Forbs and Grasses

[rtbaum]

Forb- herbaceous plants of grasslands, not grassy

The rock outcroppings of Jeffers, Mn provide habitat for short grass prairie and some unique plants for the area


Brittle Prickly Pear

It surprises many that cacti are found in Minnesota. When photographing the petroglyphs, Jeffers, Minnesota, It was necessary to go barefoot. I was very, very careful where I stepped.


A Goldenrod that I have not keyed out quite yet


Buffalo-Grass


False Pennyroyal, would have gotten a closer shot if not for the prickly pear embedding itself in my big toe!


Big Bluestem grows in the moister areas


These grasses and forbs are what make bison big (gone now from this site )

[Wavelength]

Others are informative whereas 4th one is of artistic value... I really liked that

[Wavelength]

In #1 and #3 you can trim out region of interest and throw away the remaining part make them far more interesting, i feel.
For instance in #1 just one bunch of the thorny cactus and in #3 that flower with one or two grass blades in a vertical frame....

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[IzzieK]

And why the heck did you go barefooting in that area? Ouch!!! Sometimes I worry about you.... that buffalo grass will make a good image one day...if that is mine, I'd keep that to fiddle around one day when you do not have anything to do..#1 is painful remembrance of that day you decided to go barefooted in that area. How do you know all these names of your shots??? just curious...

[rtbaum]

And why the heck did you go barefooting in that area? Ouch!!! Sometimes I worry about you.... that buffalo grass will make a good image one day...if that is mine, I'd keep that to fiddle around one day when you do not have anything to do..#1 is painful remembrance of that day you decided to go barefooted in that area. How do you know all these names of your shots??? just curious...

I had to go barefoot to photograph the petroglyphs. I have had other close encounters in the past, I sort of expect it. The key is that the long spines aren't so bad, watch out for the little hair-like spines. I have been an amateur botanist for years and I have a good key available on-line.

[JohnRostron]

Others are informative whereas 4th one is of artistic value... I really liked that

I don't distinguish between what is interesting and what is artistic when deciding what I like. I do like them all. I was especially intreagued by the first one! I am still deciding whether the grass in front of the False Pennyroyal actually detracts from the picture. I am all in favour of showing animals and plants in their proper surroundings.

BTW, is a cactus actually a 'forb'?

John

[rtbaum]

"BTW, is a cactus actually a 'forb'?"

John[/QUOTE]

It is a dicot, so I do believe so. It is just specialized for its niche. Pretty much all of these plants some adaptation for survival in a relatively harsh environment.

[JohnRostron]

"BTW, is a cactus actually a 'forb'?"

John

It is a dicot, so I do believe so. It is just specialized for its niche. Pretty much all of these plants some adaptation for survival in a relatively harsh environment.

My understanding of a 'forb' is a herbaceous plant other than grasses, sedges or rushes. A cactus would not be described as herbaceous.

John

[rtbaum]

My understanding of a 'forb' is a herbaceous plant other than grasses, sedges or rushes. A cactus would not be described as herbaceous.

John

Looked it up, actually they classify it as a shrub

[purplehaze]

This rather looks like it might be a bit of a field guide to our own prairie. Thanks for that, Randy, and for the new word!