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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 Krista Lucas Wynn
Each year, when the professional rodeo season wraps on Sept. 30, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announce the Nutrena Horse of the Year, presented by the American Quarter Horse Association, in each event. This is a prestigious award, voted on by the members of the associations. To be named Horse of the Year by fellow competitors is a high honor only a few achieve.
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.
By Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
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.
By Tony Dean
Snow on the Mountain is an annual forb that is part of our landscape almost every year.
It is adapted to most of Texas and grows north to Montana and Minnesota and south to Mexico.
Although is seems to be most adapted to clay soils, this plant can be found on a wide variety of soil and moisture conditions.
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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