Copperleaf

A leaf from the large, fast-growing, evergreen shrub called Copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana), growing in the new ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo. I loved the mix of colours and the wonderful, scalloped edge to the leaves.

I am completely (and I mean completely, lol) exhausted after a botanizing trip from 7:00 a.m. this morning till getting home about 6:15 p.m. just a short while ago. This was a repeat trip of a hike we did a year ao, right on the edge of the eastern Rocky Mountains, right where Kananaskis begins on Highway 40. Climbing up hills and down, up and down. My toes are now the most painful part of my body, from hiking downhill so much. The main purpose of the trip was to see Balsamroot plants high on a hillside. This is the most northerly reported location for this species. And we saw a Morel mushroom, which made my day - possibly a False Morel? Weather was beautiful - rain in the forecast for the next few days. Thanks, David, for another great outing to this area - and thanks so much for the ride there and back! Job very well done!! I have to add that I'm sure I any calories I lost on the hike were surely put back on when I had a delicious Chocolate Malt when we stopped in Longview on the way home. Thanks (?), Sandy, for telling me how good they are and leading me into temptation, ha!