Recently Cany 143 posted a lovely close up of dried seed pods from local Datura (Moonflower) plants that grow wild in his area. A neighbor gave me a foot tall Datura plant this spring that he grew from seed. I planted and now have an 8' wide monster plant. I have to admit to some envy of Cany's wild version. The single blossoms are much prettier than my double and the seed pods, while very prickly, have more character. I have found the flowers to be very difficult to photograph but I decided to give it another try since it is an annual plant and will probably be gone over the winter. Considering the number of seeds produced, I may be facing an invasion next spring. I recently planted two seeds in a small pot to see if they would sprout. Three separate plants came up.
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Datura blossom with developing seed pod and a dried seed pod in the background. This flower is approx. 8 inches long and there are several that open every day.
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Developing seed pods with an unopened flower bud in the background.
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Best topic title in Gallery in a long time
Fascinating stories about such an innocent looking beauty. Be careful out there, Carol!
MadMikeOne
Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City
Cwilson341 wrote:
Recently Cany 143 posted a lovely close up of dried seed pods from local Datura (Moonflower) plants that grow wild in his area. A neighbor gave me a foot tall Datura plant this spring that he grew from seed. I planted and now have an 8' wide monster plant. I have to admit to some envy of Cany's wild version. The single blossoms are much prettier than my double and the seed pods, while very prickly, have more character. I have found the flowers to be very difficult to photograph but I decided to give it another try since it is an annual plant and will probably be gone over the winter. Considering the number of seeds produced, I may be facing an invasion next spring. I recently planted two seeds in a small pot to see if they would sprout. Three separate plants came up.
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Recently Cany 143 posted a lovely close up of drie... (
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Nice shots and some interesting info about the Moonflowers. I believe they grow wild here, also, but that may be a result of errant seeds from plants purchased at nurseries. Your topic title made we want to check it out. Glad I did.
Now you have me wanting to go out and get one of my own just to see what happens.
Soul Dr.
Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley
Nice captures of this flower and pods Carol.
Will
rmalarz wrote:
Very nice, Carol.
--Bob
Thank you, Bob! I probably wouldn't have tried this one again if I hadn't seen Cany's shots.
Linda From Maine wrote:
Best topic title in Gallery in a long time
Fascinating stories about such an innocent looking beauty. Be careful out there, Carol!
Thank you, Linda. The titles just pop in my head when I look at a photo! During my working career they always said I was "full of it"! Now I know what they meant. lol
jerryc41 wrote:
Interesting.
Interesting is a good description, Jerry. I probably won't grow them another year. The plant is too sprawling for my garden area and it really isn't all that pretty. I think the single flowers are much more attractive. Regardless, I have enjoyed giving it a try.
MadMikeOne wrote:
Nice shots and some interesting info about the Moonflowers. I believe they grow wild here, also, but that may be a result of errant seeds from plants purchased at nurseries. Your topic title made we want to check it out. Glad I did.
Now you have me wanting to go out and get one of my own just to see what happens.
Thank you, Mike! If you Google Datura you will find a lot of different related species. I think this particular purple one is called a Devil's Trumpet which sort of fits it.
Very nicely photographed, Carol.
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