It makes sense to discuss these two plants in the same blog, as they are both very common, look very much alike, and can often be found next to one another… Both forms of chickweed have leaves that are elliptical in shape and alternate on the stem. Common chickweed leaves are hairless while the mouse […]
Archive for the ‘Interesting’ Category
From the non-native dossier: Stellaria media (common chickweed) and Cerastium fontanum (mouse ear chickweed)
Posted in Edible, Flora, Interesting, Invasive, Plant bio, Recipe on May 9, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Pretty in pink
Posted in Flora, Interesting on May 7, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Dodecatheon meadia bio page
hummingbirds back in action
Posted in Fauna, Interesting on May 7, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
I started to worry that the hummingbirds had forgotten their way to my garden – the feeder’s been out for 3 weeks but it had not seen any visitors. Until today that is – the female hummers are back feeding. I have yet to see a male…
The April that was…
Posted in Flora, Interesting on May 6, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
This April brought some surprises, which I have written about in separate posts, but the overall April 2012 themes were re-birth, continuity and establishment. A lot of the plants pictured have been in my yard for a year or two now, and they are slowly but surely becoming a defining presence in the woodland garden. […]
Question mark? Comma?
Posted in Fauna, Interesting on April 21, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Kidding aside, those are real names of butterflies. Just today I saw an eastern comma (Polygonia comma) in it’s summer form (black hind wings as opposed to orange hind wings for the winter form). I am secretly hoping that the early abundance of different butterflies has something to do with the native wildflowers in my […]
Mariposa ranch
Posted in Fauna, Interesting on April 19, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
The more showy butterflies such as the monarch and swallowtail may still be “waiting in the wings”, as it were, but that does not mean that Papilionidae or true butterflies are not represented this time of year. The spring azure has been fluttering about for a few weeks now, and just the other day I […]
Got ya!
Posted in Flora, Interesting on April 17, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
You may remember my post last year about the twinleaf plant (Jeffersonia diphylla), when I lamented the fact that I missed the ONE day this plant was in bloom. Of course I was aware that the flower lasts only a short time after blooming in April or May, and that it gives way to a […]
Spring and summer rental
Posted in Interesting on April 17, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
One story unit w/ open floor plan, lovingly maintained. Seeking clean and interesting tenants for seasonal occupancy. Property abuts woodland and wildflower garden. Two other units available still. Serious inquiries only. Open house 24/7… p.s. House cat may be in the vicinity but has no interest in making house calls.
And the (repeat) winner for 2012 is…
Posted in Flora, Interesting on March 27, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) did it again – they are the earliest blooming wildflowers in my yard. They must have learned some lessons from the hotly contested Republican candidate for President race, and trying to avoid lingering competition and wanting a decisive early win they produced flowers much ahead of last year (April 16 in […]
Local surf and turf
Posted in Edible, Interesting on March 26, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
There are many good reasons to shop locally, preferably for local goods and services – you’ll keep your neighbors busy and happy and when it comes to food items you can be reasonably sure that the produce is fresh and free of such nonsense additives like the much mentioned “pink slime”. Taking it a step […]