If there’s one thing about wildflowers that gets my heart jumpin’, it’s that there are so many that come in my favorite color: purple. Makes me all swoony and lightheaded…
Plumed thistle (a.k.a. spear thistle, bull thistle or roadside thistle; Cirsium vulgare)
Prairie verbena (Verbena bipinnatifida)
Showy evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa)
Mexican petunia (a.k.a. Texas petunia or common ruellia; Ruellia brittoniana)
Littleleaf sensitive brier (a.k.a catclaw brier, sensitive vine littleleaf mimosa, native mimosa; Mimosa microphylla)
Musk thistle (a.k.a. nodding thistle; Carduus nutans)
Lovely photos.
You should keep an eye out for small jewel beetles in Ruellia – usually black with yellow spots, most are in the 5-10mm range for length. If you ever see any I’d love to get a few examples.
Thanks, Ted. And I’d be happy to keep watch for jewel beetles. If I get my hands on some, I’ll let you know.
Love that last shot – the musk thistle. Pops right off my screen in 3D !
Thanks, Peter! Those flowers are gorgeous in person.
Oh, I just love vibrant, saturated color. These are all fantastic, but I have to say…sensitive briar is a real show-stopper for me. Wow!
Isn’t the brier gorgeous, Amber? And I love the way the leaves fold up when you touch them (hence the name sensitive brier).
Yes! I want to find this plant and plant it in my landscape beds. Can’t think of anything I would rather have running throughout. I was going to try North Haven Gardens…but do let me know if you have a suggestion.
My sister and her husband have this growing in their yard in a newly developed area in Round Rock, TX. They pull it out as a weed…I may have to go salvage some!