Later than usual
August is too late for large quantities of white prickly poppies, Argemone albiflora, but there can still be stragglers, and in fact I was surprised to come upon one just last week. Back on August 5th at Brushy Creek Lake Park in the town of Cedar Park (on the same outing that brought you a photograph of Clematis and clouds) I’d come across the white prickly poppy shown here, which had attracted some tiny insects. They kept darting about on the flower’s stamens so I used a shutter speed of 1/1000 sec. to stop their motion.
Argemone albiflora is the only species of poppy native to the Austin area. Don’t you like the way all its yellow-orange stamens surround the lone red and velvety-looking stigma? This species of poppy also has very delicate petals, details of which I showed in a 2012 post. If you’re not familiar with white prickly poppies, you may also want to take a look at the intricate and fractal-like patterns in these plants’ leaves. And if you haven’t gotten link-happy by now, you can see one of these pristine white flowers serving as an emblem of resurgence after the devastating Bastrop wildfires of 2011.
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Happy autumnal equinox tonight (Austin time), and may you all retain your equanimity.
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I’m out of town for a while. Of course you’re welcome to leave comments, but please understand if it takes me longer than usual to respond.
Very pretty. A pity about the prickles, from my human point of view.
Gallivanta
September 22, 2014 at 6:07 AM
This plant and the eryngo you recently saw do, from the human point of view, have sharp points, but the risk in handling them is worth it for the pictures they provide.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 7:58 AM
I will leave you to the risks, and I will simply enjoy the results.
Gallivanta
September 23, 2014 at 12:21 AM
That sounds like a prudent approach on your part.
Steve Schwartzman
September 23, 2014 at 7:31 AM
Bien centrée cette image. Toujours une belle lumière et de belles couleurs.
Pierre
September 22, 2014 at 6:29 AM
Merci, Pierre.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 9:30 PM
As you know, I like everything about this flower, and I’ll never see too many photos of it. I’d forgotten the black and white treatment of the leaves, which still looks like frost to me. And the one taken at Bastrop is deeply touching. I’m glad to see the texture of the petals here, too. They always remind me of the white tissue paper that’s my cat’s favorite toy — after she’s spent a few days “processing” it.
shoreacres
September 22, 2014 at 6:34 AM
The crinkly texture of the petals is one of many fine things about this plan, so I can understand why it’s among your favorites, and I feel the same way.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 9:34 PM
Superb shot!
Best regards, Dina
Dina
September 22, 2014 at 6:35 AM
Thanks, Dina.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:18 PM
Poppies are such fascinating plants. (To your question, “Don’t you like the way all its yellow-orange stamens surround the lone red and velvety-looking stigma?” my answer is unequivocally YES!)
Susan Scheid
September 22, 2014 at 9:37 AM
I’d expect nothing less than an unequivocal YES from a bearer of XX chromosomes, Susan, about all those worshipful stamens.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:21 PM
Gorgeous capture – love the crinkly tissue-paper petals and that deep egg-yolk yellow centre. Is this related to the Romneya coulteri / Californian tree poppy? Looks a lot alike apart from the red stigma and no prickles!
Heyjude
September 22, 2014 at 9:58 AM
I don’t think I’d heard of Romneya coulteri, so I looked it up and saw the resemblance of its flowers to those of the white prickly poppy. I also confirmed—as if the photograph I found hadn’t already done so—that Romneya is indeed in the poppy family.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:24 PM
Absolutely beautiful poppy, I have never seen one like it! Love the paper quality of the white petals paired with yellow and red, so fragile, simple and elegant display!
marksshoesbyevamarks
September 22, 2014 at 10:47 AM
I couldn’t have said it better myself, Eva.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:26 PM
Beautiful! It also resembles the California Tree Poppy flower!
photoleaper
September 22, 2014 at 11:27 AM
Ah, that turns out to be the same Romneya coulteri that Jude mentioned a few comments back.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:45 PM
Ah yes, indeed it is!
photoleaper
September 22, 2014 at 10:48 PM
I am having a hard time deciding if my thought is amazing plant or amazing photo…I do really like both.
Charlie@Seattle Trekker
September 22, 2014 at 1:20 PM
I’d be happy to take some of the credit away from the amazing plant, Charlie. The insect is too tiny for me to want to take any credit away from it.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:49 PM
Beautiful. 😀
Raewyn's Photos
September 22, 2014 at 2:49 PM
Thanks, Raewyn.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:49 PM
Such a pretty flower. Hope your out of town trip is an enjoyable one
norasphotos4u
September 22, 2014 at 4:59 PM
I’ve already seen some photogenic plants in New Mexico, Nora, but the weather hasn’t cooperated yet. My chance will come.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Yes, those anthers look so soft and rich enveloping the stigma. It’s a lovely flower and the texture of the petals completes the package.
Steve Gingold
September 22, 2014 at 7:45 PM
I’m sorry you don’t have these in New England, Steve. I know you’d have fun playing with them (photographically if not tactilely).
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:53 PM
stunning
sedge808
September 22, 2014 at 10:05 PM
It’s a great wildflower, all right.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:53 PM
Five minutes to go until the equinox. I’m ready and I see that you are too. Bring it on!
krikitarts
September 22, 2014 at 10:25 PM
I’m one time zone west of my usual one, so the equinox came an hour earlier according to the clocks here.
Steve Schwartzman
September 22, 2014 at 10:57 PM
You’ve gone O’Keeffe on us with this one! Love it. Although I am late, I am full of equinimity. No wait. That would be horsey. You know what I mean…
melissabluefineart
October 11, 2014 at 9:37 PM
By coincidence, at the time of this post I was off on a trip that ended up including at least two museums in the Southwest where I saw paintings by O’Keeffe. You’ve put me in good company. You’ve also put me in good spirits with your play on words: “equinimity.”
Steve Schwartzman
October 11, 2014 at 11:17 PM