Monotropa uniflora - Indian Pipe

What a cool find! While on a mountain biking ride in the woods, I came across this "fungus flower". I thought it was so interesting. It is a Monotropa uniflora, also known as Indian Pipe or Ghost Plant.

I was even more excited when I learned that it is a relatively rare occurrence. It is an herbaceous perennial, recently grouped in the same family as azaleas and rhododendrons. There's a short article about it on Wikipedia. What a wonderful little flower!

Plant Identification - ??

Does anyone know what this plant is?

I can't seem to find an identification on it anywhere. I LOVE this plant! It was at a relative's house in Lansing, MI. It is potted outdoors.
She has no clue what it is either.

Any ideas?

Billbergia

I bought this years ago as a very small plant from a catalog. It was sold to me as a Billbergia nutans, but I think this is an incorrect identification. The flowers are not the same as photos I have seen of
B. nutans (Queen's Tears).



I will try to find out what this plant actually is, but regardless - it is beautiful and impressive and I love it!



**UPDATE**
I think I have narrowed this down to a Billbergia kuhlmanii, or perhaps Billbergia zebrina. If anyone knows for sure, please advise.

Bristlecone Pine

I absolutely fell IN LOVE with this tree in Yosemite National Park, California. For as aged and long-lived as it looks (and probably is), it was relatively small - maybe 13 feet? The tree fascinates me. I did not know what it was at the time, but learned later that it is a Bristlecone Pine. Most likely the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine - Pinus longaeva.

These trees are one of, if not THE, longest lived organisms on Earth, reaching an age of nearly 5,000 years! The oldest known living organism is "Methuselah", a Bristlecone Pine in a park in California. The exact location is undisclosed to protect the tree. A tree like this certainly demands respect and admiration!

California Trees

There were several trees in California that stood out to me and really caught my attention.
First, was one that I saw at the San Diego Zoo. I later found it to be a Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo). I loved the colorful, spiky berries. I would love to grown one of these, but they're only hardy to zone 8.
Another tree I really enjoyed was the unusual-looking Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia). I had never seen anything like these and was really intrigued.


I had a chance to see the Giant Sequoias as well (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Unbelievable!
It is impossible to explain, or to even portray in a picture, how increbly HUGE these trees are. I mean, look at it in comparison to me!



One final tree was a favorite of mine. It was in Napa Valley at the winery where we did some wine tasting. I suppose it is not as unusual as the others I've posted, but I thought it was really neat and kept saying how beautiful I thought it was.
But then, I love EVERYTHING after a few glasses of wine.

Denver Botanic Gardens

When in Denver...

...be sure to check out the gardens!

This is surely one of my favorite botanic gardens I have ever been to. It is HUGE! There are so many different "zones" of plants. One could spend an entire day there, or at least I could.

Even after hours there, I left having not seen it all. I guess that just means I'll have to be sure to go back!