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
Portraits of Wildflowers 
I can see spider thread though.
Gallivanta
May 23, 2015 at 6:22 AM
But I’ll bet you’ve never seen spider thread that’s green.
Steve Schwartzman
May 23, 2015 at 7:57 AM
Indeed I have not.
Gallivanta
May 23, 2015 at 8:12 AM
Love the photo, it is a story so full of hope and potential.
Charlie@Seattle Trekker
May 23, 2015 at 6:58 PM
That’s a good and optimistic way of seeing it. Most greenthread buds succeed.
Steve Schwartzman
May 24, 2015 at 12:24 AM
The butterfly has flown away. Lovely image
Raewyn's Photos
May 23, 2015 at 7:11 PM
The butterfly has flown away but the greenthread will stay for many a day.
Steve Schwartzman
May 24, 2015 at 12:25 AM
It’s stunning!
photoleaper
May 24, 2015 at 4:55 PM
Isn’t is wondrous how much beauty can secretly be held inside a bud? They are surprise packages. I wouldn’t have been able to predict that the previous bloom would emerge from this spidery bud. People are often like that. You can’t often tell what they are really like from the outside. 🙂
Jane
May 24, 2015 at 5:04 PM
That’s a good analogy between buds and people. I think I find it easier to understand the former, but I’ll keep working at making headway with the latter.
Steve Schwartzman
May 25, 2015 at 9:06 AM
Humans are rather complicated! 🙂
Jane
May 25, 2015 at 4:56 PM
The prongs make me think of Kermit.. It is a lovely bud and you’ve shown it well.
Steve Gingold
May 24, 2015 at 6:12 PM
You never cease to surprise me with your associations from popular culture.
Steve Schwartzman
May 24, 2015 at 9:35 PM
Yeah, I think I am a little too aware of the stuff.
Steve Gingold
May 25, 2015 at 10:41 AM