A few years ago, this strange plant appeared along the edge of our yard. It blooms in late August and through September, when most of the rest of our yard flowers are dying down, so it is very conspicuous. The thing is, my wife did not know what it was and could not remember planting it.

A little research turns up the fact that this is a domestic cultivar of wild Turtle Head, which is white. I recently found white Turtle Head growing its natural habitat, actually on the left side of the photo from yesterday, along the Kennebunk River under the bridge, right at the water’s edge.

Since the original stand in our yard is so hardy, my wife has started transplanting it around in shady areas (which in our yard is most of it). We are still not certain where it came from, but a friend seems to remember giving my wife a few plants a few years ago. ?? At any rate, we enjoy its vigorous color…and appreciate it for what it is…a first sign of fall in Maine.

I love the furry tongue.

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation. 24mm macro, plus 1.5x digital tel-extender for scale and working distance. f4 @ 1/125th @ ISO 200. Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.