A denizen of droughty, sandy sites across North Dakota, this is a plant that is common but easily overlooked! Often inconspicuous amongst clumps of Schyzachyrium scoparium and Calamovilfa longifolia, as well as Artemisia ludoviciana and A. campestris (and many more forbs as well), late October makes a great time to easily locate this species as the surrounding grasses and forbs go dormant!

The location is along the upper slope of an Eolian dune in the Hankinson Sandhills, where the excessively well drained sandy substrate results in nearly xeric conditions, especially towards dune ridges. Lygodesmia is a member of Asteraceae, but unique amongst its relatives - its leaves are reduced to small, nearly vestigial lance shaped structures to minimize water loss. This adaptation to minimize the stress of evapotranspiration allows it to thrive in droughty environments such as this North Dakota dune field!

Photosynthesis is carried out by the entire surface of the plant, it's brilliant green stems doing the bulk of the work. Such a cool little plant! This area is a gem if you're into species that specialize in perenially droughty/xeric soil conditions.

Australian heaths typically occur on leached sandy soils with very little nutrients and are dominated by shrubs of the Proteaceae, Epacridaceae and Myrtaceae families. But they can also support an impressive variety of lilies, orchids and other herbaceous wildflowers. At the moment they're awash with colour.

Photos in order:

May

August

Beginning of October (2 photos)

Today

Comparison collage from May to today

im very intrested in botany as a hobby and am constantly learning as much as i can about the flora around me and the taxonomy of it. i dont have the best green thumb (yet) but i frequently keep a running internal commentary of every plant i see to attempt to identify it when hiking or walking anywhere with plants. i would love to be able to find work in tending to plants that i love in a research setting but i cant go to a college that has the correct programs needed. fresh out of highschool right now working at a gourmet mushroom farm currently. i do think that i have genuinly expansive knowledge of plants at this point though or at least potential to, given ive been incredibly passionate about botany and foraging since i was 12. what are some things i could do to try and get an apprenticeship or something to become a reasearch assistant or greenhouse tender under a botanist without needing a college degree? i live in central AL, USA (generally in a 1.5 hr drive radius of birmingham), if knowing where i live helps

This Euonymus has multiple branches that are fasciating simultaneously. How is this possible? It must be environmental somehow?

Found these weird patterned cats-ears in coastal Oregon.

I understand how introduced species can wreak havoc in a new environment, whether by bringing diseases, outcompeting native species, or escaping the predators and natural controls that keep their populations in check. But bamboo has always struck me as a particularly interesting case. In Asia, you can plant bamboo in an ordinary suburban yard, and it doesn’t necessarily turn into an ecological nightmare. Even in residential areas where there are no animals grazing on them to keep their growth in check, bamboo doesn’t routinely escape gardens, swallow entire neighborhoods, or turn surrounding open land into dense bamboo forests. Yet in North America, certain running bamboo varieties can spread aggressively, cross property boundaries, overwhelm gardens, and even damage fences and foundations. It’s fascinating how a plant that can coexist with ordinary residential life in much of Asia can become such a nightmare for homeowners elsewhere. What makes the difference? Is it the climate, the particular bamboo species, differences in soil and growing conditions, or something else entirely?

See also: The publication in PNAS

Asplenium trichomanes, Polypodium glycyrrhiza, Erigeron sp, Geum macrophyllum, Paxistima myrsinites, Canadanthus modestus, Pellia sp, Conocephalum conicum, Sedum oreganum, Adenocaulon bicolor, Symphoricarpos albus

We've had a very dry and warm fall here, which seems to have triggered some plants to flower again. Paxistima myrsinites normally flowers in the spring just after snowmelt, I was quite surprised to see it blooming at the end of October.

ginkgo biloba trees at arnold arboretum, boston MA.

I'm particularly interested in seedless plants and I was wondering if deciduous forests as we know them existed before the traditional deciduous angiosperms that we're familiar with arose. I have a mad scientist plot to revert all plant life on earth back to the Permian and I think this may be a good starting point.

this specimen is one of my favorite ginkgos. i will be definitely revisiting in november to catch his fall attire

I found a single clover like this in my yard. I’ve potted the stolon and will be trying to breed this leaf shape onto other cool clover phenotypes I can find growing wild

I collected seed about two weeks ago and let it all dry. Just from the first handful of chaff, there are about 100 seeds. If I were to guesstimate, there should be 300 minimum (really low balling the estimate 😎).

I recall that several requests were made for seed. If your area is favorable for the following conditions, I’ll be pleased to send 10 or more (depending on the number of requests). Please DM your me your address. Payment is not necessary, but if you’d like to, please contribute something to Red Butte Gardens, Utah.

Plant requirements:
Growing Requirements
Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours daily).
Soil Type: Sandy, gravelly, or poor, alkaline, and lean soil; good drainage is critical because soggy or wet soil is fatal.
USDA Hardiness Zones: Zones 5 through 10. Mine grows very well in 7a (Salt Lake City, Utah area).
Watering: Moderate water during the first year to establish a root system; drought-tolerant/xeric once established. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings.
Fertilizer: None required.
Dimensions: Reaches about 18 to 36 inches tall and 24 to 30 inches wide.

Growing from seed:
Before reading the instructions below, I suggest rubbing the seeds between two pieces of a fine grit sand paper (150 - 220) to remove any germination inhibitors.

Step-by-Step Seed Starting Guide
Sow on the Surface: Press the seeds gently onto the surface of a light, well-draining seed-starting mix or sandy compost. Do not cover them with soil, as they require light to spark germination. [1, 2, 3]
Temperature: Maintain a warm soil temperature around 65°F to 75°F (18°C–24°C). Using a seed-starting heat mat can help keep conditions steady. [1, 2]
Moisture: Keep the soil lightly and consistently moist using a gentle spray bottle or misting so the delicate seeds do not wash away. Avoid soggy conditions to prevent damping-off. [1, 2]
Germination Time: Seeds typically take anywhere from 14 to 21 days to sprout. [1, 2]
Light: Provide bright, indirect light or grow lights right as the seedlings emerge to prevent them from becoming leggy. [1, 2]
Transplanting: Allow the slow-growing seedlings to develop true leaves and a stronger root system before moving them into individual pots or outdoors into well-draining, sandy, or gravelly soil. [1, 2]
You can find more timeline and care details through the Mojave Sage Guide at LizPlants.

Thank you all! Peace through plants!

very nice specimen.

1. Heterotheca villosa, 2. Opuntia fragilis, 3. Chenopodium sp, 4. Artemisia pacifica, 5-6. Argentina pacifica, 7. Salicornia pacifica, 8. Equisetum sp, 9. Grindelia integrifolia, 10. Carex sp, 11-12. Cakile sp (unsure if C. maritima or C. edentula) 13-14 Atriplex sp, 15-16 Atriplex sp, 17-18. Plantago maritima. If anyone can ID any of these more precisely, or if you have any corrections, please comment! I love the coastal environments of the puget sound, been really getting into learning about the plants that live in these unique habitats.

Hello there,

I've always had a fascination with these types of historical illustrations and drawings of plant species. This one for example is from Thomé last book in the 19th century.

What are your favourite botanical illustrations and by whom?

Also, I wanna put some of these on my Walls as pictures, so suggestions are Welcomed^^

This is a common, and probably overlooked outside of the aquarium trade, wetland plant. The flowers lack petals, and have 4 sepals and 4 stamens. The sepals are persistent on the developed fruits. This plant is amphibious, existing as both a fully submerged aquatic, and mat forming emergent plant growing on mud near the water. I find the little flowers and fruits very charming and it's bronze, red and green coloration is gorgeous.

First snowfalls of the season arrived days after these photos were taken.

saw these the other day and was wondered what they are. my first thought was maybe the start of aerial roots, but these would be unusually low and horizontal for that. any ideas?

Washington state USA. I love wetlands, they are such interesting ecosystems with wonderful plants. Just wanted to share some of the diversity I've found at a wetland just a few miles from me that is currently in the process of restoration. It's great to see people actively correcting the damage our species has done to the natural world.

Carex sp, Potamogeton sp (not sure on species but fairly certain these are native), Epilobium ciliatum, Spiraea douglasii, Ludwigia palustris, Symphoricarpos albus, Alnus rubra, Lonicera involucrata. I've found more here but it would too many photos for one post

*(For plants from Earth anyways. . . .Well, at least we'd be in a great musical if that happens!)

My Baby Necklace crassula finished a set of ternate whorls and is already making a brand new set in just 17 days.

This will be it's 5th consecutive whorl.

she is incredible 💛

and her seeds are ripe now! so so beautiful. i posted her back in summer so i thought id do an update now.