The Lure and Lore of Lizards

Texas Alligator Lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis

Various beliefs, myths, and legends have been inspired by the behavioral patterns of lizards. In ancient Egypt and Greece the lizard represented divine wisdom and good fortune, in Roman mythology their hibernation symbolized death and resurrection, and in Australia the aboriginal believed that the sky would fall if you killed one. Today, these ideas largely do not hold true, but lizards seem to fascinate us nonetheless! While Central Texas is home to several species of lizards, geckos, anoles, skinks, and whiptails, those most likely (and interesting) to be seen are the Texas Spiny Lizard, the Green or Carolina Anole, and the Texas Alligator Lizard. 

Primarily arboreal but preferring basking surfaces such as fence posts and rock walls, the Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) is quite common in all but the eastern and western thirds of Texas. A large spiny lizard up to 11 inches long, it is grayish to olive brown with up to nine dark wavy bars spaced along its back, which gives it a very scaly appearance. Males have a narrow bright blue patch on each side of the belly, and while the females lack this coloration, they are slightly larger and paler than the males. An ambush predator, they feed on a variety of insects found on the ground in open areas or up in trees in wooded areas. Breeding occurs in the spring and summer, and mature females may lay several egg clutches per year.

Texas Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus olivaceus

Texas Spiny Lizard, Sceloporus olivaceus

Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis

Ranging from bright green to dark brown, the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) possesses the ability to change color due to temperature and light. A small lizard, it has a pale colored underbelly, long claws, and a thin tail. The males have what is called a ‘dewlap’, a bright pink flap of skin that can be extended and retracted for purposes of intimidating rivals and attracting females during the mating season. These anoles are arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, shrubs, and vines, feeding on insects and spiders. While they have a small territory, the males will aggressively defend it, starting with extending their dewlap, bobbing their head, performing pushups, and ultimately ending in a chase or a wrestling match. All this posturing and patrolling can make the males much easier targets for predators, however, and they tend to have higher mortality rates than the much more discreet females. If it is late spring and the right to mate is at stake, the winner will once again employ headbobbing and dewlap extension to entice the female, who lays a single, softshell egg among the leaf litter. 

Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis

Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis

Coming in at an impressive 10 to 24 inches long, the Texas Alligator Lizard (Gerrhonotus infernalis) is a stiff lizard with large, plate-like scales and a long, somewhat prehensile tail. It is the largest lizard in Texas and the one of largest alligator lizards in the world. Varying from ruddy yellow to reddish brown, it has dark crosshatches on its back with a lighter head and small, weak legs that are unmarked. Found on rocky hillsides, it has slow, calculated moves, feeding on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. When alarmed, it may inflate itself in defense – and like other lizards even lose its tail to distract a potential predator - but more typically it will fold in its legs and slither away like a snake. Unlike many other lizards, breeding can occur year-round, and multiple clutches of eggs can be laid. Females often stay near the nest site to protect it, but once the young hatch they receive no parental care. 

Texas Alligator Lizard, Gerrhonotus infernalis

Lizards have been around for 100 million years longer than humans, and descended from the same family tree that gave rise to the dinosaurs. The next time you’re lucky enough to have one cross your path, show it some well-deserved respect! 

Vines of Passion

                     Corona de Christo, Passiflora foetida

A widespread favorite of flower and butterfly gardeners, passion vines (Passiflora sp.) are gaining momentum for use in our suburban landscapes.  There are several native species that not only serve as larval food plants for several species of butterflies, but also brighten our gardens with beautifully complex blooms through much of the growing season. Well over 500 species of passiflora grow worldwide, with only 9 species native to the US, 6 of those growing in Texas, and 5 of those native or naturalized in Central Texas.

The Bracted Passionflower (Passiflora affinis) is a 3 to 6 foot vine with three-lobed leaves that grows in riparian to dry limestone areas of the Edwards Plateau.  Its greenish-yellow blooms are about an inch across, and appear from June through August.  Yellow Passionvine (Passiflora lutea) is a longer but quite similar looking delicate vine, with much more shallowly lobed leaves, and almost identical flowers May through September, that give way to purple or black berries in the fall. The hardest-to-find small passiflora vine is the Bird-wing or Slender-lobe Passionflower (Passiflora tenuiloba).  Growing on open limestone areas with dry, caliche soils, often over boulders or tree stumps, this vine has very elongated and somewhat variegated leaves that look like a bird spreading its wings.  Its small blooms are green and appear from April to October.

                                      Yellow Passionvine, Passiflora lutea

The most robust passifloras in our area are the Corona de Christo or Fetid Passionflower (Passiflora foetida) and the Purple Passionflower or Maypop (Passiflora incarnata).  The first is a fairly aggressive climbing vine with large, three-lobed leaves longer than they are wide, and velvety to the touch.  The flowers, which are white to pale lavender and 1-2 inches wide,  open in early morning and close within a few hours.  They are surrounded by thread-like bracts that persist after the flower fades, and surround the bright red fruits like a ‘crown of thorns’.  

                     Maypop, Passiflora incarnata

Maypop, which is often found in local nurseries, has naturalized in our area from south and east Texas, and is a fast-growing vine up to 25 feet long with showy, 3-inch wide deep lavender flowers from April through September.  This vine does well in full sun or part shade, with plenty of room to climb on an arbor or along a fence or handrail.  The common name ‘Maypop’ comes from the hollow yellow fruits that pop loudly when crushed.

The naming of the passiflora genus of plants comes from the description of their intricate flower parts in the early 17^th century by Spanish priests.  Known by the Spanish as ‘La Flor de las Cincos Llagas’ or ‘The Flower with Five Wounds’, the passion flower refers to Christ’s suffering and its parts represent various elements of the crucifixion.  The five petals and five sepals are the ten disciples less Judas and Peter, the corona filaments are the crown of thorns, the five stamen with anthers are the five sacred wounds, and the three stigma are the nails by which Christ was bound to the cross.  While this symbolism is not universal, it is still an important reminder today in Christian societies throughout the world.

                     Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae

                     Zebra Heliconian, Heliconius charithonia

                     Julia Heliconian, Dryas iulia

While many different hybrids and cultivars are sold in local nurseries, these are mainly of subtropical origin.  The extra effort it takes to find the native species will reward you with several spectacular butterflies visiting your yard to lay their eggs on these vines.  Among those include the Gulf and Variegated Fritillaries, Zebra Heliconian, and Julia Heliconian.  What a wonderful reason to plant these vines of passion!