)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLMA4
4) Plant Community 4, Upland Pine and Hardwood Forest (UPH) – These wildflowers are found in upland mixed forests of Loblolly and Shortleaf Pine trees with upland hardwood trees like Southern Red Oak, Winged Elm, and White Oak. Big Creek Scenic Area contains upland, slope, and streamside forests. Wildflowers you may see include:
Wild Petunia (Ruellia nudiflora)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RUNU
Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERHE4
Trumpet Vine/Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CARA2
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ASTU
Dayflowers (Commelina species)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COER
5) Plant Community 5, Slope and Streamside Hardwood and Pine Forest (SH) – Smaller streams and creeks have relatively narrow floodplains (often called riparian areas) and mid to lower slopes of hills or ridges have similar vegetation. The soil SH has an intermediate moisture condition (mesic) and includes Loblolly Pine, Southern Magnolia, American Beech, White Oak, Carolina Basswood, and some bottomland hardwood trees like American Elm, Cedar Elm, and Green Ash. Big Creek Scenic Area contains upland, slope, and streamside forests. Wildflowers you may see include:
Wild Petunia (Ruellia nudiflora)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RUNU
Arrow-wood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIDE
Trumpet Vine/Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans),
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CARA2
Butterweed (Senecio tampicanus, Packera tampicana)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PATA5
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAGR4
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CEOC2
6) Plant Community 6, Bottomland Hardwood Forest (BH) – BH contains the floodplains of larger streams and rivers where trees tolerate considerable flooding. Some of the trees in BH include Water Oak, Willow Oak, Overcup Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak, Water Hickory, American Sycamore, Green Ash, and American Hornbeam. Winters Bayou Scenic Area contains the Winters Bayou Floodplain and the landscape is mostly BH. Wildflowers you may see include:
Arrow-wood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIDE
Butterweed (Senecio tampicanus)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PATA5
Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MAGR4
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CEOC2
Directions to Wildflower Locations
1) Directions to Welch Prairie (Compartment 4, Stand 7)
From the exit road of I-45 north, turn left onto FM 1375 go about 15 miles to FM 149. Turn right on FM 149 and go about 2 miles to FM 1791. Turn right on FM 1791 and go about 1 mile to Taliaferro Road. Turn left on Taliaferro Road and go about 1 mile to Welch Road. Turn left on Welch Road and go about 100 yards and park your car on the right. On your right is Welch Prairie.
2) Directions to 209A2 Prairie (Compartment 2, Stand 2)
From the exit road of I-45 north, turn left onto FM 1375 and go about 15 miles to FM 149. Turn right on FM 149 and go about 2 miles to FM 1791. Turn right on FM 1791 and go about 4 miles to FR 209. Turn left and go about 1.5 miles to FR 209A. Turn right on FR 209A and go about 1 mile to FR 209A2. Turn right on FR 209A2 and park at the gate. Walk north on FR 209A2 about one-half mile to 209A2 Prairie.
3) Directions to Taliaferro Prairie (Compartment 5, Stand 8)
From the exit road of I-45 north, turn left onto FM 1375 and go about 15 miles to FM 149. Turn right on FM 149 and go about 2 miles to FM 1791. Turn right on FM 1791 and go about 1 mile to Taliaferro Road. Turn left on Taliaferro Road and go about 3 miles to FR 266. Park on the side of Taliaferro Road and walk south on FR 266 about one-quarter mile to Taliaferro Prairie.
4) Directions to Harmon Creek Prairie (Compartment 60, Stand 10)
From the exit road of I-45 north, turn right onto FM 1375 and go about 1 mile to Highway 75. Turn left on Highway 75, go about 4 miles to FM 2296. Turn right on FM 2296 and go about 3 miles to FM 2929. Turn left on FM 2929 and go about 3.5 miles to U.S. 190. Turn right on U.S. 190 and go about 1 mile. Turn left onto FR 236 and park at the gate. Hike north about a mile and a half on FR 236 to Harmon Creek Prairie.
5) Directions to Stubblefield Recreation Area
From the exit road of I-45 north, turn left onto FM 1375 and go about 7 miles (you will cross Lake Conroe) to FR 208/204. Turn right (north) onto FR 208 and go about one-half mile. Turn right on FR 215 and go about 2 miles to Stubblefield Recreation Area which will be on your right.
6) Directions to Kelly’s Pond Campground
From the exit road of I-45 north, turn left onto FM 1375 go about 7 miles (you will cross Lake Conroe) to FR 208/204. Turn left (south) on FR 204 and go about 1.5 miles to FR 27. Turn right on FR 271 and go about a mile to Kelly’s Pond Campground.
7) Directions to Double Lake Recreation Area
From the exit road of U.S. 59 north (Cleveland, Texas), turn left onto FM 2025 and go about 12 miles to Double Lake Recreation Area, which will be on your right.
8) Directions to Winters Bayou Scenic Area
From the exit road of U.S. 59 north, turn left onto State Highway (SH) 105 and go about a mile. Turn right on FM 1725 and go about 4 miles to Winters Bayou Scenic Area, which will be on your right (about 2/3 of a mile south of FR 274 and just south of Montague Church).
9) Directions to Big Creek Scenic Area
From the exit road of U.S. 59 north, turn left onto FM 2025 and go about 9 miles to FM 2666. Turn right on FM 2666 and go about 2.5 miles to FR 221. Turn left on FR 221 and go about one-half mile to FR 217. Turn right on FR 217 and go about a mile. Turn left into the Big Creek Scenic Area parking area.
By Brandt Mannchen (2018), with editing by Carol Woronow (2022)