Saturday, January 10, 2009

Sunburst plants

Have you ever noticed plants that become sunbursts if you stare at them long enough and in the right way? They are favorites in semi-arid landscapes which I see frquently when I take my local walks; many are natives.


Too bad -- a bunch grass, though quite neat in the ground, is too thatched for its sunburst effect to show up in a photograph.

On the other hand, this plain, everyday weedy crab grass grows into its own small sunburst. The effect is especially effective once the frost has hit (below).

Definitely not a native (in fact photographed in Louisiana last summer) is this cycad. The shape of the plant certainly shouts that it is a close cousin to the pineapple.

8 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:30 PM

    Only Granny J can find symmetrical beauty in crab grass! :)

    That's why I luv ya, and look forward to your 2009 posts.

    How's Georgene's web site coming? Did you post her URL yet? If yes, I missed it. :(

    ~Anon in AV.

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  2. anon av -- that crab grass really jumped out at me, especially seeing as how I almost never see it in my wanderings. As for Georgene's URL, go here to Yavapai Central. Check my previous post & see if there isn't a link on the mention of Yavapai Central in the first post -- and tell me what color it is! Tnx.

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  3. Anonymous11:12 AM

    Real nice shots.

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  4. Thanks for name of the pineapple like plant...cycad! There are several I see around Austin.

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  5. cat-A -- we have wonderful grasslike plants hereabouts...

    and, steve, they are why the pictures work! Oh -- just for the hell of it, point your eye at the center of the 1st picture & gradually scroll down. It's a fascinating effect.

    diana -- we're a hair too chilly for growing tropicals like that. I saw the plant down in Cajun country.

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  6. What a great perspective! However... I'm a little dismayed that you're being nice to crab grass. :) - your gardening friend.

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  7. kate -- I already warned you that, as a photographer, I am the great defender of weeds. I presume that crab grass earns my protection under that flag.

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