Texas Thistles and Mexican Hat blooms line the street leading to my subdivision and I've been fascinated by them on my walks. The thistle, in particular, captured by imagination with its evolving bloom openings. So I decided to photograph those stages of opening as well as the Mexican Hat flowers that are so prolific at this time of the year (May).
Texas Thistle grows wild throughout the Hill Country as well as other parts of Texas and in our neighborhood is somewhat of a scourge around our catchment ponds. It is very pricky and one should beware of touching it since it is very irritating to the skin. That said, it produces quite fascinating and beautiful blooms in the late Spring to early Summer. The photos here were taken within a quarter mile of Balcones Creek subdivision.
The evolution of the blossom
Beginning to bud
Ready to spread my petals
Adolescent, not yet purple
Getting there...
In my full glory
Ready to spread my wings (seeds, that is)
All done
Different perspectives on the blossom and plant
Mexican Hat
The Mexican Hat plant is also known as Prairie Coneflower, but since we're in Texas I prefer our local name. It grows in large areas leading to our subdivision and its shape certainly brings to mind some Mexican hats!
