"Stout Goldenrod" - Photo of the Day - June 18th, 2010

View Cart

"Stout Goldenrod"

A close-up of bright yellow Stout Goldenrod (Solidago squarrosa) blossoms.

Purchase Greeting Card or Print at RedBubble | Purchase Royalty-free Stock

Stout goldenrod:
- Flowers: Yellow; 10-16 flower rays; 15-30 disk florets; flower head is narrow and elongate; not secund; August – October.
- Leaves: Basal leaves are strongly toothed; egg-shaped to elliptical; lower and basal leaves are 10-25 cm long and stalked; upper leaves are much smaller and unstalked; are horizontal “wings” where the leaves join the stem.
- Stem: Erect, usually solitary; reddish.
- Height: up to 1.5 m tall.
- Habitat: Dry woods, fields, and rocky area
—Source: Andy’s Northern Ontario Wildflowers – Andy Fyon

"Canada Thistle" - Photo of the Day - May 15th, 2010

View Cart

"Canada Thistle"

A macro photograph of the deceptively beautiful purple flower of a Canada thistle

Captured near St. Mary’s Reservoir Provincial Recreation area in southern Alberta, Canada.

Captured with a Canon Rebel XSi with an 18-55mm lens.

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a perennial flowering plant that is an invader from Eurasia.
Canada thistle is misnamed, since it was brought to this continent from Europe in the early 1600’s. Due to competition with crop plants, weed control legislation for Canada thistle was passed as early as 1795 in Vermont and 1831 in New York. Canada thistle is a problem even in Europe where natural enemies abound, because it is an aggressive weed that spreads both by seed and extensive root systems. The deep roots grow horizontally and send up shoots along their length, forming dense colonies.

Purchase Greeting Card or Print at RedBubble | Purchase Royalty-free Stock

"Common Viper's Bugloss - Photo of the Day - May 10th, 2010

View Cart

"Common Viper's Bugloss"

Small blue flowers crown the tips of a common viper’s bugloss plant. Captured near Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Common viper’s-bugloss was introduced to North America as a garden flower in the 1600s; by the mid-1800s, agriculturalists were condemning it as a vile foreign weed. Although it is said to be edible, it would make a rather bristly dish. In fact, some people get rashes by simply touching this hairy plant. The beautiful flowers, on the other hand, make a pretty garnish when floated in punch or tossed in salads.

At one time, common viper’s-bugloss was said to have the power to drive away sadness, especially when combined with wine. It was also believed to counteract viper venom, and therefore to cure all snake bites. Unfortunately, it was most effective when administered before the bite, which required a certain amount of foresight.

Purchase Greeting Card or Print at RedBubble | Purchase Royalty-free Stock