Leavenworth's Eryngo 2009

Leavenworth's Eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii)

       The beautiful, exotic, bristling and menacing looking Levenworth's Eryngo or Pineapple Thistle, a native plant found in south central United States and Wisconsin, is a member of the Parsley (Apiaceae) family.
       Not commonly seen on roadsides, Leavenworth's Eryngo growing in open areas, dry fields, and prairies is well adapted to hot/dry conditions. Blooming in late summer through the fall, the flowers and leaves, beginning as green, turn to a brilliant purple as they mature.
       Growing to three feet tall and taller with spiny leaves two inches long and 3/4 inches wide, the Leavenworth’s Eryngo has 1/4 small 5 petaled star shaped flowers and numerous purple stamens (when in full bloom).
       Butterflies, such as this Great Purple Hairstreak, are attracted to the brilliant, violet colored Leavenworth's Eryngo.
       This species was named after its discoverer Melines Conklin Leavenworth (1796-1862).

Photos taken at Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Veterans(Wilson) Lake near Sulphur, Oklahoma.

Lanceleaf Blanketflower 2009

Lanceleaf Blanketflower (Gaillardia aestivalis)

       Found in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and into the southeastern United States the Lanceleaf Blanketflower (Gaillardia aestivalis), in the same genus (Gaillardia) as Indian Blanket (G. pulchella), blooms from mid summer into fall, later than the Indian Blanket.
       Growing to two feet tall the Lanceleaf Blanketflower produces two-inch yellow flowers (three lobed ray flowers) with reddish brown disc flowers. The leaves with smooth leaf margins, alternately spaced along stems, are up to two inches long and lance shaped.
        The Lanceleaf Blanketflower, drought tolerant, grow in open areas, along roadsides and rocky ledges in sandy and dry rocky soils.
       Note: This species is very similar to Yellow Gaillardia (Gaillardia serotinum), page 112, Doyle McCoy, 1987, Oklahoma Wildflowers.

The following species are synonyms for Gaillardia aestivalis var. aestivalis
Gaillardia chrysanthal
Gaillardia fastigiata
Gaillardia lanceolata
Gaillardia rigida
Gaillardia serotina

Photo taken at Little River State Park (Lake Thunderbird Area) near Norman, Oklahoma

Scaly Blazing Star 2009

Scaly Blazing Star (Liatris squarrosa)

       The native Scaly Blazing Star, a member of the Sunflower (Asteraceas) family, found on prairies, roadsides, fields, from Oklahoma to the east coast, bloom from mid to late summer into fall. This species produces beautiful purple/rose colored flowers that grow along the stem at the leaf axis. The flowers heads .5 inch to an 1.5 inch across are comprised of 50 or less tubular ray florets (small or reduced flowers). There are no ray flowers on this species.
       The Scaly Blazing Star grows to three feet tall with narrow linear leaves to six inches long and ¼-inch wide that grow alternately along the stems. The stems are hairy or smooth on this species of Liatris.
       This species grows in open areas and in dry, seemingly barren soils. The Scaly Blazing Star is endangered in Maryland and is probably extirpated (exterminated) in Michigan. (USDA-see links)
       The Scaly Blazing Star is differentiated from other Blazing Stars (Liatris spp) by their scaly (pineapple like) bracts. Bracts are modified leaves, sometimes mistaken for flower petals, usually found below the flower.
       Easily grown in the wildflower garden for their beauty, they attract butterflies and other insects.
       Several species of Liatris grown as ornamentals are sometimes found as cut flowers in florist shops. Seeds are available online.
       The roots of this species applied as a poultice has been used as a treatment for snakebites.

It is not recommended that these plants be used as medicine or food since they may have bad side effects. Similar species, misidentified, may cause illness or death.

Photo taken at Little River State Park near Norman, Oklahoma

Partridge Pea

Partridge Pea (Chamaechrista fasciculate)

       Blooming from mid summer into fall this easily identified plant, Partridge Pea (Chamaechrista fasciculata), is a native plant found in the eastern two thirds of the United States from New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Nebraska eastward to the east coast. Considered endangered in its northeast range the species is classified as a weedy plant in its western range.
       This plant grows in open areas and thrives in dry and seemingly barren soils. As with other pea/bean plants it is a nitrogen fixing plant and enriches the soil in which it grows.
       The bright irregularly shaped yellow flowers found along the branches are around an inch in diameter. The plants are one half to two feet and taller (32 inches this specimen) sometimes sprawling. The leaves are compound with numerous leaflets that are around an inch long and one third inch across. The leaves are sensitive and slowly fold inward when touched.
       In some taxonomic systems, the Partridge Pea is placed in a family Caesalpinia (Caesalpiniaceae)

Middle of Summer Bloom

Middle of the summer bloom

       The spring and early summer bloom, at least locally, has abated. The late spring and summer bloom was moderate, mainly due to a short drought and high temperatures (105 degrees Fahrenheit for several weeks). These temperatures, although still reaching a hundred degrees, have since moderated and there has been rainfall at least in central Oklahoma. I hope for a beautiful late summer and fall bloom. The burned out areas from wildfires earlier this year are profusely covered with sunflowers and other species.
       Early summer flowers have disappeared, with the exception of a few Indian Blankets, and mid to late summer species such as various species of Sunflowers, Ironweed and Blazing stars are beginning to bloom. It looks like the beginning of a good late summer/fall bloom in central Oklahoma.
       For those visiting the site regularly I apologize for the lack of new additions this summer. Next week (now this week) I hope to start adding new species and “catch up”. Since I’m several months behind I will add earlier blooming species as well as currently blooming species and will label each accordingly.
       I’ve had received several emails and comments recently and would like to thank them and all visiting the blog and site for their support.
       In honor of “Sunflower season” I’m posting a creature found on the planet Theos which has a strange resemblance to the Common Sunflower found on Earth. Also see Homo sneakeaus.

Have a great summer

George Zabawa.

Helios captares

Helios captares

       Helios captares, among the most unique creatures found on Theos, is similar to the common sunflower of Earth. Tall, rising as much as six meters off the surface of the plains they move slowly about with modified flowers that serve as feet.
       Obtaining all of its nourishment from solar energy, Helios captares captures and absorbs the energy of the sun with one large, central flower, which acts as a solar panel. This flower constantly tracks the sun, storing energy in specialized glands which surround it.
       The solar collecting flower, surrounded by smaller flowers, senses the presence of dangerous life forms such as the Raptores monarches. When in danger, the flower emits a strong beam of energy similar to a laser beam, destroying everything in its path.
       Harmless herbivores gather in the shadow of the Helios captares seeking protection from carnivores who avoid Helios captares and its deadly ray.
       Helios captares will not intentionally harm humans. View Helios captares from the ground since any flying object could be mistaken for a Raptores monarches.
Earth Reference: Common Sunflower

Artwork by Christopher Zabawa
Colorization by George Zabawa

(c) Copyright 2009 by Christopher and George Zabawa

Texas Stitchwort

Texas Stitchwort (Minuartia michauxii var. texana)

       Often found growing in rocky or gravelly limestone soil in open areas, limestone hills and bluffs the Texas Stitchwort bloom from late spring into the summer. The plant, ranging in height from 4 inches to 12 inches, produces numerous 3/8 inch white flowers with five petals and prominent stamens. The Texas Stitchwort is highly visible against the barren rocks on which they usually grow and easily identified.
       A native plant and a member of the Pink or Carnation (Caryophyllaceae) family, it is found in the central United States.
       A variety of Stitchwort, Michaux's stitchwort (Minuartia michauxii (Fenzl) Farw. var. michauxii) very similar to the Texas variety is found in the east central and the northeastern United States.

Photos taken at Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Veterans Lake Area) near Sulphur, Oklahoma 2009

Large Flowered Gaura

Large Flowered Gaura (Gaura longiflora)

        Found in the central United States west to Colorado and as far east as Pennsylvania the native Large-Flowered Gaura, a member of the Evening Primrose (Onagraceae) family found on dry prairies and other open areas bloom from mid-spring through the summer. Growing to 7 feet tall but usually shorter, the Large-Flowered Gaura produce beautiful, delicate white to pink flowers, depending upon the stage of bloom, to an inch long with prominent, sometimes red stemmed stamens,.
       The leaves, which grow to five inches long, and stems of this plant are covered with fine curly hairs.
       This plant species is known variously as Gaura biennis L. var. pitcheri, Gaura filiformis Small and Gaura pitcheri, Small.

Photo taken at Wichita Wildlife Refuge near Lawron, Oklahoma 2009

Sunbright

Sunbright (Phemeranthus parviflorus)

       A native plant and found in the central United States from Texas to North Dakota the Sunbright or Prairer flameflower, reaching a height of 8 inches, produces delicate, beautiful 1/2 inch and smaller pink flowers atop a spindly stem in the late spring through the summer.
       The leaves of the Sunbright, located at the base of the plant, up to 2 inches long are thin and cylindrical.
       The Sunbright, a member of the Purslane (Portulacaceae) family, thrives and grows in seemingly barren, dry sandy soils in open or semi-shaded areas and opens in late afternoon or on cloudy days.
       The flowers of this plant look very similar to those in the Pink or Carnation (Caryophyllaceae) family but are disinguished from them by the calyx which has only two sepals.

Water Speedwell

Water Speedwell(Veronica anagallis-aquatica)

       Blooming from late spring, through the summer the Water Speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica), growing in the central United States and found in or near water has a small ¼ inch very pale lavender (almost white) flower with darker blue or purple veins. The Water Speedwell reaches heights to three feet and has leaves which are opposite, ovate and to 3 inches long. The Water Speedwell, a member of the figwort (Scrophulariaceae) family, is endangered or threatened in some of its range.
       Found in Europe and Asia as well as the United States, this plant species is considered a native plant by some authorities and a naturalized plant by others. Another similar species, American Brookline (Veronica Americana) has darker blue flowers and a wider geographical distribution.
       The leaves of the Water Speedwell are edible, high in vitamin C and used to treat scurvy, a vitamin C deficiency. The plant is also useful for the treatment of external sores and burns.
        It is not recommended that these plants be used as medicine or food since they may have bad side effects. Similar species, misidentified, may cause illness or death.

Photos taken at Red Rock Canyon State Park located near Hinton, Oklahoma.

Downy Indian Paintbrush

Downy Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja purpurea)

       The color of the Downy Indian Paintbrush ranges from purple, reddish orange to yellow. The Yellow or Lemon Paintbrush, also a variety of Downy Indian Paintbrush and a native to the United States, is found in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.
       Formerly called Castilleja citrina the yellow variety of C. purpurea is now included with Castilleja purpurea as a variety (var) called citrina.
       Blooming from mid to late spring the Downy Indian Paintbrush thrive and grow in open dry sandy or rocky soils on prairies, fields and along roadsides.
       As with other Paintbrushes (Castilleja), Castilleja purpurea is a parasitic plant feeding on the roods of other plants.
       The Downy Indian Paintbrush grows to 18 inches tall with flowers to 1 inch long and leaves to over two inches. Most of the color of the plant is not the flower but modified leafs call bracts. The leaves and bracts of the downy Paintbrush are very hairy.

Photo taken at Wichita Wildlife Refuge near Lawton Oklahoma

Wild four O Clocks

Wild four O Clocks (Mirabilis nyctaginea)

        A native plant found in most of the United States, the Wild Four O’Clock grows in dry open areas such as prairies and fields and blooms from mid spring through the summer.
       A member of the Four O’Clock (Nyctaginaceae) family it grows to three feet tall and produces dark pink to purple ½ inch flowers . The flowers have no petals but five petal-like sepals.
       The flowers which open late (4 O’clock?) in the afternoon for a few hours, fall off by the following morning. The remaining bracts, which look somewhat like flowers, are often mistaken for the flowers.
       Various parts of the plant have a variety of medicinal uses including the root for treatment of cuts, burns, fevers and worms and the leaves for the treatment of bladder disorders.
        It is not recommended that these plants be used as medicine or food since they may have bad side effects. Similar species, misidentified, may cause illness or death.

Asparagus Wild or Garden

Garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

       Blooming from mid spring to early summer, the Wild Asparagus, a member of the Lily (Liliaceae) family is found across all of the United States and prefers moist areas and grows in disturbed areas, open wooded areas, pastures, fields, and along roadsides.
       This non-native plant, introduced from Europe, grows to over six feet tall and produces small greenish tubular, bell shaped flowers less than ¼ inch long and .05 inches wide.
       This plant, in the early spring produces the familiar green asparagus shoots identical to those found in grocery stores.
       The young, nutritious stems or shoots are eatable raw or cooked and the seeds used as a coffee substitute. The plant has medicinally qualities and is used to treat aliments of the intestines, kidneys, and liver.
        It is not recommended that these plants be used as medicine or food since they may have bad side effects. Similar species, misidentified, may cause illness or death.