Linnaeus named the genus Monarda to honor 16th century Spanish physician and botanist, NicolásBautista Monardes (1493-1588). Monardes never went to the Americas but was able to study medicinal plants in Spain, publishing the first systematic, in-depth book on medicinal plants and remedies brought to Europe from the Americas.
The species pectinata is derived from the Latin word pecten, meaning “comb.” The suffix -ata denotes possession or resemblance — so it translates loosely to “comb-like” or “having the form of a comb,” referring to the bristle-tipped bracts that sit below flower whorls.
Monarda pectinata is commonly called Plains Beebalm (or Pony Beebalm) because of its historically recorded uses by Indigenous peoples as an analgesic and antiseptic qualities.
Ethnobotanical and Culinary Uses
Indigenous peoples used a plant infusion to treat coughs, colds, fevers, and stomach complaints related to digestion. A flower infusion was used as a wash on insect bites and stings. The plant was rubbed on the head to bring relief from headache. In addition, historic records document that groups, such as the Kiowa, used Monarda pectinata leaves as a perfume due to its strong scent, and were chewed while traveling.
The strongly aromatic smell of crushed Plains Beebalm leaves smell both savory and citrusy, similar to oregano or lemon. Sometimes called “wild oregano,” they can be eaten fresh, dried or cooked to season in salads or other foods. In spring the leaves may be boiled to make herbal tea.
Plains Beebalm blooming in our yard, in bright sunshine and rocky soils.
Pollinators
According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, all Monarda species attract a number of native pollinators such as specialist bees, bumble bees, predatory wasps, hummingbirds, and hawk moths.
A Few Fun Facts
Desert Survivor: Although many Monarda species are moisture-loving, such as Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) found the along cool trails of Sandia Mountain, Plains Beebalm prefers hot, harsh, dry environments like desert washes, rocky slopes, and sandy pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Wild Bergamot and a little skipper pollinator. Tecolote Trail, Sandia Mountain, NM. This Monarda species prefers living in moist soils under the shady canopy of white fir and ponderosa pine.
Mammal Resistant: While pollinators adore Plains Beebalm, its strong, minty-citrusy-oregano essential oils act as a natural deterrent, making the plant resistant to browsing deer and rabbits.
Pollinator Magnet: The tubular pale pink flowers of Plains Beebalm are an excellent nectar source for long-tongued native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, especially during the hot summer months.
Soothing Relief: Plants in the Monarda genus are commonly called “Beebalm” due to the soothing nature a wash application of the plant, especially the flowers, has on insect bites and stings — particularly bee stings. Turns out plants in the genus contain the active ingredient thymol, a natural antiseptic found in modern mouthwashes.
Last month (mid-March), while looking everywhere for signs of spring (something green and growing), I dared to peek under a flat rock and gasped with surprise! Instead of uncovering a tiny flower bud was a gigantic “creepy-crawly” bug! Yikes! After quickly dropping the rock back on his head I realized my run-away imagination had gotten the better of me.
So gathering my courage, I took another look. There, hiding under that rock was a “cuddly” Jerusalem cricket trying his best to be invisible (while avoiding the bright sunlight).
This wasn’t my first Jerusalem cricket, but seeing this guy prompted me to learn more about this curious insect……
Firstly, Jerusalem crickets are neither true crickets nor are they native to Jerusalem
Taxonomists agree, “Jerusalem crickets are in a very different family than true crickets. This includes a bunch of flightless varieties, and some with wings, found in Africa. The Jerusalem crickets are wingless and are found in the Americas.”
“The origins of the name, “Jerusalem” cricket isn’t certain, but it’s thought that it comes either as a reference to the skull-shaped head (they’re also known as skull crickets), which is associated with skull hill in Jerusalem; or, comes from a watered-down swear word from the ‘40s and ‘50s. Around this time, in the US, both “Jerusalem” and “Cricket” were expletives, associated with being startled.”
Next, some Jerusalem Cricket Mating Characteristics
Similar to true crickets, each species of “sings” a different song during mating. They actually sing by drumming and they drum by beating their butts on the ground.
Once a larger female has successfully mated with a smaller male, and before she lays eggs, females usually eat the males!
She lays her egg masses in holes in the soil. After hatching, over the next 1-2 years, nymphs undergo several molts (as many as 10) until they reach sexual maturity which lasts for only 2-6 months.
Adults can reach up to 2 to 3 inches in length. Females are often larger in size; males have longer hind legs.
Third, Jerusalem Cricket Habitats and Out-of-Sight Living Quarters
They are “well-adapted to living in sandy soils, but can be found in sand dunes, chaparrals, grasslands, woodlands, and forests.”
Being nocturnal, they spend a majority of their lives underground.
They hide underneath organic matter and other debris like rocks, wood. With their powerful mandibles, spiny legs and specially adapted feet, they also dig underground burrows for comfortable living quarters.
And Almost Lastly …. the Cultural Significance of Jerusalem Crickets
Of great importance to Native Americans as food, many tribes in southwestern U.S. also considered Jerusalem crickets as a powerful cultural symbol. Its striking appearance leads some to think the cricket brings mortality, as depicted in the folklore of the Chumash people of southern California.
The Hopi, who settled in Arizona, portrays this cricket as a spirit being (a Kachina) named Sösööpa who races. As a result, it’s often carved into their Katsina dolls as a yellow humanlike character with black beady eyes, a black-and-white plaid skirt, and antennae made from sand grass, depicting traits of the cricket.
The Navajo associated the Yucca plant with the insect; you had to eat the plant as a cure of the cricket’s painful bite. This myth possibly gave rise to the misconception that their bite is venomous.
It’s Greek to Me! (Entomologically Speaking)
Learning the meaning of a scientific name assigned to a species not only helps me remember uncommon words and how they’re pronounced, but often describes aspects of a species’ characteristics that may help differentiate it from another similar-looking species. Learning about these complex names falls into a study called entomology.
Ammopelmatus fuscus, the scientific name for the Dark Jerusalem Cricket, is quite a mouthful. Curious about the meanings (in plain English) of these two strange words, I learned the name originates from Greek and Latin roots meaning “dark sand-sole” or “dark sand-burrower,” obviously referring to their sandy habitats, dark color, and burrowing behavior. But to learn how the common name with the word “sole” ties to one of the cricket’s characteristics, my dive continued. Here’s the entomology breakdown:
Genus Ammopelmatus
Ammos (Greek) means “sand,” referring to the cricket’s specialized adaptation to arid, sandy environments.
pelma (Greek) means “sole of the foot,” highlighting the specialized leg structures the cricket uses for burrowing.
tus (Greek) is a common word meaning either “them” or “their.” In this case, “tus” ties the first two parts together into “their sand sole.”
Species fuscus (Latin) means “dark,” “dusky,” or “brown,” describing the cricket’s color.
Here’s the underside of my Dark Jerusalem Cricket. The leg spines really show well as does the strong mandible. A scary fascinating view!
After learning more about the Dark Jerusalem Cricket, maybe next time I discover one, I won’t jump so high?! Do you think?
Have you seen a Jerusalem cricket hiding out in your yard? If so, what was your reaction?
Hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for stopping by!
Eaton, Eric R.; Kenn Kaufman (2007). Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin. p. 84.
Milne, Lorus Milne, Lorus and Milne, Margery (1980) The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects & Spiders. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, pp. 437.
Stoffolano JG, Wright B (2005). “So so opa —Jerusalem Cricket: An Important Insect in the Hopi Katsina Pantheon.”American Entomologist. 51 (3): 174–179. doi:10.1093/ae/51.3.174
If you’re a fan of weird twists in nature (like me), and enjoyed my November 25, 2024 post, “A Quirk of Nature: Fourwing Saltbush,” you may have lost many hours of sleep wondering how I could’ve missed such an obvious mistake! You know the one. The labeling error made when naming those cottonball-like insect galls hugging the Fourwing stems.
In my confusion (or wishing to cover all options?), I seemed to believe two different midge species were somehow responsible for the same gall.
Are they Rosette Bud Gall Midge galls or Fourwing Saltbush Wooly Gall Midge galls?
Decisions, decisions.
My Quandry quite clear, it was time to consult the experts.
A short 10 months later, confirmation arrived from the iNaturalist experts in all things “Fourwing.” All the puffy galls are none other than those made by Fourwing Saltbush Wooly Gall Midges!
And the answer to my question is well timed, as the stems of the female Fourwing shrubs are once again ‘heavy’ with Wooly Gall Midge galls. Now I know! Now you also know!
Enjoy this official correction, at long last, and wishing you sweet dreams.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
PS: My journal page was created by first sketching in graphite the two Fourwing stems, followed by outlining with loose ink lines from a Micron 005, adding a background of both soft and medium charcoal – blending with a stump, then using a Tombow Mono Zero eraser to clean up the ‘cottonballs,’ before adding watercolor pencil, color splatters, and eraser lines randomly placed through the charcoal background. A bit experimental, and lots of fun.
Like soft, fluffy snow! Glistening orbs of silky gossamer are floating about the neighborhood, drifting hither and yon in the gentle breeze. Suspended beneath each orb is a single reddish-brown winged seed that appears to coax its wind-propelled puff in a safe descent to the ground. But the white floss (the Coma) wants to fly, and it becomes a tug of war. As the weight of the seed overwhelms the ability (and the desire) of the floss to carry it, their brief relationship is severed. But both get their wish …. the floss flies free as the seed drops to the ground, hopefully landing in an ideal spot to overwinter and sprout next spring.
Welcome Fall!
When the air is full of Horsetail Milkweed parachutes and their ‘riders,’ I walk along the neighborhood roadways and collect a bounty of their new-crop seeds + floss to set free around our property. If they find the right soil, moisture, and light conditions for spring germination, the seeds will not only form the beginnings of a stand of these beautifully blooming, creamy-white milkweed flowers, but the plants might just play host to Monarch and Queen butterflies!
Now wouldn’t that be dandy!
(Of course, mature seeds from new plants will undoubtedly entice a hungry crop of well-dressed Milkweed Bugs next Fall. That’s OK! They have to eat too!)
Before hint of color
My Journal Pages ……
For something different, instead of using ink and watercolor, all sketches on these pages were created in graphite. The pods, seeds and the milkweed bug were sketched from my collected samples using a mechanical pencil loaded with a fine point HB lead. The touches of color were added with water soluble graphite.
Work in Progress #1Work in Progress #2
Thanks for stopping by ….. And Have a Fabulous Fall!
Ohhhhhh, what a sweet month …… August. It almost got away from me without sharing a small collection of Littles1 that reflect the inevitable shifts in nature that occur during the month. It’s always hard to imagine summer winding down; where did the time go? But as surely as butter melts on freshly baked bread, undeniably, August forms a reliable bridge between summer and autumn. It’s a time of change and transition; abundance and harvest; transformation and a period of letting go.
So before I “let go” and before the snow flies (and it will), here’s a handful of little discoveries during the month of August:
-A female Wheel Bug gone slightly astray while searching for a protected place to overwinter the eggs she’s about to lay.
-A female Soldier Beetle doing her best to attract a mate by sending out pheromones while munching late season pollen from the disk flowers of a brilliant yellow Showy Goldeneye.
-An acorn that made it to maturity, ready to drop beneath a still green-leaved Gambel Oak soon to be decked out in radiant fall colors.
-Some hot red trumpet-shaped Scarlet Gilia flowers, still irresistible to hummingbirds until migration, will all be pollinated in time for seed set and mature.
-The snowy white fruit dangling from the draping branches of Roundleaf Snowberry shrubs are ripe and ready for plucking by hungry birds flying south for the winter.
-And plump purple-black Chokecherry berries that will become a juicy dietary supplement for black bears needing to bulk up for hibernation.
Enjoy!
And as always, thanks for dropping by!
1“Littles” is part of a blog series I began posting several years ago, beginning in January 2023. The concept was inspired by Fay (thanks again Fay!) who came up with the idea for her blog madebyfay.wordpress.com
While compiling last week’s post about the happy Cowpen Daisy party taking place outside our back door, it was no surprise to find way more interesting info about this sunflower than could ever fit on my journal page. Decisions …… decisions! To keep the August 5th illustrated page relatively uncluttered, I decided to include just the botanical basics (mostly), focusing on Cowpen Daisy flowers, leaves and seeds.
Then the past week I found my nature journal wide open to a blank page, ‘begging me’ for another Cowpen Daisy entry ….. “What about all those interesting info bits?” she asked. Replying* to my journal with a hearty, “OK,” I proceeded to locate and gather my rabbit-trailing notes. This scavenger hunt reminded me just how many pages there were; so many fascinating things about the Cowpen Daisy I wanted to remember and share. Decisions …… decisions! How to keep this next post to one page? By limiting the topics to only three, was it possible?
Barely! (after some clever editing, not a single word dropped off the page)
A little bit closer view for those without a microscope!
P.S. By the way, you may have noticed I’ve indicated this post is Part 2 of what’s now become my Cowpen Daisy series. Unless I start journaling on larger than 8” x 11” paper, there’s likely to be more Parts in store. And this multi-part series resulted in a minor edit to last week’s post, not titled “One of the Happiest Sunflowers Ever! The Cowpen Daisy; Part 1 ….. Can There Be Too Many Sunflowers?” In case you missed it, please check it out here.
*Yes, you read that right; I talk with my nature journals. Don’t you? After all, we do spend quite a bit of time together!
It was the Fall of 2024. A small cluster of Cowpen Daisies (Verbesinaencelioides) flourishing on the severely disturbed ground surrounding our new home was going to seed. Waiting several weeks until the migratory birds ate their fill, I spent an hour or so collecting as many remaining dried seeds (cypselas) as possible, stuffing full two quart-sized ziplock bags. About 1/3 of the seeds I scattered around the house where they would overwinter on the ground. The rest were poured into large pill vials that were labeled with species name, location, and date, then placed in the refrigerator to simulate cold storage until Spring.
Cowpen Daisy cypselas (seeds) 08/04/2025 at Punch
It was late April 2025. The chances of heavy frost seemed a distant memory. My fingers crossed, I chose a sunny 42 degree morning to liberate those refrigerated seeds from 6 months of cold storage, and scattered them in disturbed areas not seeded last Fall. Then I waited like an expectant parent, watching for signs of germination, worrying that runoff from late season snows might wash away my scattered seeds, expecting that flocks of migratory birds would gobble them all up, and hoping for gentle rain showers to swell those thousands of seed coats to aid those tiny embryos in growing their first roots (radicles) and first leaves (cotyledons).
Then early June 2025. Success! Cotyledons were literally popping up everywhere, which meant the radicles were already expanding into the soil. They were especially crowded where I’d scattered all the cold storage seeds, and germination was obvious where seeds had been scattered the Fall of 2024. By early July, those Cowpen daisies were crowding out many of the other native species I’d also seeded in the same areas.
Backyard and overflow Cowpen Daisies, robust growth after Fall 2024 seeding (08/03/2025)
And now it’s early August 2025, and what a dazzling show! Even though the sunflower yellow flowers of Cowpen Daisy are small (2” wide), there are up to 75 long-stemmed flowers on each plant that can grow from 4-5’ tall! They are so dense, the backyard fence is hardly visible, our walking paths are totally draped with 4” long leaves, and if there’s a rattlesnake lurking around under our massive Cowpen Daisy canopy, we’d probably (hopefully) hear him well before he slithered into view!
Goals and Lessons Learned
I’ve learned a lot by parenting these Daisies; from the best time to scatter seed (in the late Spring following cold storage) and where (not so close to other desirable natives or pathways), to managing the mass of growth (by organizing through selective removal). Our initial goal of seeding and growing native plant species was to attract and help feed wildlife (pollinators, reptiles, rodents, birds and mammals), and we are optimistic that achieving this goal long-term seems realistic with the success we’ve had to date. However, because so many of our native plants are losing the battle against habitat loss caused by invasive species encroachment and takeover, land development, and climate change, we will continue to explore ideas to expand our initial goal to address the habitat situation. As we gain insight about the best native plants to grow to help restore our disturbed soils, we will learn and share with our neighbors those species that: are drought tolerant; aid in building soils; are effective at invasive weed suppression; provide wildlife benefits; and increase plant diversity.
Cowpen Daisy and pollinator 08/01/2025 at Punch
Happy – Happy – Happy! Will I be collecting Cowpen Daisy seed again this Fall? You bet! Having all that sunshine yellow around our home is thrilling. Every morning all those thousands of sunflower faces looking East towards a new day are about the happiest sight ever! And having such wild, uninhibited growth of a native annual out our back door has been ideal for observing the pollinators that benefit from the abundant nectar and pollen, enjoying the aerial acrobatics of several phoebe families that have been feasting on those pollinators, and promises to be a perfect spot for bird watching this Fall when all those cypselas ripen into high protein food.
Can’t wait!
Do you ‘know’ a special native plant? How about a native butterfly garden? Are you a bird watcher? Maybe you enjoy the occasional deer, coyote, or bobcat wander through your yard? Please share your favorite wildlife encounter!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Bordered Patch (my photo/2023 – on butterfly bush)Bordered Patch catBordered Patch (my photo taken 2023These dandy little butterflies, the Bordered Patch, often choose the Cowpen Daisy as their larval host. (The butterfly nectaring on butterfly bush flowers are from my home collection)
Sunflowers!🌻 Absolutely the happiest flower on Earth. Wouldn’t you agree?
Sunflowers, a symbol of adoration, loyalty, and longevity, represent happiness, friendship, and intelligence. Much like the sun, sunflowers reflect vibrancy and an energy of life. While National Sunflower Day is the official day to celebrate these beautiful flowers, why not declare the entire growing season reason a-plenty to radiate your inner sunshine and mirror the smiling faces of every sunflower encountered!
Then and Now
Did you know sunflowers have been around since about 1000 BCE? In the U.S. indigenous peoples used sunflowers as a valuable food source, for oil, paint, and textiles, and during ceremonies. Some archaeologists even believe sunflowers may have been cultivated before corn. Today, sunflowers are still used for food (seeds, salad mixes) and beverages (tea), cooking oil, in beauty and skin care treatments, for medicinal purposes, and for hobbies and crafts.
Annual Sunflower over 6 feet tall!
The sunflower crop
The U.S. is a mass producer of sunflowers, particularly in the plains states, and is a major crop in both North Dakota and South Dakota. The average cultivated sunflower plant is five to six feet tall, and the central face of disc flowers can grow bigger than a human head. As the weight of the sunflower head becomes heavy, it begins to fall forward causing the petals to fall off. Shortly after the harvest begins. On average, one sunflower can produce up to 2,000 seeds per head. In 2022, North Dakota produced 762 billion pounds of sunflower seeds!
The Happiest and the most Intelligent flower
Have you ever noticed sunflowers track the sun, from sunrise to sunset? It’s true! Sunflowers follow the sun’s movements throughout the day. You may notice that before sunrise, a sunflower is in sort of a sleeping position with its head slightly down. As the sun comes over the horizon, the flower awakens and slowly lifts its face to ‘look’ directly at the rising sun. As the day progresses and we observe the sun moving from east to west, so too does the sunflower by turning its face in sync with the sun’s apparent movements until sunset.1 When the sun sets in the evening, sunflowers nod off to sleep, but not before untwisting themselves and slowly return to face the east. Ingenious!
This charmer is called Cowpen Daisy
1 However, on very hot days, sunflowers tend to avoid looking directly at the sun to keep from overheating. And I’ve noticed on cloudy days, sunflowers may appear confused about the sun’s location, seeming to make their best guess on which way to face.
A season of yellows and oranges
Although you can find flowers in the Aster (sunflower) family in the Spring, August is the peak growing and blooming season for these cheerful plants. Brilliant displays of yellow flowers welcoming the morning sun can be found wherever sunflowers grow. Witnessing fields of sunflowers is guaranteed to lift your spirits as you oooooh and aaaaaaaah at their breathtaking beauty.
A trio of cowpen daisies
Ideas to celebrate a day, week, month or year of sunflowers
Spend a day with a wild sunflower and watch its face track the sun.
Take a drive to view fields of sunflowers to see their true beauty in mass.
Give a bouquet of sunflowers to a friend to brighten their day.
Add sunflower petals and seeds to your salad.
Create a painting of your favorite sunflower and frame it to enjoy year-round.
Try your hand at a Zentangled sunflower bouquet ….. there are as many pattern possibilities as there are blooming sunflowers!
Plan a road trip to North Dakota in August and coordinate places to stop to visit sunflower fields and get updates from local farmers who cultivate sunflowers.
A collection of cowpen daisies in my backyard.
If you missed celebrating this year’s National Sunflower Day, no worries! Every time you come across any sunflower, of any size, anywhere, pause and hold a personal celebration in honor of its splendiferous magnificence!
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Sunflower photos were taken in our backyard ….. all volunteers too!
You must awake when the first rooster crows to enjoy the floral beauty of a fully flaired Blazingstar blossom. Appropriately named, these gorgeous flowers display a radiant combination of spoon-shaped petals, petal-like stamens, and hundreds of thread-like stamens, all colored in bold sulfur yellows, distinctive pale orange-yellows, brilliant star whites, or fluorescent blues, based on species. These superbly showy flowers unfurl overnight atop tall white, branching stems that resemble candelabras with narrow lobed green leaves. These large, 2” diameter flowers belong to the Mentzelia genus, plants that are all native to the Americas, and represented by 60-80 species, most found in the desert southwest.
In 1753, Carl Linneaus gave this plant its genus name, Mentzelia, after German botanist and sinologist Christian Mentzel. (Did you know a Sinologist is a specialist in the study of Chinese language, literature, and civilization? Huh!) But perhaps more fascinating and what’s always ‘captured’ my complete attention (and blue jeans) is that the Mentzelia genus fits perfectly in the Loasaceae family ….. commonly referred to as the Stickleafs.
About those leaves ……
Being primarily a day-time hiker, my first encounter with a Blazingstar occurred simultaneously with a misstep into the plant. Noticing some resistance in making my escape, I looked down at the ground and discovered my jeans had a collection of stuck leaves from my boots on up. And the leaves were really stuck tight along their entire length! Removing those leaves was like peeling a banana, only tougher. Wait! Forget the banana peel. Removing those sticky leaves sounded like and felt like tugging on and separating Velcro! I was reminded of the familiar ‘ripping’ noise made when Velcro hooks are forcibly released from their loops!
Eureka!!
Nature is full of surprises. Were the Stickleafs the source of accidental inspiration for today’s handy hook-n-loop fastener, called Velcro? Almost, but not quite! As it turns out, the tiny hooks on Cocklebur seedpods inspired a Swiss engineer to develop Velcro in 1941. But not to change subjects too much …….The reasons Stickleafs could’ve been the inspiration for Velcro, is similar to the Cocklebur story, but, I think, even better. Here’s why ……
The seedpods of both plants have tiny hooks that readily adhere to clothing and fur. And it was the hooks’ tenacity for stick-to-it-tiv-ness that grew the original Velcro idea. But Stickleafs go even further in ‘reinforcing’ the fastener concept. Not only does the seed pod (capsule) of Stickleafs have a covering of tiny hooks, but both leaf surfaces and even the stems of plants in this family can have multiple types of minuscule grappling-hooks and barbed needles, called Trichomes, visible only with an electron microscope. I summarize that if the Swiss engineer was visiting America in 1941, and had the good fortune to walk into a Mentzelia plant, he undoubtedly would’ve been super inspired to develop Velcro. After all, it’s the leaves that stick fast to clothing, resemble a strip of Velcro, and hold tight, mimicking an ideal hook-n-loop fastener.
Hooked on Trichomes
And now for the curious nature of the Mentzelia genus. When coming across the Adonis Blazingstar (Mentzeliamultiflora) over the past 8 years, it’s been fun to inspect the leaves, remove one and intentionally stick it to Roy’s jeans or mine. I’ve then wondered how this plant ‘sticks’ so well, and why. The time for answers arrived this month, and what I learned was fascinating. It’s all about Trichomes.
Trichome is a botanical term used to describe the small hair-like structures that occur somewhere on a plant; typically on plant leaves. Trichomes can be found throughout the plant kingdom (like on Cannabis sativa); they aren’t unique to the Stickleaf family, and are found on all species of the the Mentzelia genus. Some Mentzelia species have one type or shape of trichome; some have several types. Adonis Blazingstar has two types of trichomes – one is shaped like a grappling hook; one is shaped like a barbed needle. It’s the trichomes that grab on and hold tight. But what possible function do they serve the plant? Surely a leaf sticking to the fur of a passing animal or a person’s pant leg, while decorative, is otherwise pointless?
What Good are Mentzelia Trichomes?
Like plant hairs, trichomes aid a plant in water conservation in times of drought by reducing transpiration, and in situations of other environmental stressors, such as excessive UV light and extreme temperatures. The trichomes serve as a protective barrier between the leaf, stem, or other part of the plant, and the environment.
Trichomes can function as water collection, retention and funneling structures during a rainstorm.
The grab-and-hold nature of trichomes when they attach to fur or clothing can cause enough vibration of mature seed capsules to shake loose seeds ready for dispersal.
Trichomes are the plant’s primary defense against herbivory; not from livestock or rodents intent on munching leaves, but from insects that attempt crawling amongst the grappling hooks and barbed needles intent on causing damage. As can be seen in electron microscope images, insects have been photographed speared and hooked and killed because they were unable to escape their entrapment by trichomes.
But not all insects succumb to the fate of trichomes. Aphids are able to navigate the dense forest of hooks and needles without capture, allowing them to wreak havoc on vulnerable and tasty leaves, stems and seed capsules.
And that’s why the Mentzelia genus of the Stickleaf family is one of the natural curiosities of the plant kingdom. Maybe now, you too, are Hooked on Trichomes?
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post, and do thank you for stopping by!
And if you’re curious about how Trichomes contribute to the enjoyment and/or medicinal benefits of marijuana (Cannabis sativa), here’s what I found:
Trichomes are the primary site for cannabinoid production (i.e. compounds like THC & CBD responsible for the plant’s psychoactive/therapeutic effects.
Trichomes are the site of terpene production which gives different Cannabis strains their unique aromas/flavors.
Trichomes are the site of flavonoids known for antioxidant and medicinal properties.
A few years ago I stumbled across this plant while walking around our neighborhood. Being immediately awed by its richly-colored petals skirting an upright cylinder or cone, I knew it would be a perfect addition to our high elevation (7,300 feet) landscape. My idea was to wait until the flowers on the cone faded and collect some seed to scatter in our yard. After repeated trips hoping to find evidence of seed, I was skunked. Either I missed the dispersal event, or this plant was 100% sterile. On the outside chance there were microscopic seeds embedded in the cone, I resorted to cone collection. Fast forward to the next spring …… every spot I’d planted those cones was barren; nothing had sprouted; zero; zip.
Fast forward again to early July 2025. This wildly blooming plant was growing vigorously in many of the dry disturbed openings and roadside areas throughout our new neighborhood! Time to learn more about such a charming member of the sunflower family called Mexican Hat.
Mexican Hat (Ratibidacolumnifera), also commonly known as rocketflower, and both upright and longhead prairie coneflower, is a native perennial found across the Lower “48” (U.S.), southern Canada and northern Mexico at elevations ranging from 5,000-7,500 feet. Its Ray flowers come in a dazzling sunshine yellow, along with a soft velvety royal purple-brown, an intensely deep rust-red brown, and rusty oranges – all with some measure of sunshine yellow marginal accents. Each Disc flower (those tiny spots that spiral, Fibonacci fashion, around the upright cone) has 5 fused pale-green petals (the Corolla). The Corolla surrounds 5 fused purple/red oxide-colored Anthers (the pollen structures of the Stamens). The Anthers are shoved up through the Corolla by the developing Style (the stalk of the Pistil) where they burst into 5 sunshine yellow pollen “strands” resembling a hairdo of long, twisted, windblown dreadlocks! The shockingly beautiful colors unfailingly lure many insects hungry for pollen and/or nectar.
The entire Capitulum (the densely packed flowerhead of a composite “flower”) continually waves in the slightest of breezes as it perches atop the long stiff and naked stem (the Peduncle) of the flowerhead. Below the Peduncle are the many branched feathery-like, deeply lobed leaves. These leaves seem to be the primary source of a curiously fascinating fragrance. After handling the plants for several days, I began thinking of the aroma as being cautiously sweet-scented with subtle hints of slow roasted tomato + red pepper-infused homemade shortbread cookies! I’m looking for a recipe!
All “said and done,” Mexican Hat can grow from 8 inches tall to over 3 feet!
Benefits of and Curiosities About Mexican Hat
Special Value to Native Bees – According to The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Mexican Hat is recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large numbers of native bees.
Food Source for Wildlife Species – In addition to being an important source of pollen and nectar for native bees, Mexican Hat also attracts many other insects like butterflies and moths, and hummingbirds sip its sweet nectar. Wildlife that feast on its seeds include small song birds, wild turkey and rodents. Even white-tailed deer will eat the foliage, despite its reported deer-resistant qualities.
Supports Native Pollinators, Attracts Beneficial Insects, and Promotes Biological Diversity – Mexican Hat is a adaptable and resilient wildflower species, able to endure extended periods of drought, hot and cold temperatures, and diverse habitat and soil conditions. Because of these characteristics, and because the species is a self-seeder, Mexican Hat provides food and cover for wildlife, is a reliable source of pollen for at-risk native bees, and makes an excellent choice for sustainable gardening, habitat and soil restoration, and prairie conservation efforts. And not to be overlooked, Mexican Hat attracts beneficial insects like lady beetles and lacewings that help control garden pests like aphids and caterpillars, and makes a valuable contribution to natural pest management strategies.
Many Uses; the Ethnobotany of Mexican Hat – North American indigenous peoples prepared the leaves, stems, flowers and/or the cones in certain ways to treat specific ailments suffered by people and animals. By creating washes, by boiling, physically rubbing and crushing, decoctions, concoctions and infusions were used to treat chest pains, wounds, stomach aches, fevers, headaches, urinary problems, rattlesnake bites and to induce vomiting. Mothers wishing to wean their babies had crushed leaves rubbed on their breasts. Horses with urinary problems were hand fed the entire plant as a cure, and sheep that are “out of their minds” are given a cold infusion.
The cones were used as baby nipples. Leaves and flowerheads were boiled to make a pleasant tasting tea.
A Symbolic Meaning and Familiar Visual of Mexican Hat – In Mexican culture, this wildflower is often associated with traditional celebrations, ceremonies and festivals. Mexican Hat is a symbol of joy, abundance and cultural heritage. The common name “Mexican Hat” was given to this wildflower because it reminds many of the shape of a traditional Mexican sombrero.
Origin of the Scientific Name Ratibidacolumnifera – The Etymology of the genus name Ratibida was published in 1818 by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz (1783–1840). Even to this day, the meaning of Ratibida is a mystery. It’s well known that Rafinesque-Schmaltz often assigned unexplained names to plants. Oh, and be aware that around 60 sites online use the spelling “Ratidiba” rather than Ratibida. So if poking around the internet for more information about Mexican Hat or any of the other prairie coneflowers, don’t be fooled by the typo!
The species epithet columnifera is a Latin name meaning “bearing columns.” This refers the tall cylindrical or cone-shaped flowerhead (Capitulum) which is the support structure (the Receptacle) for the numerous Disc flowers, the 7 Ray flowers, and the 7 small leafy bracts (Phyllaries).
Loving My Mexican Hat!
Early this spring I purchased 2 Mexican Hat plants for our garden. I’m happy to report they are doing great and loaded with 10-20 yet-to-mature pale green cones. Wonder what color the Ray petals will be?
I’m also planning to collect seed again this year, after learning the best time is early Fall when the cones look like they’re withering. Wish me luck!
Hope you enjoyed my exploration of this marvelous native perennial member of the sunflower family. Even though in a previous post I made a thorough plunge into the sunflower family, I learned even more putting this post together.
a curious nature 