Horse-nettle: Devil's tomato

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Horse Nettle Berries: Late August

Note: the berries do not really grow into the sky. I lifted a ground-bound brier there so that you might better see the fruit.












Horse Nettle Blooms: Late June

(Too bad I didn't name this plant, I would have called it Umbrella bloom.)


Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species: S. carolinense
binomial name:
Solanum carolinense

Carolina horsenettle (Solanum carolinense), also known as Bull nettle, Carolina horse nettle, Horse nettle, Apple of Sodom, Radical Weed, Sand Brier and, Tread-softly, is not a true nettle, but a member of the Solanaceae, or nightshade family. It is known for producing painful spines along the stems that penetrate the skin and break off. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant native to southeastern United States that has spread widely throughout North America.

Carolina horsenettle is considered a noxious weed in several US states. It can spread vegetatively by underground rhizomes as well as by seed. It is resistant to many herbicides; in fact, herbicide use often selects for horsenettle by removing competing weeds. It is an especially despised weed by gardeners who hand weed as the spines tend to penetrate the skin and then break off when the plant is grasped. The deep root also makes it difficult to remove.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_horsenettle

For more on this plant's limited use, or it's real dangers see: ToxicTomatoes

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