BACK COUNTRY BY BUD ADAMS
black swallowtail butterfly feeds on nectar from a
thistle bloom growing on Adams Ranch west of Fort
Pierce. Despite its glorious bloom, thistle can be a
menace to pasture lands. A single thistle bloom can
produce 4,000 seeds, creating thick thistle stands that
overtake foraging areas and ultimately reduce calf
weight. Properly grazed pastures with thick sod are a
deterrent to thistle growth.
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A