We drive past these curiosities each day in Florida.
Stunning displays of the natural world.
Displayed for all to see.
All too easily overlooked.
To lovers of tidy lawns, Bidens alba is a weedy eyesore doing little for “curb appeal” in parts of Florida where real estate replaces a rambunctious native landscape.
These white petaled nectar powerhouses live in the humblest of places: Along the road and other disturbed areas.
Patches of Bidens are rich in biodiversity, becoming a Serengeti of insects engaged in grazing and predator-prey drama on a minuscule scale. Archbold Biological Station documented 81 species of insects on these flowers.
Insects come for the nectar and pollen, or to lay their eggs.
And to eat other insects.
Looming overhead are predatory lizards and birds and frogs. Hunting in the tangle of green, yellow, and gold.
Take time to notice the little things.
Beauty and wonder will reveal itself.