I didn't think it had gotten cold enough but it did. Here is some of the displays I found this morning on my Frostweed plants.
This picture on the lower right shows where the stem burst and the fluid went two directions.
This message was edited Dec 26, 2010 11:31 AM
That is neat Sheila, I wish I had thought to go out and look, but with visiting son and talking at the breakfast table I totally didn't think of it.
With the sunshine it is all melted now. Glad you thought of it.
Josephine.
Just took these about 30 mins ago....bet yours are still there too.
This one looks like an ice Christmas tree.
another
Even the smallest of Frostweeds will make the displays. So go look everyone.
Okay, I give up! What are these? Plants in your yard with icicles?
LOL!! Yes, sort of... These are the Frostweed, Verbesina virginica; a Texas native and host for butterflies...also in the fall are great nectar plants for the Monarch butterflies. I will post a picture of the flower. But they get their common name by putting on the ice like display of plant juices when the temps drop to freezing. Aren't they pretty!
This is what the stems of the mature plant look like. They get quite tall, but I cut them several times a year and it just makes them bush out more.
I have seeds and will send you some if you are interested.
Hey, Sheila! Thanks for the offer, I'd love some, esp. with any helpful info for seed starting :) Just dawned on me to check plant files and the plant sounds wonderful; fragrance would be a big plus wouldn't it? LMK, and I'll d-mail my address to you.
You can smoke the leaves, too. 8>)
I have never seen that before Sheila... thanks!! YES everyone.. I'm baaackkk! I am sorry it's been a long time..I can't believe how the time has passed so quickly too!! I have had an usually busy fall season & am looking for a little rest this next week! haha
I had greast success in the garden this year & am planning to add a new section in my yard just for Texas native plants!!!
Wishing everyone a blessed New Year!!
Looking forward to posting again soon!! sending out hugs!! ( as I've missed you all!).
Welcome back Cindy. I just didn't catch the frostweed ice this morning but maybe tomorrow.
I trekked out in the frigid weather this morning to check mine, but there was no display for me. :(
Frostweed... the frostweed I received from the spring plant swap died late this summer... I am not sure if it completely died or just died down as it still looked alive at the roots when I pulled it so I put it back..so we'll see what happens next year lol.
We will get you some more at the spring swap, no problem.
realbirdlady, what do you smoke 'em in?
Checked mine again this morning...still nothing. I'm thinking mine is too young to put on a show.
Could be that or they may have burst when we got below freezing last week or so.
Well, I got some today but nothing impressive, here is one of them;
Here is the other;
There were some of my Frostweed that didn't burst yet, I think maybe they were in more protected areas or very moist soil.
Here is an article I found on frostweed that described the ice display well and also mentions the tobbacco use. I had never read that before....I also would never try it. The leaves are tough to cut and would not shred easily.
You forgot to post the link Sheila.
http://bccourier.com/Archives/Plant_detail.php?recordID=071108P
Watching tv and not paying attention! LOL!
ok, I haven't actually tried smoking them, it's just something I read.
It just always reminds me that folks who lived out here before there were cool things like HEB found their fun where they could. Terribly monotonous diet - a big bag of weevilly corn meal and ground acorns. So big deal if they could smoke weeds or make beer out of wafer ash or find some puckery native persimmon or mushy malva fruit for a treat. And no netflix or amazon - a frosty stem was big entertainment.
LOL!!
Very nice article Sheila. I have never seen ticks on it, I think that the name Tickseed refers to the little black seed parts, like in this picture.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.missouriplants.com/Whitealt/Verbesina_virginica_flowers.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.missouriplants.com/Whitealt/Verbesina_virginica_page.html&h=410&w=407&sz=29&tbnid=lc3Cf6G4tUZCTM:&tbnh=125&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dverbesina%2Bvirginica&zoom=1&q=verbesina+virginica&usg=__Ma2LiTclPajMAaiYNxmiwbT0rMg=&sa=X&ei=sSoZTa_dFYGclgeQv9X_Cw&ved=0CBkQ9QEwAQ
I have a lot of it and have never seen them either.
Sheila, it could be that they are in a sorta protected area, under the canopy of some big trees in the neighbor's yard. That could be the problem.
I bet it just hasn't gotten cold enough yet. Next time it drops lower or for a day or so..check then.
My frostweed finally did a good showing after last nights temps getting into the low to mid-20s.
Dale Clark
Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society
www.dallasbutterflies.com
Very good Dale, I have to get out yet this morning to check on mine.
Well, I went out and this is what I found, better than the other day, but not the most spectacular.
Here we go.
Another, this one was the prettiest, but it came out blurry.
Another one, I like the way the sun is shining through it.
#4 is very neat too.
The last one looks like cotton candy on a stick.
J. when I looked at your first pic, 'cotton candy' popped into my mind!
Still nothing. Sigh! Maybe next year when they're a bit more mature.
I think you are right Stephanie, your plant is probably too small, I am sure it will do just fine next year.
I'm just thankful the little thing survived this year and flowered for me! LOL The last one died the first summer I had it.
