Matador Wildlife Management Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife

Matador Wildlife Management Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Matador Wildlife Management Area - Texas Parks and Wildlife, Public & Government Service, 3036 FM-3256, Paducah, TX.
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Range plant of the week: Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a locally common tree found throughout the northern Roll...
04/19/2026

Range plant of the week: Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a locally common tree found throughout the northern Rolling Plains. It is native to the eastern United States and has become naturalized in the Rolling Plains via plantings in shelterbelts and as erosion control. It has since spread from initial plantings and is most common along the banks of creeks and streams. The leaves are reported to be toxic to livestock if consumed in large quantities. Deer will occasionally browse the leaves and the seeds may be consumed by quail and other granivorous birds. The showy flower clusters in spring can be an important nectar source for honeybees and other pollinators.

Range plant of the week: Woolly distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus) aka saffron thistle is an annual invasive forb that ...
04/10/2026

Range plant of the week: Woolly distaff thistle (Carthamus lanatus) aka saffron thistle is an annual invasive forb that is becoming increasingly common in the southern Rolling Plains. It is native to the Mediterranean Basin in Europe. It is unpalatable to livestock and wildlife because of the dense thorny leaves. It can provide a source nectar for pollinators.

Range plant of the week: Catclaw acacia (Senegalia greggii) is a woody shrub or small tree that can be locally common th...
04/03/2026

Range plant of the week: Catclaw acacia (Senegalia greggii) is a woody shrub or small tree that can be locally common throughout the southern Rolling Plains. The common name is derived from the curved thorns that cover the stems. It can provide fair browsing for livestock, especially goats. The leaves and fruits are readily consumed by deer, pronghorn, and small mammals such as rabbits. The fruits and seeds are consumed by granivorous birds such as quail and dove. It can also provide escape, thermal, and nesting cover for quail and variety of songbirds. The flowers are an important nectar source for honeybees and other pollinators.

Range plant of the week: Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) is an increasingly common introduced, cool-season perenn...
03/26/2026

Range plant of the week: Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) is an increasingly common introduced, cool-season perennial grass found throughout the northern Rolling Plains. It is native to Europe and was brought into the United States in the late nineteenth century as an improved pasture grass. It is most common on site that hold moisture such as the floodplains of creeks and rivers. It can provide good grazing for livestock and fair grazing for wildlife, especially in the spring. Songbirds are known to consume the seeds. It can also provide good nesting cover for ground nesting birds such as turkey and quail.

Range plant of the week: Devil’s beggartick (Bidens frondosa) is an annual forb that can be locally common throughout th...
03/21/2026

Range plant of the week: Devil’s beggartick (Bidens frondosa) is an annual forb that can be locally common throughout the Rolling Plains. It prefers moist soil environments and is typically found around springs, seeps, and sloughs. It provides little value to livestock; however, the seeds will be eaten by granivorous birds and the foliage is occasionally consumed by small mammals such as rabbits. The barbed seeds readily stick to animal fur and clothing, which aids in seed dispersal and gives rise to the common name of “beggartick”.

Range plant of the week: Talayote (Cynanchum racemosum) is a perennial vine in the milkweed family that can be locally c...
03/13/2026

Range plant of the week: Talayote (Cynanchum racemosum) is a perennial vine in the milkweed family that can be locally common throughout the southern Rolling Plains. It is most common in riparian areas where it can be seen growing along the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs, as well as fences. As the milky sap is toxic, it is avoided by livestock and most wildlife. Monarch and queen butterfly caterpillars will feed on the leaves and stems. The small whitish-green flowers provide a nectar source for a wide variety of pollinators. The large seedpods can be quite noticeable in late summer and early fall.

Range plant of the week: Gummy lovegrass (Eragrostis curtipedicellata) is a common perennial lovegrass found throughout ...
03/07/2026

Range plant of the week: Gummy lovegrass (Eragrostis curtipedicellata) is a common perennial lovegrass found throughout the Rolling Plains. The common name comes from the fact that the base of the developing seedheads are viscid and sticky to the touch. It generally provides poor to fair grazing for livestock and wildlife. It can provide nesting cover for ground nesting birds such as quail.

Range plant of the week: Threadleaf groundsel (Senecio flaccidus) aka threadleaf ragwort is a common perennial member of...
03/02/2026

Range plant of the week: Threadleaf groundsel (Senecio flaccidus) aka threadleaf ragwort is a common perennial member of the sunflower family throughout the Rolling Plains. It is most common on sandy and gravelly soils. The narrow leaves tend to have a light bluish-green color. It provides little value as forage for livestock and wildlife, and it can be toxic to livestock if eaten in large quantities. The flowers can be an important nectar source for a wide range of pollinators.

Range plant of the week: Spreading hedgeparsley (Torilis arvensis) is an annual member of the carrot family that is beco...
02/22/2026

Range plant of the week: Spreading hedgeparsley (Torilis arvensis) is an annual member of the carrot family that is becoming more widespread throughout the Rolling Plains. It is native to Europe. Unlike many members of the carrot family, peak flowering is generally early to mid-summer. The fruits are covered in small hook-like bristles that will cling to clothing. It provides little value for livestock and most wildlife. It will provide nectar to pollinators, and the leaves can be an important food for black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

Range plant of the week: Fall witchgrass (Digitaria cognata) aka Carolina crabgrass is a common perennial grass found th...
02/15/2026

Range plant of the week: Fall witchgrass (Digitaria cognata) aka Carolina crabgrass is a common perennial grass found throughout much of the Rolling Plains, especially on sandy soils. This low growing grass provides fair grazing for livestock, deer, and pronghorn. The seeds are eaten by quail and other granivorous birds. In the fall, mature seedheads, which break off the plant, can be seen blowing across the landscape during windy days.

Range plant of the week: Wedgeleaf whitlowgrass (Draba cuneifolia) can be a common annual member of the mustard family f...
02/08/2026

Range plant of the week: Wedgeleaf whitlowgrass (Draba cuneifolia) can be a common annual member of the mustard family found throughout the Rolling Plains. It typically grows along riparian areas such as the floodplains of creeks and rivers. It blooms in early spring. This small forb is generally unnoticed because of its small stature. Other than providing a nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators, it provides little forage value for livestock and wildlife.

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3036 FM-3256
Paducah, TX
79248

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