Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Wordless Wednesday 64: Dotted Horsemint



Dotted Horsemint; Cannonball Bike Path; Madison, WI





15 comments:

Bernie said...

Ok... I am not sure about this one, as I have not seen it here in Australia... Is it a weed? It kinda looks like it is...

Mines up as well at AussiePomm - Sydney Olympic Cauldron Alight (again)

Have a great WW!!

Heather said...

Hi Bernie! Believe it or not, it is a wildflower that grows here in the States. It is also known as spotted bee balm, and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. In fact, according to my "Prairie Plants" book, it especially a favorite nectar source of the endangered Karner blue butterfly.

I had never seen this one before the other evening, when I was out walking a nearby bike path, but it's distinct "shape" made it easy to identify in my book.

It seems like I am seeing different flowers and plants come up every week as fall moves in and summer plants start to die off. This is definitely one of the more unique plants I've ever seen.

Bernie said...

Well there you go... And here I am, working for a Botanic Garden (Turf specialty), and didn't know of it!!

Thanks for the reply though! :)

Heather said...

How cool that you work for a Botanic Garden! We have two here in Madison, in addition to the UW Arboretum (near which I saw this plant). Being in Australia, and as horsemint is native to the states, I don't think it's unusual you hadn't heard of it. Heaven knows you have hundreds of "exotic" looking plants down under!

I forgot to mention that horsemint is also a medicinal plant. Native peoples used an infusion of it to treat colds, nausea and diaarhea. Modern herbalists use it externally to treat rheumatism. It seems to prefer sandy soils like those found in our prairies, oak savannas and near beaches.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

what an interesting shot. a new flower for me. i've been on a camping adventure so i'm just getting back to commenting again. hope you are good. big hugs. (:

Jana said...

Definitely an odd one! Good catch. :)

Heather said...

Elizabeth: It was a new one to me, too. It looks like it is starting to go to seed already--wish I had seen it when it was in full bloom, but other plants were hiding it up til the other night.

Heather said...

Thanks, Jana! Mother Nature certainly proves she has a sense of humor some days. *g*

Heather said...

Jo: Yes, it looks like a series of skirted balls, lol. Definitely a funny, cool-looking plant.

colleen said...

I'm not familiar with it. It's like a piggyback daisy!

I'm wordless too.

Yvonne said...

I've never seen this plant before. Very nice.

Alice Audrey said...

I don't remember ever seeing this before.

Heather said...

Colleen, Yvonne and Alice: This was a new-to-me plant, too. From what I have read about it, it tends to thrive in areas that have been mowed down, plowed under or burned.

Last summer they mowed down the "weeds" growing along the Cannonball Path to pave a 1-1/2 mile section of it, so I figure that has helped this plant flourish this year.

Pearl said...

what a wonderful name for a plant.

Heather said...

Pearl: Definitely unique, that;s for sure. During tonight's walk I found a patch of catnip. I almost picked some for a friend's kitties, hehe...