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Three Eyed Monsters
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Potions and Predictions
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If adventurous park visitors stroll along the old logging road in the main section of the park they will discover some extraordinary dragonflies that are three-eyed miniature monsters! This dragonfly species is called white-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum). They look like a fleet of 5 cm (2 inch) helicopters patrolling over the large pools of water that fill the road's low spots. Dragonflies hold their wings up while perching, and their large eyes have little separation on the face. Nature has provided them with a third simple eye called an ocelli, found on the top of the head. Ocelli assist in flight navigation by determining where the sun and horizon are at all times during the dragonfly's sometimes erratic flight. The eyesight of both dragonflies and their related species, damselflies, is excellent, with up to 80% of their brains' processing power devoted to vision. For these fragile insects sight is critical for finding mates, avoiding predators and catching food (other insects). 
Yarrow (Achillea millifolium) is a tall plant of 20 - 35 cm (10 – 12 inches) found in the fields and roadsides of Irving Nature Park. At the top of each stem is a cluster of white flowers. The "millifolium" in its name means “a thousand cuts” and refers to the finely cut leaves. “Achillea” refers to the fact that the Greek hero Achilles is said to have used this wildflower to stop the bleeding in his soldiers wounds during the Trojan Wars. Through the centuries in Europe this plant was famous for its blood-clotting properties and given common names such as Soldier's Woundwort, Knight's Milfoil, Herba militaris, Stauchweed and Carpenter's Weed . Because of its medical importance the Yarrow plant was brought to North America by European colonists. Yarrow has other mystic gifts. Ancient Chinese employed the stems of yarrow to predict the future using writings contained in the book I Ching. Eastern Europeans also used the plant to see the future. They looked into the freshly cut stem for their true love's initials. In Sweden they were more practical, using yarrow as a substitute for hops when brewing beer.  |
The Naturalist's Notebook is a regular publication. If you have any questions or topics that you would like to see addressed, please call John Gilbert, Manager, Fish and Wildlife, J.D. Irving, Limited, (506) 632-7777 or email honeyman.kelly@jdirving.com |