Spikelets and Seedheads

We are well into the summer and have no more erosion problems and our yard/meadow is lush and green. The Buffalo grass is thriving and spreading with help from the constant septic watering, other less desirable grasses are also thriving -- no monoculture in this yard. In the evenings when the temperature is bearable I can easily fill a cardboard box full of weeds before tiring.

To keep the front looking a little tidier Charles is occasionally trimming the tall grasses with the weed eater. We haven't decided on a good maintenance plan for the backyard yet. It is sloped and probably needs some terracing. For now it is green and wild, and a little scary to walk through.

My new trees are holding their own except for the Possumhaw Hollies. They received a hearty shearing from a large deer that appeared unannounced one evening. The good news is that shiny new leaves are sprouting all over and there doesn't appear to be any permanent damage.

I used the "Grasses of the Hill Country" by Brian and Shirley Loflin as an identification guide for all the spikelets and seedheads in our yard. Look below and see if you agree with my classifications.