Skeleton Weed (Eriogonum deflexum) is a wild buckwheat that I’m sure most people consider an unattractive nuisance weed. There are no leaves on the stems (hence nickname) but when they finally bloom, I think they’re gorgeous. Of course, I think everything that comes up on its own in my yard is beautiful 🙂
Close-up
Full plant view.
Weeds: so underrated. I especially like your middle photo. Beautiful background to set off a lovely little flower. — Carol Leigh
Ditto to Carol Leigh’s comments.
I like that weed. The stem turns to red when it goes to seed, doesn’t it?
When people ask me for a definition of “weed,” the best I can come up with is, “a weed is a plant that’s growing where some person doesn’t want it to grow.” Some people define plants that are naturally adapted to grow in disturbed areas (farmland, roadsides, etc.) as weeds. I knew another definition 35 years ago, but I forgot that one.
Jenn, yep, that’s the red-stemmed autumn plant (or weed) that we see along the roads.