Tag Archives: Solidago sp. (Goldenrod)

Wildflower Walk ?

Hello everyone! I hope this post finds you all well. I apologize for not posting for a while. It has been a weird summer for sure with the heat and drought. I was busy with the garden picking sweet corn and green beans right up until August 17. Somehow I managed to get 455 ears of sweet corn in the freezer, and thanks to the ‘Provider’ green beans, 34 quarts of green beans. Of course, not all the green beans and sweet corn made it to the freezer. I ate some and gave some away. Some of the sweet corn went to the chickens because of pollination issues and, with some, only half an ear was good enough to go to the freezer. The ‘Tendersweet’ and ‘Contender’ green beans didn’t do well at all. It was so hot the majority of the flowers fell off despite frequent watering. I picked only 7 quarts from 4 double rows 25′ long from them. The ‘Provider’ however, made up for it with 27 quarts from only 2 double rows about the same length. It was planted 2 weeks later.

The above photo of the thermometer was taken on August 24 at 12:15 PM. I had the AC charged so the camera fogged up every time I got ready to take photos. I picked the last green beans on August 16 and 17, 10 gallons, when we had a cool spell (and we had rain). All the next week it was 100 plus every day. What hadn’t burned up before did that week.

Castor Beans on 9-7-23.

I bought a six-pack of Castor Bean plants earlier this spring. I planted them along the garage because I couldn’t figure out where else to plant them. Heck, they were in the pack for 2 weeks before I put them in the ground. They barely grew despite watering them nearly every day. Then they took off like there was no tomorrow. The first two are the tallest… One has green stems and one has red. They are LOADED with seed!

I hadn’t been on a wildflower walk since June 4, so on Sunday, I decided to see what was going on. Despite a little rain recently, it was a pitiful sight…

View of the main hayfield from the northwest corner on 9-10-23.

The wildflowers that are normally still in flower in abundance such as Black-Eyed Susan, Ironweed, and Annual Fleabane didn’t flower very well and are all dried up. Most of the stems are so bare you can’t tell what they once were. I walked along the fence on the north side of the hayfield toward the back. In the distance, I could see the dried-up patches of Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) that had already bloomed, which would be typical this time of the year. But, there are normally several hundred young plants as well. Normally, the hay would have been cut and the milkweed and other persistent plants would start growing again. This year, no hay was cut here because there was no grass in the main hayfield. I will admit that the grass in the hayfields has been scant the last few years anyway.

Solidago sp. (Goldenrod) on 9-10-23.

Several HUGE patches of Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) look great despite the heat and lack of water. Some wildflower species flourish when other species don’t and get an even bigger foothold. I haven’t been to the south hayfield for a while but I am sure there are A LOT of Goldenrod there as well. They used to only be around the fence rows but not so much inside the fields. There are many species of Solidago in Missouri that are quite similar. I think the species on the pasture is Solidago altissima and/or Solidago gogantea.

Asclepias hirtella (Tall Green or Prairie Milkweed) on 9-10-23.

Milkweeds are very drought-tolerant so they came up, flowered, and many of their seed pods have already burst open. The seed pods on this Asclepias hirtella (Tall Green or Prarie Milkweed) are still well intact. The Missouri Plants website says the common name is Prairie Milkweed, while iNaturalist says Tall Green Milkweed. I am not sure why that would be a common name since they don’t grow that tall…

Eupatorium serotinum (Late Boneset/Late Thoroughwort) on 9-10-23.

Walking farther toward the back ponds, there were very few Eupatorium serotinum (Late Boneset/Late Thoroughwort). They are a very tough species, especially around low areas where I found this small colony. There are quite a few growing along the ditch in the front pasture. Ummm… I am pretty sure this is Eupatorium serotinum instead of Eupatorium altissimum (Tall Thoroughwort). They sometimes confuse me.

Vernonia missuurica (Missouri Ironweed) on 9-10-23.

The Ironweeds have really struggled this summer which isn’t good. Most of the Ironweeds, both species, are pretty much all dried up. I think it was in 2021 when the Ironweed was so numerous from late September to early October when the Monarchs were here in mass. I had never seen them like that before or since. It was quite a sight. I wonder what they will do when they come to the Midwest this year and there is hardly any food.

Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed) on 9-10-23

Ahhh… Here’s a clump that looks pretty good. This is Vernonia missurica (Missouri Ironweed). I didn’t see any Vernonia baldwinii (Baldwin’s or Western Ironweed) that wasn’t already dried up. Hmmm… I don’t have a page for either species…

Oh, do I see a touch of yellow?

Bidens aristosa (Bearded Beggarticks/Tickseed Sunflower) on 9-10-23

Well, no doubt the Bidens aristata (Bearded Beggarticks/Tickseed Sunflower) will brighten your day. I haven’t even gotten to the pond yet where they are usually growing in abundance.

Orchelium vulgare (Common Meadow Katydid) on 9-10-23

There weren’t very many butterflies, grasshoppers, or other insects flying around because there wasn’t much food for them. On another Missouri Ironweed with a few flowers was this Orchelium vulgare (Common Meadow Katydid). They are quite common on leaves, but this one seems interested in a dried flower… Hmmm…

Agapostemon virescens (Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee) on 9-10-23

I spotted this small green bee on the same plant as the katydid. I’ve seen these before but I could never get a good shot. It could be an Agapostemon virescens (Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee). I decided to leave it alone and head toward the pond.

Back pond #1 on 9-10-23.

The first pond in the back of the farm isn’t much of a pond even when it has water but there is always a lot going on around it. It always amazes me how many species of plants grow in this pond and around it. It’s like an oasis.

Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard Grass) on 9-10-23.

Nearly half the pond is covered with this grass that could be Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard Grass). It is considered to be one of the world’s worst weeds It reduces crop yields and causes forage crops to fail by removing up to 80% of the available nitrogen in the soil. Plus it acts as a host for several mosaic virus diseases. Individual plants can produce up to 40,000 seeds per year. Hopefully, it is a species of harmless grass that isn’t an introduced invasive species. I am not really good with identifying grass species except for what is more common.

Bidens aristosa (Bearded Beggarticks/Tickseed Sunflower) on 9-10-23.

On the bank on the south side of the pond was a nice-sized colony of Bidens aristosa (Bearded Beggarticks/Tickseed Sunflower).

Persicaria pensylvanica (Pinkweed) on 9-10-23

Persicaria pensylvanica (Pinkweed) is a common sight around ponds, ditches, fairly shady areas, damp places, and around the house. This species doesn’t seem to get carried away. There is usually a colony next to a gate by the barn but I didn’t notice them.

Persicaria hydropiper (Wild Water Pepper) on 9-10-23.

The other half of the pond is full of Persicaria hydropiper (Wild Water Pepper). This species of Persicaria can get carried away if it so desires. Damp areas are certainly its preference. I have no issues with any Persicaria species since I think they are near plants. They are like a faithful friend that always comes up. There are still 7 species here on the farm…

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (Calico Aster) on 9-10-23.

I walked to the drainage ditch behind the pond to check on the Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (Calico Aster). At least they didn’t dry up, but waiting for them to flower is like waiting for Christmas on New Year’s Day.

Not sure why I took a photo of one of the two old tires in the wooded area behind pond #2. It was likely thrown back here by my grandpa so it has been here a very long time. Hmmm… There is even life growing on and in it…

Elephantopus carolinus (Leafy Elephant’s Foot) on 9-10-23.

I walked out of the area behind the pond toward the persimmon tree to check on the Elephantopus carolianus (Leafy Elephant’s Foot). They have already flowered and gone to seed. You can tell how dry it is by the way the leaves are shriveled…

Croton capitatus (Wooly Croton) on 9-10-23.

I didn’t go farther down to the southeast pasture on the 10th but maybe I can do that later. There are usually a lot of Black-Eyed Susan in the area still in flower, but not this summer. I walked north from the persimmon tree and stumbled upon several Croton capitatus (Hogwort, Wooly Croton, ETC.) that are blooming now.

Croton capitatus (Wool Croton) on 9-10-23.

I always like their felt-like leaves and small yellow flowers. There are likely several of these farther down in the south part of the pasture.

Back pond #2 on 9-10-23.

Hmmm… That’s all I can say about this pond…

Bidens aristosa (Bearded Beggarticks/Tickseed Sunflower) and Eupatorium serotinum (Late Boneset/Tall Thoroughwort) on 9-10-23.

On the bank of the back pond #2 is quite a large colony of Bidens aristosa and Eupatorium serotinum.

Bidens aristosa (Bearded Beggarticks/Tickseed Sunflower) and Eupatorium serotinum (Late Boneset/Tall Thoroughwort) on 9-10-23.

They must have deep roots to look so well…

Chauliognathus pensylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle) on 9-10-23.

There were A LOT of Chauliognathus pensylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle) working on the Bidens aristosa. I would normally call this critter Chauliognanthus marginatus (Margined Leatherwing Beetle), but the last time I posted an observation on iNaturalist it was suggested it was C. pensylvanicus. I went ahead and posted the observation of this bug as C. marginatus. An iN member disagreed and said it was C. pensylvanicus because it had black legs… I checked a past observation and they didn’t have black legs. So, there are two species here that look alike with different legs…

Ambrosia bidentata (Lanceleaf Ragweed) on 9-10-23.

Hmmm… I have seen  Ambrosia bidentata (Lanceleaf Ragweed) before, but I just never bothered to give them a proper ID. There were always more interesting species to identify than another Ragweed… Ummm… I was going to say something silly about the species name and President Joe Biden, but I decided I better not get into politics. After all, this is a Ragweed… OUCH! I will take more photos and get a page made for this species.

This area is normally filled with mostly Ironweed. One of the spots where the Monarch Butterflies feed. What Ironweed are here this year are pretty much all dried up…

Tridens flavus (Purpletop Tridens) on 9-10-23.

Walking up into the main hayfield, there is a purple glow from the Tridens flavus. It has several common names including Purpletop, Purple Top, Redtop, Redtop Tridens, Grease Grass, or other similar names. It is a native grass that has been here as long as I can remember and it can grow quite tall in favorable conditions. During the heat of the summer, it was completely unnoticeable, but once temps started cooling off and we received a little rain it started greening up and will soon go to seed. The seeds are somewhat greasy which is where it gets one of its common names. Dad always called it Redtop, but many websites prefer Purpletop.

Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern Gamagrass) on 9-10-23.

The grass I am keeping an eye on is the Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern Gamagrass).   I first identified this grass from a small colony I found on a backroad south of town last year. I did some research about it and thought it would be great to have it here. Well, on 6-8-23, I discovered three clumps in the main hayfield. They were blooming at the time and were easily identified. Each time I walked into the hayfield, no matter how hot and dry, this grass was still green and growing. The grass itself gets fairly tall, and the seed heads are taller than me. It is now blooming a second time. I didn’t get seed the first time, so I am keeping an eye on it so I can collect seed and scatter it around. Maybe I will sow some in the area north of the chicken house… This native grass was once very common in prairies throughout the Midwest, but grazing, farming, and planting other grasses took its toll. There are a few companies that specialize in native grass seed and one offers seed at $28.00 per ounce!

Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese Bushclover) on 9-10-23.

There are quite a few Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese Bush Clover) scattered throughout the hayfield now. They are doing great without rain…

Erigeron annuus (Annual Fleabane) on 9-10-23.

It is really weird not seeing the Erigeron annuus (Annual Fleabane) not covering the entire hayfield. They covered the hayfield earlier before the drought set in. Now there are very few with flowers that aren’t dried up…

Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan) on 9-10-23.

Another species that is usually quite prolific is Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan). Normally, they are everywhere but now they are in a terrible state. Before the drought, there were enormous colonies plus many scattered smaller colonies… I will head to the south hayfield and southeast pasture to see the fate of the Black-Eyed Susan soon.

Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) and Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern Gamagrass) on 9-10-23.

Well, now isn’t that a sight to behold! Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern Gamagrass) in the middle of one of the largest colonies of Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed). I somehow missed this Eastern Gamagrass earlier… Maybe it grew more since I last visited this milkweed colony…

As I left the main hayfield, which is on a hill, I entered a low area between the hayfield and the pond behind the barn. For some odd reason, the temperature drops dramatically, even on a 100° F day. I can’t explain it, but it is cool all the way from the north boundary fence, along the drainage area behind the pond, all the way to the boundary fence along the south side of the pond.

Datura stramonium (Jimson Weed) on 9-10-23.

Along the pond bank, south side, are several Datura stramonium (Jimson Weed). They get quite tall and have this weird odor to their leaves. Of course, as you may know, this is NOT a good plant. Common names include Loco Weed, Devil’s Snare, Stinkweed, Devil’s Trumpet, Hell’s Bells… You get the picture.

Datura stramonium (Jimson Weed) on 9-10-23.

You have to admit, though, they do have beautiful flowers…

Phytolacca americana (American Pokeweed) on 9-10-23.

Well, I can’t leave the area without taking another photo of the Phytolacca americana (American Pokeweed). I like Pokeweed for some odd reason and pretty much allow them to grow wherever they want. There are a few exceptions like in the garden in the rows. Along the fence is fine…

The main pond behind the barn on 9-10-23.

Hmmm… I remember when grandpa had this pond dug when I was a kid. It was so big! Over years of the cows walking on a certain spot on the south side, they created a ditch. When we would get downpours in the spring, the spot would erode until the ditch was much lower than the overflow pipe. Now, even with plenty of rain, it only gets maybe 3-4 feet deep. Right now, I think I could walk right out in the middle.

Part of the cool zone behind the pond…

The above photo is part of the cool zone behind the pond. The pond bank is on the left with a patch of Datura stramonium on the right. At the top of the photo, in the center, you can see the hayfield. Earlier in the summer, there were a lot of weeds here which I mowed. For some odd reason the weeds didn’t grow back and the grass grew. Hmmm… It could be Tall Fescue, but there are no stems. I did see one stem that looked like that Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard Grass) in the pond at the back of the farm. HMMMM…. I have no idea why the grass is lying down like that. It looks like a flood came through, but of course, that is impossible… One of those unexplained mysteries for now. Well, it was so hot over the summer and I was busy with the garden.

Erechtites hieraciifolius (Fireweed/Pilewort) on 9-10-23.

From there I walked along the drainage area south of the pond. I first identified Erechtites hieraciifolius (Fireweed/Pilewort) here a few years ago from a few plants growing along the entrance to the south hayfield. Now, there are several very robust plants growing along the ditch toward the small pond in the front pasture. They are pretty neat plants that know how to take advantage of a good thing…

Erechtites hieraciifolius (Fireweed/Pilewort) on 9-10-23.

They have really odd flowers that peek out through the top of the… Ummm… I haven’t got a good word to explain the flower heads. It is kind of tube-shaped. The flowers are so small I likely can’t get a good photo. If you want to get a better idea, you can click HERE to read about this species on the Missouri Plants website.

Then I spotted a plant next to one of the Fireweeds I hadn’t seen before. The flowers were kind of “nightshady”…

Solanum sarrachoides (Hairy Nightshade) on 9-10-23.

I took a few photos and used the drag-and-drop feature on iNaturalist and the only suggestion was Solanum sarrachoides also known as Hairy Nightshade. Well, I was right in my guess. I could tell from the flowers it was a nightshade but I had not encountered this particular species before. The only other nightshade I have seen here was the Solanum americanum (Black Nightshade) back in 2018. I remember it well. When I found it in 2018 it was a huge plant already. Some of the photos weren’t that good, so I went back the next day to take more. The entire plant was completely gone without a trace! WHAT THE HECK! Another mystery. The next one I found was in a flower bed at the end of the drive-up area at the bank. Whoever maintains the beds must have not known what it was, because they left it there all summer. It was growing among the yellow Missouri Primrose. 🙂 I made a comment to a teller about the deadly Black Nightshade in their flower bed. She laughed and said she wasn’t surprised. 

Solanum sarrachoides (Hairy Nightshade) on 9-10-23.

If you see flowers like that, you may have run across a species of Nightshade… I have to take more photos so I can make a page for this species.

I walked on down to where the Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster) usually grows next to the front pond. Sadly, there is no sign of it. GEEZ!!!

I crossed the ditch to check on the Frostweed that decided to come up next to the walnut trees this spring. Well, it was still there but not in photo-worthy condition. So, I walked back toward the ditch toward the fence…

Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed) on 9-10-23.

I don’t really have to worry about the Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed). I think they would survive anything… When I first came back in 2013, they had taken over the swampy area in the southeast corner of the farm.  Well, that changed and they were removed from their throne. Then, a few years ago, they had gotten a hold along the fence in the south hayfield. Well, somehow, that changed as well, and last year there weren’t that many. So, I suppose although they can become quite invasive, they have their limits. They have been in this spot for several years now because nothing else wants to grow here.

Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed) on 9-10-23.

You must admit, they do have neat flowers the way they dangle…

Verbesina virginica (Frostweed/White Crownbeard) on 9-10-23.

I crossed the ditch to find the Verbesina virginica (Frostweed/White Crownbeard) kind of lying down on the job. They do that if there isn’t enough moisture to keep them standing up. They are one of my favorite wildflowers, as I have repeatedly said, with their winged stems.

Cauliognathus pensylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle) on 9-10-23.

The Cauliognathus pensylvanicus (Goldenrod Soldier Beetle) has gone wild over the flowers of the Frostweed. Well, the males have a different agenda.

There wasn’t much to see along the fence like there usually is, so I walked on back toward the barn. I have two other species to check on…

Sida spinosa (Prickly Fanpetals) on 9-10-23

There are a few Sida spinosa (Prickly Fanpetals) in the pasture just south of the barn but not like last year. To be honest, there are A LOT of them in the garden this year. I’m not too familiar with this species since I first identified them last year. There are A LOT of these in the garden this year I just realized what they are. I had been watching them for a month or so to see what their flowers looked like.

Sida spinosa (Prickly Fanpetals) on 9-10-23.

Unfortunately, you have to get photos of their flowers early in the day or they close up… I did get photos of their flowers last year and if you click HERE you can see where the name “Fanpetals” comes from. They are neat for sure.

Opuntia sp. on 9-10-23.

Before I end this post, I wanted to show you my new Opuntia sp. (Prickly Pear). A friend of mine (and the minister where I go to church) went to an auction to bid on a cart used by the M-K-T railroad. I went to help him load it and spotted a very large pot with a VERY LARGE thornless Prickly Pear. I rescued a large Prickly Pear when I lived in Mississippi, but the thorns were ridiculous. I had wanted one without thorns for many years, so it was my chance to bring a few cuttings home. The lady who had the auction was moving, so I asked if I could have a cutting. She said I could have all I wanted and brought me a box and trowel… I went over to where they were and there were several that had grown into the dirt next to the pot, so I dug up a few, roots and all. Now, I have to figure out where I am going to put them…

Well, that’s all for now. I can’t believe it took me 11 days to finish this post! I was busy, then one thing led to another, or I couldn’t find anything to post about… Lately, I have been watching TV more than working on the blog… 

Until next time, be safe, stay positive, and always be thankful!

 

Short Wildflower Walk on 4-10-22…

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) behind the barn on 4-10-22..

Hello everyone! We had a thunderstorm move in a little after 1 AM on Tuesday night. With all the wind, rain, thunder, and lightning we still received less than 1/2″ of rain. The Weather Channel said the rain was supposed to stop at 1, so I waited until then to feed Kevin’s cows. It all but stopped when I left but started again at 1:30. Then at 1:45, I noticed a few tiny snowflakes that didn’t last long. I arrived at the other farm, where he lives, at about 2:15 with no rain or anything. Then, when I pulled up to the feed troughs, it started sleeting like mad! It lasted until I was finished then suddenly stopped. By the time I was back at the gate, the sun started shining. That was weird! The wind that had been blowing for DAYS calmed down.

This post is continued from the previous one where I had been looking for plants in the shade bed on Sunday, April 10. When I was finished, I started my walk to the back of the pasture. Actually, finding the morels among the Hosta triggered the desire to take the walk. Of course, I took my camera so I could call it a wildflower walk rather than a mushroom hunt. Just in case I didn’t find any. 🙂

Anyway, without further blabbing…

I walked around the barn and had to get a photo of a good-sized colony of Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle) (top photo). It seems like this spot changes from year to year as far as what species is growing here. Just so happens, that it is the Dead Nettle’s turn. I am sure you have seen fields that have turned purple in the spring. It is either Lamium purpureum, Lamium amplexicaule (Henbit), or a combination of the two. They like each other and normally where you have one, there are a few of the other. Dead Nettle normally grows taller and the Henbit just seems to fill in the gaps. Of course, chickweed is usually there as well. I have been tempted to walk out into a field just to check.

Barbarea vulgaris (Yellow Rocket/Bitter Wintercress).

Not far from the Lamium purpureum were a few Barbara vulgaris. One was just itching for me to take a photo. There are a few in the south hayfield whose flowers are already open. There are 10,473 Barbarea vulgaris on the farm (just guessing) all in a rush to produce seed. In the spring, the yellow flowers you see first out in the countryside are likely this species.

I ventured on to an area in front of the pond in the back pasture. Ummm, along a ditch that drains into the pond. I rarely go into this spot during the summer because of low branches and a few annoying Multiflora Roses and/or blackberry briars. I never really paid much attention to which. Closer to the pond is much easier access. Anyway, I went right in because it always seemed to be a good spot for “you know what” to be growing. I always look for activity from deer or wild turkeys because they like them, too. There was a lot of evidence of recent activity, so I started looking through the leaves. I found four…

Physcomitrium pyriforme (Common Bladder Moss) on 4-10-22, #866-22.

Closer to the pond were several clumps of Physcomitrium pyriforme (Common Bladder Moss). Moss has always intrigued me and if I lived in the woods I would have it everywhere. There are several clumps in the north flower bed and along the north side of the garage. I submitted this photo to iNaturalist and the suggested species was Physcomitrium pyriforme (Commo Bladder Moss) and a couple of others. Other members had posted VERY detailed close-ups, so the next day I was in another area and I took a few close-up shots. I agree it is the Common Bladder Moss.

The plants growing among this clump of moss is a Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).

Solidago sp.

There is a HUGE colony of Solidago in this area and LOTS of it growing along the edge of the south hayfield, and several other areas. I like it, but it is kind of frustrating I haven’t figured out the species. S. altissima and S. gigantea are the two species I think they are. One or the other or both. They have similar symptoms (I mean, characteristics).

I crossed the fence behind the pond and walked along the creek for a while. The woods back there are becoming a briar jungle, just wasted space where an abundance of native plants could be growing that like dappled shade or open woods. When I was a kid, I used to hunt “you know what’ with my grandpa in this area. I haven’t found hardly any since and most years I find none. I think it was 2013 when I found this HUGE False Morel but I haven’t seen any of those since either. I need a photo!

Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple).

I ran across one of several colonies of Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple) that apparently hadn’t been up long. I had never seen any this small, which is kind of odd. Another thing I have heard is that when the Mapapples start to bloom then you will find “you know what.” Well, they are a long way from blooming…

Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple).

A little farther down was another colony that had leaved out more but they look a little off. Like that had been “F” bit. You know what I mean. 🙂 The word I don’t use in the fall applies in the spring as well.

So, I walked back toward the house to take a few wildflower photos.

Lamium purpureum (Dead Nettle).

The white-flowered Lamium purpureum first showed up in the spring of 2020 in the area northeast of the chicken house. There were only a few the first year but they have multiplied quite a bit. I am not sure how common Dead Nettle with white flowers are, but this is the only spot I have ever seen them. It is quite a treat but rather odd. How about you? Have you ran across any with white flowers? Information online says they can be pale pink, lavender, pinkish-purple, or white…

Ranunculus abortivus (Small-Flowered Buttercup) on 4-10-22, #866-25.

I stumbled on this Ranunculus abortivus (Small-Flowered Buttercup) along the fence in the same area as the white-flowered Dead Nettle a few days ago. Well, heck, it is a few days ago when I took the photo. Anyway, it was last week when I first saw it. I needed to get better flower close-ups for this species so I thought I would give it a shot.

Ranunculus abortivus (Small-Flowered Buttercup) on 4-10-22, #866-27.

This one is pretty good despite it bobbing around in the wind. I could pass for a living manikin waiting for the wind to stop for a few seconds, kind of like a dog on point… I had to keep pressing the trigger to keep it in focus. There are several of this species on the farm, and I even found one in the backyard when I was mowing today (April 14). Of course, I mowed around it. Well, it takes a lot of effort to grow like that.

Identifying Ranunculus species drives me a little crazy. There are two species, I think, that look like this but I am pretty sure I have it correct because of their flowering time. This one is pretty easy. The others… Well, there are three more here that I am maybe 60-75% sure of. If there were more than 3-4, I would check myself in.

Viola rafinesquei (American Field Pansy).

The Viola rafinesquei (American Field Pansy) has the best-looking flowers of the four species of Viola I have identified. The above photo was taken on April 4 at the entrance of the south hayfield but I didn’t get good photos of the leaves and stems. There is a good-sized colony north of the chicken house, so I stopped there to get more photos. This spring I have noticed more of this species than ever before, almost as many as Viola sororia (Common Blue Violet).

Viola rafinesquei (American Field Pansy).

These don’t have the typical “Violet-looking” leaves as the others I have identified.

If you think the flower looks similar to a Johnny-Jump-Up, you would be correct. Johnny-Jump-Up is the common name for Viola bicolor Pursh which was named by Frederick Traugott Pursh in 1813. That name became a synonym of Viola rafinesquei which was named by ‘ol what’s his name… Umm… Edward Lee Greene in 1899. It’s kind of a confusing story, but there was another Viola bicolor named by a guy named Hoffman that became a synonym of Linnaeus’s Viola tricolor. I think Hoffman was confused and could have been looking at Viola tricolor with bicolor flowers. Well, sometimes V. tricolor produces bicolor flowers. GEEZ! Anyway, somehow, even though Pursh’s V. bicolor was named before Hoffman’s V. rafinesquei, the latter name is listed as accepted by Kew Science. I suppose common names of the synonyms get transferred to the accepted species as “other” common names. There are still quite a few websites and databases that use the name Viola bicolor which is perfectly fine. They don’t have to agree. Possibly, both species were accepted for over 100 years before botanists or testing decided they were the same species.

The Missouri Plants website lists 12 species of Viola in Missouri.

OK, I am finished with this post now.

Until next time… Be safe, stay positive, and always be thankful. I think it is about time to GET DIRTY!

Wildflower Walk Part 3

Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey Locust) seed pods dangling in a tree.

Hello everyone! I hope this post finds you all doing well! The weather has dramatically changed here and not for the better. An “F” is in the forecast and even “S”! “S” in October?!?!?! I have never seen that happen before and hope I never do. I moved the plants inside last week and now I have to figure out what to do with all of them. They all have a place so now I have to get them there.

This is the last wildflower walk post. That’s a good thing because in a few days I will probably not be able to take any more wildflower photos until next spring.

The above photo is of the neighbors Honey Locust (by the northeast corner of the north hay field). There are a lot of pods on the ground and in the tree.

I found a couple of very long pods in the south hayfield but I couldn’t see the tree they came from (maybe from a tree along the trail). These trees grow pretty tall, so on a windy day, their pods can travel fairly far. I have heard a lot of talk from farmers about how they battle the Honey and Black Locust trees and their seedlings. I think there are only two or three Honey Locust here on the farm but I have never seen any seed pods on them. They are very old and tall trees with LOTS of HUGE thorns.

Well, I better get to the wildflowers, huh?

<<<<21>>>>

Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)

The Japanese Honeysuckle still has a few flowers but nothing like earlier. This is definitely not a species to plant in your garden as they are quite invasive! Thankfully they are only present in the fence rows and along the boundary between the farm and the trail. I did see one coming up next to a tree in front of the chicken house, but I pulled it up as soon as I saw it. It is a good thing the Japanese Honeysuckle doesn’t produce many seeds. I thought I saw some in one spot but then I realized it was wrapped around its cousin with the seeds. The above photo is a little deceptive, I suppose, which I didn’t notice when I took the photo. The large leaves are NOT from the honeysuckle. They are possibly from a blackberry.

<<<<22>>>>

Lonicera maackii (Bush Honeysuckle)

Strange, but I just noticed the Lonicera maackii (Bush Honeysuckle) when I was taking these photos. I had no idea what it was but I had to ID what was growing these berries… As it turns out, they are another invasive Honeysuckle. This one doesn’t vine like its Japanese cousin but it is invasive nonetheless. I saw this one close to the southeast corner of the south hayfield and there are a few more growing farther down the side. There were, of course, Japanese Honeysuckle wrapped around its branches trying to confuse me. The Bush Honeysuckle produce flowers similar to the Japanese so that is why I didn’t notice they were a different species during the summer

<<<<Doesn’t count as a wildflower>>>>

Maclura pomifera (Osage Orange)

The Osage Orange have been really prolific this year and the fruit is HUGE. I guess you can call them fruit… Around here, we call them Hedge Trees for some reason. At least that is what was brought up calling them. Most of the old fences with old fence posts are from these trees. They never rot and are very, very hard. I still have a lot of hedge posts that have been in the ground at least since the 1960’s when grandpa built the original fences. They are STILL very solid in the ground because I think grandpa put concrete around them. The old posts have a lot of cracks in them which is where I drive in the fence staples. If it weren’t for the cracks I would never get a staple in the post.

 

I was on a forum a while back and someone posted a photo of an Osage Orange and asked if it was a walnut… Oh, I think I posted about that before. Well, I guess if you have never been around them you wouldn’t know what they are.

<<<<23>>>>

Monarda fistulosa (Bee Balm, Bergamot, Etc.)

Even though the Monarda fistulosa haven’t been flowering for a while, their old heads are still very interesting.

<<<<24>>>>

Persicaria hydropiperoides (Wild Water Pepper, Swamp Smartweed)

There are several species of Persicaria growing on the farm and it took several trips to get them properly identified. The Persicaria hydropiperoides is very similar to Persicaria punctata (Dotted Knotweed). The main difference I saw was at the joins on the stems. All Persicaria, and many other plants, have a sheath (ocrea or ochrea) that forms around the joints where a stipule also grows. A stipule is like a stem part of a leaf. Anyway, the ocrea on Persicaria species all have hairs growing from the top. The joints on Persicaria hydropiperoides are reddish brown. That coloration is farther above the joint on Persicaria punctata instead of at the joint. There may be other features that separate the two and there may be indeed Persicaria punctata growing somewhere on the farm. All the white-flowered Persicaria I checked, though, have the same features.

Persicaria really like damp areas but are also drought tolerant. The biggest colony of Persicaria (three species) is behind the chicken house under a couple of Chinese Elms. The biggest colony of Persicaria hydropiperoides is next to the pond in the back pasture. Wildflowersearch.org lists 11 species that grow in our area. I have identifies three here. Typically, most people call any of them Smartweed.

<<<<25>>>>

Persicaria maculosa (Lady’s Thumb)

The Persicaria maculosa is by far the most colorful of the Persicaria crew. They not only grow in the pasture, but also in the flower bed on the north side of the house. You would be surprised how many people comment on them before the other plabnts in the bed. A friend came by a few days ago, and even though the Heliotrope had a nice, big beautiful purple flower, he commented on the Smartweed! Well, truthfully, the only reason they are still in the bed is because I have taken a liking to them as well.

 

One of the common names for the Persicaria maculosa is Lady’s Thumb. Not all them have this coloration on their leaves, but many other Persicaria species also have this pattern. I had previously identified this plant as Polygonum persicaria which is now a synonym of Persicaria maculosa.

Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 100 accepted species of Persicaria from nearly EVERY country in the world.

<<<<26>>>>

Persicaria pensylvanica (Pinkweed)

There aren’t as many of the Pinkweed as the other two species in this post. They have pale pink flowers and their flowers are clustered close together as with the P. maculosa. The flowers of the Pinkweed are larger than the other Persicaria species.

There is actually a fourth species but I didn’t take any photos of it this year… It is the Persicaria virginiana (Virginia Knotweed or Jumpseed). I don’t know if you remember, but I posted about the one growing under the steps to the back porch last year. There is more than one now and I also noticed them in a few other places.

I also took photos of a Persicaria species at the park in 2013 which I identified as Persicaria attenuata. That is possibly not correct and that species is not on any wildflower plant ID websites for Missouri. Ummm… Plants of the World Online doesn’t even have it listed although version 1.1 of The Plant List says it is an accepted name. The Wikipedia also has a page for the species and says it is native to Asia and Australia… It has been five years so I don’t remember how I ID’d it as Persicaria attenuata.

<<<<27>>>>

Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)

This is, of course, rose hips from a Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose). Let me see, now… How many Multiflora Rose bushes are growing on the farm? I really don’t know and probably don’t want to know anyway. I have cut down several, pulled out a few with the tractor, mowed over them with the rotary mower, and yes, even sprayed with Roundup or something similar. No matter what, they always come back. Now, I will admit, they only are a pain in the neck where the electric fences are growing and only then when I need to replace the wire or clean out the fence row. The worse is when I need to remove the old wire and posts to mow and a post is smack in the middle of a bush. As far as I am concerned the Multiflora Rose is here to stay because it wins pretty much every argument and fight we have had.

Rose hips are very valuable and have many uses. I read where you can even eat them like a berry but the seeds have hairs inside that you need to watch out for. (I will take their word for it.) For sure, Multiflora Roses make a great hiding place for rabbits and quail. But then again, I haven’t seen any quail on the farm for many years and I don’t remember seeing any rabbits this entire summer.

<<<<28>>>>

Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan)

There are only a few colonies of Rudbeckia hirta left blooming on the farm. That is, I am 95% they are Rudbeckia hirta. I have several of them growing in flower beds, besides the domesticated cultivars, but they fizzled out quite a while back. So, that makes me wonder a little.

<<<<29>>>>

Solanum americanum (Black Nightshade)

Yep… This is the Black Nightshade. The name itself reminds me of the grim reaper. I saw several of these growing in the pasture behind the chicken house and really hadn’t noticed them before. So, since the flowers were very small and interesting, I just had to take a lot of photos to make sure I had a few good ones for ID. Then I found out they were Solanum americanum, the Black Nightshade. I went out a few days after that and they were completely gone… I guess the cows must have found them tasty. These plants are very poison and have many bad chemical compounds and are even poison to livestock. It is just weird how these plants disappeared… The species is very variable and has been confused with other species in some areas. The three websites I use the most all agreed from the several photos I took that this plant is indeed the Black Nightshade, Solanum americanum…

<<<<30>>>>

Solidago sp. (Goldenrod)

Of course, this is a Solidago species, but which one. While there are several species of Solidago that can easily be ruled out, there are many that look so much alike. Even botanists and horticulturalists have trouble telling some of the species apart. According to the Missouri Conservation Department Field Guide, there are at least 20 species of Solidago in Missouri but their website doesn’t have separate listings. The wildflowersearch.org website does list all 20 but that website doesn’t show distinguishing features. There are links to other websites so maybe a few of them can further help to identify the species… The photo of the above plant was as tall as I am and all the flowers on the plants in this group had already turned brown or getting there.

 

There were shorter plants growing in a few other areas but that is because they had been mowed when the hay was baled. Wildflowersearch.org is a good site because it tells you how likely various species are to grow in a given area… I stopped looking after five candidates said they were 100% likely to grow here…

 

Solidago species have very complex flowers. I took several close-ups but this one was the only one that wasn’t blurry.

In a future post, I have two daisy-flowered species I want to show you. At first, I thought they were the same species but were different because some of them had been mowed off earlier. BUT, that was not the case. Two different genera and possibly more than three species…

I am still amazed at how many different species of wildflowers are present on this 38 acres. I took a few photos of plants that weren’t flowering to keep an eye on next spring and summer. I saw quite a few just walking across the south hayfield. Just think how many wildflowers are now growing along the trail in all the trees that have grown up… A few years ago I walked around in one area looking for morels and saw quite a few interesting plants including some ferns.

OK. I better stop writing so I can publish this post. Until next time… Take care, stay warm (or cool depending on where you are), stay positive, and be safe! As always… GET DIRTY!