Nadia and I were especially looking to see flowers on the Heptacodium miconioides this week, and they came through for us. Flowers are just opening, but it's nice to see them early, when the buds show what I thought were the "seven sons", though Wikipedia says it got that name because seven is the average number of flowers on a head. Nadia was surprised to see that the Senecio cannabifolius is now twice her height (goes up to the top of the first photo). We've also been waiting to see flowers on the Pileostegia viburnoides[FONT="]. [/FONT]These are just starting now. Over in the North Garden, because I had elsewhere posted something I was surprised to learn was Lysimachia (Lysimachia vulgaris, not at UBC), Nadia wanted me to see this Lysimachia ephemerum. Right. I never would have guessed that's what this is. And another Lysimachia - L. clethroides. Nadia has been a big fan of the alpine garden, but now she's a little skittish about roaming around there, after seeing this garter snake. I tried to tell her the fire ants are more of a concern, but it didn't help. She did note that the snake was so frightened of us she thought it must have suffered a heart attack, but then she was sure she saw it several more times.[FONT="] [/FONT] On the way back through the Asian Garden, we passed by the Dactylicapnos scandens, still in bloom. Neither of us can figure out what it's doing in the Papaveraceae family. Seems like an intruder. It makes me want to understand what families are all about.[FONT="] [/FONT]
I haven't seen the sign myself, but my flickr friend (and Cherry Scout) Meighan posted a photo of it.
An entomologist from the Beaty Museum found some European fire ants in the Alpine Garden. We were concerned that people who may be allergic might need to know about this, so we made signs. These ants have been found in a few local areas as well as other areas of Canada. They do bite, but they are not the nasty ones that people in the SE USA dread. I have not seen any. I have sat on the ground in the Alpine Garden for periods of time (trying to photograph humming birds) and did not see any or get bitten.
Some years ago there was concern about the ones in the south spreading to California and up the Pacific Coast. I do not know the current situation. These have a burning sting, hence "fire".
