Acanthocereus tetragonus - Barbed Wire Cactus
This grew to be huge, draping over trees in long, thin strands. This is a threatened species, like many cacti in the keys
This grew to be huge, draping over trees in long, thin strands. This is a threatened species, like many cacti in the keys
These huge agaves could be seen rising above the slash palms in the pine forests of Grand Bahama. It is endemic to this island and Ambaco. The flowering stalks grow to over 30 feet and the flowers are a favorite of the Cuban Emerald. As the name implies, they only bloom after a very long time, though not usually a century...
Family Agavaceae
It's a dandelion. It lives on the coastal sand dunes. Hence: Coast Dandelion.
Family Asteraceae
Found this small Aster in a alpine meadow up on Parker's Ridge in Banff NP.
These aren't related to Verbenas at all, but rather to Bougainvilleas.
Family Nyctaginaceae
This is another monocot close to the lilies. It was almost spent, so it isn't the greatest example. Found many dead ones in a dried up marsh.
Family Nartheciaceae
This is something within the family Alliaceae, but putting a name on it is next to impossible.
This odd plant grows close to the ground on dry, rocky slopes at the summit of Mount Diablo in California (and elsewhere). I've looked for this before but never found it!
Unfortunately this isn't a side view of these interesting flowers. In profile the flower head curls down.
Family Boraginaceae
This is a member of the Aster family. We saw several of these flowers growing along side of the road in Redwood State Park.
This member of the dogbane family was used by natives to make a fibrous rope, hence the name Indian Hemp
Family Apocynaceae
This showy species is the only species of columbine native to Kansas
Oddly enough, this is a member of the Ginseng family.
Family Araliaceae (Ginseng)
I was amazed how delicate these blossoms were; this blossom fell off right after I photographed it.
Family Papaveraceae (Poppies)
It is in the Boraginaceae family. The flower helical cymes and flower shape are very characteristic of this family. This plant grows as a large bush on the beaches. It can be found in Florida too, though I've never seen it.
This neat plant is in the family Araceae. You can see the namesake flower, formed by a spathe and spadix, between the two plants.
This is a member of the Plumbaginaceae family. It was very common on the coasts at McKerricher State Beach
This is not the ginger you eat, which is an Asian plant in the family Zingiberaceae. This is in the family Aristolochiacea, and has odd, basal flowers. This is the first time I've ever come across them.
Only saw one plant of this large, attractive milkweed. The extremely long pedicels in the umbel, and opposite, wide leaves are characteristic of this species.
Family Apocynaceae
This tall, spindly milkweed was found in Cottonwood Canyons, CO. It was growing in some scrubby area.
Family Apocynaceae
Cali version of the Whorled Milkweed here in Kansas
Family Apocynaceae
This is a pretty common plant near water. Labidomera clivicollis, the Swamp Milkweed Beetle uses this species as its host plant.
Family Apocynaceae
This tiny milkweed was growing in two places at Savannah State Park. The loose head arrangement makes it easy to ID.
Family Apocynaceae
The one most often encountered, this species is the host plant for Monarchs and exudes a milky sap when cut
Family Apocynaceae
This is an awesome plant for attracting butterflies, and is one of the prettiest of the milkweeds. I took this so many years ago that I have no idea where I took this.
Family Asclepiadaceae (Milkweeds)
This bright bright milkweed is perfect for attracting all manner of insects, particularly Butterflies.
This is one of several species of milkweed with green flowers. Milkweeds are the primary food of Monarch Butterfly caterpillars, and are what makes them so toxic. So if you're lost in the woods, please refrain from eating anything that looks like this. It probably won't kill you, but you'll feel pretty awful.
This odd plant is a relative of the Pappaw seen further North which has a very tasty fruit. The Netted Pawpaw is much smaller and I believe it is endemic to Florida.
Family Annonaceae
This is the same genus as the other Asimina photos I've taken, but this is the only species in the US that is a tree.
Family Annonaceae
This is a very pretty purple aster with a really dense number of petals.
Family Asteraceae (Asters)
These are cool plants that grow along the California coast.
Family Fabaceae (Peas and Lupines)
This is a showy member of the Ericaceae family. It grows like a bush, and the flowers are about 2 inches wide. Not too common (at least I didn't see much of it)
When the ray petals drop, a honeycomb-like head remains for a long time, hence its name.
Family Asteraceae
The raceme of the White Wild Indigo, quite a pretty plant if I do say so myself.
Family Fabaceae
I was kind of surprised to find this in my collection of photos, I didn't think I had any Indigo plant photos. The flower looks exactly like a lupine, though the leaf structure is much different.
This is a very early-blooming species characterized by the cream colored flowers and their decumbent growth form
Family Fabaceae
This... this doesn't seem to have a common name.
Family Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragons)
I think I took this for the bug, as the plant itself isn't too remarkable as far as I know.
Family Asteraceae (Aster)
This is a really common plant around my Grandparents house, where I took it.
This odd genus only has two species. B. arborescens is the one that lives in the West Indies. I just came across a picture of this by accident and was finally able to ID it.
This is yet another lily that is found along the coast. It's chief characteristic is that it grows very low to the ground, at grass level.
Family Alliaceae
