Cryptantha thyrsiflora
Although it looks softly inviting, this plant’s covering of fine hairs is more bristle than fuzz. If you yield to the temptation to touch one, you’ll only do so once, at least on purpose: the experience is closer to stinging nettle than velvety lamb’s ear.
For that reason, I’m not keen on them growing in my little yard area or along paths where I walk a lot, but I have a friendly tolerance of them elsewhere. There are obviously plenty of pollinators who know how to handle a close approach.
Off the wildflower topic, I’ve seen these very exotic looking black moths occasionally, and this photo provoked me to try to figure out what they’re called. It’s a Veined Ctenucha Moth.
