Cool Mantis egg case in Trochodendron aralioides forma longifolium

Rostrinucula dependens and Leucosceptrum stellipilum.....like stalactites and stalagmites

These two plants grow live about 100 feet apart in the Asian Collections and it's just odd how similar they are....in an upside down sort of way. Both are in the mint family and both are east Asian natives. Rostrinucula is a woody plant, a multi-stemmed shrub that give the superficial impression of being Buddleia davidii (Logonaceae). Leucosceptrum is a perennial that develops strong stems...almost woody, not quite. Both tend to attract butterflies but this hasn't been a great year for butterflies and they seem to have grown even scarcer the past few weeks.