Prairie agalinis
Click for greater clarity.
The same September 28th outing in northeast Austin that provided you yesterday’s picture of an aster now brings you this photograph showing the flower and bud of Agalinis heterophylla, a species known as prairie agalinis or prairie false foxglove, which has been blooming abundantly in Austin for the past month. (Just over a year ago you had a view of a dense group of these flowers.)
The tan halo around today’s prairie agalinis is from the seed head remains of a horsemint, Monarda citriodora. (This spring you saw fresh horsemints en masse in posts on May 23 and May 24, and individually on June 6.)
© 2012 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
The fringing on the edges of the petals add to its delicate look. Lovely, Steve!
~Lynda
pixilated2
October 9, 2012 at 6:50 AM
Yes, I’m fond of those little hairs on the fringe, too. Aside from their decorative appeal, I wonder if they serve a purpose.
Steve Schwartzman
October 9, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Fantastically dramatic portrait of a static flower! I love it!
Kyle
October 9, 2012 at 7:17 AM
Thanks. I’m happy any time I can make the static look dynamic.
Steve Schwartzman
October 9, 2012 at 12:52 PM
I love the way the blur in the background surrounds the flower, it adds a whole ‘nother layer to this picture for me.
Journey Photographic
October 9, 2012 at 8:21 AM
That’s the way I saw it, too. I was fortunate to have the dry horsemint there.
Steve Schwartzman
October 9, 2012 at 8:52 AM
Great photo and well planned, tiny little beastie, good work, MJ
mjspringett
October 9, 2012 at 8:45 AM
Thanks. I often try to line things up in harmonious ways.
Steve Schwartzman
October 9, 2012 at 8:54 AM
Is that tiny, spotted, button-like thing next to the flower coming or going? I’m assuming it might be a seed? If so, it’s amazingly colorful.
shoreacres
October 9, 2012 at 9:34 AM
It’s a bud getting ready to open. Notice how the spots on it foreshadow the spots in the throat of the open flower.
Steve Schwartzman
October 9, 2012 at 12:43 PM
I’m pretty certain I had foxglove growing in my garden at my old house.. this would be a relative of this one??
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
October 9, 2012 at 9:43 AM
From what I can tell, the “official” or original foxglove was Digitalis, a European genus whose flowers look generally like those of prairie agalinis, which is in the family Scrophulariaceae. According to what I’ve quickly read online, Digitalis was formerly classified in Scrophulariaceae but has been moved to Plantaginaceae based on recent genetic findings.
Steve Schwartzman
October 9, 2012 at 12:51 PM
just beautiful, i followed your link back to auspicious and came here by mistake and am glad I did. i love your flowers..
ceciliag
October 9, 2012 at 2:33 PM
I’m glad you like them. I’ve been putting more energy into nature photography than into etymology, though both fascinate me.
Steve Schwartzman
October 9, 2012 at 2:53 PM
That’s a real beauty!
montucky
October 10, 2012 at 10:24 PM
I’ll admit I think so.
Steve Schwartzman
October 10, 2012 at 10:26 PM
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