Monday, January 21, 2008

Fruit & Seeds


This morning, after a hearty breakfast composed entirely of whole foods, I wandered out into the winter garden.


The light is fierce in Santa Fe, and I made a mental note to check back at dawn or dusk, when the sun will be less glaring.


But despite the intensity of the light, I found much that was beautiful.


Most of it I recognize, but this I don't.


Any ideas? Check out the exfoliating bark as well as the hairy seed pods. (G of La M, I'm thinking you might know.)

7 Comments:

At January 21, 2008 at 4:32 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry, I don't recognize this plant. Nothing looks like that in my neck of the woods. But it kinds looks like a bunch of freeze dried baby chicks hanging from a branch, don't you think?

 
At January 21, 2008 at 6:42 PM , Blogger Ellen Zachos said...

Ok, Oliver, freeze dried baby chicks?! An interesting, twisted, and not entirely inaccurate assessment.

 
At January 22, 2008 at 1:11 PM , Blogger Gardener of La Mancha said...

I'm with Oliver. Sorry.

 
At January 22, 2008 at 1:16 PM , Blogger Ellen Zachos said...

I guess I'll just have to check back next July and let you all know.

 
At January 22, 2008 at 2:40 PM , Blogger Gardener of La Mancha said...

It's difficult to tell from these pictures.

Are the bristly fruit things in umbels?

Are the stems on the shrub oppositely or alternately arranged?

This could help narrow it down to a family.

Also, do you think it's a native (depending on who's garden you're in and the plants around it)?

 
At January 22, 2008 at 2:59 PM , Blogger Ellen Zachos said...

G of La M, the garden is a combination of native and exotics, so that doesn't narrow things down, but when I go home tonight I'll check on the umbel and opp/alt.

 
At January 22, 2008 at 7:10 PM , Blogger Ellen Zachos said...

All hail Sara Stopek, queen of plant identification, who has correctly shown the mystery shrub to be Kolwitzia amabalis (aka beautybush)! Thanks, Sara.

P.S. Check out Sara's blog @ http://saragardens.blogspot.com/

 

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