Con’t fishing…
This is a continuation of the hike to unit 31 from yesterday.
This snag really stood out where the bark had fallen off.
It was such a pretty brown and orange color. The shaggy brown is a part of the tree.
Lots of neat rocks with moss. I found this moss interesting on how it grew on the limestone rock.
This tree looked weird with all the bumps going up the trunk.
Closer view. “A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be caused by an injury, virus or fungus. Almost all burl wood
is covered by bark, even if it is underground. Insect infestation and
certain types of mold infestation are the most common causes of this
condition.” Source: Wikipedia
is covered by bark, even if it is underground. Insect infestation and
certain types of mold infestation are the most common causes of this
condition.” Source: Wikipedia
Gracie found her a treasure to chew on.
Strange how this tree grew.
Prescribed burns were very evident in the area, but had not been done for several years at least in this part of the unit. Interesting the way this log had burnt.
What I liked was the line at the edge of the burn.
Goatweed Leafwing. I’m seeing more of these every time I go out.
This plant was coming up.
Here’s a look at the stalk that was from last year’s growth. It had the hairs that stuck in the skin. Not sure what it is. It looks like something I should know, but as I do every new season, I have to relearn and refresh.
Beautiful neon green lichen (Chrysothrix xanthina)!
On with the “fishing” hunt for the Trout Lilies in tomorrow’s post.
At home today…Pink Verbena (Glandularia pumila)! This is the FOS (first of season). It is a bit smaller than the more common one (Prairie Verbena – Glandularia bipinnatifida) everyone notices. This species feels a bit damp when you touch the stem. The flowers are also about half the size of the Prairie Verbena.
Article shared with me… Thanks Reese!
I had a Low Pink Verbena, pumila, become a full size plant during the fall. I think because it was in my irrigated garden. Otherwise they don't get full size until now. I potted it and it was blooming when we had the ice and snow storm. That plant is now dead. but I'm seeing plants starting to bloom now too, that are in the ground.
When I saw the burls in lines up and down that tree my first thought was wounds from a sapsucker that grew into these burls. I've never seen that happen but the lines look like what you see when a sapsucker has drilled holes in lines in multiple places on a tree. We saw the most huge burl the other day. It was at the base of a Post Oak. A huge tree then with a burl twice as wide as the trunk at the base. Wish I had had a camera.
Oh and my liverwort was not blooming as of two days ago. I'll keep watch and see if I get umbrellas.
Kathy, I have not noticed G.pumila in the fall so maybe all it needs is water over the summer. It is such a pretty plant. G.bipinnatifida seems to go all summer if it gets the rain.
My liverwort umbrellas next to the house are not going yet either.
The photo of the rosette where you said "this plant is coming up". I'm laying out a guess. Marbleseed Gromwell.
Those leaves and fuzzy stems just keep bringing me back to that. Hope you can go out to that spot and keep an eye on it.
Mine is still alive, that I transplanted from Celina.
Kathy
Kathy,
If it is Marbleseed, Onosmodium bejariense. It would be new one for the grasslands. I guess I will have to go back to check it out! Thanks for the suggestion!
Shirley always told us when the colony on 455 were in bloom and that isn't far from the Grasslands. I wouldn't be surprised if it is out there somewhere just rare enough to not be found yet.
Kathy, I have always watched that one at 455 and 51. However the highway department has done a ton of road work there this winter. So not sure it will have survived. But maybe since it was so close to the fence. Fingers crossed. Shirley told me about another location in Montague Cty, but it is gone too.
That is sad to hear. I would be thrilled if this plant was on the grasslands where it hopefully can be preserved.