INVALUABLE UNDERSTORY PLANTS THAT PROVIDE FOOD SUPPORT FOR MIGRATORY AND RESIDENT BIRDS
By ROBBIN MALLETT President, Cullinan Park Conservancy
Pigeonberry (Rivina humilis), left above, and American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), right, are invaluable understory plants that provide food support for migratory and resident birds. Beautyberries are eaten by more than 40 species of birds, including finches, mockingbirds, robins, cardinals and thrashers.
- Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera),
- Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua).
- Yaupon Holly ((Ilex vomitoria). (Pictured: Yaupon Holly ‘Will Fleming’)
Yaupon and Possumhaw hollies produce tremendous amounts of colorful berries that Cedar Waxwing and others devour.
Above, more great trees (l to r):
- Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)
- American Elm (Ulmus americana) Yellow-rumped Warblers, Red-belliedthers.
- Texas Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Flowers morph into seeds that are eaten by granivorous birds. (Pictured: Cercis canadensis var. Texas)
For overwintering hummingbirds —above l to r: salvias, Turk’s Cap and lantana. (All native salvias pictured are from npsot.org/wp/story/2010/1428/)
More suggestions: npsot.org/plant lists/HoustonAreaList.pdf (download)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Contact Robbin at Cullinan Park Conservancy.
