Queen of the Wildflowers

I love Queen Anne's Lace, and always look forward to springtime when its elegant lacy blooms can be seen blowing in the breeze along roadsides and in fields. Queen Anne's Lace originated in Europe, where it was used in old Victorian gardens. It is also known as "Wild Carrot," and can be found growing wild along roadsides almost anywhere in America. Queen Anne's Lace is best known for its flowers, which are tiny and white, blooming in lacy, flat-topped clusters which resemble little doilies. Curiously, at the center of the flower heads there is a floret that is deep reddish-purple (you can click on the pictures to enlarge them, if you'd like). No one knows for sure what the function of this special feature might be, but English tradition says it is a drop of blood that fell from Anne's finger when she pricked it making lace. More than likely, the colored flower part serves as a target for potential pollinators. And speaking of "pollinators" — I was delighted to capture a couple of ladybugs, busily doing whatever ladybugs do ... Actually, I think this one is a GUY ladybug, for lack of a better name for him ... As with most flowers, I found the underside of Queen Anne's Lace to be just as beautiful and interesting ... This next photo reminds me of one of those rides at a fair, with the seats that go round and round ... I hope you enjoyed my "up close and personal" photos of Queen Anne's Lace. I can't wait 'til Spring, so I can take some new pictures of this exquisite wildflower.