Yellow-eyed Grass, Xyris fimbriata Elliott

There are 23 species of yellow-eyed grass that occur naturally east of the Rocky Mountains.  There are so many varieties that they rate their own Family -- Xyridaceae.  We have 16 of those species in Florida.  My best guess is that this growing in the dry lakebed in Deltona is Xyris fimbriata Elliott.

Each of the compact, scale-covered, brown spikes produces a number of small, ephemeral, bright yellow flowers.  The flat, linear basal leaves of these perennial aquatics are 3-5 cm long.

One or more of our species of Xyris occurs with varying frequency in a variety of moist habitats including swamps, shallow ponds, and wet ditches from central to northern Florida.

Above:  One of the first sunflowers this year.  This specimen is amazingly hearty despite now 40 days without rain.  This is Tithonia rotundifolia or Clavel de Meurto.

Look closely and you can see my reflection in the window this morning. . .as I snapped a quick shot of this skyscraper sunflower.  When it reaches the #10 it will be about 6-feet tall.  I suspect they will top out below 10-feet due to the excessive heat and lack of rainfall.

Spiderwort or Tradescantia ohiensis Rafinesque stays put in my garden, just like my grandmother's -- decades ago -- in Pensacola.  Most people consider this a weed.  It is closely related to yesterday's post (day-flower).

A mutant (double or triple normal size) tomato (Genus Solanum or Nightshade) blossom.  I planted the tomatoes in with sunflowers this year. . .thinking I would tie the tomatoes to the sunflowers.  Its not working out so well. . .as sunflowers are overtaking the tomato plants.

Another of my most hated weeds.  The Mexican clover (Richardia brasiliensis (Moq.) Gomez).  A member of the Madder Family (Rubiaceae) there are 5 species that occur in Florida.

I'll get some better shots of this stuff.  It is pretty much everywhere.  It is possible to continually remove it. . .but it grows faster than I can keep up with it. . .despite 40 days with zero rain.  

The root looks a lot like a carrot, only white.  It is able to extract even minute amounts of moisture from the atmosphere. . .and thrives where nothing else would or should.