However, I'm going to start with an organism that isn't really a plant. Pictured is a lichen, which is actually a symbiosis between a fungus (a mycobiont) and a blue-green bacteria (AKA cyanobacteria or photobiont). The fungus in the relationship derives energy from decomposing organic matter on the rock or tree where it lives. The bacteria is photosynthetic, so it derives its energy from the sun. I'm not sure why these two organisms get together, but they do provide energy for each other, so they're a happy couple.
Here's a slightly different lichen.
Now, onto the actual plants. I've never actually encountered lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina, also known as woolly hedgenettle) before, but as soon as I felt this plant's leaves, I knew what it was. The name is completely accurate. Its leaves were very soft and woolly feeling. According to the USDA, these plants are absent in Missouri, but I daresay that is inaccurate.
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| Lamb's ear's pubescence (hair) gives it a silvery look, which makes it popular in moonlight gardens. |
Here are some even cheerier ones. These are reminiscent of bluebells, only yellow.
Now we're back to another moss. I haven't seen many mosses this color. It's got a kind of 70s shag rug look.
Pictured here is one of the quarries. All of the abandoned ones have filled with rainwater. While a lot of people have died in these deep pools, the changes have created a habitat for these aquatic reeds.
And, finally, while this is not plant-related, I bring you a turtle. Isn't he cute? I took this shot from very far away. This turtle is probably almost a foot long.
Have you ever petted lamb's ear? For those of you who have petted actual lambs' ears, do they feel the same?
Next post: more turtles, and the rest of the plants from Elephant Rocks as well.
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