Pennsylvania Native Plants 2

American Pennyroyal flower [Hedeoma pulegioides]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-12-24

Indian Tabacco [Lobelia inflata]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 8-17-24

Blue Mistflower [Conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin county, Pa. 8-17-24

The beautiful and tiny American Pennyroyal flower [Hedeoma pulegioides]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-12-24

The beauty of Indiangrass in flower is always worth the wait! [Sorghastrum nutans]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-23-24

This series of pictures shows the flower and fruit cycle of the tiny Cow Wheat plant [Melamoyrum lineare]. In picture one, shows the tiny annual in flower on June 2, in picture two we see a seed pod that has anywhere from 3 to 6 seeds on August 5 and in picture three, also on August 5, a seed pod spit open revealing its seeds. "It is a hemi-parasitic plant, meaning that it relies on obtaining some of its nutrients from the roots of nearby plants. The nectar of Common Cow-wheat can only be reached by insects that have a long proboscis, especially bees. If the flower is not pollinated, it will pollinate itself. It is the larval foodplant of the rare Heath Fritillary butterfly." Dauphin County, Pa. 2024

The always beautiful Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-5-24. I always look forward to this late season bloomer.

Slender Mountain Mint [Pycanthemum tenuifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 7-5-24

Marsh Speedwell [Veronica scutellata]. Luzerne County, Pa. 6-27-24

Poke Milkweed [Asclepias exaltata]. Tioga County, Pa. 7-4-24

Wood Lily (Lilium philadelphicum). Toga County, Pa. 7-4-24

Black Cohosh [Actaea racemosa]. Tioga County, Pa. 7-4-24

Clasping Venus’s Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata). Dauphin County, Pa. 6-20-24

The flower of Rattlesnake Weed [Hieracium venosum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-20-24

Loesel's Twayblade, Fen Orchid [Liparis loeselii]. Luzerne County, Pa. 6-7-24

Penstemon Digitalis. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-7-24

Spicebush Swallowtail [Papilio troilus] on American Eldeberry [Sambucus canadensis]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-10-24.

The beautiful Lance-Leaved Violet [Viola lanceolata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-6-24.

The beauty of the tiny Cow Wheat Flower [Melampyrum lineare]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-2-24

Pink Lady's Slipper [Cypripedium acaule]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-6-24

The wonderful colors and unique beauty of the Large Whorled Pogonia orchid [Isotria verticillata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-11-24

Marsh Marigold [Caltha palustris]. Northeastern, Pa. 5-3-24

Dwarf Ginseng [Panax trifolius]. Dauphin County, Pa.5-6-24

Fringed Polygala [Polygaloides paucifolia]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-6-24

Dwarf Ginseng [Panax trifolius]. Dauphin County, Pa.5-6-24

Fringed Polygala [Polygaloides paucifolia]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-6-24

Wild Azalea [Rhododendron periclymenoides]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-8-24

Huckleberries blossoms [Vaccinium membranaceum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 4-24-24

Trillium erectum [yellow form]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24

In all the years that I have visited Tioga County to see Trillium erectum, this was the first time seeing a yellow one and what a beauty it was! Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24

Squirrel Corn [Dicentra canadensis]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24

Northern Maidenhair Fern [Adiantum pedatum], showing the fronds just starting to open. Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24

Trillium Erectum, Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24

Long Spurred Violet [Viola rostrata]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24

Wild Ginger [Asarum conadense]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24.

The beautiful Miterwort [Mitella diphylla]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24

In all the years that I have visited Tioga County to see Trillium erectum, this was the first time seeing a yellow one and what a beauty it was! Tioga County, Pa. 4-27-24

Although it is possible for the flowers of Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens] to be a perfect flower [having both male and female parts] most are unisex, having either male of female parts. In fact most groups of plants and their flowers are one sex or another. Pictured below is the female with its star shaped apparatus that is open and ready to receive pollen, pictured above is the male with its pollen producing structures. The amazing world of just one tiny spring flower and its fascinating strategy for reproducing.

Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens]. Dauphin County, Pa. 4-12-24

Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens]. Dauphin County, Pa. 4-10-24

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24.

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta] shown with a Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-9-24.

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f plena]. North Central Pa. 4-9-24

Miner Bee [Anthophora abrupta] pollinating Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24. Notice the grains of pollen on its legs and face and antenna.

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24

What the wonders of a wet raning spring can mean compared to last springs drought, thousands of Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta] at one small area this year. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24

Nothing can stand in the way of a wildflower blooming and fulfillling its destiny and urge to reproduce, in this case, Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa

Round Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana]. Perry County, Pa. 3-29-24

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 3-16-24.

Trailing Arbutus flower bud [Epigaea repens]. Dauphin County, Pa. 3-8-24

Toothed Palagiomnium Moss [Plagiomnium cuspidatum]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-7-23.

Partridge Berry in bloom [Mitchella repens]. Tioga County, Pa. 6-26-22 [above and below]

The bloom of an unknown Aster still hanging on in December. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

Teaberry [Gaultheria procumbens]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

American Hornbeam [Carpinus caroliniana] These leafy structures at the tips of branches are called involucres. Each involucre slightly encloses a small oval nut. The seed or nut does not germinate till the spring of its second year when the seed matures. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

Tall Goldenrod [Solidago altissima] in seed. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

New York Scalewort [Frullania eboracensis] on White Birch Tree [Betula papyrifera]. Northeastern, Pa. In the family of Liverworts.

Patridge Berry [Mitchella repens]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

Tall Goldenrod [Solidago altissima] in seed. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

The beautiful warm colors of Goldenrod in seed, in this case Tall Goldenrod [Solidago altissima]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

Sharp Lobed Hepatica leaf [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

Bluestem Golenrod [Solidago caesia] in seed. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23. With a background of Beechnut Treees

The beautiful fruit of Blue Cohosh [Cauiophyllum thalictroides]. Eaten by wildlife especially birds. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23.

One very tiny Sharp Lobed Hepatica leaf [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

Stout Goldenrod [Solidago squarrosa]. Still in bloom in Tioga County in December! Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23.

The achenes or fruit contain a single seed, in this case the seed of Blue Stemmed Goldenrod [Solidago caesia]. At the achenes apex is the pappus which is made up of tiny hairs, which in turn help to distribute and disperse the achenes, and thus the seed, far and wide on the wind. Aren't plants just amazing! Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

Teaberry [Gaultheria procumbens]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23

Common Milkweed [Asclepias syriaca] in seed. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-6-23

Back lit Oak Leaf [Quercus] in the setting sun. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-10-23

Common Milkweed seeds on the breeze. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-10-23 [Asclepias syriaca]

Back lit Red Oak Leaf [Quercus rubra] in the setting sun. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-10-23

Pine Needles caught on a limb in the setting sun light. Pitch Pine [Pinus rigida]. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-3-23.

Pine Needles caught on limbs in the setting sun light. Pitch Pine [Pinus rigida]. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-3-23.

Pine Needle caught on a leaf in the setting sun light. Pitch Pine [Pinus rigida]. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-3-23. I don't think that I have ever seen a pine needle stuck to a leaf before.

Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana]. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-1-23. Of all the Witch Hazel in flower seen this fall this one was by far the most colorful and prolific bloomer, but not until November 1 did it reach its peak.

Pitch Pine Needles Catching the last rays of sun on a cold November day. Dauphin County, Pa. 11-10-23 [Pinus rigida]

Wild Grapes [Vitis]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 11-1-23

Wild Raisin [Viburnum cassinoides]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 10-30-23

Bumble Bee [Bombus] on Blue Wood Aster [Symphyotrichu cordifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-11-23

These late season Indian Tobacco flowers are the most colorful that I have ever seen. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-27-23 [Lobelia inflata]. They are most always a light blue coloration but these have a purplish hue and on the outside a darker purple, they were so striking I at first didn't recoginze them as Indian Tobacco. Always one of my favorite late summer wildflowers.

Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana] seed capsules [fruit] and its beautiful ebony seeds. Dauphin County, Pa.10-23-23

A bird favorite, the beautiful red waxy berries of Spicebush [Lindera benzoin]. Perry County, Pa. 10-21-23.

Witch Hazel [Hamamelis virginiana]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-9-23

Northern Wild Raisin, Withe-Rod [Viburnum cassinoides]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 10-3-23. Birds love the berries.

Nodding Ladies Tresses [Spiranthes cernua]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-22-23

Appalachian Ladies tresses [Spiranthes arcisepala]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 9-8-23.

Female Short Winged Meadow Katydid [Conocrphalus brevipennis] on Blacked Eyed Susan [Rudbeckia hirta]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-7-23. Notice those wonderful antenna!

Yellow Iron Weed [Wingstem] [Verbesina alternifolia]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-22-23.

The beautiful Spotted Bee Balm [Monarda puntata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 9-6-23

Virigin's Bower [Clematis virginiana]. Lebanon County, Pa. 8-22-23

Indian Grass [Sorghastrum nutas] in flower. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-22-23. The white feathery parts are the stigmas

Bue Mist flower [Conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-29-23.

Three Lined Moth [Schinia trifascia]. on Blue Mist flower [conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-29-23.

Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-25-23

The tiny flower of American Pennyroyal [Hedeoma pulegioides]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-25-23

The tinest flower that I have ever tried to photograph and this year I finally had success after many years of trying. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-24-23. American Pennyroyal [Hedeoma pulegioides]

Tick-Trefoil (Desmodium ochroleucum). Schuylkill County, Pa. 8-1-23

There is nothing more beautiful this time of year than Indiangrass in flower and on the breeze. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-23-23 [Sorghastrum nutans]

Maidenhair Fern [Adiantum pedatum] starting to open. Tioga County, Pa. 5-6-22.

Maidenhair Fern progression [Adiantum pedatum]. Tioga County, Pa. 5-6-22 to 5-23-22

One of my favorite flowers is the tiny Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata], a cousin to the beautiful Cardinal Flower [Lobelia cardinalis] . I often wondered what could be pollinating this small beauty. While photographing this wildflower recently a tiny unfamiliar insect appeared going from flower to flower placing its proboscis deep into each flower. Looking like a tiny dragonfly this tiny insect , called a Thick Headed Fly [Stylogaster neglecta], a real beauty of the insect world. Is it a pollinator of lobelia inflata, I do not know but I would say there is definitely a high probability. Schuylkill County, Pa. 8-3-23

Narrow leaved Mountain Mint [Pycnanthemum tenuifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-3-23

Yellow form of Orange Fringed Orchid on right normal coloration on Left. Both beautiful! [Platanthera ciliaris]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 7-31-23

Blue Flag Iris [Iris veriscolor]. Luzerne County, Pa. 7-26-23

Ragged Fringed Orchid [Platanthera lacera]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 7-6-23

Orange Fringed Orchid after a rain [Platanthera ciliaris]. Dauphin County, Pa. 7-25-23

American Climbing Fern [Lygodium palmatum]. Luzerne County, Pa. 7-26-23

Orange Fringed orchid [Platanthera ciliaris]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 7-21-23

Tiger Swallowtail [Papilio glaucus] on Butterfly Weed [Asclepias tuberosa]. Dauphin County, Pa. 7-10-23

Northern Dewberry [Rubus flagellaeis]. Dauphin County, Pa 7-7-23

Fly Poison [Amianthium muscitoxicum], Carbon County, Pa. 6-26-23

Butterfly Weed [Asclepias tubersoa]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-19-23

Eastern Smooth Beard Tongue [Penstemon laevigatus]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-19-23

Whorled Loosestrife [Lysimachia quadrifolia]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-19-23

Great Spangled Fritillary [Speyeria cybele] enjoying Butterfly Weed [Asclepias tuberosa]. Dauphin County, Pa. 6-19-23. This is the earliest that I have seen this Butterfly and this plant blooming

Large Purple Fringed Orchid [Platanthera grandiflora]. Lebanon County, Pa.6-13-23

Mosquito caught in just two tentacles of Round Leaved Sundew [Drosera rotundifolia]. Tioga County, Pa. 6-10-23

Large Purple Fringed Orchid [platanthera grandifloria]. Lebanon County, Pa. 6-13-23

Insects caught in the sticky tentacles of Round Leaved Sundew [Drosera rotundifolia]. Tioga County, Pa. 6-10-23

Maidenhair Fern [Adiantum pedatum]. Tioga County, Pa. 6-10-23

Mountain laurel [Kalmia latifolia]. Dauphin County. Pa. 6-9-23

Canada Mayflower [Maianthemum canadense]. Carbon County, Pa. 5-59-23

Starflower [Trientalis borealis]. Carbon County, Pa. 5-29-23 [Above and below]

Pointed Blue Eyed Grass [Sisyrinchium angustifolium]. Carbon County, Pa. 5-29-23

The always elegant Perfoliate Bellwort [Uvularia perfoliata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-19-23

Smooth Solomon's Seal [Polygonatum biflourum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-19-23

It was certainly was a great way to start the orchid season, in the snow! Neottia cordata, Heart leaved Twayblade. Northeast, Pa. 5-1-23

Mayapple [Podophyllum peltatum]. Perry County, Pa. 5-9-23

I have never seen so many Downy Rattlesnake orchid plants at one spot before! Dauphin County, Pa. 5-5-23 [Goodyera pubescens]

Pink Lady's Slipper [Cypripedium acaule] covered in Eastern Cottonwood [Populus deltoides]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-5-23

Fringed Polygala [Polygala paucifolia]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-6-23

Wild Sarsaparilla [Aralia nudicaulis]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-4-23

Dwarf Ginseng [Panax trifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-5-23

Fox Grapes [Vitis labrusca]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-5-23

Early Coralroot orchid [Corallorhiza trifida]. Northeastern, Pa. 5-1-23

Goldenthread [Coptis grovenlandica]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 5-2-23

The beautiful foliage of False Hellebore [Veratrum viride]. Schuylkill County, Pa. 5-4-23

Wood Anemone [Anemone quinquefolia]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-6-23

Heart Leaved Twayblade orchid [Neottia cordata]. Northeast Pa. 5-1-23

Jack-in-the-Pulpit [Arisaema triphyllum]. Perry County, Pa. 4-24-23

Miterwort [Mitella diphylla]. Perry County, Pa. 4-24-23

I have always loved Rattlesnake Weed [Pilosella venosa]. But to really appreciate their vibrant colors and veining one must see them on a rainy day, that's when their contrasting colors of green and purple really stand out! Dauphin County, Pa.

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23. Showing tiny pollen gains on the stamens [male] found at the end of the connecting filaments, in the middle of the flower the greenish points are the stigmas [female]. The ovaries can be found at the base of the stigmas

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23. Showing tiny pollen gains on the stamens.

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23. Showing the stigma [female] and anthers containing the stamen [male]

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23

Dutchman Breeches [Dicentra cucullaria]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica american var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23

Multi petal [11] Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica american var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23

Multi petal Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica american var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23

Multi petal [11] Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica american var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-14-23

Double Flowering Sharp lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23

Pink with a touch of yellow Double Flowering Sharp lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23

This is what is referred to as a "maiden" flower. Only having stigma [female parts] and no stamens [male parts]. It is still possible to reproduce and have fruit or seeds, if it gets pollen from an adjacent flower with stamens. This plant is in the same area as the double flowering plants, I can't help but wonder if this and other maiden plants in the area are somehow responsible for the mystery of rare double flowering plants found here. Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23

Pink Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23.

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23

Double Flowering Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta f. plena]. North Central, Pa. 4-14-23. I was fortunate to discover this rare colony of double flowing plants interspersed with hundreds of normally flowing Hepatica last year. There were 32 of these double flowering plants found last year[1 plant would be considered an extraordinary find] and so far this year there are around half that number, with hopefully more to come. There is a wonderful mystery surrounding these particular plants, how they ever came to be. As they have no stamen or stigma [male and female parts] of the plant to reproduce [last year there were no seeds produced by these plants]. What is at work here that produces plants like these, is there some kind of genetic mutation? Only time will tell and it would be okay with me if we never know the wonderful mystery of these plants. For now just enjoy the extraordinary beauty of these spring ephemerals from the mountains of northern Pennsylvania. Notice the white with a blush of pink with a hint of yellow in these particular flowers.

Trailing arbutus [Epigaea repens], Dauphin County, Pa. 4-6-23

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica american var. acuta]. North Central, Pa. 4-3-22

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta] just starting to open. Tioga County, Pa. 4-3-23

Sharp Lobed Hepatica just starting to open up [bloom] Tioga County, Pa. 4-3-23 [Hepatica Americana var. acuta]

The stamen [male part of the flower] on Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-3-23. Notice the tiny grains of pollen on the stamens.

Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica American var. acuta] Tioga County, Pa. 4-3-23Nothing can stop spring wildflowers and their never ending will to flower and reproduce as they've waited an entire year for this one moment in time.

Native Lupine [Lupinus perennis] Schuylkill County, Pa. 3-29-23

Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens] flower buds from 3-24-23 [left] to 3-29-23 [right] it won't be long now! Dauphin County, Pa.

Rattlesnake Weed already showing new growth [Hieracium venosum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 3-3-23

Princess Pine [Dendrolycopodium obscurum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-2-23

Seed Pods from Partridge Pea [Chamaecrista fasciculata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-31-23

Wild Grape in winter. Dauphin County, Pa. 2-2-23 [Vitis]

I have been trying to find this tiny plant in winter for a long time now and finally success. Its hard to believe that this small plant will be 3 feet or higher with its beautiful tropical flowers and its wonderful aromatic scent, in just 6 months from now! Spotted Bee Balm [Monarda punctata]. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-31-23. You can see last years flower stem behind the plant in the last picture.

Mountain Mint [Pycnanthemum virginianum] coming up through the snow. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-26-23.

The fruit [seeds] of White Avens [Geum canadense]. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-26-23. Notice the hooked fruits, snagging passersby.

The unmistakable elegant form of American Pennyroyal [Hedeoma pulegioides] in winter. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-13-23

American Pennyroyal [Hedeoma pulegioides]. A comparison between flowering in August and January's dried Calyxes [that hold the inflorescence [flowers]. Notice in the winter [and summer] picture that calyxes are 5 toothed and 2 lower teeth are covered in tiny spikes or hairs, making the lower teeth look like formidable weapons. What is the function of these hairs are I cannot say, but you can be sure that in nature, there is a reason! This is one of my favorite tiny wildflowers, summer or winter, and is an annual, coming up from seed every year. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-10-23

Rattlesnake Weed [Hieracium venosum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-10-23.

A tiny leaf of Rattlesnake Weed [Hieracium venosum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 1-10-23. Its hard to believe that this tiny leaf will quadruple in size if not more by the time of blooming in late May, and will have all the fantastic purple veining that this plant is famous for. I can't help pondering the reasoning for the long hairs that are always present on each and every leaf and also the dark pin hole markings that always accompany each leaf, and wonder if eons ago this plant may have been in the cactus family.