Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

I didn't expect to see this butterfly today. I was busy cleaning and taking garbage out. I saw 2 together at first and ran to get the camera. One of them flew off and this one with part of the hindwing missing I was able to photograph. It seemed to have no trouble flying though. I was reading about fixing damaged butterfly wings and I didn't know you could do that. Not sure if I'm ready to be a butterfly surgeon yet. lol Good to know damaged wings can be repaired just as God can repair us! Variegated Fritillary can be found in the Southern United States but migrates northward throughout most of the United States and into Canada. It ranges south to Argentina, the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles. The genus name Euptoieta comes from Greek and means easily scared. This one wasn't and a little easier to photograph than some I've chased before. Today was a nice day and a lovely day to find a butterfly. Take time to look around and discover God's creation where you are. 

 Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

 Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

 Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

 Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

 Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

Spider Lily, Hurricane Lilies (Lycoris radiata )

The Spider Lily has not always been in our yard. For a few years we moved and had several families rent here. One of those families planted them here. I've moved them several times in the yard and I love red flowers but not some of the history associated with this one. They originate from China, Korea and Nepal. They were introduced to Japan and then in 1854 to the United States and can be found throughout the southeastern United States. They are also thought of as an heirloom plant and can look a bit odd having no leaves at all. The bulbs are very poisonous and contain lycorine. They also contain another alkaloid galantamine which is used in medications that are used to treat Alzheimers-type dementia. They are grown in China specifically for harvesting it for this reason. In Japan they have been used to keep mice away by surrounding homes and rice paddies. They also have been associated with death by Buddhists and are planted on graves. They are often used at funerals by the Japanese people. As I said not a history I'm fond of. I doubt most people in the south associate these with that but probably have never heard of it. I never heard all that before but have my own sad remembrance of these flowers from almost 14 years to the date of me writing this. In October of  2000 my Daddy went to be with the Lord. After a month of  hospitalization and then his death we came home. I remember these were in bloom and the sight of them for years still sometimes brings those thoughts of misery that I felt. I have thought of removing them but hate to throw a flower away. I did move them all to the backyard though. Just a bit of my personal thoughts on another of God's creation that I'm discovering more about. I hope you'll take time to discover God's creation where you are. There's so much to learn about what He's made. 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalms 126:5

Spider Lily, Hurricane Lilies (Lycoris radiata ) 

Spider Lily, Hurricane Lilies (Lycoris radiata ) 

Spider Lily, Hurricane Lilies (Lycoris radiata ) 

Spider Lily, Hurricane Lilies (Lycoris radiata ) 

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

This is another plant that came up and I left it until I could identify it. One became so large I decided to pull it up but had been waiting to see it bloom. Not to worry though because another one came up and smaller so I have been able to see the blooms. There are also some at the end of our street. So I was able to get the photographs. The origin of this plant seems to be unknown but can be found throughout North America and various other places worldwide. American Burnweed is said to be edible. The leaves can be cooked or eaten raw. Native Americans used it medicinally for treating various aliments. Another addition to my growing list of plants either in my yard, neighborhood or near by. Take time to discover God's creation near you .    

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia ) leaf 

 

American Burnweed (Erechtites hieraciifolia )

Spotted Apatelodes Moth (Apatelodes torrefacta)

Apatelodes torrefacta is not one of the prettiest moths I've seen. Every time I see this one I see what looks like a weird little face looking back. This was right at our front door this Summer and I didn't know it's name but found it on the internet. It's a silkworm moth and it can be found from Maine to Southern Ontario to Florida. Westward to Texas and Northward to Wisconsin. As a caterpillar they are said to secrete chemicals that could irritate the skin and cause swelling and burning. Just another one of God's creation that caught my attention. Take some time and discover God's creation where you are. 

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

My son and I saw this in our neighborhood on one of our walks to the weedy spot to photograph other wildflowers. The lot these were planted on is really grown up now and nothing like it once looked like. Sad but many don't have the time or interest in lovely yards where I am these days. Blue Mistflower is native to Eastern North America. It's said to be a quick spreader and one for attracting bees and butterflies. It's also an important food source for caterpillars. I can find no information stating it to be edible or medicinal. It's listed as not toxic to dogs so this would probably be the case for humans also. I read that not many mammals eat this plant because of it's bitter taste and the USDA says not palatable to humans. Maybe that's because of the bitterness. I will just leave it as more information needed. Glad to know a Creator who has all the answers. I now see His creation in a new light. I discover more every day.Take time to discover His creation where you are. You might be surprised at what you discover. 

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) leaves 

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), Tall Goldenrod (Solidago Altissima)

Goldenrod can be found all over my State of Alabama and at one time was the state flower but was replaced in 1959 by the Camellia. It can be found throughout North America. A few species are native to South America and Eurasia. Some American Species have now been introduced to other parts of the world. It's edible and flowers and leaves may be eaten in salads or cooked. They can be dried for teas as well. In fact it was used as an alternative tea and called "Liberty Tea" after the Boston Tea Party in 1773. It was often combined with other ingredients to make to tea. Caution if gathering leaves though some can carry a fungus and should not be used. The plant has been used medicinally and continues to be used in herbal medicine. It's uses include pain reliever, reduces inflammation, a diuretic, to stop muscle spasms, treating gout, skin conditions and more! As always my blogs are here for information. Carefully research and learn about any plant before trying as an edible. Have the advice of an expert before using medicinally. The name Solidago means to make whole or heal. Another interesting fact about the Goldenrod is that Thomas Edison used the Goldenrod to make rubber. He made tires for his Model T given to him by Henry Ford. Only the leaves can be used to make this rubber. In the last 2 pictures at the end of this blog shows cluster galls or rosette galls they are found specifically on Canadian Goldenrod only. At first glance I thought this was Goldenrod and later became confused after looking at the pictures. I'd never seen Goldenrod with the cluster formation on them before. Information from an identification group clarified that for me. I read more about the rosette galls and found that it's caused from a minuscule fly that lays an egg in a leaf bud. After it hatches it keeps the stem from growing and elongating.The Goldenrod still continues to produce leaves resulting in a cluster like foliage of leaves. So many interesting discoveries as my Summer is now becoming fall. I'm learning what you might think is a weed has more value and benefit than you know. What a grand Creator I serve. Take time and discover creation around you and better yet spend time with the Creator who made it all. 

Tall Goldenrod (Solidago Altissima )

Tall Goldenrod (SolidagoAltissima )

Tall Goldenrod (Altissima Solidago)

Tall Goldenrod (Altissima Solidago)

Tall Goldenrod (Altissima Solidago)

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) Pictured with rosette galls.  

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)  Pictured with rosette galls.  

White rattlesnake-root, White lettuce (Prenanthes alba )

This is another plant I found in that vacant weedy spot in my neighborhood. It was clustered together with a couple other of these and Woodland Lettuce also. Interesting to find all these in the same place. It's native to the Eastern United States and Canada. I've heard the name before but didn't know what it looked like. It was said to have been a remedy used by Native Americans for snakebite. A bitter tonic made from the roots was used to treat dysentery. It's not edible and I didn't find any information stating other than medicinal uses. Some plants as the case with this one there is a lack of information about some things concerning it or maybe it's hidden away somewhere. We have a great Creator who has more information than we could ever imagine about  the plants He has placed here. I hope you'll take some time and look around at God's creation near you . You might be surprised at what you discover. 

  

White rattlesnake-root, White lettuce (Prenanthes alba)

White rattlesnake-root, White lettuce (Prenanthes alba)

White rattlesnake-root, White lettuce (Prenanthes alba)

White rattlesnake-root, White lettuce (Prenanthes alba)

White rattlesnake-root, White lettuce (Prenanthes alba)

Fiery Skipper Butterfly (Hylephila phyleus)

At one time I might have caught a glimpse of  Fiery Skipper Butterfly and thought it was a moth. I would have been wrong. They are common in the southern United States where I am. They can be found south through the West Indies and Central America to Argentina. They might stray to other areas temporarily. Northern California, southern Minnesota, southern Ontario and Southern New England are some of those areas. In the 19th century the Fiery Skipper was not known in New England. So there might be a possibility to see one even if it's not common to where you are in the United Sates. Take a look around and discover God's creation where you are. You might be surprised at what you find. Have a blessed and happy day ! 

 Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)

 Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)

 Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)

 Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus)

 Fiery Skipper Butterfly (Hylephila phyleus)

Japanese Hawkweed (Youngia japonica)

I found this growing in my front yard and backyard. Somethings I find and identify quickly on the internet. This one was identified thanks to the help of a plant identification group on facebook. Japanese Hawkweed can be found throughout the Eastern and Southeastern United States. It's native to Asia and Australia and as the name would suggest can be found throughout Japan. It's been naturalized here in the United States and other parts of the world also. It's edible and the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. It's said to be a medicinal plant and used as an antitussive, febrifuge and antioxidant. A Chinese study in 2003 showed it to have anti-cancer and antiviral activities. Remember as always to do plenty of research and have expert advice before using plants medicinally or eating them. My blogs are here to give information and not advice. So many amazing plants God has placed in my small area. So many beneficial plants right before my eyes. I'm thanking God for what He has allowed me to discover. I hope you'll take a look around and discover God's creation where you are. 

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)

Japanese Hawkweed  (Youngia japonica)