Iowa Plants: Beautiful Whites

Not a wildflower I know, but this was our first blackberry blossom! Yay! :)

Iowa Plants: A Few Pinks

If you were like me, this morning you woke before your alarm clock, and were getting ready for hours of painting and emotionally rewarding progress on the exterior of your house—when you heard the rumble of thunder… Ok,blogging it is!
These were the first wild roses I noticed in bloom. There are plenty right now. :)

Here’s one fully opened.

Morning glories
These were on the roadside; but it seems like they have always grown in our backyard. (If you can smell one, it’s a very pleasant fragrance.)

Four o’clock

I love these! So many are in bloom right now!

And finally—Phlox…

and a little bee. :)

From the Garden

Here are some recent photos from our garden. :)

Before…

After

And finally---My pollinating efforts worked! Yay! Thank you Lord! :)

Isn’t nature amazing?

Iowa Plants: A few non-flowering

Scouring rush

Native Americans and early pioneers used these to scrub pots and pans.

 

Star(?) moss…

on a fallen log (Note: Finding straightforward information on mosses in Iowa seems somewhat difficult.)

Amanita? Feel free to help me on that one.

The gills didn’t look like they were attached to the stalk.

It was pretty anyway. :)

Tramp the Last Mile

Iowa Plants:Beard Tongue

That name sounds strange; but it has to do with the fact that often these plants will modify one of their stamens so that it looks like a hairy tongue.

 

Don’t like that name? There are other common names. My favorite is probably “pride-of-the-mountain”.

I never noticed that spider when I was there…

I’m thinking, because of the size of the blossoms…

and our location (SW Iowa), that this species of beard tongue is “P. cobea Nutt. – cobea penstemon”. (Quoted from Wildflowers of Iowa Woodlands)

They are about a 20 minute walk (one way)from my door. They are so gorgeous! I’m finally starting to learn more of the names of wild plants around here, and will try to do more posts!

Pete’s Big Day

One year ago today I adopted my little Pete.

Ok everyone, go hug your cat! :) I think I will…

Cat Castle

My sister, Sasha, made a castle for the kitties using boxes, hot glue, tape etc. :)

Pete

Jasper

Some damage has occurred;but so far the fortress is holding up pretty well. :)