Lamiales

Close-up of Calceolaria biflora flower

Calceolaria biflora

Published by Daniel Mosquin on August 2, 2019

Species of Calceolaria are variously known as slipperworts, slipper flowers, pocketbook flowers, and lady’s purses. The common names are similar to lady’s slipper orchids or slipper orchids (Cypripedium spp.). Today’s Calceolaria biflora does indeed bear a superficial resemblance to Cypripedium parviflorum, for example, but there are differences. For one, Calceolaria are eudicots while orchids are […]

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Mats of Penstemon davidsonii var. menziesii near Whistler, British Columbia

Penstemon davidsonii var. menziesii

Published by Daniel Mosquin on June 10, 2019

Menzies’ penstemon or Menzies’ beardtongue is native to British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Despite growing in rocky, well-draining soils, plants can be spectacularly floriferous as shown in today’s photograph.

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Inflorescence of Orthosiphon aristatus var. aristatus

Orthosiphon aristatus var. aristatus

Published by Daniel Mosquin on May 31, 2019

Cat’s whiskers seems like a fitting common name for this taxon. Another name is Java tea, which gives hints to both its native distribution (tropical Asia and Queensland) and how it is consumed as a medicine.

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An Assortment of Colours of California Wildflowers

California Flower Medley

Published by Daniel Mosquin on February 27, 2019

Here is a memory from 2017’s bloom in the Californian desert within Joshua Tree National Park. I’ve heard this year is also turning out to be an exceptional one.

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The bright bracts of Salvia viridis 'Pink Sundae'

Salvia viridis ‘Pink Sundae’

Published by Daniel Mosquin on January 15, 2019

With its striking complementary colours, I think that the common name of painted sage aptly suits Salvia viridis.

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Digitalis purpurea, foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Published by Daniel Mosquin on December 24, 2018

Was this purple foxglove intentionally planted against the orange lichen-encrusted wall? The effect of having all three of the secondary colours adjacent to one another is pleasing to me, whether it is by design or not.

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An early autumn photo of Caryopteris × clandonensis

Caryopteris × clandonensis

Published by Daniel Mosquin on October 4, 2018

Bluebeard is named for the shape and colour of the flowers rather than the grisly French folktale. This visually-charming and bee-friendly shrub has found its way into many xeriscape gardens, including one at the site of today’s photograph, the Summerland Ornamental Gardens.

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