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Yellow and Orange Wildflower Gallery

4 Petal Flowers - Miscellaneous

           

Clusiaceae (Guttiferae, Hypericaceae) - St. John's Wort family
St. Andrew's Cross (St. Peter's Wort) Hypericum hypericoides ssp. hypericoides (Ascyrum hypericoides)
Yellow flower with 4 narrow petals, looks like cross or "X", and has numerous stamen. Rust colored husk of fruit look like dead leaves. Opposite leaves to 1/2" long with smaller leaves in axils. Has a clear resinous sap. Leaves have oil/resin glands (translucent or black dots when held up to light). Sap can cause photosensitivity and skin sensitivity: swelling, blistering, lesions, and death. Bush grows to 3 feet tall. Likes sandy soil.
Photos taken in Van Zandt County, Texas, November 2006
(Native of east Texas)

           

Rutaceae - Rue family (citrus)
Dutchman's Breeches Thamnosma texana
Tiny 1/8" flowers grow at 3/8" intervals along 10" stem. Flower does not open fully until double seedpod pushes it open. Leaves are thin and short. Eaten by dear but poisonous to cattle, sheep, and goats.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, April 2005, March 2007
(Native of Texas - Taylor, etc.)