Eryngo remains
Click for greater clarity.
Do you remember eryngo, Eryngium leavenworthii, the prickly plant that produces what look like little purple pineapples? On November 19th I came across the remains of a few eryngo seed heads near some flameleaf sumac, Rhus lanceolata. This was within sight of the spot along US 183 in Cedar Park where I found the Indiangrass you recently saw.
© 2013 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Still looks amazing even in death…
Heyjude
December 30, 2013 at 6:27 AM
I’m with you on that: fresh or dry, this is one strange plant. I think this was the first time I ever photographed one against such a colorful backdrop.
Steve Schwartzman
December 30, 2013 at 6:38 AM
Yes that backdrop really helps it to stand out.
Heyjude
December 30, 2013 at 6:52 AM
It would be hard to do a daily wildflower image here in IA. It was -6˚ today. I would opt out.
Jim in IA
December 30, 2013 at 7:14 AM
The cold here too (by our milder standards) and the bleak skies have kept me from wandering for almost two weeks. Comings and goings, ebbs and flows: I’ve already photographed a lot this year, and the next is already at hand.
Steve Schwartzman
December 30, 2013 at 9:40 AM
One of the things I enjoy most is clicking on your posts to see the outstanding photos and excellent descriptions of the beauty of the natural world. Thank you for taking me back to favorite places I used to see and opening visual doors to appreciation of so many new experiences, large and small and increased awareness of nature’s gifts. Please accept my deep appreciation for your talent and the way you share it with all of us through your pictures and comments. Thank you again, J. Lovedahl
mjclcass12
December 30, 2013 at 9:11 AM
You’re most welcome, J., and thank you in return for your appreciative words. Nature can be wonderful anywhere, but favorite places carry with them an after-feel of experience that makes them special. I’m happy that some of these posts have been living reminders for you; they are for me, too.
Steve Schwartzman
December 30, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Looks like stained glass in the background. Very cool!
Kathy Henderson
December 30, 2013 at 12:56 PM
That’s a good observation, and I can see the stained glass now that you suggest it. The sumac leaves are enough out of focus to leave behind their reality in nature and take on a reality in the world of art.
Steve Schwartzman
December 30, 2013 at 1:56 PM
Without the color to distract, this looks remarkably like holly – at least in its leaves. I did some snooping and found Eryngium Campestre, also known as Eryngo or Sea-Holly. It’s not native to the U.S., but it seems others have seen the connection between those dangerous Eryngo barbs and the prickly leaves of holly.
It’s beautiful against the sumac.
shoreacres
December 30, 2013 at 9:17 PM
This genus is in the same family as parsley, celery, dill, carrots, etc., but because Eryngium species are spiny, people mistake them for other prickly plants like thistles and, as you mentioned, holly. I did a little looking myself and found there are some eight Eryngium species native to Texas.
Steve Schwartzman
December 30, 2013 at 10:51 PM
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