Wildflowers
The Sensitive “Weed”
Dozens of pinkish purple starbursts dot the lawn behind the community clubhouse. To many these are weeds to be mowed when the contractor cares for the community’s common grounds. But if you stop to smell the flowers and examine the plant closely, you will discover a remarkable wildflower with a fascinating natural history. It is […]
Gold Buttons in November
The phone rings and I answer it. It is my daughter from Maryland telling me it is freezing and that there are winter weather advisories for her area. She tells me they may be getting a bit of snow followed by ice and then rain threatening to make her morning compute to the D.C. area […]
The Life Around Water Lilies
Water lilies are in ponds around the world. There are many different species, but they all perform the same functions. Fish will often hide under the canopy of the lily when sensing osprey and other raptors seeking fish to eat. Turtles and frogs find shelter and food among the lily pads. Alligators float in the midst of the lily pads to blend in with the […]
In Defense of Solidago!
As I walk along the edge of the woodlands in my Florida community on this autumn day, my attention is focused on two plants growing side by side. Both are in full bloom, one with golden-yellow flowers and one with plain greenish blossoms. One is responsible for causing miserable symptoms of hay fever; the other […]
Medicine in Our Back Yard
We are fortunate to live in a community where the developer had an environmental conscience and designed the place in such a way that the lakeshore remained undeveloped and that some of the woodlands were left intact. While walking along the edge of these woodlands, Anne and I saw an unusual looking flower that, to […]
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