And if that mockingbird don't sing...

"And if that mockingbird don't sing..."
Odessa, Texas

Probably just needs to warm up a little first.

Gopher Plant

"Gopher Plant" Euphorbia rigida 1,2,3,4 (Click any to see larger)
Master Gardener's Compost Garden
Odessa, Texas

There were two shocks awaiting me when I visited the Compost Garden.

The first was the whole garden had been sheered back. It was quite severe to these untrained eyes. I hope the weed whacker operator knew what he/she was doing. Time will tell.

The other shock was this one blooming plant, left untouched. Its chartreuse blooms were eye-popping against an empty backdrop. I had seen the gopher plant there before, but had no idea it bloomed like this, and so early. Nor would I have guessed it to be part of the Euphoriba family until seeing its leaves as part of what we consider the flower, although the real flower is very tiny. The gopher plant is native to Africa and the Mediterranean. The most famous euphorbia would have to be the poinsettia native to Mexico.

Links

• A List of plants at the Compost Garden.
• Wayne's World has been serving the Internet community curiosities for almost ten years, and has a superb illustrated article on the Euphorbia Family.
• There is even an International Euphorbia Society!
  

Okay, who's the clown?

"Okay, who's the clown?"
Odessa, Texas

A Congregation of Henbit

"A Congregation of Henbit" 1,2,3,4 (Click any to see larger)
Parker Heights Christian Church
Odessa, Texas

I spent time with a little bit of henbit. Nice name, "henbit," don't you think? I can easily image chickens voraciously pecking at this early bloomer, greedy for some fresh greens. I feel the same way, although henbit is considered a tenacious weed by many who prefer monoculture lawns. Wonder if it grew to a foot or two instead of only a couple of inches, would that change public opinion?

Oh, here's another tidbit about henbit. It's part of the mint family. When something has square stems it indicates part of the mint family. And mint almost always means edible. Not always tasty, but edible. BUT when in doubt, don't put it in your mouth!


Links

• According to Backyard Nature, you can make a salad from henbit. I would love to try it, but only with henbit grown where I could be sure there were no chemicals applied.
• DiscoverLife.org has lots of other photos. Henbit's other names are "giraffe head" and "deadnettle." I still like "henbit" best.
  

Fallen Bouquets

Fallen agave stalk and fallen tree
West Odessa, Texas

Random Happy Little Bits

Movie: Rapa Nui
Place: Easter Island
Admire: natural adornments

February Red

"Warm February Red"
Sam Houston St, Odessa, Texas

Oh, if my pomegranate tree only produced like this one.
"Cool February Red"
Sam Houston St, Odessa, Texas

It would be a real contest between the birds and me.

Fire and Ice

"Fire and Ice" 1, 2
January 1, 2009
East Loop 338, Odessa, Texas

I'm still plugging away at backing up photos to CDs. It's sort of fun going through old photos, weeding them out ("weeding," get it?), if I didn't it would take three times as many CDs and time. Goodness gracious, I do take a lot of photos of the same exact stuff, over and over. And over. I must enjoy it or something. :P