leaf galls

This fallen leaf has galls all over it, lumps or complicated structures that look like capsules containing something mysterious.  Galls are made by one of 1500 species of gall producers -- mostly insects and mites.  Some galls form on leaves where insects feed on the plant matter, or lay eggs.  Galls may also develop as a response to infections by fungi, bacteria, or viruses.  Dissecting the gall is the only sure way to tell what caused it. That's a whole different adventure!

evening primrose

The flowers of Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis close in the daytime when sunlight would heat them, and open later when dusk falls.

This plant is food for several butterfly and moth species larvae.

The seed pods that form along the stem are an interesting shape and structure, especially when dried.

Oenothera species are 'roadside' plants -- they grow well in disturbed soil like along railways, roads, and waste areas.

velvetleaf

Many plants, which bloom and fruit in the warm growing season, stand bravely throughout the winter to ensure its seeds are fully distributed.  This fruit capsule opened as it dried out in Autumn, and seeds have been coaxed out by the breeze.  Now, it stands despite snow and hoarfrost.

Velvetleaf Abutilon theophrasti blooms in late summer with orange-yellow flowers on stems and leaves that really look and feel like they are cloaked in velvet. There were a few growing in the riparian buffer around the pond, but we pulled them because this plant is not native.  It can form dense monocultures in place of native plants, suck large quantities of water and nutrients from the soil, and can inhibit germination of other plants.

This in one of the plants that probably spreads from nearby crop fields, and that we try to keep out of the pond area.