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. :)
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!
One year ago today I adopted my little Pete.
Ok everyone, go hug your cat! :) I think I will…
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. :)
Wonderful crop this year…
Eddy. :)
Made up some…
the other day. I like the texture of lilac flowers. They’re a little chewy. :)
Dad and I have started planting the garden. Chives, cucumbers, and the different kinds of tomatoes and peppers went in on Monday; but yesterday we put in a couple of very special new arrivals.
Three varieties of grapes:
Green (Marquis Seedless)
Red (Reliance Seedless)
and Purple (Concord Seedless)
Also six blackberry plants
The blackberries seem very hardy. I picked out a variety that should produce fruit the first year. I hope both things do well! We’ve never grown either of them before.
We have yet to put the trellises up.
That’s our ornamental plum in the background. It was in an absolute glory of pink flowers for a little while there.
Dad got a new apple tree from town for the garden. It’s little flowers were fading when he planted it. I’m not sure if it has any left now.
He bought it to cross-pollinate the lonely apple tree we already have out there. I ended up putting a bucket of apple blossoms by the bigger apple tree this year, in the hopes that some of its blossoms would get pollinated that way. I also tried to do a little hand-pollinating. We’ll see what happens!
After this we need to plant beets, green beans, spinach etc. etc. :)
