I really like springtime in Texas. Besides excellent weather, the display of wildflowers is a continuous show. In mid-May, we are finding lots of fields covered with Firewheels (Gaillardia pulchella). Although the vibrant hues of reds and yellows create a beautiful display, as seen in my post last week, I often find myself searching for another wildflower that begins to pop up at this time of the year: Horsemint (Monarda citriodora).
Horsemint is also known by several other names, including Lemon Beebalm, Purple Horsemint, and Purple Lemon Mint. Its distinctive citrus or lemony scent is revealed if you crush its leaves. Bees and butterflies are especially attracted to this flower. It is interesting to note that, if you find this flower very similar to Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), both plants are in the Lamiaceae (Mint Family).
These photos were captured at a field in Pflugerville in mid-May (except for the header image, which was captured at Walnut Creek Park a couple of years ago). The soft background you see in these images was mostly made up of Firewheels (Gaillardia pulchella) and Stiff Greenthread (Thelesperma filifolium).
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring FlowerHour, Horsemint, Texas, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour # 32: Going to the Dog-Woods.
Sources:
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Monarda citriodora — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOCI
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Gaillardia pulchella — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GAPU
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Thelesperma filifolium — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=THFI
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Monarda fistulosa — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOFI
- Flora of North America — Monarda citriodora — http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101549
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leanne Cole
That looks so fascinating Egidio. What a great flower to have just growing wild. Beautiful.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Leanne. It’s a very intriguing flower.
Anita
Wonderful captures of this beauty Egidio. The Horsemint stands out so elegantly and vividly against those warm, blurred fields.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita. That color contrast makes those fields so interesting to photograph.
Steve Schwartzman
That Pflugerville field did a good job of generating posts from two photographers. (I have to wonder if any other nature photographers wandered there. My intuition, following long experience, is no, though a mother or father may well have plunked a kid down in or near the wildflowers to take family pictures.) You favored bokeh in the three horsemint photos you included here.
Egidio Leitao
Considering how unkempt that field looked, I even doubt that a family would venture there. We may have been the only explorers. The reason I favored bokeh was simply because I was using my bird lens.
pamperrault21
Lovely shots – you’re very good at macro! Thank you for sharing these images – I’d neither heard of nor seen Horsemint before today and it’s really pretty. pp
Egidio Leitao
Wow! Thanks for the positive feedback, especially about my macros. Re: Horsemint, it’s covering fields right now and providing a wonderful color competition with the Firewheels. Thanks.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful wildflowers!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you.
margaret21
Even slender blooms can make an impact, as these shots demonstrate.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Margaret. A single flower stands out in the middle of that field of Firewheels.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Wow, the featured image really shows their vibrancy in the field! I can see why the bees love these pretty flowers. Wonderful photos, Egidio! The last one is exquisite 👌
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Terri. Right now, these flowers are beginning to take over several wildflower fields.