June 18, 2010

moonflower

we planted this a couple of months ago and 

it's vine has been growing steadily over that time

tonight we came home after being over at patti's 

and as soon as we walked out of the car

i said,

bob, my moonflower has bloomed!!

the aroma was intoxicatingly strong even from the driveway.

sure enough there were two large showy blooms

in all their glory.

their scent is heady, heavy and almost sickenly sweet.

we have closed all the windows and the front door

and still i feel like i can't breathe.

maybe i am allergic to moonflower.

yikes.

beautiful but apparently the seeds are extremely toxic

and if the flower is ingested it is also hallucinogenic

apparently it is believed that the flowers were

used for making a love potion.

i believe it.

it is very powerful

in fact i have never smelt anything like it 

i don't know if you know what a stargazer lily smells like

well

times that by 25 and you have what this flower smells like.

the interesting thing about them is they bloom at dusk,

and are out in all their glory through the night

exuding a powerful scent 

they attract moths which helps with pollination.

once the sun touches them, ever so gently, in the morning

the flowers fade.

so much for sleeping with the window open tonight

hmmm.. why did i listen to what they wrote on the seed package.

it said:  plant by a window so the aroma can be enjoyed.

oh well live and learn.

the next plant i will put closer to the gate!!

beautiful

moonflower

i'm so dizzy and it's you girl making it spin!

note:
i took the following photo the next morning
it is still beautiful.
it only lasts one night and then as the morning light
comes it begins to fade and curl up

it is still very pungent though...
i think i will need some more antihistimine
my poor sinuses are aching!

:-)