Echinacea pallida started flowering on Sunday. Since then I have been able to observe, collect, and film the different species of insects that pollinate this plant. It has been such a wonderful experience to work surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Hegg Lake Wildlife Management Area. I am so excited to start getting data that will elucidate the real possibilities of hybridization between Echinacea pallida and Echinacea angustifolia.
Even though I was more than ready to have my second full morning of pollinator observation today, the rainy-windy-cloudy conditions changed my plans. Instead, I reunited with my fellows of the team echinacea to flag and twist-tie flowering heads at the common garden one. At the same time, Sarah Sakura Baker was observing flowering Echinacea angustifolia for her independent project. Later, we went to the common garden two to keep measuring the Echinacea population located there. We just completed the first thirty of eighty rows. We expect to finish them by the end of this week. Today, Lydia could spend her entire afternoon working in her aphid’s research.
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