A couple of shots illustrate one of the habitats in Raymore Park.

A bull thistle stands guard over a field of Queen Anne’s lace.

The field in question will be a small wood in a few years thanks to native saplings in place for several years. For now, weeds and wildflowers are enjoying the space. Bull thistles are not native but seem to be the most common thistle in Raymore Park. Members of the aster family they propagate by seeds alone. The roots and leaves are edible with some preparation.

This Queen Anne’s lace has a tiny red flower.

Another foreign invader (from Europe), Queen Anne’s lace is a member of the carrot family and the root is edible. Being a biennial plant, it flowers and dies in its second year. Insects love QAL and so it can’t be all bad.