Horsemint per se
Click for greater size and clarity.
You’ve seen photographs in which horsemints, Monarda citriodora, appeared as a group, but now it’s time to show you a closeup of an individual one so you can appreciate the complex structure of these pagoda-like flowers. Horsemint color varies quite a bit, from the saturated purple you saw in one group picture down to even paler shades than those that you saw in another group picture.
This photograph taken at Brodie Wild in south Austin dates from May 3, but even now, five weeks later, horsemints are still prominent in many places around central Texas. Lucky us.
© 2012 Steven Schwartzman
Beautiful and delicate :). I don’t think I have ever seen these before. Great shot!
photosfromtheloonybin
June 6, 2012 at 5:59 AM
This species doesn’t grow as far north as Ontario, but I checked and found out that Monarda fistulosa, known as wild bergamot, does grow there.
Steve Schwartzman
June 6, 2012 at 6:17 AM
Well, I will have to look that one up to see how they compare :). Thanks Steve!
photosfromtheloonybin
June 6, 2012 at 7:01 AM
Excellent shot! 🙂
avian101
June 6, 2012 at 8:37 AM
As I recall, I sat on the ground next to the horsemint so that the camera would be at the same height as the flowers and I could shoot sideways.
Steve Schwartzman
June 6, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Lucky you indeed!!!
dhphotosite
June 6, 2012 at 2:13 PM
All the rest of you can share in the luck by making a visit to Texas, preferably in the spring or fall.
Steve Schwartzman
June 6, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Pagoda-like is a perfect descriptor. This is so complex and very lovely.
Cindy Kilpatrick
June 6, 2012 at 6:52 PM
When I first became acquainted with this species in 1999 I immediately thought of a pagoda, and the intervening years have done nothing to diminish that image.
Steve Schwartzman
June 6, 2012 at 7:59 PM
It’s like a whole little flower garden in itself!
montucky
June 7, 2012 at 12:05 AM
I like the way you put it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that about a flower.
Steve Schwartzman
June 7, 2012 at 6:22 AM
Its glory could have stopped at the fuzzy top and would still have been beautiful. However, it did not stop there and instead adorned itself with a crown as well! ~ Lynda
pixilated2
June 7, 2012 at 12:17 PM
I’ve always been fascinated by the crown at the top. It reminds me of the winged victory of the ancient Greeks. Also, as you can tell in the group pictures of horsemints, there can be several tiers of flowers stacked up around the stem.
Steve Schwartzman
June 7, 2012 at 12:41 PM
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