False Dandelion (or Cats-ear)

False Dandelion

Hypochaeris radicata

http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5237012

I had assumed that this plant was a close relative of the common yard dandelion. (Infact, I have always called them "mega-dandies", however, If I'm right on the ID, these are considered a more distant cousin and a member of a different genus. Unlike our dainty lawn dandies, these things range from 1 to 2 feet high. And where common yard dandies showcase one flower head per stem, False dandies may support several yellow heads on a branching stem. Like regular dandelions, False dandies rise out of of base pad (rosette) but rather than one or a few, False-Dandies launch whole stem thickets. In keeping, the stems are tough and fiberous (not hollow), and -- as anchored, most difficult to pull from the ground. Some False-dandies rise elegant, and can -- as a cluster, resemble the shape of a coke glass or vase. Others, like the one featured on top, look more like a Medusa head.

Like common dandelions, False Dandies follow a pattern which at first surprised me. The yellow flower head (comprised of many smaller florets) folds in on itself before reopening into the seed ball head. The second-to-last picture features a plant with yellow flower-head folded in waiting to unfold again as the seed ball.

Final note: the seed balls of False Dandies are frumpy, not nearly as elegant as real dandelions.

Snapshot Week 19: 5/10-5/16 - 40 days shy

Busted. Almost three weeks of steady rain, with a strom or two thrown in for good measure.


Pecan tree heavy with floral catkins. Peacnas are one of last major trees to go to leaf.

Green day with moss, Sweetgum tree

Swamp dwelling Spider Lilies flourished at the begining of the week, went bad by the end.

"Jetson" weeds, among the crimson clover seed heads.

The up and coming weed extravaganza.

Southern mags, the big guys are out in full force.

After almost three weeks of steady rain, Arkansas is one big wet green Miso-soup soppy mess. It would appear, however, that the weeds and grasses really like it. (Wonder what it ever feels to be a germ living on green mold... go outside.)



Given the weather my observatory skills may be diminished, but here is a quick count:

1. Wild Pink carnation roses, starting to take to the highway hedge rows
2. Still lots of honeysuckle.
3. Queen Anne's lace in bell curve growth spurt
4. Poisson Hemlock (or that which looks like QAL but is not, rising in the shadows.
5. Grass, Grass, weeds, and all kinds of things that I have yet to find names for.
6. Spider lilies now expired.
7. Catalpa trees in floral heat.
8. 
   
   
   
   

Jumbo White Clover (unknown name)

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All pics 5/15/09 and 5/15/04 ... just goes to show you the earth clock keeps pretty good time.

If you can't tell from the pictures, these clover are about three to five times the size of the traditional white "lawn" clover. And unlike the lawn variety, they don't taste very good -- Far to brittle and stickery. (Not like I tried it or anything.) On the other hand, they furnish a great way to see what a clover really is... a collection of Pea-flower blooms in the round.

As is, all of these clover were on a sloping highway cutaway, and may have been placed there to protect from soil erosion. I have yet to find the name of this plant, so if anyone can help, jump in.

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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

Snapshot Week 18: 5/3-5/19: It's a jungle out there

Rain, Rain, Sun, Rain

RAIN

Mount Holly Cemetery Roses

Privet Hedge Sludge...

Cat's Ear


Lance Leaf Coreopsis

Spiderwort

Catalpa Blooms after downing rain

Crimson Clover, having gone to brushy seed head.

The week of May 3 through May 9 was one wet steamy mess. With some two weeks marked by rain, many parts of the state are juggling flood and mud. And we even had one 90 degree day in the mix.

QuObservation: I watched as a diesel bus left a trail or rose petals in its wake.

Quick notes:

1. The school bus yellow lance leaf coreopsis reved with the rain.


2. The purple vetch all but disappeared, leaving behind growing little pea beanies.


3. Spider Wort, Catalpa, Privet Hedge in full stride.


4. Red Clover, White Clover, Yellow clover, Mega White Clover....going wild. Crimson gone to seed.


5. Grass, Grass, Grass. I have yet to give the kind of kind of time to it will take to learn my grasses and tell them apart, but there are more and bigger grasses in the wake of rain than I have seen in some years.

Snapshot week 17, 4/26-5/2 Wet

Roses from a very county cemetery


Spiderwort



Blooms of the Black Locust tree


New growth, long needle pine

Buckeye (Firecracker weed)


Snapshot, week 17: April 26-May 2

I was afraid I wouldn't have much to offer this week. Heavy rains kept me dry - inside. All of these pictures were taken within one hour. I stopped to photograph a Spiderwort cluster on the side of country highway, and found a surprise cemetery in the process. (Highway 365, near Maumelle, right across from the county line liquor stores.)
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Not shown:

1. In one quick week almost all our Crimson clover have gone brown, with red floral heads transformed into brushy seed heads.
2. The Privet hedge and Honeysuckle are exploding.
3. Roses, both wild and garden variety, ring from woodland, bush, garden, and trellis.
4. The woods, once marked by a patchwork of bold kelly and limon greens is maturing into a deep wet green. (As we move into summer, the greens will deepen and dry, till they match the deeper greens of the pines.)

Rock Bells (Wild Red Columbine)

Rock Bells, or Wild Red Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

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These pictures come courtesy of regular contributor, Mike Hall, who said that the Buffalo River Area (Near Compton, AR) was full of these right now. To see more of Mikes work (with lush watefalls) from his recent trip to the area, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/ArkansasTravels/CSNPGathering#

And for more on Rock bells see:

http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/aquilegiacana.html

Mammatus Chariots

Mammatus clouds dip behind three of the "Little Rock Nine" - a sculpture honoring students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, over 50 years ago


Mammatus over Arkansas River

Arkansas Capitol Building.

South Wing, looking north.


All pics taken April, 23 2009 between 6:40 AM and 7:40 AM

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I don't normally post clouds to ID Arkansas, but these are a unique kind, worthy of an ID.

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"He makes the Clouds His chariots, He rides on the wings of the Wind." (Psalm 104)

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Mammatus: root word same as in mammal, mammary, and Maumelle, Arkansas. “Pouches or Breasts.” (Some French explorer or Meteorologist had been too long from the company of women and started seeing things in the clouds and hills!)

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I ride a van as part of a pool to work, so it was with some consternation that I saw the morning sky putting on a Mammatus cloud show. (I couldn't stop to get out without loosing my ride.) But it is a little safer than taking pictures while driving. (See folio below)

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More pics: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=78478&id=48393207996&ref=share