Sunday, August 16, 2009

Today's Flowers - August 16

The Continuing Saga of the Mutant Coneflower

click on photo to enlarge

My last week's entry for Today's Flowers was a strange coneflower I saw growing in my Gardening Daughter's wildflower garden. Several commentors expressed an interesting in seeing the progress of this aberation. These photos were taken this afternoon.

Several of the small growths springing from the seed head have turned into stunted blooms, as shown by the photos above and below.



click on photo to enlarge

The photograph below is of another coneflower from the same patch. It has several small stalks arising from the seed head as well as tiny purple blooms very close to the surface of the seed head.

click on photo to enlarge




Today's Flowers is a weekly Meme created by Luiz Santilli, Jr. and currently hosted by Luiz Santilli, Jr., Denise Gullickson, Laerte Pupo and Valkyrien, and may be found here. Please visit to see others' lovely flower photos. If you have a flower photo of your own to share, please join us.

21 comments:

Luiz Ramos said...

Beautiful Nature. Nice flowers.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Very cool, interesting flower.

SquirrelQueen said...

They are very beautiful flowers. The mutation is unusual and it's interesting to see it as it grows. Thanks for the update.

Through Squirrel Eyes

DeniseinVA said...

Fascinating yet beautiful in their uniqueness. Thank you very much for sharing and have a great week.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting .. mutation I believe is the reason for your flower showing this kind of growth.
Great shots,
Gisela

NitWit1 said...

The mutant flower looks a little like the fuzzy head of dog (with white ears) or rabbit with white ears...but I have a vivid imagination.

A recent post of mine show a naked lady stalk that had branched. I've never seen that before.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

That is very unusualy. Thanks for following up.

SandyCarlson said...

So interesting. I am intrigued.

Diana said...

Well Pat call me crazy, but I feel somewhat sorry for the poor little coneflower! But at least it gave it one heck of a try right?

Marju said...

I like these photos much more!
Thank you for your visit and a good week!

Jinksy said...

I think you have found a Triffid...

Anonymous said...

Isn't nature wonderful? And the will to survive whatever the odds.

Arkansas Patti said...

Perhaps it will start a new species. Interesting post.

Arija said...

Definitely a mutation caused by chemicals.

Regina said...

Beautiful ones.

Bradley Hsi said...

Quite amazing, like flowers in a flower. thanks for sharing. Thanks for the nice comment to our blog.

totomai said...

the last photo is a delight to look at

Luiz Santilli Jr said...

Pat
Beautiful flowers!
Thanks for posting for TODAY'S FLOWERS!
Luiz

Mia N said...

Hi Pat,
Wonderful nature.I like your way of represanting.Someting not so usually.Thank yoy Pat.

Bim said...

I like them - very peculiar.

Hilary said...

Beautiful. I'm glad you take notice of such things. And that you share. :)