We have a garden dedicated to hummingbirds in a park not too far from our home. It has a small pond with water lilies and a number of flowers to attract hummingbirds.
I’m not sure the people who tend it have noticed, but it is also a wonderful garden for insects.
The hummingbirds benefit from the insects and spiders, too. They use the spider webs for their nests and regularly feed on small insects.
Maybe it should be called a “wildlife” garden.
What do you think?
Our mystery seed this week is a true mystery.
I found this in a “gutter” along a road in Sierra Vista, Arizona. There were no trees or shrubs around that could have produced it. It was probably carried there during a recent rain storm.
As you can see, it is pretty large as seeds go.
If you shake it, you can hear a large seed inside the thin shell-like coating. You can see the seed tip peeking out of the bottom on the right.
Hint: I think the discoloration at the other end, the left side of the photograph, helps indicate what it might be.
Please leave a comment if you recognize this mystery seed.
I will reveal what I *think* it is next Tuesday. Edit: The answer is now posted.
Our mystery seeds from last week were from a pink fairy duster, Calliandra eriophylla.
Most of the year it is a small, delicate shrub, nothing to write home about.
When it “flowers” though, it is covered with showy pink fluffs. Each of those pink fibers is actually a long stamen or the male part of the flower.
The flowers produce seeds in pods. Technically they are called dehiscent pods, which means they shoot the seeds out explosively when they are mature.
You can grow new plants from the seeds, but only if you can find them.
One benefit of fairy dusters is that they lack the thorns, spines or prickles found on so many plants in the Southwest.
The flowers are also attractive to bees and butterflies.
Many people also grow their larger relative, the Baja fairy duster, Calliandra californica, which has large red flowers.
Do fairy dusters grow where you live?
For more information, see Roberta Gibson Writes.
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