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September 21, 2017
 Flowers to Marvel At

From cultivated flowers to weeds, there is a lot of beauty stored in the colors and shapes and structures of flowering plants. Here are a few photos of flowers I observed during the past couple of months.

First is a photo of a Lantana flower cluster as seen in one of the hanging baskets on our front porch. Note that each small flower is made of fused petals. The reproductive structures are buried deep inside the corolla tube formed by the petals. (See Microscopy UK for more details.) 

close-up of a lantana flower cluster

A Lantana Flower Cluster of Yellow and Orange Petals (28-Jul-17; © Richard L. Bowman)

In southeastern USA, Crape Myrtle bushes are fairly common, but they can be grown over much of the US. Each flower is composed of a a central reproductive structure with a pistel and numerous stamen coming from the center of 5 or 6 sepals. The main color is in the crepe-like petals which at first glance may seem like separate flowers. On commercial cultivars these petals have longish claws radiating from between the sepal star arms. (Source: Pride of India and Crape Myrtle on Flickr )

crape myrtle flower cluser

Cluster of Peach-Pink Crape Myrtle Flowers (2-Aug-17; © Richard L. Bowman)

close up of a crape myrtle flower

Close-up of On Crape Myrtle Flower Showing Repproductive Center and Petals (2-Aug-17; © Richard L. Bowman)

close uyp of a crape myrtle cluster of buds

True Pink Crape Myrtle Flowers Showing Flower Buds (2-Aug-17; © Richard L. Bowman)

For some reason our Stella d'Oro Daylily started blooming again in August. It was good to see that beauty in a row along our driveway. 

stella d'oro daylilly blooming again

Two Stella d'Oro Daylily Blooms (17-Aug-17; © Richard L. Bowman)

With my propensity for observing weeds as wildflowers, I was please to notice that the weed growing naturally in a containers on our deck was blooming with lovely yellow flowers. It turns out it is Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis). 

what is this pretty yellow flower on heart-shaped leaves

The Three Heart-shaped Leaves and Flowers of the Yellow Wood Sorrel (17-Aug-17; © Richard L. Bowman)

showing the small size of the Yellow Wood Sorrel

Yellow Wood Sorrel Growing En Masse in a Deck Container (2-Aug-17; © Richard L. Bowman)

For some comparison images, see the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin. 

All of our children and their families were visiting with us the weekend of August 4-6. One event we did together was to splash and otherwise play in the stream at Riven Rock. Nearby where some of us sat watching the children with their fun was a patch of tall wildflowers. One is shown below.

Do you know it? If so, please respond using the form below. Thanks!  

unknown flower

Lo (5-Aug-17; © Richard L. Bowman)

I will be observing  more wildflowers and domesticated flowers this fall and showing them here. Their beauty and intricacies are wonderful to see. 

--©2014-17, Richard L. Bowman

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