Bee Balm’s Beautiful Bracts

What appear to be petals on this bee balm (Monarda punctuata) are really bracts (modified leaves usually associated with a reproductive structure). The flowers themselves are white with purple dots, giving rise to common names like spotted bee balm and…

A Tale of Two Tassleflowers

Lilac tassleflower (Emilia sonchifolia) is flourishing at the (Pelican Island) Audubon House and looks lovely in the photograph above taken by Bob Montanaro, Pelican Island Audubon Society Office Manager. Yes, this non-native annual is attractive to butterflies and other pollinators,…

Wonderful winged loosestrife

Winged loosestrife (Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum) was one of the first plants to bloom in the wildflower garden planted at the (Pelican Island) Audubon House as part of the wildflower workshop on 3-14-15 presented by the Eugenia Chapter of the…