Such pretty blooms. Here is an interesting tidbit inline with your post, when we were in India adopting Raina, lo these 32 years ago, Peanut Butter was actually called Groundnut Butter.
Beautiful. The map indicates they are found in my county, but I've never seen it. I'll have to see if I can get more info about where it might be found.
Such intricate flowers, Diane! Makes me wonder about the tiny pollinators that much be attracted to them. I remember this plant from the woods on my grandparents' little Missouri farm, when I was a girl. We made necklaces of the vines. Now, I'm remembering some recent research I read in The Light Eaters (about vining plants and the sense of touch), by Zoe Schlanger. Your post is a wonderful illustrated footnote to that book. Thank you!
I also love the rampant Groundnut! As I read your essay I was wondering if I might find an explanation for why Groundnut seems to be so attractive to ants--have you noticed this? In any case, it is a charming addition to any thicket, as are these others of my favorite vining wildflowers--Virgin's Bower, a.k.a., Old Man's Beard or Wild Clematis (Clemtais virginica). :)
Old Man's Beard. I had never heard of it and had to go look it up. But not found in Iowa, so that's why it escaped me entirely. Interesting-looking plant.
Somehow it seems to slip below the radar. Maybe the name just sounds so unimpressive that the plant doesn't get written up a lot. But really it is amazingly intricate and colorful.
Wondrous Writing, as usual, Diane! You de Best!! Such heart and soul and mind all twined together to flow out of your dear pen to inform, enlighten, entertain us. Thank you ! (I'd like to grow some Groundnuts here in California. Why not?) :<)) An Admirer (Sue Krevitt/haha)
I'm planning to mark some plants soon so that I can find their bases to dig up after the first hard frost. That will hopefully yield some tubers to plant. Then I must remember to keep the plants wet. Please let me know if you try Groundnuts too, and how they work out for you.
By the way, I have noticed that if I add a Substack link to a Facebook post, it gets way less reaction than if there is no link in the main story, comments, or even images. Facebook, we must not forget, is not a public utility. But I do wish I had a way to let people know about MyGaia.Substack.com.
Such pretty blooms. Here is an interesting tidbit inline with your post, when we were in India adopting Raina, lo these 32 years ago, Peanut Butter was actually called Groundnut Butter.
Ground nut does sound like a description of peanuts, which form in the ground rather than aboveground like every other kind of nut I can think of.
Beautiful. The map indicates they are found in my county, but I've never seen it. I'll have to see if I can get more info about where it might be found.
It likes damp ground. I find it in a low meadow and at the edge of woods.
So interesting! And just look at those flowers! Thanks for letting us know about the groundnut, Diane.
Thanks for the Like and the comment.
This is new to me! I’ll be looking for it now.
Such intricate flowers, Diane! Makes me wonder about the tiny pollinators that much be attracted to them. I remember this plant from the woods on my grandparents' little Missouri farm, when I was a girl. We made necklaces of the vines. Now, I'm remembering some recent research I read in The Light Eaters (about vining plants and the sense of touch), by Zoe Schlanger. Your post is a wonderful illustrated footnote to that book. Thank you!
Interesting. Yesterday I was trying to decide whether to order just that book. So you recommend it?
I also love the rampant Groundnut! As I read your essay I was wondering if I might find an explanation for why Groundnut seems to be so attractive to ants--have you noticed this? In any case, it is a charming addition to any thicket, as are these others of my favorite vining wildflowers--Virgin's Bower, a.k.a., Old Man's Beard or Wild Clematis (Clemtais virginica). :)
Old Man's Beard. I had never heard of it and had to go look it up. But not found in Iowa, so that's why it escaped me entirely. Interesting-looking plant.
This one is new to me. What a cool plant.
Somehow it seems to slip below the radar. Maybe the name just sounds so unimpressive that the plant doesn't get written up a lot. But really it is amazingly intricate and colorful.
Thanks for posting.
Lovely! What a gorgeous color too. Haven’t encountered them in the wild, sounds like this would be the time to seek them.
It's the time to find the flowers. But they are very hard to find after the flowers are gone.
Wondrous Writing, as usual, Diane! You de Best!! Such heart and soul and mind all twined together to flow out of your dear pen to inform, enlighten, entertain us. Thank you ! (I'd like to grow some Groundnuts here in California. Why not?) :<)) An Admirer (Sue Krevitt/haha)
I'm planning to mark some plants soon so that I can find their bases to dig up after the first hard frost. That will hopefully yield some tubers to plant. Then I must remember to keep the plants wet. Please let me know if you try Groundnuts too, and how they work out for you.
I love this! I don't think I have seen these plants "in real life" before. If you are open to a cross-post, I could publish this on August 28.
Thanks Laura. Yes, of course. I would be honored.
Your post is online now. I only changed the formatting a bit (side by side images don't work well on my website). Didn't change your text.
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2024/08/28/iowa-wildflower-wednesday-groundnut/
Wonderful! Thank you so much. I appreciate it!
By the way, I have noticed that if I add a Substack link to a Facebook post, it gets way less reaction than if there is no link in the main story, comments, or even images. Facebook, we must not forget, is not a public utility. But I do wish I had a way to let people know about MyGaia.Substack.com.