My first stop was at the Western Horse Nettle. I found at least 3 species of friends on them. However when next I stopped at the Greeneyes (Berlandiera betonicifolia) the bees lured me to stay longer. 🙂
There are three species of Greeneyes listed in FNCT; Berlandiera betonicifolia, Berlandiera lyrata, and Berlandiera pumila. The species I find in Wise County (as far as I have seen) are the Texas Greeneyes (Berlandiera betonicifolia). Usually I just call them Greeneyes. 🤷🏻♀️ Hey we are friends. 😉
Why is this Berlandiera betonicifolia – Texas Greeneyes? Here are the first clues, the leaf; both the attachment and the shape. On Berlandiera lyrata the leaves are usually crowded at the base of the plant. Also B. lyrata have a lyrate-pinnatifid shape which means the terminal lobes are much larger than the basal lobes unlike Texas Greeneyes’ shape with no lobes. Check out page 327 in FNCT. Additionally the B. betonicifolia leaves are sessile (no petiole) or very short.
Another clue, the back of the petals. Texas Greeneyes do not have red to maroon veins. Great species no matter which you might want to add to your home community!
A honey bee was loaded with pollen!
In flight!
Certainly not sure what the bee was doing here.
Indeed the tiny sweat bees were busy too!
There was plenty for both. 😉
Then I noticed this wad of debris.
Whoa, hidden inside and under the wad was a Synchlora Looper moth caterpillar. What great camouflage, eh!
The seeds are as beautiful as the blooming flower!
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Lace Bugs (Tingidae) seemed to be everywhere!
Final find, the Two-striped Grasshoppers (Melanoplus bivittatus) were mating.
Indeed the Texas Greeneyes or simply Greeneyes are a really nice addition to North Texas plant community!
I became enamored with Greeneyes on outings with you and Claire at the grasslands. Such a cool plant! And then you find my favorite caterpillar! Love how they camouflage with plant parts.
Great plant! A good friend to have! I have one in my yard, from your seeds.
Yeah!
That bat with a pup may be the cutest bat I’ve ever seen. And i do love greeneyes.
Pretty darn cute I agree 😊
The greeneyes seed structure is very lovely!
Hope your seeds grow!
I do too! I’m waiting until fall to plant them. Thank you again for sharing!
An entire universe in one greeneyes!
Greeneyes are fascinating.
I became enamored with Greeneyes on outings with you and Claire at the grasslands. Such a cool plant! And then you find my favorite caterpillar! Love how they camouflage with plant parts.
Pretty cool alright!