Re: seed identification

> Do any of you internet-savvy folks know of a site with images of unusual 
> seed pods?  Someone gave me one last weekend, and all she could tell me was 
> she cut it off a shrub she saw growing in a yard in southern Missouri.  She 
> wanted me to see if I could germinate some of the seeds.  I figure I'd have 
> a better shot at it if I knew what I was growing!  A funny looking little 
> thing, at first glance it looks almost like a tiny round pinecone.  On 
> closer inspection, it's made up of lots of little curved seed pods clustered 
> together into a ball.  It looked like some of the leaves were attached 
> (dried up now) and they appeard to be very fine, sort of like a mimosa.  She 
> didn't see the shrub in bloom, and hadn't a clue what it might be.  Anyway, 
> I've tried doing some searches but only found one with seed pods, and my 
> little critter wasn't there...

This sounds to me like either Taxodium distichum (baldcypress) or if
herbaceous, Desmanthus illinoensis (Illinois bundle flower).

   http://www.midkan.com/theland/home/IBF.html
   http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/wildflower/illinois.jpg

How big is the seed pod?  If it's 1/2" to 1" in diameter, then it's 
probably baldcypress.  If it's around 1/4" or smaller than it's 
probably the bundle flower.

I just planted D. illinoensis in my yard this spring.  I love the
fine, airy texture that it provides...

Chris

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