I was rewarded today with a bit of fall color. It was drizzling today and I decided to wander around our front yard just to see what I could find. Let’s call it a short, short, hike.

Our yard is really not what you’re thinking. I keep it mowed around the house, but otherwise it’s natural landscape. I justify this by saying that I’m providing habitat for the wildlife. It has nothing to do with my laziness or dislike of yard work. There’s something to be said for having a house that cannot be seen from the street and not having to deal with homeowner’s associations.

I spotted a bright red patch on an elm tree right next to our driveway. It’s Virigina Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). It’s sometimes confused with Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), but that has three leaves and Virginia Creeper has five. That’s the quinquefolia in the scientific name. Virginia Creeper is a vine and is easy to miss until the fall when it turns red. How’s that for fall color?

Virginia Creeper

I also spotted a bit of white color. Not really what you might call fall color, but I think it counts for Central Texas. I’m not sure what this is. My guess is some kind of daisy, but they don’t like Blackfoot Daisies (Melampodium leucanthum), which is a common native, to me. The flowers have a central spot of orange or yellow and they’re very small, around 1/2 inch in diameter.

If anyone can identify them, please leave a comment!

White Flower