Friday Evening Ore Explore

[Teegate]

All,

Jessica, Turtle, and myself headed out again this evening to explore an area I picked out along a local river. A few miles ride into the woods and a half mile walk and we were there. It is a wonderful place that is almost completely red from the iron ore deposits there.

I have been having back problems all week and this morning I wasn't sure I was even going to be able make it today. However, 1200MG of pain killers and I was semi good to go. I struggled to stay pain free while pulling my boots out of the mud all evening. Turtle and I walked the hummocks while Jessica played PBX.

Turtle discovered a few semi rare plants which I will let her show if she took photo's.


Three way sedge. Always an interesting view.

Aster with an admirer.

Turtle noticed a leopard frog relaxing in an ore deposit. Look closely in it's eye where you can see Jessica, my camera, and light from the setting sun.

Sensi or grasshopper...what is this plant? Turtle has a guess.

Guy

 

[oji]

Did Turtle smell the plant?

 

[Teegate]

Yes she did! I suspect from that question you will keep the Sensi title

 

[Teegate]

Bog asphodel going to seed.

 

[oji]

I'm just a slightly higher ranking grasshopper and I suspect Alfie will be at my level soon if not already. I've heard of a fisheye lens but the frogeye lens is new to me!

 

[turtle]

Morning!
A really beautiful area to explore... I ended up with more pond photos than plant photos on this trip. However, Guy and I examined the difference between the two blue lobelias and yes my Oji, I know what the mystery plant is! Everything we had was covered in ore muck....the sign of a good wander. Guy was in front of me, so when he went knee deep, I went around him
That's probably cheating, but I found my own fair share of muck. I was willing to cross the river. Will be heading back sometime soon....

Terry

 

[manumuskin]

I"ll have to work on that plant.I do have a question.Is this the red bog that Woodjin did a post on a couple years back? If so i was out there several times last winter when it was flooded but need to get back there this time of year when the flowers are up.That whole area is a great area.

 

[Boyd]

Great photos! Hope your back feels better Guy.

 

[Teegate]

Al,

It is not the same location.

Boyd,

I have had this reculling pain every few years since I was working at a gas station as a kid. Bending over working on car engines was what started it. It will go away soon I suspect.

Guy

 

[manumuskin]

Okay Grasshopper has returned from Shangri-La and he has an answer.It be one of two species.Either Lycopus virginicus or Lycopus americanus which be virginia water horehound and american water horehound (also known as bugleweed) respectively.The square stem gave it away as a mint.I have seen this plant many times but never got down and examined the flowers.The shot in this case for me was too close whereas most shots are not close enough.Further away i probably would have recognized it quicker.

Hold on there I think I have the exact species now!
http://www.alabamaplants.com/Whiteopp/Lycopus_rubellus_page.html
question is does this southerner live up here?

ahh! yes it does!
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LYRU


Grasshopper

 

[Teegate]

Second guessing I see!

 

[manumuskin]

would the bladderwort be the horned variety? Utriculata cornuta?

 

[manumuskin]

Second guessing I see!

Is Grasshopper correct?

 

[oji]

I am leaning towards Lycopus amplectens. There are two horned Utricularias and Turtle is an authority on the differences between the two.

 

[Teegate]

She sent this to me late last night.

Look up Lycopus virginicus. Yes, in the mint family. Actually referred to as Bugleweed.

 

[Gibby]

Thanks for the terrific photos! I especially like the Asphodel in seed. It really does have the appearance of a bog candle. I noticed that the shadows are growing longer in everyone's photographs. Seasons are slowly changing.

 

[Teegate]

Glad you liked the photo Gibby.

Jessica can't get that mud out of her pants, and I washed her boots with the hose and soap for 15 minutes and they are still discolered. She got it all over my car seat which I will have to clean Monday.

Guy

 

[turtle]

Tom, you made me look three times (at my references) to be confident about my choice! Yes, virginicus. Not a strong smell of mint, but obviously in the family. Purple tinged leaves. Placement of the lowest tooth on the leaf. Notch in the flower lobe....etc.

Al, I believe U. junceae, but honestly did not measure spurs. Just the cursory glance at the flower width, shape and stem color. There's much remaining to explore in this location....including a great swimming hole!

Guy, remember what I told you about tie - dying shirts with Georgia clay? Think muck.

Terry

 

[Pine Baron]

Very nice photos and trip report, folks. Thanx for sharing.

 

[manumuskin]

I am leaning towards Lycopus amplectens. There are two horned Utricularias and Turtle is an authority on the differences between the two.

Why so Sensei?It is hard to tell without the plant in hand.What makes you think that is a better match?