Hanging by a thread

Native to Mexico and South America, “Ruellia tweediana” is a tropical plant that is hardy only to Zone 8a. (It has several common names and several synonyms among scientific names.*) It is considered a weed in Australia: http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800-0b07-490a-8d04-0605030c0f01/media/Html/Ruellia_tweediana.htm

Like many tropical plants (apparently), its flowers last only a day, so this was a fresh flower today and will fall off before tomorrow.

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Ruellia_tweediana&rank=binomial

Photo taken at SIUC Plant Biology Greenhouse, http://www.plantbiology.siu.edu/facilities/plant-biology-facilities/greenhouse/index.php

Not posted today: An unusual-looking grasshopper (“Admirable Grasshopper,” “Syrbula admirabilis”): http://bugguide.net/node/view/963297

1 year ago (“Silver-spotted Skipper”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-07-11
2 years ago (“Sigh. I guess I’ll take my camera…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-07-11
3 years ago (“ROYGBIV Umbrella”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-07-11

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* Read more:
» http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/38186/
» http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c952

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[Susan]

I'm loving your photos and the stories/species info make them even more enjoyable.

[Thom Mitchell]

@westerly45 Thanks, Susan! I can't help it! The learning about plants & bugs is who I am! A favorite former student once observed, "It's all about learning with you, isn't it?" Once a professor, always a professor?!

[Danette Thompson]

Aw, Ruellia. Such a beautiful little pest.

[Thom Mitchell]

@danette Thanks for making me chuckle out loud, Danette!
Next are the images from 8 days of traveling. How to choose one each day???

[Rick Schies]

Still a beauty to the eyes