Let’s play I Spy

Do you remember the game I Spy from those childhood Scholastic books?  I feel like this bag dump of all my bits and pieces from California is like one of those I Spy challenges at the back of the magazine. Can you find eucalyptus seeds? Magnolia pods? Wisteria seed casings? How many guinea fowl feathers do you find? How many different kinds of gumnuts? How many red cedar cones?  Poppy seedpods? How many sweet gum balls? How many pieces of driftwood? How about mussel shells? And here’s one that’s entirely new to me: How many Norfolk Island pine needles (not a true pine) can you find? Acorn caps? dried lace lichen? And finally, how many peony seedpods? If any of you can identify all of these, tell me! I will be duly impressed.

bits and pieces of California, March 2024

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timed for timed for Easter (if you are Christian)

timed for Easter (if you are Christian)

I am not particularly religious, but I do find religious symbolism interesting. The “passion” in passion flower refers to the passion of Jesus in Christian theology; the word passion comes from the Latin passio, meaning ‘suffering’. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries adopted the unique physical structures of this plant, particularly the numbers of its various flower parts, as symbols of the last days of Jesus and especially his crucifixion. If you are curious, check out the Wiki page on passion flowers—every single part of the flower had symbolism for those Spanish missionaries. It’s ironic, because when I look at the flower, I see an exuberantly structured bloom with all its sex parts thrust forward. Everyone sees the world differently.

passion flower (Passiflora)

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another thing we don’t have in Minnesota

another thing we don’t have in Minnesota

Eucalyptus. We don’t have eucalyptus in Minnesota. Which is a shame, because it is so wonderfully photogenic. I was unable to bring home any bark, but I think I could do at least weeks worth of STILL assemblages using just that shaggy bark in all its varied shades of brown and gray. Eucalyptus seedpods are one of my all time favorite seeds, and this trip I think saw at least five different varieties of them–or perhaps in various states. These dusty blue pods are scene stealers. There is so little in nature that is truly blue, that when it appears the eye can’t help but settle on it. As most of you know, Californian eucalyptus is an import from Australia. It thrives in California, but it is now considered an invasive, and is has been discussed whether it should be removed. I am big believer in returning to native planting, since they are the ones that best support the entirely of the local ecosystem. If it ever comes to that, I will be supportive, but I would certainly miss them.

eucalyptus leaves and seedpods (aka gumnuts)

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you can’t find this in Minnesota

you can’t find this in Minnesota

I finally got a chance to dump my bag of California goodies onto the floor. And these two caught my attention first. Barnacles are exclusively marine invertebrates. Which means they don’t grow here in Minnesota in our fresh water.  I have gathered a lot of driftwood over the years. Like sea-glass, I love its rubbed smooth quality. But in all my years of beach combing, I have never found driftwood with barnacles. I keep very few of my specimens, most of them end up back outside after I have photograph them. But these might just get to stick around for a while.

driftwood with barnacles

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intermission

intermission

We will taking a little intermission from our spring line-up, as Minnesota gets blanketed in 6 inches of heavy, wet snow.  In a pinch–or a snow storm–I can always count on tendrils. Always fascinating. Always ready to pose.

We need the water. I’d prefer rain. But snow that will soon melt will do just fine too.

wild grape vine tendrils

  • Old Lady Gardener says:

    Tendrils are always delightful! Hope you are now rested from your gallivanting. Anxious to see what treasures you brought home :)

    reply

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