Winter Fat…Very Cool!

November 03, 2020 00:05:31
Winter Fat…Very Cool!
Growing Native with Petey Mesquitey
Winter Fat…Very Cool!

Nov 03 2020 | 00:05:31

/

Show Notes

I think it’s fascinating that there are several species of winter fat found in Eurasia and Europe. That’s where the genus was first described by a German botanist in the 1770s and named in honor of the Russian explorer and naturalist Stepan Krascheninnikov.  And it’s probably just me, but when you add the ia to make the Latinized botanical name Krascheninnikovia, you get seven syllables. I love words or names with seven syllables…okay, it is just me.

Anyway, the specific epithet for our North American winter fat is lanata and refers to the wooly seed stalks, which by the way are pretty neat in a dry floral arrangement along with some buckwheat (Eriogonum spp…maybe wrightii) and a native bunch grass like bull grass (Muhlenbergia emersleyi). Okay, that’s just me.

I find winter fat (it can be winterfat if you prefer) in alkaline fields or mesas near favorite limestone slopes. It’s always mixed in with grasses and other interesting plants like littleleaf sumac (Rhus microphylla) or soaptree yucca (Yucca elata).

The photos are mine. One photo is of the plant in dry rocky habitat. I like the photo with the dark storm clouds overhead. Large rain drops were splattering me while I was taking that photo. And I like how the lighting enhances the wooly white seed heads. I’m thinking winter fat would be a nice addition to a moonlight garden… I know, that’s just me…and how do you like the wooly seed head bouquet on my messy desk? Cool right? Very cool.

Other Episodes

Episode

September 01, 2015
Episode Cover

Solidago missouriensis

Petey finds a species of Goldenrod near his home and collects seed thinking it might be a good plant to grow and sell…., looks...

Listen

Episode

October 08, 2024 00:04:32
Episode Cover

Cool Vine in a Shady Woodland

The specific epithet ligusticifolia for this Clematis means that the plant has leaves like Ligusticum or lovage. I used the name Levisticum for lovage...

Listen

Episode

September 14, 2018 00:04:43
Episode Cover

Bush Muhly

Bush muhly is the species Muhlenbergia porteri. There are over 40 species of muhlys found in Arizona and the southwest. It would be hard...

Listen