Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

Among the most beautiful flowers in the world are the passionflowers which bloom on a lattice-work of vines. The flowers range from pale non-descript tones to bright reds and the gorgeous regal coloration of our largest native species, the Purple Passionflower, Passiflora incarnata.

Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

The most visible indicator species of bottomland hardwood forests in south Louisiana is the understory-growing, shade-loving dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor). Although its densest growths are usually found in such habitats, it is often found spottily distributed along natural levees. They are distributed throughout the southeastern United States excepting most of peninsula Florida. In Louisiana, they are found statewide, but are most abundant in the southern half of the state.

Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

Our most common orchid is so non-descript and camouflaged in its aquatic habitat that it is seldom seen, even by avid naturalists.

The plant is the water-spider orchid, Habenaria repens. For years I've considered it a plant that thrives in acidic waters with loads of tannins, such as the lake at Percy Quin State Park in Mississippi. Although I've occasionally found it spottily distributed in Louisiana, I could always find it when my family spent time in Percy Quin. It ranges from Texas to North Carolina.

Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

True nature lovers plant Mexican milkweed, Asclepias curassivica, in their yards.

It has pretty red and orange flowers, but often grows tall and spindly. The plants typically produce copious amounts of seeds, each attached to thin bunches of hair-like threads that are dispersed by the slightest breeze. Because of this mode of distribution, milkweed tends to spread about yards and fields rather quickly.

Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

From nanotechnology to good eats, our indigenous American lotus (Nelumbo lutea) is a fascinating and culturally important plant. A member of the Nelumonaceae that occurs along sluggish waterways in most of the eastern United States, Central America, Colombia and the West Indies, it is also variously called water lotus, yellow lotus, water chinquapin, duck acorns (the seeds look like acorns sans their caps), pond nuts, and more. In coastal Louisiana, we call them Cajun peanuts or graine à voler (grain ah volay).

Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

Among the most conspicuous flowers of the season are the umbels of the elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). One of the most abundant local plant species, elderberries prefer open, well lighted places, although they will grow within woodlands. They are a common weed along urban thoroughfares and in backyards.

Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

Among our most easily identified floating-leaved aquatic plants is water-shield, Brasenia schreberi, of the family Cabombaceae (some place it in the Nymphaeaceae). It is widely distributed, and occurs in 42 states, including Alaska, and the majority of Canada. The species is also native to Central America, northern South America, the West Indies, Asia, Africa, Australia, and beyond.

Nature Notes
by Bob Thomas

Delta Journal
by Bob Thomas

The wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) is one of the most common shrubby trees in southern Louisiana. It has figured prominently in the development of our rich cultural heritage.

The leaves are very resinous and aromatic when crushed. The fruit of the wax myrtle are small wax coated berries growing along the stems. Forty species of birds, including the Yellow-rumped Warbler (formerly aptly named Myrtle Warbler), are known to feed on the fruit.