Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Phenology: 8/10/11

Despite a nasty heat wave and more nasty storms, things are looking almost normal for this time of year. I'm seeing a lot more centipedes and millipedes than usual; the basement's being colonized by a species I've not even noticed before. Not many moths, although I saw another Luna yesterday. Lots of summer wildflowers: some vetch and clover persist, some daisies, a few diehard asters, lots of Queen Anne's Lace, chicory, dayflowers, thistles, morning glories.

There are two distinct species of dayflowers in Virginia, and actually the one many people would consider prettier is the one that's considered a weed. Here's Commelina virginica, the native plant:

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COVI3

This picture is a bit more colorful:

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/floramw/species/commvirg.htm

But Commelina communis, the pretty ornamental flower introduced from Asia, is considered invasive:

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COMME

Both grow in my yard, and I see some flowers that might even be hybridized.

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