Frosty, the cold plants

I swear everything reminds me of a song (ask my sister). If Weird Al weren’t so much better at parodies (and I didn’t dislike performing), I’d think about it as a career for a hot second.

Anyway, much as it’s lovely to live in the tropics, there’s something truly magical about frost on plants. So, I’m going to share some that I saw on my regular morning walk a few days ago.

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It would be nice to end this photo series with some lovely quote about nature, but instead, I’ll share something even better: advice! Don’t be so caught up in nature photography that you accidentally step on coyote poop.

You’re welcome!

Homestead odds and ends

Also known as the post without a theme, I’m sharing photos of weird things I’ve taken in and around the house.

Birds that teach a lesson…

a Wood Thrush that flew into our window and died

Rude watermelons…

I didn’t actually expect to be mooned by a “Moons and Stars”

Vegetable horror stories…

hubby’s colleague gave us bitter melon seeds; I never knew the ripe ones look like something out of an Alien movie

And speaking of space alien veggies…

kohlrabi bigger than softball (but smaller than rude watermelons)

Hmmm, I can’t seem to get away from plants that look like monsters of my nightmares…

the flower blossoms from the ginger plant appears to be in mid attack…
revenge of the veggies??

What do you think? Should we be sleeping with one eye opened?

Trees with personality

We have many favorite trees. One of them is the common hoptree, Ptelea trifoliata.

They look a bit like the “silver dollar plant” (Lunaria biennis) but are better because they’re native. It’s always a delight to come across one when we hike our property.

Update on the Shining Firmoss

Remember the Shining Firmoss my son brought home?

They grew and rooted nicely so he potted them and placed them outside to acclimate them. Unfortunately, some evil critter (likely a rabbit or chipmunk) pulled/ate some of them. Here are the few that remain:

Homegrown #Botany, day 5

Last day of showing Beth – http://www.flubs2fixes.com/ – some plants that Son1 grows. These are also from biology department greenhouse that were tossed out. There are sundews, butterworts, and Selaginella sanguinolenta (a plant from China similar to the North American crowsfoot). He put a small piece of plastic wrap over part of the plate to maintain humidity over the Selaginella sanguinolenta (which has no common English name).

Have a nice weekend!

Homegrown #Botany, day 4

Per the conversation my friend Beth – http://www.flubs2fixes.com/ – and I were having, this is the top of a store-bought pineapple. According to the post that Beth shared, this is one of those easy things you can re-grow from scraps. We’d never tried to start one before, so we’ll see what happens.

Homegrown #Botany, day 3

A quick reminder that tomorrow is #SelfieArt Day. I won’t be posting my selfie until next week (Tuesday, I think) along with the compiled list of those who participated. If I’m not already following your blog, just leave a comment in any of my posts and I’ll include you.

These are plants that Son1 found as discards in the biology department greenhouse.

The tall one in the center is a type of sedum (possibly Sedum morganianum). The oval leaf is from a jade plant. The other two funky looking things are Crassula lycopodioides (which go by a bunch of different common names, such as zipper plants and watch chain).

Again, thanks to Beth – http://www.flubs2fixes.com – for asking!