Seeing Cathy’s (Words and Herbs) sunflower vase last week, I was reminded that I hadn’t used my sunflower pocket vase this year.  So, here it is, hand-painted in Ecuador by Artesa.

The large flowers are, of course, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus). I love the coppery blush on the largest one. No ID as it is from the CSA farm where we have we have a weekly share pick-up.

The yellow daisies are woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) and the grass is yellow fox-tail (Setaria pumila).

I recently learned that certain foxtail grasses create a problem with livestock and pets, because the barbed seed heads can embed in flesh, entering through ears and nose, where they can fester. Like in a horror film, some cases have resulted in death when the barb migrates to the heart or brain. The particularly troublesome species to watch for is Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum)…