Queen Anne's Lace (QAL) Part 1

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all pics, previous years ... The QAL should be about for another month or three, in assorted stages, but they are just now taking on the quaility of " a lot." And there will be a lot more.

Queen Anne’s Lace

Daucus carota

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Daucus
Species: D. carota

Daucus carota: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_carrot

Or
Wild Carrot, or Bird’s nest weed, or (my name) Chalice of Stars:

Watching a QAL in various stages of unfold is its own special treat. It starts as small unfolding wad, with just a hint of purple as the bundle unfolds. As the flower head matures it flattens, then swells, moving from the shape of small pancake, to a pin-cushion.


Then there are the blooms themselves. Like wheels within wheels. You might notice the small bloom-cluster moving away from the pack. It mirrors the overall shape of the larger flower-head.

Even weirder, after getting all big an flowery, the flower pad folds back in, going back into something of its pre-boom shape where it becomes a virtual seed nursery. (Addendum coming)


For More information on QAL's and its relationship to other members of the carrot family see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apiaceae