Seed Plants, Ferns, Fern Allies of the Austin Region 53 



Opuntia arborescens En»'. 



Found in a few places here along roadsides. 



Southern plains states to Mexico. Common in West Texas. 



Opuntia Lindheimeri Engelm. (O. Engelmanni Salm.) Prickly Pear. 



The most common cactus. Abundant on roadsides and in dry and 

 waste places. 



Texas to California and in Mexico. 



Opuntia leptocaulis P. DC. Tasajillo. 



Common on roadsides and in waste places and thickets. A woody 

 shrub with slender cylindrical branches and loosely sheathed spines. 

 This plant is one which it it well to avoid, as the spines are hard 

 to remove from the flesh and often cause troublesome sores. 



Texas to Arizona and Mexico. 



Opuntia macrorhiza Engelm. Prickly Pear. 



Similar to O. Lindheimeri, but smaller and usually prostrate. 

 Southern-central states. 



THYMELEALES 



LAURACEAE Laurel Family 



Benzoin aestivale Nees. (B. Benzoin in the old edition.) Spice Bush. 



In moist soil in deep ravines. Bee Creek. Not common. A shrub 

 recognized easily by the spicy fragrance of its leaves. 



Eastern states. 



MYRTALES 



LYTHRACEAE Loosestrife Family 



Ammannia coccinea Rottb. 

 Waller Creek. 

 Central and Gulf states to Central and South America. 



Lythrum lanceolatum Ell. Loosestrife. 

 Moist ground. Not common here. 

 Southeastern states. 



EPILOBIACEAE (ONAGRACEAE) Evening Primrose Family 



Gaura brachy carpa Small. 

 River flood plain. 

 Southern Texas. 



