Purple, Gold and Green

Cirsium vulgar, bull thistle

In the crescendo of late summer at Halibut Point life's energy flourishes in purple and gold, powered and mediated by green.  A thistle and bee sport the colors of the day.

Goldfinches keep their eyes out for the seeds developing within the thistle flowers.

Solanum dulcamara, bitter nightshade

Purple and gold harmonize as complementary colors. Green, secondary in our visual spectrum, is primary in the  conversion of sunlight to life.

Nuttallanthus canadensis, blue toadflax

At no other time of year are purple and gold so prominent in the landscape. Flowers of late summer wear these colors lavishly like medallions of achievement in the biosphere sweepstakes.

Scorzoneroides autumnalis, fall dandelion

Lythrum salicaria, purple loosestrife

The Treasury is full. The Creator is pleased. The colors of royalty adorn the Land. Flowers give freely to butterflies who help endow their progeny.



Helianthus divaricatus, woodland sunflower

Phytolacca americana, pokeweed

Some fruits maturing purple may be comestible only to birds, as the pokeweed; or edible to humans as well, like the grape.

Loosestrife and solidago sempervirens, seaside goldenrod

The purples and golds and greens form a banquet bouquet.