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Grazing North Texas – Silverleaf Nightshade
By Tony Dean
Silverleaf nightshade is a native perennial forb that grows from one to three feet in height. It sprouts from deep, woody, creeping roots or from seed. Its silver color is caused in part by tiny densely matted hairs covering the entire plant. Sharp prickles are scattered over the stem and the underside of leaves. The leaves are one to five inches long and silver on the underside with wavy margins.
The flowers are violet to pale purple with five petals united at the base, and the anthers are large and yellow. The fruit is a yellow round berry about a half inch in diameter that turns darker with maturity.
This plant grows in all areas of Texas and in much of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It can be found in most soil types and often appears in disturbed areas.
Silverleaf nightshade is almost useless as forage for livestock because it can be poisonous to many domestic animals. However, deer eat the berries and new growth, quail eat the seeds and turkey consume the berries whole.
Silverleaf nightshade is in the potato family, as are many other plants such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and tobacco. These plants produce a glycoalaloid, a natural pesticide that is normally in highest concentration in leaves, flowers, and fruits.
To read more pick up a copy of the September 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
Silverleaf nightshade plant. (Photo by Tony Dean)
By Hannah Claxton | Editor
The North Texas area is located within USDA Hardiness zones seven and eight. The zones are categorized by predicted low temperatures for winter and timing of the first and last frosts.
Zone seven usually has winter low temps between 0 and 10 degrees F with the average date of the first frost falling between Oct. 29 and Nov. 15 and the average date of the last frost falling between March 22 and April 3.
Overall, these two zones have similar climates and growing conditions, making the options for timing and variety within a garden very similar.
In these zones, cool-season crops should go in the ground in March, meaning that soil preparation should start now.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Heather Lloyd
Vaccinations are a critical component of maintaining the health and well-being of horses, especially in environments where they are exposed to other animals, such as in the sport, show and performance arenas. Horses, like all animals, are susceptible to various infectious diseases that can spread quickly and cause serious harm.
A routine vaccination schedule helps prevent the spread of these diseases by preparing the horse’s immune system.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
Having herds on a controlled breeding schedule means that we have a predictable calving schedule, and while it’s only over a couple of months, for us it does fall right after the start of the year. I lobby annually to call ours the “Winter calving season”, but I am outvoted and my husband still refers to it as Spring. Unlike producers in our Northern States, we don’t have to contend with brutally harsh winter weather, and on those rare times we do, thankfully it is not for extended periods. Regardless of whether you have a Spring or a Fall calving schedule, the health of a newborn calf begins with the mother’s health, and the mother’s health is largely dependent on the producer.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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