Greenthread bud

Last time you heard that the yellow flower head a checkered white butterfly was on is called greenthread because of the plant’s green, thread-like leaves. You still can’t see the leaves of Thelesperma filifolium here, but you can get a good look at the way the buds of this species typically nod. You can also see the characteristic “prongs” at the base of the bud, which persist behind the flower head after it opens.

Today’s photograph once again comes from the edge of U.S. 183 near Loop 360 on April 13th.

© 2015 Steven Schwartzman