I made an interesting discovery on my short morning walk today when capturing a picture of this weed flower.

When I saw it, I thought, “What a pretty little flower.”

It has been especially fun to use my phone app “Picture This” to learn about the flowers and weeds that surround our property. I learned that its familiar name is flower of an hour.

This is what I learned from the Internet.

Hibiscus trionum is a great example of an ornamental plant becoming a widespread weed. Its common name, flower of an hour, refers to its short-lived blooms.

Sites that are in full sun with fertile soil and regular moisture are sought after by flower of an hour. As with many weeds, disturbance is key, so it is often found in agricultural fields, rangelands, along roadsides, and in vacant lots and construction sites. Its presence in natural areas is a result of escaping from garden beds.

They are creamy white to pale yellow with a purple-brown center, and are both cross- and self-pollinated.

I wonder how it made its way to the field across the road from us.

I love learning stuff like this.