One day late in Jesus’ ministry, he was in the Temple near the offering box. A poor widow came up to it and tossed in two small coins. Jesus turned to his disciples and said that her meager offering was of more value than that given by all those who gave out of their abundance.
He noted that she had given “all that she had, even all her living” (Mark 12:44). Little things mean a lot when given in love and devotion. I always appreciated the homemade Father’s Day presents from my boys when they were little, no matter how small and simple.
STIFF VERBENA Verbena rigidaThe wildflower for today has a very tiny bloom that has to be examined closely to be appreciated; however, it is a welcome sight amid the heat and dryness of the dog days of summer. Stiff verbena starts growing in March but the blooms do not appear until June and continue into October. The five petaled lavender bloom is very small, measuring about 1/8 inch.
The illustration shows a strange hairy structure at the end of each branch. Blooms occur at the uppermost part of the branch. After the bloom is fertilized, seeds form, protected by course, clasping bracts.
These structures get longer as the weeks pass and new blooms appear. The plants have several unusual features. First, it is a sun-loving plant that thrives in dry conditions.
If you drive up a tree-shaded lane you will not find this plant. It favors roadsides, unattended fields and waste places exposed to the sun. A second unusual feature is the shape .
