![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24pmRfIKgvb8nKs7ZNBgC5JYQz-sTP6V2-aXkGF99rjzLOo5v33sT5ELT2H6q1G7O08LHQMcT7BX8_k3vSRVxdu3M8a2nnJAk7PeTb-mEn3ROIZr54cO2EU2NXZpkIGUUVVUqRvGevb2n/s400/Darby+Creek,+Franklin+Co.+7-14-07+013+Justicia+americana,+Water+Willow.jpg)
Water-willow, Justicia americana
A delicate water-borne beauty, favored haunt for dragonflies, the Water-willow forms dense mats along the banks of rivers, streams and lakes. The purple and white blooms seem orchid or mint-like at first glance, but it is a member of the Acanthus family of flowers, like Bear's Breeches.
And the habitat isn't so bad either. I spent the afternoon studying this vegetation from the shore of the Clearfork Reservoir. Good thing I brought along my binoculars for dragonflies and birds, and the camera to document them. Its a dirty job, but somebody has to do it...