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Leave a comment Posted on Garden, Tropical environments

When naturalized it becomes invasive…

Is this what some mean when they become worried about letting immigrants into our country? They do tend to forget how this country was founded. And that perhaps they became the invasive subjects when they naturalized and literally choked out the native American Indians. Or perhaps, because they know this, they fear it may happen again and they’ll become the minority. Ok, enough politics tonight…

Anyway, the Oyster Plant (Tradescantia spathacea), is a popular Florida garden plant which has become naturalized and “gone wild”.

This bit of color in the shady part of the garden was at the Bonnet House in Ft. Lauderdale.

Close-up image of the Oyster Plant bringing color to the shady part of this garden. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

Overall image of Oyster Plant in it’s setting in the interior courtyard at the Bonnet House. CLICK the image above for more information on the Oyster Plant. Coyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg

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Leave a comment Posted on Chicago, Insects and Arachnids, Lincoln Park, Nature, Photography, Prairie

Patches of blue…

Chicory and Bee. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg

The blue blooms of Chicory easily draw attention against the neutral grays of concrete. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) graces the walls edge along Lincoln Park’s lakefront pathway. I call this plant by its nickname, “Cornflower“. Typical of many plant names both Chicory and Cornflower identify several unique species. Chicory shown here is an invasive Eurasian weed. Its cheerful blue flower is a welcome sight along an otherwise gray-toned location.

Concrete barrier along Lake Michigan serves as a flood wall and walking path in Lincoln Park. Chicory blooms appear frequently along side this pathway. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg

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Leave a comment Posted on Garden, Insects and Arachnids, Photography, Prairie

Natural harmony…

Mexican Sunflower is joined by the similarly colored Long wing butterfly. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg

Brilliant blooming colors in abundance successfully camouflaged a multitude of tropical butterflies. Butterfly World in Florida’s Coconut Creek is all that the name implies plus more. It could just as aptly be named Butterfly, Bird and Bloom World. The Piano Key or a related “long wing” (Heliconius Melpomene or Heliconius Erato) butterfly here has lighted on a Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia). These two butterfly species often crossbreed, so I am unsure of this one’s specific identity.

For more information check out:

  • Butterfly Jungle’s blog: http://thebutterflyjungle.blogspot.com/2011/07/piano-key-butterfly.html
  • Butterfly World: http://butterflyworld.com

Butterfly World in action. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg

 

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Leave a comment Posted on Chicago, Garden, Lincoln Park, Photography

A wild lion…

Macro view of the lovely Dandelion. Copyright 2016, Pamela Breitberg

Dandelion in the lawn. Copyright 2016, Pamela Breitberg

Now, back to nature. Here’s a couple of images of the “lions” that roam freely (and aggressively) in our lawns. The Dandelion (Taraxacum), as a flower, is pretty; take a close look.

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5 Comments Posted on Garden, Nature, Photography, Prairie

Pretty persistence…

Submissively aggressive, the Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana), has several heavy-duty survival traits. This perennial is quick to spread in the garden, yearly claiming wider and wider territories. If that trait is not enough for its survival, each flower has the ability to move around its base stem when brushed. Passersby, accidently too close, will not harm the flower, ensuring the plants ability to be a prolific seed producer, ensuring future new plants. Try it, the next time you encounter Obedient Plant; see how easy it is to move the location of the flowers around its base!

 

Obedient Plant, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg

Obedient Plant, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg

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Leave a comment Posted on Nature, Photography, Prairie

Delicate wild beauty…

Queen Anne's Lace copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg

    Queen Anne’s Lace copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg

Queen Anne's Lace 2 copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg

Queen Anne’s Lace 2 copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg

                                                               “Wild” versus “Lace”; these words bring completely different impressions to mind. Descriptors make a difference on one’s impression. Both words describe this non-native prairie plant, Queen Anne’s Lace (daucus carota), aka Wild Carrot. Both names fit this subject perfectly. The name you choose to call it depends on your perspective. Though it is an invasive Eurasian weed I find it hard not to appreciate the delicate floral arrangement on each stem. Even the seed head is amazingly intricate and delicate in design.

So if I creeped you out too much with the last post, enjoy some of nature’s beauty.

Seed head of Queen Anne's Lace copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg

Seed head of Queen Anne’s Lace copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg

Queen Anne's Lace in bloom copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg

Queen Anne’s Lace in bloom copyright 2013 Pamela Breitberg


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