by hankinslawrenceimages | Apr 11, 2014 | Flowers, Solanaceae Family, Wildflowers
Horse Nettle (solanum carolinense) is a small wildflower that I’ve photographed on several occasions. A member of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family, horse nettle is native to much of the United States – it is native from the east coast to as far west as Nebraska and Texas. It has spread beyond it’s native range and can be found as far west as California.
Horse Nettle © 2010 Patty Hankins
When I’ve found it – it’s usually a short plant with with flowers – under six inches tall. It often grows in fields and disturbed areas. The white, yellow or purple star-like flowers sit atop a stem filled with prickles. Be sure to wear gloves if you’re going to be handling horse nettle.
Horse Nettle © 2011 Patty Hankins
Horse Nettle can be very difficult to remove if it establishes itself in the wrong location. Eradication usually involves deep hoeing to remove all the roots. If the roots aren’t removed – it will return.
Horse Nettle © 2011 Patty Hankins
Like other members of the nightshade family, horse nettle contains solanine, which is poisonous and can be toxic to both humans and grazing animals if consumed in large doses.
Horse Nettle © 2010 Patty Hankins
You can learn more about Horse Nettle on the following websites
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Native American Ethnobotany
USDA Plant Profiles
Wikipedia
by hankinslawrenceimages | Oct 19, 2011 | Flowers, Solanaceae Family
Usually when I do a post with photos of fall color – most (if not all) of the photos are trees and leaves. But when I was at Brookside Gardens recently – I found some wonderful early fall colors in the beds with the peppers (capsicum annum)! Even in early October the pepper plants were still producing beautiful peppers in bright colors. Here are a few of the ones I found the other day.
Garda Tricolor Peppers – I love all the purple peppers on these plants!!!
© 2011 Patty Hankins
© 2011 Patty Hankins
© 2011 Patty Hankins
Chilly Chili peppers – what photographer could resist the shades of orange & red in these peppers?
© 2011 Patty Hankins
© 2011 Patty Hankins
by hankinslawrenceimages | Jun 10, 2011 | Flowers, Solanaceae Family
As I was looking back through some of the photos I’ve taken I realized that I had several photos of various chili peppers that I’ve never shared with you. So I thought I’d do a post with lot of brightly colored chili peppers!!!
First up are some NuMex Centennial Peppers
© 2009 Patty Hankins
© 2009 Patty Hankins
Tabasco Peppers
© 2009 Patty Hankins
Peppe Purple Tangerine Peppers
© 2010 Patty Hankins
Explosive Ember Peppers
© 2010 Patty Hankins
I’ve fallen in love with all the bright colors of peppers I’ve photographed in the past few years. I hope to find more this year. I’ve also planted a few pepper plants in my garden this year – so who knows – you may actually see some photos from my garden later in the year.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Jul 29, 2010 | Flowers, Malvaceae Family, Solanaceae Family
I realized the other day that I hadn’t been to Brookside Gardens in several weeks. Brookside Gardens is a public garden in Wheaton, Maryland – located in Wheaton Regional Park. It’s only a few miles from home and one of my favorite gardens to photograph in. No matter what time of the year I visit – I always find something to photograph. Here are some fruit and flowers I photographed yesterday morning.
Black Eyed Susans
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Peppa Purple Tangering Peppers – capsicum annuum
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Explosive Ember Peppers – capsicum annuum – I just love the rich colors in these peppers
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
A Pink Hibiscus
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
And finally a spectacular Fiesta del Sol Mexican Sunflower – tithonia rotundifolia
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
(c) 2010 Patty Hankins
Even a brief visit to Brookside Gardens in the summer gets my day off to a fantastic start. If you’re in the DC area – be sure to check out what’s blooming at Brookside – there’s always something wonderful.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Feb 24, 2010 | New Photos, Solanaceae Family
Starburst Peppers (c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I’ve just added a new photo – Starburst Peppers – to my Beautifulflowerpictures.com website. StarburstPeppers (Capsicum annuum) are an ornamental pepper. As the peppers ripen, the change color from green to pale yellow to deep yellow to orange to red. These are considered to be extremely hot peppers – with a temperature of above 30,000 Scoville Units.
This photograph is available as a 8X12″ gallery-wrapped canvas. You can order Starburst Peppers from my website and I will have it available at shows this year.
by hankinslawrenceimages | Feb 7, 2010 | New Photos, Solanaceae Family
Tabasco Peppers (c) 2010 Patty Hankins
I’ve just added a new photo – Tabasco Peppers – to my Beautifulflowerpictures.com website. Tabasco Peppers (Capsicum frutescens) are a variety of chili peppers, often used in making tabasco sauce. The peppers start out a pale yellow – becoming a bright yellow – then orange – then red as they ripen. In this photo you can see peppers in all stages of ripening.
This photograph is available as a 10X10″ gallery-wrapped canvas. You can order Tabasco Peppers from my website and I will have it available at shows this year.
