One of my favorite springtime flowers is blue eyed grass. The leaves of this plant look like grass, and it’s called a grass, but it isn’t grass. Blue eyed grass is actually a member of the Iris family. For the untrained eye, there are two different kinds of blue eyed grass. The first is annual… Continue reading Identifying Blue Eyed Grass
Category: Plants
Identifying Fleabanes
Fleabanes are the small, white daisies that seem to be blooming everywhere right now. The plants are 1-4 feet tall, and the flowers are less than one inch wide. Take a closer look, and you’ll realize that there are several different kinds of fleabanes. I’ve found four types so far. The trick is to look… Continue reading Identifying Fleabanes
Identifying Partridge Peas
It’s easy to see the common partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) flowers this time of year. If you look carefully, you can find its smaller relative, the sensitive partridge pea (Chamaecrista nictitans). Common partridge pea flowers are about one inch wide. The flower petals are about the same size. The sensitive partridge pea flowers are less… Continue reading Identifying Partridge Peas
It’s Berry Season
It’s berry season! The spring flowers have given way to summer fruit. What fruits have you seen this year?
July Fourth
In honor of the 4th of July holiday, enjoy this image of a firecracker plant. Happy Independence Day!
Kudzu
You’ve probably seen kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) along a highway roadside. This invasive, twining vine can grow up to 100 feet tall, and takes over everything. I’ve read that it can take down utility poles. Today was the first time I had a chance to get up close to kudzu. It is beginning to… Continue reading Kudzu
Ladies’-tresses
A few different types of ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes) can be found along the trails now. Their small white flowers spiral around the stem. Did you know that they are part of the orchid family? Here’s a closer look at the flower of spring ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes vernalis):
Lunar New Year
Happy Lunar New Year! The leafy cover of the fruit of smooth ground-cherry (Physalis angulata) reminds me of a paper lantern.
Magnolias are in Full Bloom
Get outside and enjoy the magnolia blooms this weekend!
Merry Christmas!
Enjoy this image of American Holly (Ilex opaca) for Christmas day. Merry Christmas!