Blooming and booming

These are bunchberries, a relative of the dogwood. I photographed them at Grand Portage State Park located on Minnesota’s Lake Superior shore. According to some sites I Googled, they get their name from the cluster of berries each flower produces. The only problem is the flowers don't always produce the aforementioned berries. It seems the pollen sacs in each blossom explode when touched, which tends to discourage bees from returning to finish the pollination task. Fortunately for the plant, it also reproduces by sending out runners.

I had no problem distributing free flowers this week. And the results were pretty explosive in their own way. Thanks to all of you who took me up on the offer and posted a bloom on your blog. The flowers have turned up all over the U.S. and have traveled as far as the UK, Mexico and Singapore.

Thanks a bunch.

Click on picture to enlarge. Photograph © 2007 James Jordan.