So when we reached the Garnett Preserve, it was the afternoon. Of course it was getting hot by then.
A Hoary Edge taking a sip at the Horsemint!
There are nine skullcap species listed in the Flora of North Central Texas. This is an example of an annual, the Drummond’s Skullcap (Scutellaria drummondii). Like others in the Lamiaceae family, it has square stems.
Next, a tiny all red beetle was near the skullcap!
So was it the shade or maybe just hiding? Or both?
I first learned about this plant, the Dogweed (Dysodiopsis tagetoides) from Hugh Garnett. Its leaf margins have conspicuous teeth. Do you wonder about how things get their common names? I often do.
It took multiple seasons before I was able to see the American Bluehearts (Buchnera americana). Then the drought let up in 2014 or 2015. And since, I have seen it on the grasslands as well.
There are two species in this genus in our area. This is Stillingia texana in the photo and the other species is Stillingia sylvatica. I call them both simply Queen’s Delight. Stillingia texana prefers limestone soils. And the other, Stillingia sylvatica, prefers sandy soils. So just decide which soil and you will have the species.
Missouri Primrose seed pods!
Mountain-pinks (Centaurium beyrichii) will soon yield a bouquet of pink blooms! It can be found in sandy limestone soils.
As we made our way across the prairie, we could smell the Hedeoma (Hedeoma drummondii) being crushed by our feet. In fact, the peppermint aroma filled the air. A meshweaver spider used this one for its web.
Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum) were just getting started!
The Prairie Rose (Rosa setigera var. tomentosa) was just about finished. I certainly hope there will be a few flowers left for tomorrow’s Shirley Day.
Next a close up!
Finally, we finished with this Two-leaf Senna seed pods! Do the seed pods look like caterpillars? That was Jeanne take on them. However, I think they more resembled mini corny-dogs. So what do you think?
In brief, the scouting day was a success! Ready for Shirley Day tomorrow!
It is very interesting about the timing of blooms across the state.
My climbing prairie rose was done long ago, but the drought kept them from doing much. Last year it was fantastic but then we had some rain. We are still under 3 inches for 2022.
My hedeoma is also done. but it is likely reverchonii.
My Silphium laciniatum is sending up stalks but not blooming yet. I am so glad this one plant survived out of 3 I tried to bring down here. It is such a cool plant.
All three of these are favorites. OK, I have a lot of favorites.
Yes, most of the early spring flowers were about 3 weeks later than usual this year here. And oh my gosh, 3 inches. That is DRY! We have had 13+” this year. Now I feeel real lucky! And yeah my fav is the one I am looking at in the moment…ha ha
I agree with Mary. Has the naming changed Mary? FNCT has it Hedeoma reverchonii var. serpyllifolium. So many names have changed since the publication of this and other guides that it gets quite frustrating.
Shirley said: acinoides is lemon, drummondii is mint, reverchoniii var. rev lemon and revechonii var. serpy camphor.
Kathy, according to wfoplantlist.org (whick is the one to use now) says Hedeoma reverchonii var. serpyllifolia is now the synonym for Hedeoma serpyllifolia. I think Hedeoma reverchonii var revershonii is just Hedeoma reverchonii. Yeah, names and synonyms are changing at the speed of light, at least it seems that way to me. Science marches on!
Yes, mini-corny dogs! Or praying mantis seed cases. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Haven’t commented in a while but am Enjoying the wonderful pictures and flora info; loved the dogs’ sense of smell article. Thanx Mary
Thank you!
Yes. Little hot dogs. Yum
It is very interesting about the timing of blooms across the state.
My climbing prairie rose was done long ago, but the drought kept them from doing much. Last year it was fantastic but then we had some rain. We are still under 3 inches for 2022.
My hedeoma is also done. but it is likely reverchonii.
My Silphium laciniatum is sending up stalks but not blooming yet. I am so glad this one plant survived out of 3 I tried to bring down here. It is such a cool plant.
All three of these are favorites. OK, I have a lot of favorites.
Yes, most of the early spring flowers were about 3 weeks later than usual this year here. And oh my gosh, 3 inches. That is DRY! We have had 13+” this year. Now I feeel real lucky! And yeah my fav is the one I am looking at in the moment…ha ha
A great day! My hedeoma is still blooming but it’s from sw ok, and is whichever one smells like Vicks vapor rub.
Maybe Hedeom x serphllifolia but there are others. And they don’t all list their smells in FNCT. Abby probably knows.
I agree with Mary. Has the naming changed Mary? FNCT has it Hedeoma reverchonii var. serpyllifolium. So many names have changed since the publication of this and other guides that it gets quite frustrating.
Shirley said: acinoides is lemon, drummondii is mint, reverchoniii var. rev lemon and revechonii var. serpy camphor.
Kathy, according to wfoplantlist.org (whick is the one to use now) says Hedeoma reverchonii var. serpyllifolia is now the synonym for Hedeoma serpyllifolia. I think Hedeoma reverchonii var revershonii is just Hedeoma reverchonii. Yeah, names and synonyms are changing at the speed of light, at least it seems that way to me. Science marches on!