User:GTBacchus/Species list

For my own personal interest, I maintain on my home computer a list of all the species of life that I observe living specimens of on the property where I live, either in the house, in the front or back yard, or potentially in my "airspace" above. I've decided to move the list on-wiki, because it can be useful for collaboration. In particular, I'd like to upload photos of as many of these as possible - as needed.

Plant [87]

Pteridophyta (Ferns & horsetails) [1]

Pteridopsida (Modern ferns) [1]

Polypodiales [1]

Lomariopsidaceae

• Nephrolepis exaltata - Boston fern - A houseplant I bought and hung in the living room

Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants) [86]

Magnoliids [1]

Laurales [1]

Lauraceae (Laurel family)

• Persea americana - Avocado - Sprouted from the compost pile, embarrassing the one I'd been trying for months to sprout on my windowsill.

Monocots [27]

Asparagales [16]

Orchidaceae

• Phalaenopsis sp. - Orchid - Bought at store.

Iridaceae (Iris family)

• Iris sp. - Iris - Planted by Aunt in front flower bed.

Asphodelaceae (Asphodel family)

• Aloe vera - Aloe - Gift from Mom, potted in living room, eventually destroyed by the F. catus.
• Haworthia sp. - Bought this at the store, and I have no idea what happened to it. Maybe it's still in the house!

Alliaceae (Onion family)

• Allium ampeloprasum - Elephant garlic - Growing in the garden, from a store-bought clove.
• Allium cepa - Onion - Growing in the garden, some from seeds, some from an onion.
• Allium sativum - Garlic - Growing in the garden, from a clove off a store-bought head.
• Allium schoenoprasum - Chives - Growing in herb garden.

Habranthus tubispathus, after a shower

Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis family)

• Habranthus tubispathus - Rio Grande copper lily - Pops up in the front yard after rain in June and July.
• Lycoris radiata - Red spider lily - Grew in front flower bed in late summer.
• Narcissus sp. - Daffodil - Sprouted in flower bed, probably left by previous tennant.

Hyacinthaceae (Hyacinth family)

• Muscari botryoides - Common grape hyacinth - Grew wild in the front yard, spring.

Ruscaceae (Ruscus family)

• Dracaena fragrans - Corn plant - Potted specimen brought from sister's house. It died.
• Dracaena sanderiana - Lucky "bamboo" - Store-bought, planted in dirt, lives in breakfast room.
• Liriope sp. - Liriope - Planted by Mom and Aunt in front flower bed.
• Sansevieria trifasciata - Mother-in-law's tongue - Gift from sister, lives in project room.

Liliales [2]

Liliaceae (Lilly family)

• Tulipa sp. - Tulip - Growing in front flower bed. Must have been planted by previous residents.

Smilacaceae (Sarsaparilla family)

• Smilax sp. (S. bona-nox?) - Grenbrier - Grows in backyard as pernicious weed. Variegated variety.

Commelinales [3]

Commelinaceae (Spiderwort family)

• Commelina communis - Asiatic dayflower - Found growing in front yard it May, as the summer heat started to kick in.
• Tradescantia pallida - Wandering jew - Planted in front of the house by Mom and Aunt.
• Tradescantia spathacea - Moses-in-the-cradle - Gift from Kiersty at work. Lives on front windowsill in living room.

Poales [4]

Poaceae (Grass family)

• Cenchrus sp. - Sandbur - Grows as a pernicious weed in the back yard once it gets hot.
• Zea mays - Maize - Planted in garden from store-bought seeds. My people call it "corn".
• Cynodon dactylon - Bermuda grass - Grows in front and back yards.
• Festuca arundinacea - Tall fescue grass - Grows in front and back yards.

Zingiberales [2]

Cannaceae (Canna family)

• Canna sp. - Canna - Planted in front and side of house by Mom and Aunt.

Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)

• Zingiber officinale - Ginger - Sprouted on its own from a ginger root sitting in the kitchen.

Eudicots [58]

Ranunculales [1]

Berberidaceae (Barberry family)

• Nandina domestica - Nandina - Bought at nursery, and taken away by Mom. It's all over town, though.

Caryophyllales [4]

Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)

• Spinacia oleracea - Spinach - Planted in garden from store-bought seeds in February, taken out in April

Cactaceae (Cactus family)

• Gymnocalycium mihanovichii - Red cactus - Received as gift, grafted to Hylocereus below. Graft died.
• Hylocereus sp. - Green cactus, used as a base for grafted Red cactus - After the red one died, it seems fine. Lives on windowsill.

Caryophyllaceae (Carnation family)

• Stellaria media - Common chickweed - Grew wild in front yard as an early spring weed. I think there's still some out there.

Saxifragales [3]

Crassulaceae (Orpine family)

• Crassula ovata - Jade plant - Gift from sister for housewarming. Lives on front windowsill in living room.
• Kalanchoe tomentosa - Panda plant - Gift from sister for housewarming. Lives in project room.
• Sedum burrito - Baby Burro's Tail - Gift from sister for housewarming. Died.

Santalales [1]

Santalaceae (Sandalwood family)

• Phoradendron sp. - Mistletoe - Falls from tree branches and lands in back yard frequently.

Ericales [1]

Primulaceae (Primrose family)

• Primula vulgaris - Primrose - Bought in store. It died.

Solanales [5]

Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

• Petunia axillaris - White petunia - Growing wild by the trashcan.
• Capsicum annuum - Jalapeño pepper - Growing in garden from store-bought seeds.
• Capsicum chinense - Habanero pepper - Growing in garden from store-bought seeds.
• Solanum lycopersicum - Tomatoes "sweetie" var. - Growing in garden from store-bought seeds.
• Solanum tuberosum - Potato - Russet potatoes sprouted on counter, planted in back yard.

Gentianales [4]

Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)

• Cynanchum laeve - Honeyvine milkweed - grows as a weed, climbing on other weeds. Present in May.
• Nerium oleander - Oleander - Planted in front of house by Mom and Aunt.
• Vinca major - Greater periwinkle - Growing in front of house.

Rubiaceae (Madder, Bedstraw and Coffee family)

• Galium aparine - Stickywilly - Grew wild everywhere as an early spring weed. Mostly gone by May.

Lamiales [14]

Oleaceae (Olive family)

• Ligustrum ovalifolium - Japanese privet - Two of these are growing in the back yard. Seems to handle the summer drought better than most species.

Ruellia angustifolia growing at Mom's house

Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)

• Ruellia angustifolia - Wild petunia - Planted in front by Mom and Aunt. Hasn't bloomed; photo is from Mom's house.

Bignoniaceae (Trumpet creeper family)

• Campsis radicans - Common trumpet creeper - Grows wild in the back yard as a pernicious weed. Wants to pull the fence down.

Lamiaceae (Mint family)

• Lamium amplexicaule - Henbit deadnettle - Grew wild as a(n edible) weed in early spring. Mostly gone by April.
• Lavandula sp. - Lavender - Sprouted from store-bought seeds. Not doing too well. Didn't work out.
• Mentha sp. - Mint - Planted by Mom and Aunt alongside house.
• Origanum vulgare - Oregano - Sprouted from store-bought seeds, then planted in herb garden. Now I can't find it out there. Presumed dead.
• Salvia officinalis - Common sage - Growing (barely) in herb garden from store-bought seeds.
• Rosmarinus officinalis - Rosemary - Sprouted from store-bought seeds. Not doing too well. Didn't work out.
• Thymus vulgaris - Common thyme - Growing in herb garden from store-bought seeds.

Plantaginaceae (Plantain family)

• Veronica sp. - Speedwell - Grew wild as a weed in early-mid spring. Pretty flower.
• Ocimum basilicum - Basil - Growing in herb garden from store-bought seeds.

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family)

• Buddleja davidii - Butterfly bush - Bought at nursery and planted in back yard.
• Leucophyllum frutescens - Texas sage - Bought at store and planted in front of house.

Apiales [1]

Apiaceae (Carrot family)

• Conopodium majus - Hog-nut - Grew all over the back yard in May.

Asterales [9]

Ambrosia trifida - Ragweed

Asteraceae (Aster family)

• Lactuca serriola - Prickly lettuce - Growing wild as a weed in back yard
• Taraxacum officinale - Common dandelion - Grows wild as a weed... everywhere.
• Carthamus tinctorius - Safflower - Sprouted from seeds fallen from bird feeder.
• Ambrosia trifida - Ragweed - Growing as a weed in the back yard.
• Bellis perennis - Common daisy - Grew wild on north side of house.
• Conyza canadensis - Horseweed - Growing wild all around, starting mid-spring.
• Bidens bipinnata - Spanish needles - Came up all over as a weed in summer.
• Helianthus annuus - Sunflower - Sprouted from seeds fallen from bird feeder.
• Rudbeckia hirta - Black-eyed Susan - Growing wild in back yard from early summer.

Geraniales [1]

Geraniaceae (Geranium and cranesbill family)

• Geranium robertianum - Robert geranium - Grew wild as weed in front yard in spring.

Malpighiales [1]

Violaceae (Violet family)

• Viola tricolor - Pansy - Bought at nursery, then Mom took 'em home.

Oxalidales [1]

Oxalidaceae (Oxalis family)

• Oxalis sp. - Yellow wood-sorrel - Growing wild in back yard, from mid-spring

Fabales [2]

Fabaceae (Legume family)

• Arachis hypogaea - Peanut - Growing in herb garden after a Sciurus niger buried it there.
• Medicago arabica - Spotted medick, heart clover - Grew wild as weed in patches of front and back yards in the spring.

Rosales [4]

Rosaceae (Rose family)

• Rhaphiolepis indica - Indian Hawthorne - Growing in back yard, bought from nursery
• Rosa sp. - Rose - Growing in front flower bed.

Cannabaceae (Cannabis family)

• Celtis laevigata - Sugarberry or Southern Hackberry tree - Growing in back yard.

Moraceae (Mulberry and fig family)

• Ficus elastica - Rubber plant, Rubber fig - George the rubber plant, my constant companion since '04, in breakfast room.

Cucurbitales [1]

Cucurbitaceae (Melon family)

• Citrullus lanatus - Watermelon - Growing in back yard from store bought seeds, ftw.

Fagales [1]

Fagaceae (Beech family)

• Quercus sp. - Oak. A couple of volunteer trees, growing in front and back yards.

Brassicales [2]

Brassicaceae (Crucifers/Mustard and cabbage family)

• Lepidium virginicum - Virginia pepperweed - Grew wild as weed in front yard in spring.
• Raphanus sativus - Radish - Growing in garden from store-bought seeds

Malvales [2]

Malvaceae (Mallow family)

• Abelmoschus esculentus - Okra - Growing in garden from store-bought seeds.
• Hibiscus sp. - Hibiscus - Growing wild in front of house, near south property line.

Fungus [3]

Ascomycota (Sac fungi) [2]

Eurotiomycetes

Eurotiales

Trichocomaceae

• Penicillium roqueforti - Roquefort cheese fungus - Living in Danish Blue cheese from store.

Saccharomycetes

Saccharomycetales

Saccharomycetaceae

• Saccharomyces cerevisiae - Brewer's yeast - Bought at store as "activated dry yeast" for baking.

Basidiomycota [1]

Agaricomycetes

Boletales

Boletaceae

• Boletus sp. (B. bicolor?) - Two-colored bolete - Growing wild by garden in back yard.

Animal [70]

Mollusca (Molluscs) [1]

Bivalvia

Veneroida

Veneridae (Venus clam family)

• Mercenaria mercenaria - Hard clam - Brought home live from the market, then steamed and eaten.

Annelida (Segmented worms) [1]

Clitellata [1]

Haplotaxida [1]

? - Earthworm - In back yard, any time I turn over some dirt w/ a shovel.

Arthropoda [37]

Insecta [35]

Odonata [1]

Libellulidae

• Libellula croceipennis - Neon skimmer - Photographed perching on van sometime last year.

Dermaptera [1]

Forficulidae

• Forficula auricularia - European earwig - I don't even remember. They're everywhere. One was inside a pecan I wanted to eat.

Orthoptera [1]

? - Crickets in yard

Blattaria [1]

Blattidae

• Periplaneta americana - American cockroach - Only seen one (1) in house. More under junk in the yard. Indoors, I kill these on sight.

Hemiptera [5]

Cicadidae (Cicada family)

• Tibicen sp. - Dog-day cicada - Found its molted skin clinging to the side of the house, late June, and pretty much everywhere by mid-July. They're also what you hear outside.

Cydnidae (Burrowing bug family)

• Pangaeus bilieatus - Peanut burrowing bug - Found on my arm after mowing the front lawn in late May.

Pentatomidae (Stink bug family)

• ? - Stink bug found in house.

Nabidae (Damsel bug family)

• Metatropiphorus belfragii

Reduviidae (Assassin bug family)

• Zelus renardii (Leafhopper assassin bug) - Found in kitchen, photographed, then released outside, February 2010.

Coleoptera [8]

Diabrotica undecimpunctata on a Solanum lycopersicum leaf.

Carabidae (Ground beetle family)

• ? - Ground beetle found under a brick

Chrysomelidae (Leaf beetle family)

• Diabrotica undecimpunctata - Spotted cucumber beetle - found on tomato plant
• Labidomera clivicollis - Swamp milkweed leaf beetle - Found on the leaf of a Conyza canadensis in the back yard.

Coccinellidae (Ladybug family)

• Axion plagiatum - Helmet beetle - Seen in back yard in early November.
• Coccinella septempunctata - Seven-spotted ladybug - Spotted (ha!) in back yard.
• Harmonia axyridis - Asian ladybug - seen in back yard on unidentified plant.

Tenebrionidae (Darkling beetle family)

• Tenebrio molitor - Mealworm - Store-bought larvae that I feed to birds.

Scarabaeidae (Scarab beetle family)

• Phyllophaga sp. - June bug - Seen hanging on window screen in - you guessed it - June.

Hymenoptera [4]

Apidae (Honey bee family)

• Apis mellifera - European honey bee - Seen buzzing 'round flowers in the back. We like this species.

Formicidae (Ant family)

• Solenopsis invicta - Red Imported Fire Ant - Accidentally discovered w/ my foot in back yard. This species, I kill on sight.

Vespidae (Wasp family)

• Polistes sp. - Paper wasp (or Vespula sp. - Yellowjacket) - In the house.

Evaniidae (Ensign wasp family)

• Evania appendigaster - Cockroach egg parasitoid wasp - found on kitchen counter in June. Controls cockroaches, so we like this one.

Neuroptera [1]

Chrysopidae - (Green lacewing family)

• ? - Green lacewing seen hanging out on the ceiling at night.

Diptera [5]

Culicidae (Mosquito family)

• Aedes albopictus - Asian tiger mosquito - This one is killed on sight. Damned invasive day-feeding pests.

Sciaridae (Dark-winged fungus gnat family)

• ? - Gnats seen hanging 'round sprouts on windowsill in project room.

Tipulidae (Crane fly family)

• Tipula(?) sp. - Crane fly - Seen in house.

Muscidae (Housefly family)

• Musca domestica - Housefly - Ubiquitous.

Syrphidae (Hoverfly family)

• ? - Hoverfly seen hanging out on ivy by front door.

Siphonaptera [1]

Pulicidae (Common flea family)

• ? - Flea - Followed me in from the yard. Now eradicated inside the house, I hope. Not too fussed about which species it was.

Lepidoptera [7]

Asterocampa celtis in the back yard

Geometridae (Geometrid moth family)

• Anacamptodes defectaria - Brown-shaded gray moth - Seen hanging out on door jamb towards evening, mid-July.

Lycaenidae (Gossamer-winged butterfly family)

• Strymon melinus - Gray Hairstreak - Seen in front of house, near the hibiscus.
• Calycopis cecrops - Red-banded Hairstreak - Seen hanging out near garden, early April.

Nymphalidae (Brush-footed butterfly family)

• Danaus plexippus - Monarch butterfly - Seen outside flitting about the Lactuca serriola. Lovely.
• Asterocampa celtis - Hackberry Emperor - Seen resting on the fence outside my window. Let me take close-ups. Thanks, A. celtis.
• Vanessa atalanta - Red Admiral - Spotted at the end of April, flitting about the back of the driveway.

Pieridae (Yellow and white family)

• Pieris rapae - Small cabbage white - seen flitting about backyard.

Malacostraca [2]

Isopoda [2]

Armadillidiidae

• Armadillidium vulgare(?) - Common pillbug - Under something in the back yard.
• ? - Other, non-ball-rolling woodlouse - Under something in the back yard.

Chordata [31]

Actinopterygii [1]

Perciformes [1]

Osphronemidae

• Betta splendens - Siamese fighting fish - Purchased at pet store, named "Malcolm". He eventually died.

Aves [20]

Columbiformes [1]

Columbidae (Dove family)

• Zenaida macroura - Mourning dove - Feeds on ground and at feeder in back yard.

Accipitriformes [1]

Cathartidae

• Cathartes aura - Turkey vulture - Circling overhead...

Piciformes [2]

Picidae (Woodpecker family)

• Melanerpes carolinus - Red-bellied woodpecker - Feeds at back yard feeder.
• Picoides pubescens - Downy woodpecker - Visits feeders.

Passeriformes [16]

Corvidae (Crow family)

• Cyanocitta cristata - Blue jay - Visits feeders.

Regulidae (Kinglet family)

• Regulus calendula - Ruby-crowned kinglet - Visits feeder.

Paridae (Titmouse family)

• Baeolophus bicolor - Tufted titmouse - Visits feeders.
• Poecile carolinensis - Carolina chickadee - Visits feeder.

Troglodytidae (Wren family)

• Thryothorus ludovicianus - Carolina wren - Visits feeders. Sings...

Mimidae (Mockingbird family)

• Mimus polyglottos - Northern mockingbird - Seen in back yard. Doesn't visit feeders.
• Toxostoma rufum - Brown thrasher - Seen perched on back yard fence. Seems shy.

Sturnidae (Starling family)

• Sturnus vulgaris - European starling - Feeds on ground and at feeders.

Turdidae (Thrush family)

• Turdus migratorius - American robin - Seen in front and back yard, patrolling for invertebrates. Good work, Turdus.

Passeridae (Sparrow family)

• Passer domesticus - House sparrow - Ubiquitous. Feeds on ground and at feeder.

Cardinalidae (Cardinal family)

• Cardinalis cardinalis - Northern cardinal - Feeds on ground and at feeder.

Emberizidae (Bunting family)

• Junco hyemalis - Dark-eyed junco - Feeds on ground; infrequent.

Fringillidae (Finch family)

• Carduelis tristis - American goldfinch - Visited feeder in early spring, then migrated.
• Carpodacus mexicanus - House finch - feeds on ground and at feeder.

Icteridae (American blackbird family)

• Molothrus ater - Brown-headed cowbird - feeds on ground and at feeder; infrequent.
• Quiscalus mexicanus - Great-tailed grackle - Feeds on ground and at feeder.

Reptilia [2]

Squamata [2]

Colubridae (Common snake family)

• Thamnophis sp. - Garter snake - Found in back yard while cleaning out the weird corner.

Gekkonidae (Gecko family)

• Hemidactylus turcicus (Mediterranean house gecko - Seen on outside of house, evenings.

Mammalia [8]

Sciurus niger, eating some Arachis hypogaea seed.

Didelphimorphia [1]

Didelphidae (Common opossum family)

• Didelphis virginiana - Virginia opossum - Spotted by reasonably reliable friends in back yard at night.

Carnivora [4]

Canidae (Dog family)

• Canis lupus familiaris - domestic dog - Comes around sometimes.

Mustelidae (Mustelid family)

• Mustela putorius furo - domestic ferret - found in the front yard, now lives inside as house pet.

Procyonidae (Raccoon family)

• Procyon lotor - common raccoon - Visits the back yard at night, sometimes comes up to the window.

Felidae (Cat family)

• Felis catus - domestic cat - These patrol the property, but never quite manage to catch an avian... so far!

Rodentia [2]

Muridae

• Rattus norvegicus - Brown rat - Saw one in kitchen once, bleh. Spreading dryer sheets around the attic seems to have worked, for now.

Sciuridae (Squirrel family)

• Sciurus niger - Fox squirrel - Ubiquitous, feeds on anything he can get his greedy little paws into.

Primate [1]

Homo sapiens, photographed in Oregon, now living right here in Texas.

Hominidae (Hominid family)

• Homo sapiens - Human - Spotted in mirror, and occasionally just hanging around.