Granite Outcrops

Granite Outcrops
Granite outcrops found in WA (Western Australia) are 2.5 billion years old – making this area the oldest known area on earth! The habitats on these granite outcrops are remarkable! Moss, lichens, and carnivorous plants are found all over the place!

The Bush

The Bush
Now I know what “The Bush” really looks like. The bushes are so thick that it would be easy to get lost. Many of the bushes are also “prickly” so it’s necessary to wear long protective clothing. Orchids grow close to the ground and form small flowers. The soil is sandy and at this time of the year – wet. That means, yes, mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are easy to see because they are HUGE. They can even bite through clothing! So now it’s me against the mosquitoes! I bought some “gum boots” that are rubbery boots that go all the way up to my knees – not very fashionable but I’m sure the mosquitoes will not bite through these boots. I win! I also feel better going out into the bush knowing that I have more protection than just long pants, from the snakes. Larry found a snake but before I could get to the “snake spot” (I really did not rush over to see it when he said – Oh, I found a snake; hurry and get a photograph of it.” Hello, these snakes are all poisonous!) the snake vanished. Check Facebook for photos.

Cypripedium

Hello! My name is Retha Meier. My research associate and I have been studying Cypripedium for a number of years. The population of plants in the photo is Cypripedium reginae and is found growing in southern Missouri along springs and creeks. The species name is from the Latin word "regina" meaning "queen". The flowers are indeed very beautiful and appear in late May. It is not uncommon to find two flowers on the tip of one stalk. A striking feature of this flower is the intense pink inflated lip (labellum) surrounded by brilliant white sepals. The dorsal sepal serves as an umbrella and keeps the labellum from filling up with water in a spring rain shower. If the flowers are pollinated, pods develop. These flowers should be admired in nature, photographed, and left in their natural environment to live and flourish.