go

Milk Weed Combo

Keith Russell

This scene simulates an appreciation for the diversity of plant life and their unique presentation, seeding and companion relationship.

The first picture presents a most unattractive weed: sparse, lacking in form, appearing dishevelled and dying. Yet to the caterpillar of the Monarch butterfly, none of that matters – there’s more to life than beauty. I’ve not seen this caterpillar on any other plant, suggesting an absolute dependency.

The second, displays a leaf being devoured from the tip backwards, I wonder how long it took to develop this technique? It appears, its sole goal in life is to eat: no domesticity, education, or holidays. Leaf for breakfast, morning tea, lunch, & dinner, entree, main, & dessert! Yet it appears fat and content. (if I can use human values to illustrate.)

The third, shows order and design – the seed pod of the milkweed. These are watertight until ready to open, then they split exposing a cluster of ordered seeds, each attached with wisps of soft silk like threads which aid with seed dispersion via the wind.

Simply: beautiful, ordered, essential, and amazing.