Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Botany Photo of the Day

This is the attractive flower of Campion, Silene pratensis. It's an introduced (non-native) plant and is a weed. We found it when we went for a walk in the Sikome area of Fish Creek Park yesterday morning. "White cockle is thought to have been introduced to North America from Europe in the early nineteeth century through contaminated crop seeds. It is now widespread in the northern United States and southern Canada. However, only Washington lists Silene latifolia subsp. alba as a noxious weed. Like many introduced species, it can be found on roadsides and other disturbed areas, but it is also cultivated as an ornamental flower. It is worth noting that Silene latifolia subsp. alba has been the subject of several taxonomic disputes and has consequently gained a number of scientific names, including Lychnis alba, Silene alba, and Silene pratensis. The name Silene probably comes from the Greek sialon, meaning "saliva". This term is also related to Bacchus' perpetually intoxicated tutor, Silenus, said to often be covered with foam -- much like the secretions found on many members of the pink family." This information was provided below my photo on the UBC (University of British Columbia) Botany Photo of the Day website.

This wildflower is also known as Common Silverweed, Indian Sweet Potato, and Silverweed Cinquefoil. This is a native, common, low-creeping plant that spreads with long, red runners. Makes excellent ground cover - for those who don't like to mow lawns : ) Seen a few days ago at the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, north west of Calgary. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_anserina

Presumably, this is some kind of "fan" fungus? The largest one shows the fan pattern best. Doug, I thought these looked somewhat like your Velvety Fairy Fan, apart from the colour. We saw these on 22nd August in West Bragg Creek Provincial Park. Later: thanks, Doug, for the ID!

Two days later, I am STILL on a natural high after seeing these gorgeous, wild Yellow Pondlilies for the very first time. We spent a full day on Thursday botanizing the Bentz Lake Natural Area, north of Calgary and west of Sundre, and these Yellow Pondlilies were growing near the edge of the lake. To get to them from the forest where we were exploring, we had to make our way through a very watery bog, LOL. Apart from one small mishap that left one friend soaked to his upper thighs, we managed it with only soaking wet feet. This native, aquatic member of the Water-lily family grows in lakes and ponds June to August. The yellow flower is 4-7 cm across, has 6 yellow, petal-like sepals and several small, inconspicuous petals. Today, I was out with five friends, exploring and botanizing (recording all flora and fauna seen) the forest of Bragg Creek Provincial Park, west of Calgary. A perfect day weatherwise as well as far as enjoyment and sightings were concerned. Lots of mushrooms - though no brilliant red ones today, LOL!

This plant is a member of the Rose family and grows in moist, open areas, often on sandy shores and banks. The stems are long and tufted and produce reddish green runners (stolons) that root and form new plants at nodes.

This member of the Grass family is a weedy natural annual. Really is quite elegant.