Dr. Michelle D. Olsen, Director of Institutional Research at Missouri State University, is publishing a book of photographs of frost flowers, a phenomenon unique to the Ozarks Mountain region of the country.  

 

Also called Crystallofolia, frost flowers are sculptures of ice that extrude from the stem of the Verbesina virginica plant during the late fall, winter, and early spring seasons, when the temperatures are low enough for water in the plant’s stem to cool to a degree that is ripe for the occurrence.

 

Olsen has photographed these sculptures for several years now and has garnered an online following. Now, the Ozarks Studies Institute is publishing a book of her photos and whimsical text narrating her journey of discovery and deeper learning about this phenomenon.

 

The paperback version is available for $29.95. A hardcover edition is soon to follow. Either or both editions can be ordered here. Today at 2:00 p.m. at the Schweitzer Brentwood branch of the Springfield-Greene County Public Library, Olsen will be giving a presentation and having a book signing. Her on-campus book signing will occur on Thursday, January 26th from 5:00 to 6:00 at p.m. in the Ozarks Room on the third floor of the Duane G. Meyer library. We hope to see you there.