Hendrix Ranch flora

The vegetation varies dramatically from one part of the ranch to another, reflecting changes in rocks, soils, and drainage. Woody areas covering most of the ranch's land contain lots of cedar and mesquite, but also many oaks of various species, and some ash, madrone, and other trees. In areas not choked with cedar, there is more of an open, park-like oak woodland savannah with prairie grasses and cacti below the trees. A southwestern portion of the ranch has been planted in improved grasses (coastal bermudagrass) and has been historically used as a pasture or field. This portion of the Ranch is fenced off from the rest of the property. Some wetlands lie within this area.

Many interesting plants can be found near the river. The riverside area of the ranch could be best described as a small riverine bench area below steep bluffs. The bluff elevations vary between 20 to 30 feet above the riverine bench, which, in turn, is about 6 to 10 feet above the normal river flow. The bench area is subject to flooding and therefore not heavily wooded. The herbaceous cover is mostly bermudagrass on the level areas, with switch grass and Johnson grass along the steep dirt banks and in rocky outcrops. A riverine gallery woodland grows along the bluff and on the uplands along the river. This forest is composed of mature Ashe juniper, Texas red oak, liveoak, Texas black walnut, sycamore, Texas ash, Eastern red mulberry, and pecan trees. As the river meanders to the north about half way up the riverfront portion of the river, a broad level rocky area (the boulder farm) is vegetated with plants not often found in this part of the Hill Country. Sotol (daisylirion texanum), Spanish Dagger Yucca (Yucca treculeana), Bee-brush (Aloysia gratissima), and Texas kidneywood (Eysenhardtii Texana), are notable examples of these plants. As you may have gathered from the names, they can be quite prickly, so as always watch your step.