several stalks of this somberly festive garland decorated the edge of my walking path today–each about four or five feet tall, with beautiful dried tassels decorating their stalks. i can’t say exactly why, but they looked like the kind of weed that grows six feet in just one summer. in other words, not necessarily perennial residents of this particular spot, but nonetheless comfortable in their own skin. i spent considerable time today trying to identify the plant, and i am at a loss, but my gut tells me it is our old friend ragweed in winter disguise.
winter weed stalk (ragweed?)
rice creek regional trail, saint paul, minnesota
You’ve got a wonderful way with words! Love the “somberly festive” description.
When I Googled ‘Ragweed’ and clicked on ‘images’, it shows what it is. I do believe you are right! Ragweed! Isn’t it beautiful though? I like dried weeds and other plants and flowers. I’ve been real into that for years! I would go to the local grocery store, one that has a florist section, and ask for the clippings and trims they were going to toss out. I’d take them home and hang up what I could to dry. Some I would press. Some things dry nice; others – not so much! I had some German Statice that was lavender. The individual petals fell off, though, when I tried to dry it. Scattered out on the table, they looked like ballerinas, without arms or heads, but, I sketched them in. The result was a flurry of fae, dancing in a circle. It made a pretty little cover on a card for a friend. And, to think, the florist was going to throw those smaller pieces away! LOL
Love your blog!
Sy