“Didn’t He Used To Play For The Cubs?”

Some years ago, I was leading a walk in High Park when we saw this plant:

Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus)

I identified it as Hairy Beardtongue and heard a gentleman say “Harry Beardtongue? Didn’t he play for the Cubs?”

Early this morning I visited the Reesor pond which is just north of the zoo and saw this plant:

Foxglove – Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

It is a relative of “Hairy” called Foxglove or White Beardtongue.

Foxglove – Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Foxglove – Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Foxglove – Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
Foxglove – Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

I visited the pond hoping to find a Sora which has been reported in the area.

Sora (photo -Audubon Field Guide)

No luck with Sora but there are many glorious plants:

Canada Thistle (Cirsium pratense)
Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Wild Rose (Rosa)
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Birdfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatis)
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Panicled Tick-trefoil (Desmodium paniculatum)
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Ninebark ((Physocarpus opulifolius)
Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
Ninebark ((Physocarpus opulifolius)
Ninebark ((Physocarpus opulifolius)
Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
Bird Vetch (Vicia cracca)

Sunflower (Helianthus strumosusus)
Sunflower (Helianthus strumosusus)

Sunflower (Helianthus strumosusus)
Spittlebug on Sunflower
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

NATURE POETRY

The world was all before them, where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide.
They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow,
Through Eden took their solitary way. – Milton

Miles Hearn


2 thoughts on ““Didn’t He Used To Play For The Cubs?”

    1. Barbara

      No worries about this plant, it’s Penstemon digitalis, ie a beards tongue that resembles a foxglove. The all-parts-toxic Digitalis purpurea is the source of digitalis, a gorgeous garden plant & occasional escapee you’d want to think twice about if your cats or dogs are plant nibblers.
      PS thank you for all you do Cathy.

      Reply

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