To Have and Have Not 3

Roughstem rosinweed, Silphium radula; click for more detail.

Yesterday’s post showed a section of Bull Creek in northwest Austin as it appeared in March. Three days ago I went to a portion of the creek not far from there to see how things were looking. Long stretches were completely dry, and those shorter ones that were still wet held stagnant water; nowhere did I see any flow at all. But amidst all the “have not” there is always some “have,” and what that area can currently claim to have in abundance is roughstem rosinweed (Silphium radula). Dozens of these stiff-stalked plants, whether erect or more likely leaning over, are now flowering brightly up and down the shady paths adjacent to both sides of the creek. Some people mistake them for sunflowers, which are relatives. One thing I’ve noticed about this species of rosinweed is a tendency at a certain stage for its stamens to rise and form a crown around the pale green disk at their center. Welcome to the coronation.

© 2011 Steven Schwartzman

(For the technically minded, points 1, 2, and especially 4 in About My Techniques apply to today’s photograph.)