Symphyotrichum bahamense

There really isn't much information on our native aster. So I'll give you my own observations. Most people would consider this a weed. To me, it is a highly desirable plant. I spoke in an earlier post that I have a "don't pull too early" policy with weeds. I like to wait and see what plant it is first. I've added a lot of natives to my yard this way, including this one. You should try it! This species is a medium sized annual. (1'-2' high) It has beautiful composite flowers typical of this family roughly 1" in diameter. Each composite flower consist of ray florets that are white and disk florets that are yellow/orange. It flowers in our winter months (November - February) which is a plus, as not many things are bloom during this season. This plant grows with no extra care at all, and self seeds easily, here in South Florida. I highly recommend it to native plant enthusiasts or even average home gardeners looking for low maintenance plants.

Family: Asteraceae •
Genus: Symphyotrichum •
Species: bahamense (Britton) G.L.Nesom •
Country of Origin: Native to Florida, The Bahamas, Cuba •
Common Names: Bahaman Aster •

http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=4231



Symphyotrichum bahamense by Eric Bronson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.flickr.com

Mexican Flame Vine Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides

Mexican Flame Vine Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides
Family: Asteraceae •
Genus: Pseudogynoxys •
Species: chenopodioides (Kunth) •
Country of Origin: Mexico •
Common Names: Mexican Flame Vine •

Mexican flame vine is a woody tropical vine with the enchanting summertime habit of covering itself in brilliant daisy-like flowers. The bright orange blossoms are about 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter and are borne in small clusters. As they age the flowers change from orange to almost red. They are followed by fruiting structures that resemble smaller versions of the dandelion's puffy seed heads. This vine has thick evergreen leaves that are shaped like arrowheads and serrated on the edges. They are arranged alternately on the vine and are deep green in color providing a handsome background for the fiery orange flowers.
excerpt from
(Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides)



Mexican Flame Vine by Eric Bronson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.flickr.com