Meeting Austin had been just a chance encounter. He had just stopped to make sure we were ok. Sure glad he did, now we have a new friend! So many nice folks on the back roads. 🙂 Thank you Austin!
It had been a wonderful day exploring Austin’s property!
This was the Stiff Sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus). Also in the photo you can see many of the trees that did not survive the fire.
When checking out the sunflowers be sure to note the color of the disk flowers. In this case for the Stiff Sunflower they are reddish.
The phyllaries in the Asteraceae family are the bracts that are layered under the flower. The shape of the phyllaries are important clues.
Late Purple Aster (Symphyotrichum patens) are now blooming!
Scarlet-pea (Indigofera miniata)!
The milkweed was making seed. However most of the fluffy did not have seeds. 🙁
A closer look revealed the species, Whorled Milkweed (Asclepias verticillata). The whorled leaves at the nodes sealed the identification this time. However this species does not always have all the whorled leaves. The A. stenophylla has only two leaves at the nodes. So sometimes without the inflorescence you may not be able to be certain.
Ruellia (Ruellia humilis)!
A new Post Oak was loaded with lemon yellow galls!
There was a lot that did not survive the hot fire. However many plants in the seed bank had been waiting patiently for their opportunity to rise up. 😉
The galls on that post oak look good enough to eat. Sad about no seeds on the milkweed. I’ve seen very few insects this year.
😞
Interesting article on AI and insect id- as they say, there are not enough experts and so many species yet to discover.
And money to fund the research!
The post oak galls remind me of Christmas – kind of welcome in the August heat
All cool thoughts welcome, eh!
Austin’s place is so lovely.
Definitely!
Looks like the fire did good for the prairie/savanna.
👍🏼