“In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”
— Maya Angelou
It is believed that diversity makes us strong. In the world of wildflowers, would we apply the same principle? Most definitely so, I think. There is beauty in a field of similar flowers, and even more when various flowers share the same space, adding different colors to a diverse palette.
So, what about when we find unusual displays in a single plant? Take, for example, the case of this Pretty Sneezeweed (Helenium elegans) that I photographed at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge’s Doeskin Ranch trail. There was such a variety of local flowers, including at least one that only grows in the Edwards Plateau. Well, that was the subject of a previous post (look for Scarlet Leather Flower).
Today’s focus is on this abnormality of a flower exhibiting what appears to be two heads. In the featured image above, the second head appears on the side.
In the next image, there is even near-perfect symmetry. What causes this abnormality? One possible explanation is fasciation. Fasciation is a relatively rare quirk in which a plant’s growing tip flattens, splits, or fuses, sometimes producing twin or “crested” flower heads on a single stem. It can be triggered by a genetic hiccup, a passing insect’s nibble, a bacterial hitchhiker, a touch of frost, or simply a bump while the bud was still tucked away. Gardeners often prize it as a curiosity; in the wild, it is a quiet reminder that nature loves to improvise. However, it is difficult to ascertain if that is what happened here in these two images.
The point here is not to make this a technical issue. Rather, it is one example of the beauty in being different.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Balcones Canyonlands NWR, Doeskin Ranch, FlowerHour, Pretty Sneezeweed, Texas, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour # 30.
Sources:
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Native Plant Database, Helenium elegans (Pretty Sneezeweed).
wildflower.org - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service — PLANTS Database, Helenium elegans.
plants.usda.gov - Royal Horticultural Society — “Fasciation.”
rhs.org.uk
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SoyBend
What a pretty little bit of sunshine in a flower, Egidio. We have a native flower that grows on our property like a weed. It’s called “Oregon Sunshine” and blooms from May through August. No matter what the weather is, I always have sunshine in my yard. 🙂
Egidio Leitao
What a great wildflower to have! Have you posted any photos of that flower? Thanks for writing.
Steve Schwartzman
In the second specimen, some ray florets have gotten confused and are sprouting from the globe of disc florets. And regarding the ray florets that grew in the expected place below the central globe, there seem to be too many of them.
Egidio Leitao
Very good observation you pointed out. Yes, those ray florets look like a bouquet! Thanks.
Pamela Zmija Photography
Beautiful! I really like the composition of the 2nd image!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks so much, Pam.
Writing to Freedom
Fascinating find and backstory Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Brad. I’m happy you enjoyed the post.
margaret21
Very different. Thanks.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for writing.
Toonsarah
How unusual – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a flower like this!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Sarah. Now that I have spotted a couple of them, I often look for more when I see wildflowers.
Anita
Fascinating details and great shots, Egidio. Nature always finds a way to surprise us.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anita. We are lucky to appreciate that.
Pepper
A beautifully post worth thinking about. Thanks, Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Pepper.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Gotta love a flower called Pretty Sneezeweed, Egidio! Your photos are gorgeous! I’ve seen sunflowers diverge like that; your reasons listed make sense!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Terri. I often wonder who comes up with those names. 🙂
Vicki
What a lucky find, Egidio. Thanks for sharing.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for commenting, Vicki.
philosophy through photography
Egidio, what a fascinating little surprise from nature. Sometimes the unusual makes a flower even more memorable, and your photos showed that perfectly.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Philo. I now walk around looking for those special treats.
philosophy through photography
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