Honey suckle

Recycle from 2008 (As of May 3, the patches are not as thick as the big-patch pictures, but are quickly headed that direction.)

It was with no small disappointment that I learned a few years back that the Honeysuckle is not regarded by many naturalists as a wonderful thing. At least not as it makes its home in more and more American woodlands.

As a kid I earned how to pull the pistil of the Honeysuckle out the back and trough the tube of the flower -- then touch a drop of watery nectar to my tongue. Wallah.. hidden honey.

Now I've learned that this plant (sometimes called Japanese Honeysuckle or by the Latin name "Lonicera japonica" is of Asian origin and has few natural predators. If left unchecked, it can choke out native species.

For more info:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/resources/mgtplans/invasives.htm

http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/loja1.htm






Yellow Honeysuckle (Lonicera flava) (native varitey)

Snapshot Week 34, August 23-29: Jackpot

Honey Suckle rebirth. (Not with the volume of April, but the the Honey Suckle (Lonicera japonica) are responding to temperate weather with a second season crop.

Horse Nettle in large numbers near Lake Conway overflow.

Appears to be Eupatorium serotinum (ID co Missouri Plants)

Iron Weed.

Pinkweed (or close relative)

Looks like a Houstonia, but its not.

Diodia virginiana

Meadow Beauty, Beautiful!

Passionflowers still going strong.

Gaura biennis

Trumpet Vine

It's a Legume, not sure which.

(Mini cucumber: Melothria pendula)

Ragwort

I don't know if it's because I'm putting together a show for our local public library (Faulkner Co./ Conway AR, September 24 at 7PM... or because the weather has been so strangley temperet and wet (for August) that things are growing everywhere... BUT, the level of blooming things right now would seem to rival the most vigorous part of Spring. It may take a day or two to post everything, but everything here was shot in one of three locations with a single hour. (I shot more stuff on Saturday but will hold it for next week's Snapshot)