An Ipomopsis rubra bud

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That’s right, an opening bud of Ipomopsis rubra, known as Texas plume or standing cypress. The plant does stand tall and erect, but it’s no cypress. Its finely dissected leaves are the plumes in the other common name.

I took this picture in Blunn Creek Nature Preserve in south Austin on June 13.

© 2013 Steven Schwartzman