URI Staff

URI Staff

A Botanist’s View of Local Flora – Hedge Nettle

photo of a hedge nettle with a single bloom. there is a stink bug nymph on top of the flower.

Hedge Nettle – Stachys cooleyae – Cooley’s Hedge Nettle; Stachys mexicana – Mexican Hedge Nettle

There are a number of pretty flowering wildflowers that tend to be overlooked. They tend to blend into the background. Stachys is one of these flowers. Unless there is a large group growing together in an open area there, they can make quite a show.

Winding Trails by Al Hobart – Saprophytes – Look before you pounce

photo of a very small monkey flower growing in gravely substrate.

One day last week I made a decision that, before the day was ended, set me to wondering if sometimes it isn’t best to look before you pounce.  The methodical, businesslike way of going about our daily experiences is by way of careful planning and logical preparation, I suppose; but such a staid and meticulous way of living is sure to eliminate the many little thrills and surprises we find waiting around the various corners when we indulge in a more haphazard and impetuous method of progression.