Towering Forest of Fennel

The whole transformational quality of it.  The changes every day and slow metamorphosis over the course of years.  This forest, these evergreen giants.  These are dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium ).  They have grown a full season in the soils that were populated with Brazilian Pepper alone when I began my time here at Eckerd.  They have grown, leafed the fluffy wispy leaves they grow, flowered, and died.  Only the uppermost branches still remain on these plants, the others have dried and turn to dust.  It is dusty these days in the Pam Hammock as thousands of last season's dog fennel turn to dust.  At their base, next seasons stalks begin to poke up through the soil like green slippers or a pool of seedlings.  

Or a grassroots president who seems to be paying attention.