Finally, after four years, I had decided to go hunt for Earth-fruit or Tiny Tim (Geocarpon minimum) on the grasslands. It probably is/was a long shot, but hey its the journey right. So guess what, it is a very tiny plant as the name implies. There was a lot of time spent on my hands and knees. Furthermore, there were a lot of little plants coming up that I had never looked over before.
Texas Stonecrop (Sedum pulchellum) is one such plant that grows in association with Tiny Tim. So the bug has several possibilities which I am not going to speculate on today. 🙂 If you know, please comment.Tiny Bluet (Houstonia pusilla) is another tiny plant. Notice its throat.The Rose Bluet (Houstonia rosea) is another tiny Bluet. Its throat has hairs. Many times this species will be larger than the H. pusilla. So if you see one a bit larger, bent down and take a closer look. This and the one above are the common species in North Texas. Seven species are listed in FNCT.Spinystar or Foxtail cactus (Escobaria vivipara var. radiosa) was in the area too. The gravelly soil is where the Geocarpon minimum apparent likes to reside.Butterflies were out on the search day. Here a Horace’s Duskywing (Erynnis horatius) paused for a moment.The Least Daisy (Chaetopappa asteroides) also likes open areas. However, its habitat does not necessarily need the same type of gravelly soils as Tiny Tim. But it will grow there as well. Often the Least Daisy will have its petal recurved under as shown here.Other times its white petals will be stretched out. A female Dogface butterfly was cooperative for me.
Even though I didn’t find Tiny Tim, many great little things were seen. Indeed, you can’t beat a day out on the grasslands!
Earth Fruit – wow! I’ve never heard of it. Interesting distribution – I hope you find it in Wise Co.
I think the little insect is a wasp but I won’t go beyond that… I’m going to have to check the bluets in my neighborhood now for little hairs!
You really were on your knees. I love the dustywing.