Every time I volunteer for the Fauna Project at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, I am often distracted by the beautiful flora that surrounds me. So, it’s no wonder I end up with many flower photos from each visit.
Take, for example, these images I captured in the spring. This is a Woolly Globemallow (Sphaeralcea lindheimeri) flower. This perennial subshrub or herb has a somewhat woody base.
Its name derives from the fact that there are dense, fine, star-shaped hairs (stellate pubescence) that cover the stems and leaves, giving them a soft, gray-green, or woolly appearance. Be aware that those tiny hairs on the leaves can irritate the eyes and skin for some people.
As seen in the featured image above, this flower has five petals. Its most common color is a bright apricot, orange, or reddish-orange. There are other color variations, including pink, purplish-pink, and white. The color depends on the specific species or cultivar.
They love arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Other varieties can be found in the Southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah). However, the Sphaeralcea lindheimeri variety is endemic to Texas only.
Naturally, they are pollinator magnets. Native bees, honeybees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love their nectar and pollen.
These flowers are perfect for the Texas climate. They are highly drought-tolerant and love full sun. However, they must have extremely well-drained soil (sandy, rocky, or gravelly) and do not like overwatering.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Austin, FlowerHour, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Macros, Texas, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
For Terri’s Flower Hour #3.
Discover more from Through Brazilian Eyes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
solaner
great shots, Egidio. what’s that for an insect in the second last image?
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, André. To the best of my abilities, I think it’s a fly.
Amy
Wow, so beautiful! Love the bright color. Cool details.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Amy.
Anne Sandler
What wonderful beauty to come home to Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne.
shoreacres
This is one of my favorite flowers. I first came across it in the Rockport cemetery, and a little patch of it has bloomed in the same spot every year since.
Egidio Leitao
How wonderful! I enjoy seeing them at the Wildflower Center.
Steve Schwartzman
Whenever I’ve traveled to west Texas I’ve seen Sphaeralcea flowers.
Egidio Leitao
That would make sense. The soil in West Texas seems to be just right.
Story Times
It’s an intricate ecosystem in place. All we can do is to admire, learn, and admire. Nice photos.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much for your comment and compliment.
Nicole Sara
Such wonderful closeup and macro photos, Egidio! Now… I’ll have to see why I have not seen your posts in my Reader for a while now, so odd. I think I will unfollow and follow back, maybe to reset the WordPress machine, uf, I hope it will work (I just thought you have been away from posting lately, and so).
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Nicole. I appreciate your words. As for WP, it does that from time to time.
Hammad Rais
Tiny but so beautifully mighty
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Hammad.
Vicki
Beautiful flowers. I think I like it in it’s ‘just opening’ form. Image 1 and image 4 are my favourites, although the 5th one with an insect is interesting too.
Egidio Leitao
I think the semi-opened flower is more attractive, too. It also reminds me of a Turk’s cap flower. Thanks for writing.
wrookieschu
Stunning flowers! What a great place to volunteer.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks a bunch, Wayne. I appreciate your feedback. I’m glad you liked the flowers. Yup, the Wildflower Center is a gem in Austin.
Terri Webster Schrandt
What a gorgeous flower, Egidio! I enjoyed learning more about it. It might like our warm, dry climate and sandy soil here.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Terri. I always enjoy seeing it at the Wildflower Center. It looks like you soil and weather would be very suitable for it.