Monarch butterflies and motorcycles in Fayetteville, Arkansas

PLEASE CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE AND COUNT THE BUTTERFLIES on the "mist flowers" of the Eupatorium coelestinum

Monarchs have migrated into Fayetteville, Arkansas, just in time to bring beauty and calm while the roar of Harleys mars the day during the Bikes, Blues and Barbecue gathering. Two out of the four in this photo were competing for the same blooms of the Ageratum or mist flower. The scientific name of the native plant is Eupatorium coelestinum. In Wildflowers of Arkansas, the late Carl Hunter described the plant thus: Misty or fuzzy groups of flower heads and the pinkish-violet color are trademarks of this species. The stems are purplish with opposite, toothed leaves that are light green. There are underground runners. They are found in moist areas near streams, roadside ditches, river banks and lakes statewide. They bloom in August through October.