OK guys......

[kiska]

... what is it??? About 3' tall and the "pods" are 3"-4" long. Have been waiting weeks for it to bloom or are the pods the bloom?

[Mhayes]

Kiska, I'm not sure but will look around, but a good source would be your local extension office. I would almost bet that this will have a ton on seeds attached to some white fluffy matter like a milk weed---sounds like I'm making this up as I go a long doesn't it?  ;D

Margie

[Tess (Tassie D)]

Looks like Milkweed to me too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/iamthebestartist/231418262/

[kiska]

Thanks, Peeps. Waiting for a bloom...

[Candice]

Did it bloom? 

[kiska]

Not yet!

[TerryB]

Well...as long as we're identifying plants, I'm hoping someone can help identify this black mushroom that materialized in my back yard yesterday morning. I've seen a lot of mushrooms but never a totally black one.

Growing out of pine bark mulch under a river birch tree in Charleston SC.

Overall cap ~ 4"


Side shots



Close up of cap underside


Have not yet tried it an an omelette...stay tuned.

[Mhayes]

Terry, all I can say is Yuck! Here are two links that might help, but not exactly the same. The first link mentions the variation in color and that is is slimy. The 2nd link is not for your location.

I believe  Kiska's photo is the plant's seed pods rather than blooms.

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suillus_brevipes

http://morelmushroomhunting.com/the_mostest_most_recent.htm


Margie

[HellZiggy]

Mushrooms = ick!  :P

Nice NASA ruler though! I've got the same one and use it all the time.  :up:

~Sharon

[Hannie]

You may have a small gold mine in your backyard if that is a truffle!

Hannie

[TerryB]

Margie, thanks for the links.
Spent a few hours on numerous web sites trying to identify it but have been unsuccessful so far.
Hannie, if it was a gold mine, it's too late now; all shriveled and about gone.