As we prepare to enter the heat of the summer months here in Texas, many folks know that we will lose the beauty of all the amazing spring blossoms that make so much of the Texas landscape appealing. Indeed the floral options during the dog days of summer are pretty minimal given the heat throughout most of the state. However the is one flower that blooms in the heat of Texas summers that is so unusual I just have to share it with you here. By sharing it early in summer season perhaps some of you may be inspired to go out and seek it for yourselves! This special blossom is called Buttonbush and it blooms from June to August in relatively moist areas (think lakeshores, marshes, riverbanks). After bloomimng the flowers dry up and leave a ping pong ball sized seedpod that disperses seeds in late summer/early fall.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
As you may be able to tell from the tubular nature of the individual flowers, these are very popular with butterflies as a nectar source. Because of the bushy nature of the plant they bloom on (from 2 feet tall to over 15 feet tall) they often serve as cover for waterfowl along lake margins. Enjoy this quirky flower, I hopeyou encounter your own! What are your favorite summertime wildflowers?
Unusual but lovely!
ReplyDeleteLike it very much, Dawn. This reminds me of CA Buckwheat, in that Buckwheat stays blooming throughout the hot days of Summer, turning from white round heads to bronze. From a distance, the hillsides are colored bronze in late summer/fall.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites too!
ReplyDeleteThat is an unusual flower! I bet the bees and the butterflies are happy that something blooms in the summer!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've seen this before and I really like the exotic nature. Nice shot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little flower, I have never seen this before.
ReplyDeleteExotic in Pristine white! Appears to be more like Ixora to me as they too bloom in compact clusters.
ReplyDeleteNice shot n interesting details.
such an unusual bloom...quite lovely!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this and am glad you shared it with us. It most likely wouldn't grow here on the prairies of eastern Colorado, though. ♥♫
ReplyDeleteExcellent details of this remarkable blossom!
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing flower! I can certainly see why the butterflies and animals love it.
ReplyDeleteI photographed a buttonbush in Austin a couple of weeks ago. I never get tired of these flower globes. Did you get close enough to smell their pleasant fragrance? I've been pleasantly surprised to find plenty of other native plants making it in spite of the heat and drought this summer, so I haven't lacked for subjects.
ReplyDeleteSteve Schwartzman
http://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com