Rock Rose and Chickens

The Rock Rose are blooming again. You might know them as "Helianthemum." Their Latin name is Helianthemum nashii or Crocanthemum thyrsoideum.



The Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants has yet another common name for this plant -- Frostweed. The USDA calls it Carolina Frostweed. I imagine most Floridians completely ignore it or pull it up as a weed.

I find it charming spreading along the berm above the lake. I've planted pumpkin in with the Rock Rose so I visit it every day while watering the pumpkin. I'm hoping that might be the spot I've been searching for the pumpkins as that area has laid fallow for years.

BELOW: Meanwhile, I have to share some of Randy's photos of his ladies. He's built quite the fancy chicken coop for them. I'm hoping the next time he's in Florida he'll build one similar for us. Here a brood of hens runs across his back yard. Hummmm. . . I wonder why they're running from Randy?

Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) number in the tens of billions worldwide. The domestication of chickens likely occurred in Vietnam beginning 10,000 years ago. . . and still they're afraid of Randy. . . hummmm 2.