MISC
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I purposely allowed a lot of Common Mullein to become established this year (2016). I did because I have always seen Mullein throughout my life in Maine and one man's weed is another's wildflower. This plant is an exotic here in NA and native to Asia and Europe. http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Fall1999/Mullein/tabid/2011/Default.aspx
Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carrot)
Daucus carota or Queen Anne's Lace is another wildflower not native to NA but has been in NA since the 1800's. The USDA considers this a noxious plant but that just goes to again show me why I have no respect at all for the USDA...they suck!!! I consider Queen Anne's Lace to be a very beneficial plant to native NA terrestrial systems. Why? Simply because it supports a large group of native insects and is not so invasive that it takes over any area that I have seen in my 68 years of watching nature. I like Queen Anne's Lace and I hate the USDA. So there you are. https://www.google.com/?client=safari&channel=mac_bm#channel=mac_bm&q=daucus+carota+
American Goldfinches on Mullein
When does an exotic become a native? Species have always moved around over the planet, and often into regions where they did not exist before. Today, we use the word "exotic" for such species. But many species that were introduced into regions were eventually perceived as desireable A few worth mentioning are the Red Fox, the Earthworm and the Honeybee. The Mullein is native to Europe, not North America. Several years ago it naturally germinated and grew along the edges of my driveway. I pulled it and tossed it into an open gravelly area to make sure it would not re-root. But this year (2016) is showed again and even more numerous. I would normally be alarmed but Mullein is very easy to pull and take the entire root. And I did considered pulling these plants too. Then I learned that Mullein seeds are eaten by several seed-eating birds, including my beloved American Goldfinches. So at this point, Mullein is a desirable plant. Now down the road I may change my mind. But for now, I love that my American Goldfinches are enjoying the Mullein. The Mullein plants you see in this image have been under the terrific stress of the first drought I can remember in Maine in my life. And I am 68 years of age. So many of my Mullein plants have lost their flowers early.
It is August 6 and the flowers have not opened yet. This is expected, but what is not expected is that I have not seen any honeybees or bumblebees this year. I hold hope that when the Joy Pye Weed opens, there will be bees all over them.
Great Spangled Fritillary laying her eggs
This is perfect example of why, when we clean up every last thing in nature....to make our yards look so nice and neat, we are not helping nature in the least. I spotted this butterfly near my house and it quickly went over to the wildflower area. I could see it seemed to be exploring into areas where a butterfly does not normally venture. Butterflies stick to the tops of flowers. Then it hit me..."It is September and this animal is laying her eggs." Later in the day I caught it in the open woods litter and I shot enough images from a distance to catch her in the act of laying her eggs.
