Monday, September 15, 2008

Strange Things

Square purple stems are strange but I am becoming accustomed to the unusual. Some deem it a weed but it looks pretty good to me.

African Mask Plant/Alocasia x amazonica 'Polly'
makes a very attractive indoor plant. It likes humidity. I water with rainwater or bottled water.



Northern Walking Stick

Look again. His head is in the middle and to the right are his front pair of legs and antennae flexed forward to contribute to the stick disguise. Distinctive backside on the left tells us it is male. This insect feeds on apple, oak, rose leaves. We put him on this available hosta leaf for a photo. He was hanging on the best he could for this photo was made in very windy conditions. One can imagine how he would blend into the surroundings on a twig or stem. Diapheromera femorata can reproduce parthenogenectically.

14 comments:

Skeeter said...

Pretty weed, neat mask and I just love the walking sticks! I find them often around here...

marmee said...

that weed you have in the first shot has come up all over my wildflower garden, is that really the name of it perilla fretescens?
i like it too!

Eleanor said...

I just love your photo of a stick insect. I shall also be following your account of the autumn while we celebrate spring. Thanks for your visit to Thatchwick. Have a happy week in the garden.

Mother Nature said...

Skeeter, Marmee, Eleanor,
Thanks for your comments.
Marmee,
It is the botanical name. Most call it perilla.

tina said...

Those walking sticks are out now for sure. I would've guessed his head opposite so I am glad you told us. I just pulled that perilla from my garden. I have no idea how it got here. Was not even completely sure what it was then smelled it, dead give away and out it went.

Megan said...

Beautiful alocasia! I love those. And that walking stick is incredible. I'm not sure if I don't have them, or just never notice them.

DP Nguyen said...

What beautiful weeds or plants you have. Great photos as well.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

Strange things are interesting and always catch our attention.

Anonymous said...

That mask plant really does remind you of an African mask -- and the walking stick is intriguing, though you can keep him in *your* garden. ;)

Gail said...

The unusual is often the most fun. Perilla is a lovely counterpoint to green in my garden, even though I will be pulling the excess seedlings come spring!

Gail

Leafsoup said...

Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.

Viooltje said...

Wonderful photos. I was mesmerized by the great shot of Alocasia. My compliments!

Nola said...

Hi, I found you via Rhondi's Thankful Thursday. I couldn't help but notice the Perilla you had pictured. I had ONE plant someone gave me; after going to seed, the following year, I had about 100 plants popping up everywhere! It is really invasive, but I love the dark purple color! I always called it Purple Basil, although I knew it must be related to the mint family, since it had the square stem.

Anonymous said...

A Walkingstick! I love to watch their little head, as it turns to watch me. They seem like Fred Astair with his cane to me.