Friday, January 08, 2010

Like Peas In A Pod

If I remember correctly, my readers identified the plant that produces these seed pods as a variety of gênet (broom). There is more and more of it around our region; I suppose it's spreading. Could it be the result of climate change?

A broom seed pod split open on the ground.

The edges of the vineyard are interesting places where all kinds of plants give it a go. Every year the edges are trimmed back so that tractors can pass and to keep the woods from encroaching on the vines. This makes opportunities for new plants (their seeds spread by wildlife I presume) and also keeps the weaklings out.

4 comments:

  1. It's the Broom plant!?! Cool! I'm just starting my Eleanor of Aquitaine Capet/Plantagenet/William the Conqueror unit for French 3 (featuring "The Lion In Winter") :)) I always explain about the Plantagenet name coming from the Broom plant, as you've mentioned before here, I believe. Is it ground cover, then? Or does it grow into a bush?

    I love the new banner and bigger photos, too :) (As I'm home for a second snow day in a row.)

    Judy

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  2. Is that plant used to make a liquor- remember the one Ken bought in the Auvergne?

    Snow flurries here and cold. BTW The Alabama Crimson Tide won their championship game last night in Pasadena! Roll Tide as they say down here.

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  3. I love the smell of those broom bushes. They are all over the San Gabrielle mountains in spring when we go up to Mount Wilson. Be careful because of the amount of tics they hide.

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  4. judy, one of my favorite movies! The plant is more like a shrub.

    evelyn, I think that was something else... gentiane.

    nadege, Ken's allergic to them! And yes, we have a large tic population in spring and summer!

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