Cooperia drummondii

Many are aghast at the profusion of fall rain lilies that have sprung up thanks to the recent deluge. Yes, aghast that millions of bulbs are busy soaking up precious water that ought to be headed for toilets or swimming pools. Do you have any idea how much cool rain water a few million of these introduced Mexican bulbs may absorb? Course you don’t.

The Cow Barn was practically the only spot south of the dammed river missing the fall rain lily. To rectify that situation we first transplanted a few bulbs. But that didn’t work. Then two summers ago we lucked upon a massive seed crop in Comal County. It took two years, but now a few of those seeds have become lilies. Now we can do our part, growing introduced Mexican rain lilies for spite.

Here’s one of them hosting a fly and a beetle. The fly is probably in genus Toxomerus. The beetle, about 2mm, is probably a bean weevil, genus Algarobius maybe.

So far in Crumby’s life he has never been keen on associating which Cooperia with whatever name. Maybe that’s because the other rain lily was formerly designated as Zephyranthes drummondii. In any event, like most of the flora of central Texas, both species were recently introduced to these parts. How were they introduced? Well, as usual we can blame the Mexicans. Yes, the Mexicans sneaked these weeds into Americanoland. And now, despite the wall, it’s too late to do anything. Boo-hoo-hoo. Somebody needs to call Glen Beck.