Jasmine flowers are known for their sweet, exotic fragrance and delicate white petals These flowers are highly symbolic in Indian culture and commonly used in weddings, religious ceremonies, and other celebrations. If you’re looking to purchase fresh jasmine flowers for a special occasion or just to brighten up your home, it’s nice to know you can find these gorgeous blooms right in your local area.
The fleur de lis, the stylized lily symbol long associated with French royalty is an unexpected marking to find on the back of a spider. But that’s exactly the distinctive feature of a fascinating web-spinner known as the cross orbweaver. With its unique abdominal markings resembling a heraldic cross or fleur de lis this spider capture imaginations throughout its range.
Identifying the Cross Orbweaver
This spider goes by many names, including European garden spider, diadem spider, and crowned orb weaver. But its scientific name is Araneus diadematus.
The cross orbweaver is a common orb-weaving spider found in temperate regions across Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. It spins large, circular webs in gardens, fields, and forests to snare flying insect prey.
Here are the key facts for identifying this spider
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Size: Females range from 0.26 to 0.79 inches long. Males are smaller at 0.22 to 0.51 inches.
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Color Variable background color from pale yellow to dark gray
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Abdomen: Distinctive white cross or fleur de lis marking formed by guanine crystals.
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Legs: Long, with specialized claws for clinging to web strands.
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Webs: Builds circular orb webs up to 2 feet across, often near foliage.
The unmistakable white fleur de lis pattern on the abdomen is unique among orb-weaving spiders. It resembles the iconic symbol of French kings, lending the spider a touch of regal flair.
Spinning Spectacular Webs
The female cross orbweaver is the architect that diligently constructs the large circular webs. The webs have concentric sticky spirals surrounded by supporting strands.
To catch flying prey, the spider waits in the web’s center then senses vibrations from insects caught in the sticky silk. It rapidly wraps prey in more silk before eating. The web also serves as the spider’s daytime hangout.
If disturbed, the cross orbweaver vibrates rapidly to startle predators. This blurring behavior may help it appear larger and more threatening.
Habits and Habitat
Cross orbweavers are most noticeable in late summer and fall when mature females build their trademark webs. The species overwinters as juveniles or eggs before reaching maturity in spring.
In urban and suburban areas, these spiders frequently spin webs on porches, gardens, and buildings. Rural populations thrive in open fields, meadows, and forest clearings.
Though rarely biting humans, female cross orbweavers may become defensive if their web is disturbed. Their venom poses no real danger to people.
A Familiar Backyard Spider
With its regal markings, impressive web, and comfort around humans, the cross orbweaver is a familiar backyard spider for many. Encountering one peacefully waiting in its web can inspire appreciation for the adaptability and beauty of spiders.
So next time you notice a spider with the fleur de lis on its abdomen, take a moment to admire this small hunter. Allow it to continue catching flies unbothered and marvel at this fascinating little creature in your backyard.
Caring for Jasmine Flowers at Home
Once you get your jasmine flowers home, proper care is required to get the longest lasting beauty and fragrance from them:
- Trim stems and place immediately in clean, fresh water. Change the water daily.
- Keep flowers in a cool spot out of direct sunlight.
- Mist blooms occasionally with soft or filtered water.
- Remove any flowers that wilt or brown to prevent decay spread.
- For the best fragrance, display in open area (not stuffed in vase).
- Keep away from drafts, vents or ripening fruit (ethylene gas).
- For special events, flowers can be stored overnight chilled in water.
With the right care, a batch of fresh jasmine can last up to a week for your enjoyment.
Where to Buy Jasmine Flowers Locally
Luckily, with the availability of imports, it’s relatively easy to find authentic, high-quality Indian jasmine flowers in most major US metros. Here are some tips on finding fresh jasmine near you:
- Search for Indian grocery stores or flower shops in your city Brick-and-mortar Indian markets and florists will often stock fresh jasmine flown in several times a week from India. The blooms are cared for properly and you can inspect quality and fragrance
- Look for online sellers that ship nationwide. Many vendors specializing in Indian flowers now offer nationwide shipping on fresh jasmine. Options like Jasmine Flowers 2 Go or Jasmine for SoCal allow you to order jasmine to be delivered directly to your door.
- Ask friends for local recommendations. Talk to Indian friends, neighbors or colleagues about where they source jasmine flowers. People are usually happy to share supplier information.
- Search local listings on Google Maps. Using search terms like “Indian flowers” or “jasmine flowers near me” can help surface florists and specialty stores in your area.
- Check for local farmers markets or nurseries. Some urban farms or specialty nurseries may grow jasmine plants and sell cut flowers. Bonus – locally grown flowers are fresher.
- Look for temples or cultural centers. Hindu or Indian cultural centers, temples, mosques and churches may sell jasmine flowers for offerings or ceremonies.
Baby funnel-web spiders everywhere!
FAQ
Is a cross orbweaver spider poisonous?
While orb weaver spiders can bite and are venomous, they are not considered a threat to humans.Sep 22, 2021
Is an arrowhead spider poisonous?
The arrowhead spider is a harmless species of spider to humans.
Are spiny-backed spiders poisonous?
How serious are spinybacked orb weaver spiders? Spinybacked orb weaver spiders are mostly harmless. Their large webs often startle and annoy people, but the pests pose no serious health risks. Infestations can become large, as their egg sacs contain over 200 offspring.
Are red stripe spiders poisonous?
Background. Redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) (RBSs) are venomous spiders that produce the neurotoxin (alpha-latrotoxin) [1].
What is a kruisspin Spider?
They live a lot in the Netherlands, we call them ‘kruisspin’, which translates as ‘cross spider’ because of the cross on the back which OP calls a fleur de lis. These spiders are kinda cool because they don’t hide, they often stay in the center of their web so they’re hard to not see. If it isn’t perfect, don’t call it perfect.
What does a garden spider look like?
That said, all garden spiders feature characteristic white markings across the dorsal side of the abdomen. These markings form the shape of a cross similar to a fleur de lis, hence the reason behind one of its common names, the cross spider. The abdomen appears quite bulbous and sports a covering of tiny hairs.
Does a garden spider save a spotted lanternfly?
Elaborately wrapping it, this Garden Spider saves a Spotted Lanternfly for her next meal. Garden spiders display sexual dimorphism, with females measuring larger than males. Females range in length between 6.5 and 20 millimeters, while males vary from 5.5 to 13 millimeters long.
Do garden spiders have sexual dimorphism?
Garden spiders display sexual dimorphism, with females measuring larger than males. Females range in length between 6.5 and 20 millimeters, while males vary from 5.5 to 13 millimeters long. Depending on the specimen, they come in a range of colors, including dark gray, light yellow, orangish-red, and dark brown.
How many legs does a garden spider have?
Like all spiders, they possess eight legs, four to each side, which are covered in spiky hairs. Originally hailing from Europe, you can now find garden spiders throughout North America. They typically live in grasslands, parks, and gardens, hence their name. They require access to moisture and plenty of sites that they can use to attach their webs.
What does a chelicera look like?
Body 12-25mm long, with black and yellow bars. It makes a small bed low in rough grass and decorates it with a pale fluffy zigzag of woolly silk down the centre. It preys on grasshoppers and bush crickets, and is found mostly in southern England. Body 15-25mm long. Dull black with shining bottle-green chelicerae (fang bases).