Val(erie) 🍉 ♠️
LightNews LightNews
banner
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Val(erie) 🍉 ♠️
@valerie-ughh.bsky.social
540 followers 68 following 1.4K posts
Hello good evening and welcome | 28 | long-haired weirdo | absolutely flaming and annoying aromantic-asexual | notoriously sex-repulsed | crafty pleb | biiiig fan of Tsuga canadensis | she/her
Posts Replies Media Videos
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Timed the Midwestern goodbye for myself and my family leaving the larger family dinner and this is a low-end goodbye for us
Screenshot of a stopwatch page. The time reads 23:14.25 (23 minutes, 24 seconds, 15 milliseconds).
November 28, 2025 at 2:01 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Hooker’s Scratch Daisy (Croptilon hookerianum) is a cutie, and that’s all I have on it. There are some vague allusions to it being anti-inflammatory and used for respiratory and digestive issues, but NO sources are cited. So annoying. Who are you hearing this from?? Where did you read it? Tell me!!!
Hooker’s Scratch Daisy growing in dusty ground. The plant has several thin, sharp-tipped green leaves and a few small yellow flowers. The flowers have a small, dark-ish yellow center and many bright yellow petals around it, giving it a very classic Daisy look. Hooker’s Scratch Daisy growing in dusty ground among some dried plants. The plant has several thin, sharp-tipped green leaves and a few small yellow flowers. The flowers have a small, dark-ish yellow center and many bright yellow petals around it, giving it a very classic Daisy look. Hooker’s Scratch Daisy growing among some plants and dried grass. The plant has a few thin, sharp-tipped green leaves that are blurry in the photo and a couple small yellow flowers. The flowers have a small, dark-ish yellow center and many bright yellow petals around it, giving it a very classic Daisy look. The petals are drooping a little bit and there are a few light brown dried flower heads on the plant too. Top-down photo Hooker’s Scratch Daisy growing among some plants and dried grass. The plant has some thin, sharp-tipped green leaves and a few small yellow flowers. The flowers have a small, dark-ish yellow center and many bright yellow petals around it, giving it a very classic Daisy look. The petals are drooping a little bit.
November 22, 2025 at 3:15 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Sweet Everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium) is known for its ability to last when dried and for its very long list of ethnobotanical uses by different Indigenous tribes, from treating various breathing ailments to smudges for dispelling spirits to treating muscle cramps.
Sweet Everlasting plant growing in mostly dry, silvery grass. The plant is a single stem with several long and thin leaves that are widest at the middle, with the bottom leaves being yellow. The flowers are in a ball-shaped bunch at the top, creamy white, and fuzzy-looking. Top-down photo of Sweet Everlasting plant growing in mostly dry, silvery grass. The plant is a single stem with several long and thin leaves that are widest at the middle, with the bottom leaves being yellow. The flowers are in a ball-shaped bunch at the top, creamy white, and fuzzy-looking. Sweet Everlasting plant growing in mostly dry, silvery grass. The plant is a single stem with several long and thin leaves that are widest at the middle, with the bottom leaves being yellow or brown and dried up and crinkly. The flowers are in a ball-shaped bunch at the top, creamy white, and fuzzy-looking. Top-down Sweet Everlasting plant growing in mostly dry, silvery grass. You can’t see the stem or leaves, save for a few thin green leaves just below the flowers. The flowers are in a ball-shaped bunch at the top, creamy white, and fuzzy-looking.
November 22, 2025 at 3:04 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Unfortunately a lot of inspiration dropped off after I posted the first two chapters of my swan maiden Ed fic BUT I am still chipping away at it because I love the idea and here’s a snippet of ch. 3:
#WIPWednesday
Screenshot of text on a page: As his eyes readjust, Stede notices a shadowy blob floating in the sparkling water. It gradually focuses into the shape of—what else—a swan, rich ebony feathers mottled with smoky grey, beak a bright fiery red. The swan doesn’t seem to notice Stede right away, so he takes a moment to marvel at his regal stature, the calm, statuesque figure basking in the rays of the sun. When he turns his neck and sees Stede, he jolts and then unfolds his wings a bit—revealing snowy white feathers underneath—and letting out a short and guttural sound that can only be described as disgruntled. Stede can’t help but let out a chuckle. “Good morning, Edward,” he calls out softly. Further grunts from Ed as he first swims away from Stede, then does some sort of nodding motion with his neck and head (that again makes Stede laugh), and turns to swim toward Stede. Instinctively, Stede walks closer to the water to meet him, but is met with a long hiss and raised wings, so Stede raises his hands and steps back. “Fair, fair. My apologies. Um—“ He loses his train of thought as he watches Edward. He moves so gracefully through the water, it’s almost mesmerizing. “If—if you’d like breakfast, I can make something, unless you’ve already eaten—uh—“ Ed honks shortly and throws his head in a looping motion as he approaches the shore, seeming to glare at Stede. “Oh, yes, I can—“
November 20, 2025 at 1:06 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Went into like a fugue state last night for *several hours* and started this thousand piece puzzle listening to the entire Minuteman discography and three Cramps albums
Half-finished puzzle showing a winter scene with several colorful buildings on top of a large cardboard square.
November 19, 2025 at 3:32 PM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
We’re not done! This one is Redwhisker (sometimes Roughseed) Clammyweed (Polanisia dodecandra). I’m sure named for the red filaments (very long stamen) on the flower and if I had touched it, there’s a sticky/damp/soft (read: clammy) feel on the stems (I’m using the guide’s glossary).
Top-down photo of Redwhisker Clammyweed. The plant is two small clumps with many small, light green leaves. There are a few small white flowers with long, red stamens. Many yellow-green seed pods stick straight up, about two inches long, some split open at the ends. Close-up photo of Redwhisker Clammyweed. The plant has many small, light green leaves. There are a few small white flowers with long, red stamens. Many yellow-green seed pods stick straight up, about two inches long, some split open at the ends. Redwhisker Clammyweed plants growing in rocky ground with some grass around them. The plant has many round-ish green leaves. There are many small white flowers with long, red stamens. A few yellow-green seed pods stick straight up, about two inches long, some split open at the ends. Redwhisker Clammyweed plant growing in rocky ground and surrounded by different scraggly plants. The plant has reddish stems and many small, light green leaves. There are no flowers but a great deal of yellow-green seed pods stick straight up, about two inches long, some split open at the ends.
November 17, 2025 at 1:06 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
This beauty was a pleasant surprise and is called Stick-leaf, but also called Chicken-thief?! (Mentzelia oligosperma) I don’t have any fun facts about the plant, but I’m dying to know how it got the name Chicken-thief.
Close-up of Stick-leaf plant. The plant is very bushy and has a ton of small-ish, prickly leaves. There are several flowers that are pale orange and Star-shaped. Close-up of Stick-leaf plant. The plant is very bushy and has a ton of small-ish, prickly leaves. There are several flowers that are pale orange and Star-shaped. Stick-leaf plant growing among a bunch of plants and grass. The plant is a small bush and has a ton of small-ish, prickly leaves. There are several flowers that are pale orange and Star-shaped. Top-down photo Stick-leaf plant growing among a bunch of plants and grass. The plant is a small bush and has a ton of small-ish, prickly leaves. There are several flowers that are pale orange and Star-shaped.
November 13, 2025 at 1:48 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
This cutie is the Whitemouth Dayflower (Commelina erecta)! There are several edible parts of the plant: the flower, raw or candied (?), the leaves (apparently best boiled or fried), and the young shoots can be eaten raw.
Of course, the “white mouth” refers to the tiny white petal.
Close-up of Whitemouth Dayflower growing in grass. The plant has several long-ish spade-shaped leaves. The flower has two large light blue petals that look like the top half of a circle, bright yellow pistils in the center and long white stamens that curve down, and a barely visible tiny white petal below the center. Close-up of Whitemouth Dayflower growing in grass. The plant has several long-ish spade-shaped leaves. The flower has two large light blue petals that look like the top half of a circle, bright yellow pistils in the center and long white stamens that curve down, and a barely visible tiny white petal below the center. Close-up side view of Whitemouth Dayflower growing in grass. The plant has several long-ish spade-shaped leaves. The flower has two large light blue petals that look like the top half of a circle, bright yellow pistils in the center and long white stamens that curve down, and a barely visible tiny white petal below the center.
November 13, 2025 at 12:24 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
For some reason (well, because I didn’t see it often) I only have one photo of the adorable Turkey Tangle Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora) this year! It is referred to as semi-evergreen and some people also like to use it as ornamental ground cover for their yards.
Turkey Tangle Frogfruit plants grow in grass. The plants have small, narrow and spade-shaped leaves that are somewhat toothed. The flowers are small and contain some tiny white-purple florets with small dark yellow and/or dark burgundy dots at the centers. These florets frame a dark purple center.
November 12, 2025 at 6:06 PM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
This is the very cool Devil’s Claw (Proboscidea louisianica)! Wanted to try and find a photo of the claw this year but I had to settle for sharing one from last year, but the flower photos are from this year. The name obviously comes from the absolutely gnarly dried seed-pod! When not quite ripe,
Photo of Devils Claw plant growing in grass. The plant has a few large, heart shaped leaves growing from a prickly stem. At the top are a few flower buds and a few blooming flowers. The flowers are bell-shaped and a very pale whitish-purple, with a bright yellow-orange splotch in the middle. Photo of Devils Claw plant growing in grass. The plant has a few large, heart shaped leaves growing from a prickly stem. At the top are a few flower buds and a few blooming flowers. The flowers are bell-shaped and a very pale whitish-purple, with a bright yellow-orange splotch in the middle. Close-up photo of Devils Claw plant seed-pod. Among the many light-green and somewhat hairy stems of the plant and some smaller heart-shaped leaves, there is a green seed-pod shaped like a hook, but the base of the pod is darker green and bulbous. Hand holding a Devils Claw plant seedpod above sandy ground. The seedpod looks like a large, shallow “U” and the ends are pointed. It kind of looks like stereotypical demon horns.
November 12, 2025 at 5:45 PM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Oh hey I’m once again on my Lil’ Darlin’ shit and want to share its beauty with you lot again if you’d care to listen

(Album is The Atomic Mr Basie, featuring Count Basie & his Orchestra playing Neal Hefti arrangements. Def a favorite in my collection)
November 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Still need to share my photos as Hecate (Greek triple-aspect goddess of the dark side of the moon, witchcraft, the crossroads, etc.) on Halloween! Favorite iteration I’ve done of this costume so far 🌑✨🗝️
Woman in dark robes with dark makeup and two dark lines down her face, wearing a spiky black crown and holding two lit torches. It’s dark outside. Woman in dark robes with dark makeup and two dark lines down her face, wearing a spiky black crown and holding two lit torches. It’s dark and shadowy outside. Woman in dark robes with dark makeup and two dark lines down her face, wearing a spiky black crown and looking shocked as a blurry hand lights two torches in her hands. It’s dark outside. Smiling woman in dark robes with dark makeup and two dark lines down her face, wearing a spiky black crown and holding two lit torches. It’s and shadowy dark outside.
November 4, 2025 at 3:53 PM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Last thing for the last day of #internationalaceweek : a cheeky shirt I spent way too many hours making but love how it looks!
Sometimes it’s nice to inject some humor and hypothetical self-confidence in your style, don’t you think?
Now remember: respect all people on the asexual spectrum or else! 💜
Woman squatting on the ground and posing with a perplexed look on her face, wearing black pants and a black t shirt with a purple graphic that reads “You Wish!” In a spiky bubble, similar to old-fashioned comic book styles. Woman sitting on a grey chair and posing with a serene look on her face, wearing black pants and a black t shirt with a purple graphic that reads “You Wish!” In a spiky bubble, similar to old-fashioned comic book styles. Woman sitting on a grey chair and posing with a pleased look on her face, wearing black pants and a black t shirt with a purple graphic that reads “You Wish!” In a spiky bubble, similar to old-fashioned comic book styles. Woman sitting on a grey chair and leaning toward the camera, smiling and winking with her face resting on top of flat hands, wearing black pants and a black t shirt with a purple graphic that reads “You Wish!” In a spiky bubble, similar to old-fashioned comic book styles.
October 26, 2025 at 4:53 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Like I said, I look into old newspapers a lot, and I like to screenshot some of my favorite items, which I'm sharing here. Not sharing what papers though, just because they were all located near where I currently live (which you might not have guessed but still), so not fully doxxing myself.
Screenshot of old newspaper item, with each phrase on a different line: If Anyone Has Died Eloped Married Left town Had a fire Absconded Sold a farm Been arrested Come to town Begun business Been prosecuted Been your guest Entertained you Been assassinated Sold out business Left you a fortune Elected new officers Met with an accident Organized a new club Been bit by a mad dog Organized new company Bought new home in town Stolen your coal or chickens Run away with your automobile That is news. Tell it or phone it to The Republican. Thank you very much-Stolen. This means You. Don't forget. Screenshot of old newspaper item. A gaunt-looking skeleton has been made entirely from typeset pieces, like a large emoticon. Below skeleton is the text: And this is the way you get skinned, When you don't get your Job Printing at the Republican office. Screenshot of old newspaper item, with a red vertical line to the left and right of the item. The text reads: -We are almost beginning to wish that Heaton's sheep had died the same time ours did, for he has turned the city into a vast sheep pasture, and they have developed into an intolerable nuisance, browsing down and destroying every young tree and shrub they can find. Screenshot of old newspaper item. The text reads: --If some public spirited citizen would remove the carcass of the defunct canine from the highway, he would be looked upon as a great benefactor.
October 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
This beauty is Narrowleaf Four o’Clock (Mirabilis linearis)! She was a surprise when I was looking at asters. The Zuni have used an infusion of the root to treat stomachaches. Other root uses include making a yellow-green dye. The fruits can be stewed & roasted to eat. These are just a few uses!
Narrowleaf four o’clock plant blooming in tall grass in the morning. The plant is a long stem with a few long, thin, simple leaves, longer toward the base, shorter toward the top. Toward the middle of the plant is a single pink flower that droops down, a bit like a bell. It looks like it has several petals but the lobes of the flower are all fused together. A few dark pink stamens poke out from the middle of the flower. Close-up of Narrowleaf four o’clock plant blooming in tall grass in the morning. The plant is a long stem with a few long, thin, simple leaves, longer toward the base, shorter toward the top. Toward the middle of the plant is a single pink flower that droops down, a bit like a bell. It looks like it has several petals but the lobes of the flower are all fused together. A few dark pink stamens poke out from the middle of the flower. Narrowleaf four o’clock plant blooming in tall grass in the morning. The plant is a long stem with a few long, thin, simple leaves, longer toward the base, shorter toward the top. Toward the middle of the plant is a single pink flower that droops down, a bit like a bell. It looks like it has several petals but the lobes of the flower are all fused together. A few dark pink stamens poke out from the middle of the flower. Looking down at a Narrowleaf Four o’Clock flower. The palm of a hand is below the flower to help put it into focus. The flower is growing on a pinkish stem with a few small, thin light green leaves. The flower looks a bit like a flattened bell, growing from a green and pink base and with several pale pink “petals” (actually just lobes). A few dark pink stamens stick out from the middle of the flower.
October 13, 2025 at 2:48 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
These are False Boneset (Brickellia eupatorioides), possibly specifically Great Plains False Boneset (B. suaveolens), which used to be a variety of B. eupatorioides, but is still extremely difficult to tell apart. That’s botany for ya! The plant has anti-inflammatory properties.
Close-up of False Boneset plant among short grass. The plant is small with multiple pale green stems and a lot of small, thin pale green leaves. There are several green pod-shaped buds that are rosy at the top. The flowers are small and creamy white and look like little stringy tufts. Close-up of False Boneset plants among short grass. Several short pale green stems with a few small, thin pale green leaves grow out of the grass. The flowers at the tops of these stems are small and creamy white and look like little stringy tufts. Close-up of False Boneset plants among short grass. Several short pale green stems with a few small, thin pale green leaves grow out of the grass. The flowers at the tops of these stems are small and creamy white and look like little stringy tufts. False Boneset plant among short grass. The plant is a low-growing clump with multiple pale green stems and a lot of small, thin pale green leaves. The flowers are small and creamy white and look like little stringy tufts.
October 13, 2025 at 2:15 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
One of my favorite asters is Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)! The aromatic part isn’t the flower but actually the leaves when you crush them. It’s a lovely scent. This was another case of me hastily parking on the roadside and stomping through dewy grass to take photos.
Close-up of Aromatic Aster plants growing in tall grass. The plants have brown, thin, woody stems with many small, simple green leaves and a lot of flowers with dark pink-brown centers and long, thin lavender-colored petals. Close-up of Aromatic Aster plants growing in tall grass. The plants have brown, thin, woody stems with many small, simple green leaves and a lot of flowers with dark pink-brown centers and long, thin lavender-colored petals. Large patch of Aromatic Asters growing on a grassy hillside in the morning. The plants have brown, thin, woody stems with many small, simple green leaves and a lot of flowers with dark pink-brown centers and long, thin lavender-colored petals. Large patch of Aromatic Asters growing on a grassy hillside in the morning. The plants have brown, thin, woody stems with many small, simple green leaves and a lot of flowers with dark pink-brown centers and long, thin lavender-colored petals.
October 13, 2025 at 12:47 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
This is Southern Salt Marsh Aster (Symphyotrichum divaricatum)! One of soooo many different species of asters, this one grows in a lot of different places, from the Atlantic and Gulf coasts to brackish and freshwater marshes, including those far inland (aka in Kansas).
Small Southern Saltmarsh Aster plant growing in sand. The plant is several light green stems with thin light green leaves. There are several flower buds and one flower fully blooming, which has a small bright yellow center and many thin, pale pink petals. Southern Saltmarsh Aster plants growing in sand. The plants are several light green stems with thin light green leaves. There are several flower buds and several flowers fully blooming, which have a bright yellow center and many thin, pale pink petals. Small Southern Saltmarsh Aster plant growing in grasses. The plant is several light green stems with thin light green leaves. There are several flowers blooming, which have a small bright yellow center and many thin, pale pink petals. A bunch Southern Saltmarsh Aster plants growing in tall plants next to a pond with white pelicans floating in it. The plants are several light green stems with thin light green leaves. There are several flower buds and several flowers fully blooming, which have a bright yellow center and many thin, pale pink petals.
October 12, 2025 at 11:11 PM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Curious? Too bad if you're not, here's a sneak-peek (no plot spoiled):
Screenshot of part of a fanfic chapter where the content is a graphic of an old newspaper page.Chapter 7: A Page from the September 27, 1877 Issue of "The Revenge Bend Recorder" Summary: Catch up with some of the latest going-ons in Revenge Bend with some light reading. Notes: I have been SO excited to share this with you all and have had a ton of fun dusting off my GIMP skills (yes, I was a GIMP girlie when I was younger) and creating this spread. As I'll mention in the end notes, I've done a lot of research with newspapers largely from the 1870s-1880s (but also ranging into the early-mid 20th century) for my job, so I've become more familiar with newspapers from these decades than honestly 21st century newspapers at this point. They're just so fascinating and have changed WILDLY over time, so I wanted to mix up the format and bring you all something different. I hope you enjoy it! Detailed description is below the image. (See the end of the chapter for more notes.) Below text is a sliver of the top of the newspaper graphic. A detailed description of the graphic is in the fanfic chapter.
October 10, 2025 at 5:43 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
So I had photos of Missouri Goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) when they were in flower but I stupidly deleted them but I want to share so this is the plant going to seed. This one can be tricky to tell from Canada Goldenrod (not pictured) unless you know the small differences!
Short Missouri Goldenrod plant growing in front of tall grass. The plant has a reddish-green stem and several alternate light green leaves that are kind of thin and end in pointed tips. At the top of the plant are several short out-curved branches with yellow-green flower heads that are no longer blooming and “going to seed.” Short Missouri Goldenrod plant growing diagonally in front of tall grass. The plant has a reddish-green stem and several alternate light green leaves that are kind of thin and end in pointed tips. At the top of the plant are several short out-curved branches with yellow-green flower heads that are no longer blooming and “going to seed.” Close-up of short Missouri Goldenrod plant growing diagonally in front of tall grass. The plant has a reddish-green stem and several alternate light green leaves that are kind of thin and end in pointed tips. At the top of the plant are several short out-curved branches with yellow-green flower heads that are no longer blooming and “going to seed.” Short Missouri Goldenrod plants growing in front of tall grass. The plant has a reddish-green stem and several alternate light green leaves that are kind of thin and end in pointed tips. At the top of the plant are several short out-curved branches with yellow-green flower heads that are no longer blooming and “going to seed.”
October 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Here is Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) which is in fact a rather rigid and also quite sandpapery plant (especially the leaves, which I really like). One of the easer goldenrods to ID! For ethnobotany, the Meskwaki have used the flowers to make a lotion to treat bee stings, which is super handy.
Rigid goldenrod plants in a grassy field, with several shorter ones in the foreground. The plants have tall, straight stems with several rounded, rough leaves. At the tops of plants are several shorter stems leading to clumps of fuzzy-looking yellow flowers. The overall plant shape is a bit like an umbrella. Rigid goldenrod plants in a grassy field. The plants have tall, straight stems with several rounded, rough leaves. At the tops of plants are several shorter stems leading to clumps of fuzzy-looking yellow flowers. The overall plant shape is a bit like an umbrella. Rigid goldenrod plants in a grassy field, with several shorter ones in the foreground. The plants have tall, straight stems with several rounded, rough leaves. At the tops of plants are several shorter stems leading to clumps of fuzzy-looking yellow flowers. The overall plant shape is a bit like an umbrella.
October 9, 2025 at 7:53 PM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Not to be confused with Wax Goldenweed / Spanish Gold (Grindelia ciliata)! They don’t smell like G. squarrosa and aren’t sticky like them, but have a similar look. They also don’t grow as bushy but more on individual or slimmer and taller stalks. I also couldn’t find any major uses for them.
Wax Goldenweed plant growing in tall grass. The plant has a main stem and a few other shorter stems growing off of it. There are a lot of spade-shaped leaves with pronounced teeth on the stems. At the end of each stem are round flower heads that have not yet fully bloomed, so they have yellow centers and the involucre below the flower head has several hair-like bracts. Top-down close-up of Wax Goldenweed plant growing in grass. You can see some of the spade-shaped, heavily-toothed leaves growing up the stem and other flower heads lower on the branch. The top-most flower is blooming and has a large yellow center and a whole lot of very thin, short yellow petals. Top-down close-up of wax Goldenweed plants growing in dry grass. You can see some of the spade-shaped, heavily-toothed leaves growing up the stems. The flowers at the tops of the plants are blooming and have large yellow centers and a whole lot of very thin, short yellow petals. Field of golden waxweed plants on a partially cloudy day. The plants have many prominent light green, toothed leaves. There are many bright yellow daisy-ish flowers blooming.
October 8, 2025 at 12:37 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Some of them) have been used as chewing gum substitute, the leaves can be used for tea, and there are other remedies that include treating indigestion, throat and lung issues, itches, colic, and poison oak. She’s truly a wonder!
Close-up photo of Curlycup Gumweed plant in front of other Curlycup Gumweed plants and tall grass. The stems are a yellow green and have many small, spade-shaped leaves with tiny but pronounced teeth. The flower heads below the petals are green and round, with many small bracts that curl down. Most of the flowers are not yet fully bloomed, so just the yellow centers are peeking out of the green “head” or some thin, yellow petals are peeking out and fringing the yellow centers as well.
October 8, 2025 at 12:21 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Next is a big fave that smells INCREDIBLE: Curly-cup Gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa)! A lot of uses for this one. Incidentally, the Lakota have made a tea from this and fetid marigold to treat “the spitting of blood” (bad respiratory issues, I figure). The sticky flower heads (note the white sap on
Several Curlycup Gumweed plants growing on a dirt roadside in front of tall grass. The plants are pushy and have a lot of stems with many oval-ish leaves that have pronounced teeth. The plants all have many bright yellow flowers with yellow-orange centers and many thin, short petals. Close-up photo of Curlycup Gumweed plant in front of other Curlycup Gumweed plants and tall grass. The stems are a yellow green and have many small, spade-shaped leaves with tiny but pronounced teeth. The flower heads below the petals are green and round, with many small bracts that curl down. Most of the flowers are not yet fully bloomed, so just the yellow centers are peeking out of the green “head” or some thin, yellow petals are peeking out and fringing the yellow centers as well. Close-up l, top-down photo of Curlycup Gumweed plant in front of other Curlycup Gumweed plants and tall grass. The stems are a yellow green and have many small, spade-shaped leaves with tiny but pronounced teeth. The flower heads below the petals are green and round, with many small bracts that curl down. Most of the flowers are not yet fully bloomed, so just the yellow centers are peeking out of the green “head” or some thin, yellow petals are peeking out and fringing the yellow centers as well. Some heads are brown and look like they’re rotting. A few flower centers have white sap on them. Close-up, top-down photo of Curlycup Gumweed plant in front of other Curlycup Gumweed plants and tall grass. The stems are a yellow green and have many small, spade-shaped leaves with tiny but pronounced teeth. The flower heads below the petals are green and round, with many small bracts that curl down. Most of the flowers are not yet fully bloomed, so just the yellow centers are peeking out of the green “head” or some thin, yellow petals are peeking out and fringing the yellow centers as well.
October 8, 2025 at 12:21 AM
valerie-ughh.bsky.social
Next up is the aptly named Fetid Marigold (Dyssodia papposa); just touching the flowers *a little* got an awful smell on my fingers! Several recorded uses, for ex. the Omaha ground the leaves and tops of this plant to make a snuff that induced nosebleeds to treat headaches.
Fetid marigold plant growing in front of grass. The plant has pinkish stems and a lot of compound leaves that have very thin leaflets and overall look like lacy fronds. There are a lot of small yellow flowers that look like they are just budding and not yet blooming. Fetid marigold plant growing in front of grass. The plant has pinkish stems and a lot of compound leaves that have very thin leaflets and overall look like lacy fronds. There are a lot of small yellow flowers that look like they are just budding and not yet blooming. Fetid marigold plant growing in front of grass. The plant has pinkish stems and a lot of compound leaves that have very thin leaflets and overall look like lacy fronds. There are a lot of small yellow flowers that look like they are just budding and not yet blooming.
October 8, 2025 at 12:00 AM