Every year the Native Plant Society of Texas recognizes organizations and individuals. The Shirley Lusk
Memorial, honors a citizen scientist for collecting and preserving Texas
native plants for public education by providing outstanding
contribution of herbarium voucher specimens. Jeff Quayle is recognized
this year for his collection of over 1000 herbarium specimens stored at
the Botanical Research Institute of Texas in Fort Worth. Shirley would be pleased. Congratulations to all the recipients for their awards as well.
What a great day in the field today. We went to the Garnett Preserve. One of the most beautiful spots in Montague County.
View of the Garnett Preserve.
The star of the show today was the Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani).
If you have not been out and about, don’t delay!
The phyllaries (the green stuff holding the flower) are just awesome I think!
Dropped it petals already.
A few plants of the Maximilian Sunflowers were this delightful pale yellow.
Closeup.
A few monarchs were visiting the Max’s too.
The crab spider was waiting on a meal.
Grasshopper taking a rest. There were not tons of them out. It might have been a bit chilly yet for them this morning.
Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens) and another bug up in the green leaf.
Bee helping itself.
Spittlebug (Aphrophoridae family) on the Max.
Texas Cup grass (Eriochloa sericea). Thanks Jeanne, someday I will learn the grasses.
Blue Sage (Salvia azurea)
Narrow-leaf Gayfeather (Liatris mucronata) going to seed.
Eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii)
Prairie Baccharis (Baccharis texana) is not a common plant but can be found at the Garnett Preserve.
The Prairie Baccharis (Baccharis texana) going to seed.
Willow-leaf Sunflower (Helianthus salicifolius) is just starting to bloom. The leaves are so feathery looking.
So even though the flower is pretty, it is the look of the leaves that I especially like.
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia species) tunas (the red fruit)
Another bug on the Maximillian Sunflower. Not sure what kind yet…maybe answer tomorrow.
This Prickly Pear (Opuntia species) looks shiny. It was in the woods.
Found this tree in the woods. Pretty cool.
Feral hog jaw bone. Make a wish?
Looks like this Indian Marker tree had a short message. LOL
Flesh fly on a foliose lichen.
Snailseed (Cocculus carolinus)
Fall Asters (Symphyotrichum ericoides)
Prairie Gaillardia (Gaillardia aestivalis)
Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum)
Closeup of the seed head
Snake Herb (Dyschoriste linearis)
American Blueheart (Buchnera americana) blooming again. Unbelievably late.
Rigid Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) and seed heads of Summer Gayfeather (Liatris aestivalis)
Close up False Gaura (Stenosiphon linifolius)
Lots of cool stuff today.
My garden maximilian sunflowers have just started! Beautiful pictures as usual
I love that Jeff got the Shirley award.
Question about grasses. I remembered that you had posted the TX Cupgrass the other day and was pulling this back up to look. I thought I had that but ends up the anthers are purple. Which brings me to a question. Why don't the grass guide books ever tell you the color of the anthers? Seems like that would be a good feature to mention. I love how many different colors you find among the species.
Hi Kathy,
I agree that would be a good feature to mention. If I did a grass book I certainly would tell about the anther color. Some day maybe 😉 And thanks!