Ruta Graveolens

Rue. Herb. Much maligned and rarely used. Can cause a rash if there is contact with your skin and then exposed to sun. Never had that problem working it myself. It's a very strong herb, so must be used sparingly. My favorite memory of this herb, is the burning of it's seeds to make a kind of incense to expunge illness and ward off evil. 

Cold Front

All the tender ones

have been brought in ahead of the cold. Second year in a row. On a roll. 

Viguiera Dentata

Sunflower Goldeneye. So these things were just dead weeds along the trail to the bee hive. I was going to whack them all down. Glad I didn't. Three weeks, at least 20 inches of rain and the back is now a blanket of blossoms. This girl doesn't have any pollen on her legs. Nice nectar flow from these drought tolerant perennial natives.

Oxalis

Two from the Oxalis family. Some would consider them weeds. Both are in my yard for free and neither takes up too much space. Of course they're edible!

Ilex Vomitoria

Sounds like 6th street in Austin most days at about 2am. The only North American native that contains caffeine. Tea can be made from the Yaupon Holly and it won't make you vomit. Apparently Native Americans had a ritual that involved a drink made from the Yaupon. Part of the ritual involved induced vomiting at the end and guess what? It was for men only. Well the vomiting was probably caused by something else, but the white people didn't know that, hence the Vomitoria addition to this type of Ilex. The tea is made from the leaves and said to be similar to Yerba Mate. I am going to make some and try it. Never was much of a Mate fan. We'll see. And that ritual that excluded women? Only guys would be screwy enough to think that forcing themselves to vomit as part of a ritual was cool.

Wild Onion Blossoms

Lots of these popped after the rain. How much rain? At least 18 inches at my house over a 2 1/2 week period. 

Clifford's Tree

This scrappy little oak is almost 10 years old and that's because Clifford is 10 years old today. It's been through a lot. Some of the worst heat, drought and cold. Then there was the year the deer nearly rubbed it to a toothpick.  A very memorable birth, was Clifford's. Three mid-wives, the handsome father Paul and the beautiful mother Suz. Of course the big sister Retta down the street waiting for her little brother, who arrived around 10pm at close to 10 pounds. Yup, Clifford was born in this house - maybe only 20 or 30 feet from where this tree stands now. Happy Birthday, Clifford!!!

Jumping spiders

Apparently Texas has a LOT of spiders with "jumping" as part of their name. Jumping ground spiders make these kinds of webs. 

Rosemary Blossoms

Ever look in close at a rosemary blossom? Now you have. 

Colias Philodice

Clouded Sulphur butterfly. It's kind of tough to get any picture of most butterflies. Patience and persistence. 

Rhus Virens

Evergreen Sumac. Native? Check. Drought resistant? Check. Food for bees and butterflies? Check. Food for birds? Check. Edible? Check!!!