What’s Blooming in the Prairie?

Thistles in the Blue

Thistles in the Blue © 2008 Bo Mackison

Thistle, prickly to the hand and quite noxious to other plants as it tends to take over and monopolize the land to the detriment of other plants. The name “thistle” is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “to stab” – the plant is appropriately named, full of thorn set as a defense against crawling creatures after the flowers’ extremely sweet nectar. Birds and butterflies can easily approach though, and goldfinches are especially fond of both the seed as food and the down as nesting material.

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed © 2008 Bo Mackison

Butterfly Weed, as the name implies, is an irresistible plant for butterflies. The huge domes make lovely landing pads and dining palaces for many adult butterflies and the foliage feeds the larvae of the monarchs. It is the orange member of the milkweed family.

Queen Anne's Lace

Queen Anne’s Lace © 2008 Bo Mackison

Queen Anne’s Lace, also called Wild Carrot. Its leaves, stem and root taste and smell like the garden carrot, its taproot can be eaten as a vegetable or roasted as a “coffee”. And legend says that if the “flowers of the lace are mixed in sweet red wine and drunk long into the evening” it acts not only as a love potion, but also as a contraceptive. Can’t speak for or against that lore.

Milkweed

Milkweed © 2008 Bo Mackison

The Common Milkweed might as well be called the Monarch Butterfly Plant, as it is essential to all stages of that butterfly’s existence. They lay their eggs on the plant; the caterpillars spend their entire lives feeding on the leaves. Once mature, they build their chrysalises on the undersides of the leaves, and when the butterflies emerge from their cocoons, they feed on the flowers. The plant also provides protection to the Monarchs as the sap the caterpillars feed on is distasteful and keeps away predatory birds.

Opening in the Sun

Purple Cornflower Beginning Its Bloom

Purple Cornflower Beginning © 2008 Bo Mackison

A pale purple coneflower just beginning to open.

This plant is common in Wisconsin and found in dry prairies and open savannas from Nebraska and Iowa east to Arkansas and Indiana. Farther east, it is seen occasionally usually an escape from cultivation. Illegal digging represents a major threat to this plant in some regions.

Funhouse Mirror?

Funhouse Mirror?

Funhouse Mirror? © 2008 Bo Mackison

Like Abbott and Costello?

Dancing on the Prairie

Purple Coneflowers

Purple Coneflowers © 2008 Bo Mackison

Pale Purple Coneflowers.

Bridal Flower

Bridal Flower © 2008 Bo Mackison

Like a blushing bride waiting

Dancing in the Prairie

Dancing in the Prairie © 2008 Bo Mackison

or dancer of the hula in the gentlest of breezes.

Weinermobile Visits the Capitol

Weinermobile Visiting Concerts on the Square

Weinermobile Visits Concerts on the Square © 2008 Bo Mackison

On July 3rd the Weinermobile was on display across the street from the State Capitol Building in Madison, Wisconsin. Ah, a photo op and why not? The car is a Wisconsin icon, and an American icon, too.

Oscar at Concerts on the Square

Yummy! © 2008 Bo Mackison

This particular Weinermobile bears the license moniker YUMMY. Very smart, these hot dog people – putting the plate inside the car. There have been reports of missing plates on some of the vehicles. Other licenses the cars have include BIG BUN, OH I WISH, WEENR, WEINER, and OUR DOG, all Wisconsin plates.

Inside the Weinermobile

Inside the Weinermobile © 2008 Bo Mackison

Really smart interior. Not only is everything catsup red and mustard yellow, but the ceiling is a lovely cloudscape. Very uplifting, especially during those winter months when the skies tend towards gray and cloudy.

Weinermobile Factoids

Weinermobile Factoids © 2008 Bo Mackison

In case you are interested, you can read more factoids from the real sign.