Going out with other folks can lead to increasing one’s knowledge. And thanks to Suzanne, I now know what the stub of the plant was in the post East Side.
Cymopterus (Vesper macrorhizus) was going to seed!
A closeup reveals why it got its common name. Cyma means wave (Greek) and pteron refers to wing. Thus a common name is wavewing according to FNCT. And the seeds were Shirley’s favorite part of the plant. 🙂
Jeanne and Suzanne were busy hunting!
For what? This little sprout!
Maybe this leaf will give you a hint? It was the White Compass Plant (Silphium albiflorum)!
Continuing the hunt, they found some plants that further along in development.
Even further along!
Later, we came to an area that was really littered with last year’s dead leaves. The bone yard for White Compass Plant. LOL. The White Compass Plant is endemic to Texas. Moreover, it’s partial to the limestone barrens. A great plant! The key to finding the new growth was searching near the dead leaves. Happy hunting!
A little color on the prairie, the Goatweed Leafwing butterfly. Quite a few have been out for the last week.
Ok, did you skip to the bottom to find out what mystery was solved? Here was example from this outing. Unlike the one from the previous post (East Side), this was not stuck in the soil. And Suzanne knew exactly what it was!
Mystery solved with a side view! A corm of a Gayfeather (Liatris). Thanks Suzanne!
Compass plant is one of my favorites. That butterfly is gorgeous. It looks new.
😊
You’re welcome re: the Liatris ID! Stunning photo of the goatweed butterfly. I loved our morning stroll!
😎
Wow thats A big Liatris clump!
Agreed!