Now this is mysterious.
Do you know what the brown bumps on this tomato are?
Hint:Â they aren’t seeds, but they just might be related to seeds.
If you care to, please let us know if you have an idea what the bumps are.
Edit:Â The answer is now posted.
Our white mystery seeds from last week were indeed mysterious.
The flower is lovely. I thought it was a safflower, but it was growing “wild” at a park.
Here’s where seed identification comes in handy.
These are our mystery seeds from the plant above.
One possibility is that the seeds are from a plant closely related to safflower, Carthamus lanatus, which is known as woolly distaff thistle or saffron thistle. The plant does look like a thistle, and looks like it is covered with spider webs, which is how woolly distaff thistle is described.
(Photo by Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database)
Those are woolly distaff thistle seeds. Hum, I don’t think so.
(Photo by Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database)
How about Carthamus oxyacanthus or jeweled distaff thistle? Still don’t look quite right, although it is closer.
(Photograph by V.L.Bradley, Safflower images gallery)
These are safflower seeds, Carthamus tinctiorius. Don’t you think that’s matches the mystery seeds?
(Photograph by V.L.Bradley, Safflower images gallery) – Safflowers.
Our mystery plant.
People probably feed the birds at this park and some bird seed mixes contains safflower seeds. Mystery solved!
By the way, safflower is very drought tolerant and can be grown as a crop in Arizona.
Have you ever seen safflower growing?
This week we are excited to observe National Moth Week, which runs from July 20- 28, 2013. The website has links to many local events, so see what is happening in your area.
Why moths? Moths are often ignored in favor of their more-brightly colored and day-flying relatives, the butterflies, yet they are more numerous and ecologically diverse. Many are just a beautiful as butterflies, they are simply harder to spot. According to the news release:
National Moth Week literally shines a much-needed spotlight on moths and their ecological importance as well as their biodiversity. The event allows people of all ages to become “citizen scientists†and contribute scientific data about moths they observe in their own communities. Participating in National Moth Week can be as simple as turning on a porch light at night and watching what happens, or going outside in daylight to find caterpillars and diurnal moths, often mistaken for butterflies.
How do you tell a butterfly from a moth? Sometimes they look alike and children (and some adults) may not have a clear understanding of what separates the two. Here are two picture books for the youngest reader that will help:
What’s the Difference Between a Butterfly and a Moth? (What’s the Difference? (Capstone))
Butterfly or Moth?: How Do You Know? (Which Animal Is Which?)
A great way to celebrate National Moth Week is to pick up a book and learn more about them. See a whole list of children’s books about butterflies and moths at Science Books for Kids, including some for older children. The list has been updated and expanded from last year.
Finally, if you know a child who is interested in moths, check the free moth coloring book to print out.
How are you observing National Moth Week? If you would like to, please let us know how you are participating.
Note: Linked titles go to Amazon for further information and reviews. Just so you know, I am an affiliate with Amazon. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you, the proceeds of which will help pay for maintaining this website.
For more information, see Roberta Gibson Writes.
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