jbecky's Favorites

HUGE tapeworm vomited up by a tiny kitten! I had to pull it out too because it got stuck and she tried to swallow it back down. It was still moving. She was given a (second) dose of dewormer two days ago after still showing signs of abdominal bloating and ravenous appetite since the first dose. Other symptoms today have been diarrhea, playing a little less than usual, and apparent pain or distress from the vomiting. This has been a fascinating nightmare! She seems to be feeling better since she passed this. Hopefully that was it!

On an eroding limestone hillside, along a trail where woodland meets open space. It's on the north side, mostly shaded by trees. I hope to follow this plant periodically through the summer. This is the first of a series, all with the Associated observation annotation set to the number of this one.

New-to-me spurge! There are no iNat sightings of this species in Central Texas and not many east or north in its limited range, but it seems like the only one in Texas that fits. It has 5 green appendages, each with 2 horns. The terminal cyathium is surrounded by 4 bud like structures--maybe another level of stems? The inflorescence doesn't seem to have a leaf or bract underneath like other members of Subgenus Esula. I guess I have to go visit this patch again to see how it develops. Stem is red, leaves are petiolate, glabrous (smooth). elongated obovate in shape with smooth margins. I found several other plants that might be the same plant nearby but none had flowers.