Lately, I have spent a lot of time on my hands and knees photographing the "World Beneath Our Feet". There is a myriad of tiny plants that most folks do not even know exist or, at least, do not take the time to examine. I do. This much maligned, overlooked and trod upon world is full of life if you only take a few minutes to look at it. People who wish to have the "perfect lawn" call the tiny plants "weeds". Most are far too busy to even look where they step so the plants go unseen and are soon smashed. Yet, they grow. They flourish without attention. They live.
This afternoon, a whole patch of tiny flowers caught my eye. Of course, that meant study-time. After photographing the blooms that I had seen a million times since childhood, it was time to find out if the plants had names other than the scientific, unpronounceable sort. I needed to know an easy to say, easy to remember name that I could pass along to anyone who shared an interest...usually kids since they are more open to finding joy in Mother Nature.
I found a name...or...I found a whole slew of names...but one stood out above the others so that will be the "chosen one". Turkey Tangle Frogfruit! Now if that does not grab the interest and conjure up some pretty wild tales, nothing will. Turkey Tangle Frogfruit! Depending on who you ask, the name is sometimes Fogfruit but I preferred Frogfruit as I am partial to the frogs in the gardens. These tiny (3 inch tall stalks) blooms offer a refueling place for a lot of small bees and moths. Please be careful with the herbicides and insecticides that you spray onto your lawns. Killing bees and moths is not a good idea.
Folks, take a few moments to check out the ground beneath your feet. There are so many interesting things in that miniature land.
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