Indian Pipe (monotropa uniflora)
This is one of those flowers I look at in my field guide but hadn't seen before. I knew just what it was when I saw it, it is so unusual. It can live without chlorophyll, according to my book, fed by fungi that release nutrients for it to use. No wonder it looks sort of fungal...
Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens) (I like this scientific name!)
Named for the markings on its leaves, which supposedly resemble the markings of a rattlesnake, and for the snake bite medicine of its roots. My book also says that folklore says that "Native American women believed that rubbing this plant on their bodies would make their husbands love them more." Hmmm...I did not try this, but maybe that would explain my reading of the scientific name?
My sensitive child...the shoes had to come off, the dress was annoying, and was converted into a skirt...whatever it takes to enjoy the walk is what I say.
My squirrel, excited that acorns are already appearing...
I think this is a spined micrathena (micrathena gracilis)
Our destination - the peak overlooking the lake.
4 comments:
Gorgeous. What a day. I love that Indian Pipe; it's so neat looking. -Debbie
Incredible finds! So many things I'd never heard of!
A spined mycrathena? Is this an armored spider, sort of?
that's exactly what it looks like, kerry! they're the ones that typically are stringing their webs across the trails where we hike, though this one was a little bigger and blacker...pretty cool, huh?
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