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Hope to see you there! Weedpicker Cheryl

Leader of the micro-flora fest, John Howard is also a wonderful photographer and mighty fine person. His photo of a Leavenworthia uniflora in bloom is placed in perspective by the cap of an acorn in the foreground. Barely an inch across, it could almost make an appropriate sized pot for the miniature mustard.

Many of these early blooming plants we pursued in Adams county are in the mustard or Brassicaceae family: Levenworthia, Drabas and the more familiar Cardamines: Purple Spring-cress and Cut-leafed Toothwort. Perhaps their small size makes finding them seem like such a big deal!

Adams county was the perfect location to conduct a micro-flora foray today. The Draba sp. and other Lilliputian-sized rarities were awaiting our small but curious crew.

Another shot of the same plant from the last post, Harbinger of spring, this one in a more developed state. Interestingly enough, we were discussing the possible pollinators for such an early plant. Beetles? Ants? Behold- the bee! Now remember this flower-head is no bigger than a dime, and our bee appears to be a Mason or "orchard bee" of the Osmia family. Looks like a match to the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects (pg. 343). This is the book- I thought I would never use it, and now it is darn near indispensable!

These pollinators are quite intersting, as they are picking up more of the slack than people had imagined, since the colony collapse disorder has stuck the non-native European Honeybees.

Micro bees and macros of flora- stay tuned! You'll be amazed at all Adams County had to offer!