Wildflowers Of August
Wax Goldenweed
Despite the drought and high temperatures of the last month, the wildflowers are still going strong. This one, Wax Goldenweed, survives by having an extensive root system, and a waxy coating which lowers water loss.
Wax Goldenweed
This one is called Clammy-weed, so named because of the sticky hairs which cover it causing a “clammy” feeling in your hand when touched.
Clammy-Weed
Clammy-Weed
This little Clammy-weed was growing out of a hole in a large rock.
Clammy-Weed
Western Ironweed gets it name because of its strong tough stems. It is not grazed due to having a very bitter taste.
Western Ironweed
Snow On The Mountain is related to the poinsettia. The bitter plant sap can cause an itchy rash, and if cattle consume hay containing Snow On The Mountain, it can cause illness or even death.
Snow On The Mountain
Snow On The Mountain
Native Americans used the leaves of Dakota Verbena to make a treatment for snakebite.
Dakota Verbena
Wild Senna was used by Native Americans to treat sores, fevers, and heart disorders.
Wild Senna
The Bull Thistle was used to treat many ailments by the Native Americans, including muscle stiffness, rheumatism, neuralgia, and stomach cramps. The bristles were used when making blow darts.
Bull Thistle
Bull Thistle
Missouri Goldenrod’s roots can be as long as 6 feet, a good defense against drought. It was also used by the Native Americans to relieve toothache.
Missouri Goldenrod
This little butterfly helped while I took pictures. He landed on my camera lens, and stayed there. I finally had to take him off. Then he wouldn’t get off my finger. I think he may have been looking for salt.
PS: Lee Ann of http://theunfocusedlife.blogspot.com/ found the name of the little butterfly above. It is a Tawny Emperor. Thanks a bunch Lee Ann!
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I love wildflowers. I love butterflies. Perfect combination!
The pictures of the Bull Thistle reminds me of our Texas Thistle. I wonder if they are one and the same? Gorgeous! The same goes for for the Dakota Verbena, which we call Prairie Verbena down here. They are very similar if not the same.
Awesome pictures.
Hi Lee Ann,
I tried to find the name of the butterfly, but came up empty. So he’s just Mr. Butterfly. I looked up the thistles, and the Bull and Texas are different species, but they do look a lot alike. The Prairie and Dakota verbena are the same species though.
Thank you!
I’ve always thought Snow On The Mountain was pretty. You captured it nicely. How adorable your little butterfly friend.
Hi Gardener,
I had never seen Snow on the Mountain until I moved to Kansas. I really love it.
Hi Suzanne,
I like the wildflowers!
Ever since your Queen Anne’s Lace post I have been looking for the little crimson flower in the center and haven’t seen one around here. Could it be only the Kansas variety has it? Hmm…
Hi Kelly,
I’m not sure if different varieties don’t have the red center, or if maybe every flower doesn’t have it. Not sure. I’ve noticed too, that it is not always there.
Thank you!
Your pictures are so beautiful, and your knowledge of the native plants and animals just amazes me. You certainly make Kansas look like a beautiful place to be.
Hi Teresa,
Thank you! Kansas is a beautiful place…except when the wind is blowing 50mph. Not so pretty then. :O)
Beautiful shots! We had bull thistle growing on our property this year. I thought it was pretty! love your little butterfly friend….so cute that he wouldn’t leave your finger!!
Hi Bonnie,
Thank you. I tried to shoo the butterfly, but he wouldn’t which is unusual. I finally transferred him to a muddy patch near the mineral feeder, which has salt in it. He seemed happy with that.
All these wild flowers? Oh wow they are so pretty. Prairie verberna is sold as an ornamental plant here 😉 Enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings.
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you!
It’s interesting that many of the wild flowers/plants are medicinally rich. The Clammy-weed reminds me of a wild plant here called Sarpagandha (Rauwalfia serpentina)which has been used as a remedy for high blood pressure in the Homoeopathic and ancient Indian systems of medicine. No wonder, the butterfly looks so bright and healthy living as it does, in nature’s own drugstore!
Hi Shailaja,
True, nature takes care of its own more than we know.
Wax Goldenweed – really neat looking. Have never seen
anything quite like it. Your post is great -interesting, informative, beautiful, and a cutey to top it all off.
Hi Doe,
I thought it the prettiest. Like a little yellow daisy- so cheerful looking.
I love the clammy weed. It really resembles cleome. The pictures are beautiful. My favorite also is the golden rod. I have that in my garden. Beautiful. And the wild senna is very interesting. I love that its so different. How fun to have all the beauty without even planting or caring for it.
Hi Julie,
I thought it looked like Cleome too….I wonder if they are related? Love the carefree wildflowers. I have a wildflower bed at home. All I ever do to it is some weeding.
Thank you!
Great post. Very informative!
Thank you, Deborah!
http://www.floridata.com/tracks/butterfly/tawny_emperor.cfm
I was doing some research into butterflies and moths when I ran across a site that immediately reminded me of your unnamed butterfly. I wonder if it could be a Tawny Emperor? And, a male one at that?
Hi Lee Ann,
That’s it! Thanks so much for finding that. I looked and looked, and just couldn’t find him. I’ve modified this post to include his name, and yours too!
Thanks again.
This is a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing your wildflowers. There are several that are new to me. I love your tenacious little butterfly 🙂
I’ve done a few wildflower posts in the past and thoroughly enjoyed gathering the photos of all the different blooms, so I really appreciate your beautiful pictures and seeing what grows in your part of the country. Thanks for sharing them.
You’re Welcome Kerri, and Thank you! I enjoyed taking those pics, although it was so HOT that day.