Humbled

Peltandra virginica, the green arrow arum, had me totally flummoxed whilst surveying a new pond. I am humbled ... I automatically assumed I was looking at an arrowhead, Sagittaria spp, and breezed past without giving it a second glance even after a friend queried it with me. There's always something new to learn, and it's always worth taking a second look!

Isn't this a beautiful pattern?

Since learning about this species, I have found it in one location on our lake, which pleases me greatly.

It's a pity there were no distinctive flowers to photograph (very unlike the Sagittaria blooms), so the leaves will have to do. They're much waxier, thick and robust, forming dense fleshy stands.

This is what I confused it with! But now I know better, and can see how distinctively different the veins are, for starters. Never assume!

It's always exciting to learn something new. It makes me feel as if I'm getting to know my planet better and more intimately.