…and naughty bits.

I take perennial flowers for granted. I planted them so I expect them to be there for me, and they are, year after year while I’ve gallivanted around seeking cheap thrills with their wild cousins.

Ever faithful, my garden phlox and perennial sunflowers wait for me at the side of the house. Both are a bit aggressive but I like that in my flower bed.

Then there’s my geranium. I’ve forgotten her name but she still tempts me with her naughty bits.

Speaking of naughty bits, the ligularia has more than enough to arouse my interest. I have to say ligularia flowers are one of my perennial favorites.

An inch worm makes an unsuccessful move on another ligularia flower. Poor little worm, no matter how much he stretched and stiffened the neighboring naughty bits were out of reach.

Phloxy Autumn Joy. I told ya phlox is aggressive.
Sedum flower heads getting phloxed.

Ah, what can I say. I strayed on the wild side again. A dainty Aster on the fringes of respectability (where the lawn mower dares not go) caught my fancy. Asters can be so hard to pin down s I didn’t catch a last (species) name.

Disturb a bald faced hornet’s nest and you’ll feel the sting of their really nasty bits. They’re pretty much a black and white version of a yellow jacket wasp. Both are known for their bad attitude so it’s best not to stick your nose into their business end.

I guess that’s enough. I have other things to do now.
nudge, nudge, wink, wink

Boneset – Eupatorium perfoliatum

Boneset can be found in wet meadows, thickets and open woods since it prefers moist soil. It is a common roadside attraction in St. Lawrence County. Boneset grows in the same type of areas but is not as prolific as Joe Pye Weed. The fuzzy flat topped flower clusters are similar but the boneset flowers are white.

The flower clusters only appear fuzzy, the tiny individual flowers are as distinct as any other flower.

Boneset flowers

Boneset leaves are course, often wrinkled, opposite and lanceolate. The opposite paired leaves are ‘joined’ at the base and surround the hairy stem. It was the appearence of the stem growing through the leaves that indicated to early herbalists that the leaves were useful in setting bones. Boneset leaves were wrapped in bandages around splints. Boneset tea was also a common home remedy during the 1800s. Leaf tea was widely used to induce sweating in fevers, flu and colds. It was also used for malaria, rheumatism, muscle pain,spasms,pneumonia, pleurisy, gout and other ailments. A poultice made from leaves was often applied to tumors. Boneset is an emetic and can induce vomiting. It is also a laxative when taken in large doses. Oh my, the reactions sound a lot like the ones I had when my sister set me up on a blind date. Sweating, vomiting and the runs.

…and now for something not completely different.

It was a bit of a surprise finding ambush bugs on boneset flowers. I didn’t expect these camouflage experts to use a white background to set up an ambush. Neither did the fly that was caught in a pincer movement.

A romantic dinner for a loving couple.

…and now for something as cute as a bug.

I found this to be a delightful color combination.
The little green bug complements the violet of the joe pye weed flower buds.

Want a better look at the little green bug?
zoom zoom zoom

After getting a good look at those lips I’m not so sure about the cute remark. This looks more like what happens when lip enhansing plastic surgery goes wrong. No matter how cute your body might be no one is going to get past that look on your face.

What lurks in the golden glow of late summer?
More specifically, what’s hiding among the goldenrod flowers at this very minute?

Oh shoot, I gave it away. I knew I should have used a different title if I wanted to play a guessing game. Guess now I’ll have to make this a funny caption contest. Everyone that submits a caption in the comment section is a real winner and will recieve my sympathy.

Ambush bugs are fairly easy to find. They seem to be a common predator around here. They might be hard hard to spot since they are so easy to overlook. Ambush bugs are masters of camouflage. Their ghillie suits make them look like a bit of debris among the flowers.

More photos and some information about Ambush Bugs:

Spearmint Surprise

Ambush Bugs on Bergamot

On the Spearmint Surprise post you’ll see a wasp that became lunch. With that as a segue let me direct you to another blog. The subject might not be as bug ugly but I find it far stranger to learn there are flys that eat bees. Go ahead and see for yourself on the post about Robberflies at Meg and Randy’s Garden Paradise. Randy also has a great butterfly web site: Butterflies of the Carolinas and Virginias. Randy is also a dragonfly observer and likely to be able to identify this one even though the photo isn’t all that good.

Did I mention Randy has some great photographs?