Dec. 27, 2018
rattlebox, Sesbania punicea
Driving through Florida last summer, I was seeing head high stands of plants that looked likely to be some kind of pea. Curious, I hoped to see some in bloom. Be careful what you wish for, it might just blow your socks off! The six inch long rattlebox blooms are spectacular! And be careful what you wish for, it might just be another nasty invasive. Rattlebox turns out to be a wetland plant that crowds out our natives, and poisons our fauna. Kind of like those movie gremlins, fun to have but don't get it wet! This South American now grows in AL, AR, CA, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX, and VA. Taylor Co FL, 7/7/18.
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Hi Denise
Just thinking it's almost time to come look for Platanthera flava. Bob
Hi Bob:
I found it on Eber Rd, about 1.5 mi S. of Kitty Todd Preserve 1/4 mi from Metroparks land. I’m guessing it came in on the RR. (NwOhio)
Apparently so, but not on all plants. The brown only shows a little in this image.
Regarding umber pussytoes, one reference calls it brown-brackted pussytoes. Are it's bracts browner than other pussytoes?