I found this pretty little red flower very easily. It really popped out against the vibrant lush green fauna as I was walking along the path. It is the Florida tasselflower. I have never heard of it and if I have seen it before, have never noticed. It is also known as Cupid's shaving-brush, Red Florida tasselflower and one more, Flora's paintbrush, with a botanical name of Emilia fostbergii. Thankfully non-toxic to humans and pets.
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A member of the sunflower family, it is a common yard weed. Although many dislike seeing these pop up in their lawns, the pollinators are very attracted to its small bright red flowers. It reseeds itself easily with dandelion-like fluffy seeds and can become invasive if not removed. Unusual for me, I only took one photo instead of my usual dozen or so! Who shouts "Hurray to the digital age?" My one photo will have to do this time, I am blaming it on the heat.
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I enjoyed seeing the Cardoon. Its other names are globe artichokes, Prickly artichoke and Cardy, with a botanical name of Cynara cardunculus. I have shared it before but maybe I missed some information. I would have to check with previous posts to find out, so at the risk of repeating myself: It was first brought to the United States by Spanish and French settlers in the middle of the nineteenth century. It was popular in ancient and medieval Greece, Rome and Persia, and appears in written records from as early as the 4th century BC.
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They are edible but I have no clue how to prepare them and I am going to have to go to bed soon as it has been a long day. Next time I photograph them I will delve into that side of things more thoroughly, but there is plenty of information online if you want to do a search. I did learn that they are an ingredient in one of Spain's national dishes - cocido madrileño - and have long been an important part of the Christmas meal in Spain's northern regions, and at least one Italian region. Also, Cardoon flowers are used as a vegetable rennet in some traditional Spanish and Portuguese cheeses.
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You have to be careful when handling them because of those nasty looking spines, so it would be wise to wear gloves. There is lots of information in the link below my first photo of the Cardoon, if you would like to find out more. They towered above me, are said to grow 3 feet to 6 feet but these seemed much taller. In the winter finches eat the seeds and then when spring appears, if any of the soft down remains, it may be used to line nests.
When they bloom, bees and other pollinators will visit them. The bees were very busy when we were there. The flowers produce lots of pollen and nectar between June to September. I certainly enjoyed watching the bees for a while. I always find them fascinating little creatures. There were two types of bee, the smaller one remained elusive and the bigger of the two was easier to photograph.
One last little bee plus the tiny insect in the top middle of the photo. That's as close as I could get.
And finishing off with a photo of the two of us (at the beginning of our walk). We didn't take our usual long one around the garden because of the heat, but even so we had a very enjoyable time. We just have to pace ourselves more and know when to quit! Me and the mouse in my pocket that is, as Gregg is a Virginia boy and can take these high temperatures. I on the other hand wilt like a lettuce, and that hasn’t changed since we started married life at our apartment in Alexandra, Virginia. The following year when my family visited in the height of summer, they were the same. How about you, can you handle humidity?
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I always have more photos to share from the garden, but I will give this one a rest for a while. It is also getting late and it's time to put my laptop to bed.
Thanks for looking everyone,
and have a great Wednesday.
The Cardoon reminds me of Dragon Fruit. The Tasselflower is a very pretty little flower, too bad it is labeled as a weed. But my favorite is the sweet photo of you two!!! What a glorious photo!!
ReplyDeleteThe pretty pink one with the, inner white with what looks like poppyseeds. I haven’t tried one yet but have always been curious. The tasselflower is a pretty one. Thank you Ginny for your sweet comment about our photo :) I am always hesitant about putting one on here but Gregg always encourages me to do just that :)
DeleteAll delightful photos. I am so with you on heat and humidity. I quickly become a sad, soggy (and grumpy) mess.
ReplyDelete
DeleteThank you Sue, that describes me perfectly :)
It is always educational when it comes to these flowers that I have no clues about.
ReplyDeleteThanks roentare, I always feel that way when I look up the information on these flowers :)
DeleteThe tasselflower is so bright and cheerful. I'd love to see it in my garden. Heat and humidity are no fun - a cool temperate climate suits best.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Janice :) Experiencing humidity for the first time, I will never forget it!
DeleteThose red flowers are really pretty but that second one is fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, I have thought the same :)
DeleteI have not seen the red weed here in Florida, we have lots of flowering weeds but not this one. I noticed the butterflies are on most of the weeds here, and its good we have weeds because the drought killed off most of the flowers the butterflies need. the cardoon is so ugly its beautiful.. I really like it, both the pods and the flowers I was born in the south and raised with high humidity when there was no AC to help us. that said I never get used to it and really don't care for it. I handled it a lot better than now, old age has me wilting within five minutes of stepping outside
ReplyDeleteThat’s very interesting Sandra, that you were brought up in the south but still have a hard time dealing with it. Those early settlers must have had quite a time of it when they first came here :)
DeleteI very much dislike heat and humidity, and summer is my least agreeable time of year. I am at the point when I am longing for the first frost. It can’t come soon enough!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand David, I am always looking forward to the Autumn :)
DeleteLovely photo of the two of you. Don't mind it a bit humid if I don't have to do anything.
ReplyDeleteAmazing flower, good photos of it Denise.
Take care.
Thank you kindly Margaret, so kind of you. And I don’t have a problem with humidity at the moment. I am in a nice, air-conditioned house and yes, I am spoiled with a/c. I realize that. The feeling of keeling over in such intense heat, I haven’t done that yet but I have been so close. I have become extremely weary in that same heat, that I have often tripped and fallen flat on my face over the years 🫣🫣 You take care also :)
DeleteThe Florida tasselflower is very beautiful and I see it for the first time! So does Cardoon.
ReplyDeleteYou are a perfect couple, always be strong and loved Denise!
Thank you Katerina, you are so kind and I appreciate your sentiments very much :)
DeleteNo, I dislike humidity, which is why I have A/C. On the other hand, I don't like extremely dry heat, either.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gigi, I can tolerate dry heat much better :)
DeleteBeautiful flowers Denise! Cute photo of you and your hubby! The humidity is awful.
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day!
Happy you like them Eileen and thank you for your sweet comment about our photo :) yes, the humidity certainly is awful! You take care, have a great day also and stay cool!
DeleteInteresting tassleflower--so pretty, Denise! And the cardoon is as well. I remember seeing it growing in the garden in Colonial Williamsburg. The world of flowers is so huge, I'm always amazed at the variety that grows in Virginia. As far as humidity goes , I have been a wilting one since I was little. Your Gregg is a real trooper. I've gotten worse as I have gotten older and so has Grayden. Such a sweet photo of the two of you, my friend! Stay cool as we are in for another doozie!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the flowers and I also remember those in Williamsburg :) it amazes me also how many flowers there are out there. Ah, another kindred spirit in you and Grayden dear friend :) Thank you for the sweet comment about our photo. I hope you are staying cool also.
DeleteMOL MOL Denise...I was born and raise here. I never ever NO never have gotten use to humidity. OH about the only thing I can say for it is, humidity is good for our skin...keeps us young if we can survive it. Love the photo of you and Gregg and of course the RED flower
ReplyDeleteCecilia
Yes indeed Cecelia :) and thank you for letting me know you never got used to it, even though you were born here. I feel vindicated somehow, LOL! Happy you loved our photo, and the red flower. Sending hugs!
DeleteNice to know the names of the flowers
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :)
DeleteNice to see your photographs and that's a lovely one of you and Gregg.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you Jan, and appreciate your comment on our photo. All the best to you too :)
DeleteLas flores y los bichos me gustaron. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias, me alegra que hayas disfrutado de mis fotos de flores. Te mando un beso :)
Deletereally awesome images...but the last is my favorite!!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you my friend :)
DeleteBeautiful shots, Denise. I do not know if I have ever seen them. I am tired and not thinking very clearly.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated rose, thank you. I know how that goes :)
DeleteI've never seen one like the red flower. Or that magnificent cardoon, for that matter! Terrific!
ReplyDeleteIt was the first time I noticed it but have always admired their cardoons :) Thanks Jeanie!
DeleteThose are the prettiest red flowers, Denise. What a lovely picture. You know, the artichoke is one of my favorites. The prickly one looks interesting. They look amazing in bloom with the purple blossom. To answer your question, No, I don't like the humidity. California can have very warm summer days, but we usually don't get the humidity, which I'm so thankful for. This is a dear photo of you and your husband.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
So happy that you like them Sheri :) How lovely the artichoke is your favorite. Thank you for your sweet comment about our photo. Thank you for answering my question. We lived in California for many years. I was able to tolerate the climate a lot easier than the one here.
DeleteSuch a lovely photo of you both.
ReplyDeleteSweet of you to say, thank you so much Beverley :)
Delete