Mystery Magnolia - Page 7/9
Shortly
after lunch we reach a stretch of road that has been crudely blasted out
of the side of the mountain — barely wide and tall enough for the truck
to squeeze through. Just inches from the wheels on the driver's side there
is an abrupt drop of a thousand or more feet. The view is dramatic, but there
is a sigh of relief from all as the road slowly turns west and widens. Although
the sheer stone walls are unnerving, they make an ideal habitat for a showy
display of maroon, green, and silver hechtias — some are even combinations
of these colors. The older plants have reached three to four feet across
and
their spiky, heavily serrated leaves swirl outward to form spectacular pinwheels
flattened against gray stone.
|
Around 4:00 p.m., we reach the west side of another saddle between two mountains. The altimeter reads 4,000 feet. Growing between massive plates of smooth, gray limestone, mature oaks (Quercus canbyii) dot the landscape. This tough and uniquely beautiful tree is almost always found on dry and exposed sites. Strong winds sweep these rock surfaces clean, and only the toughest and most adaptable plants survive in areas like this. Agaves and dasylirions compete for soil on the rocky ledge above the road. In the deep crevices we see cactus (Mammillaria rubrograndis), two species of zephyranthes and numerous echeveria, their fleshy, blue-green, pink and mauve leaves pulled tight for protection against winter cold and drought. Huge boulders line the lower side. These are entwined with thick mounds of butterfly vine (Mascagnia macroptera). The lacy, bright yellow flowers have long fallen, but they have been followed by clusters of rusty brown seed pods that resemble butterflies in flight. The xerophytic make-up of this stark limestone uplift gives no indication that magnolias could be growing anywhere in the vicinity, but suddenly the road makes a sharp turn and we veer east. There is a simultaneous question from all, "liquidambar?" In a distant valley, beneath a high northeast facing ridge, we see scores of trees with vibrant orange, yellow, and scarlet foliage (in Mexico, sweetgums (Liquidambar styracitlua) color up in late autumn and do not defoliate until January and February). The old plant inventory maps group Liquidambar styraciflua and Magnolia grandiflora growing together at the same location. If these distant, colorful trees are indeed liquidambar, there is a glimmer of hope. All are in agreement and confident that these are Mexican sweetgums and there is a feeling of excitement and anticipation. Copyright 2008 Peckerwood Garden |
