It's still hot here and, with humidity running unusually high, it's very unpleasant working outside. I did what I could in the way of hand-watering my garden and spreading mulch before the 15-day outdoor watering ban started yesterday. I stored water in each of my three rain tanks as emergency rations and I expect I'll soon be hauling watering cans around on a daily basis. None of that's interesting enough to hinge a blog post on. However, I'd been watching one small potted succulent on the bench in our front garden for the past week, checking it once or twice a day, and this week it finally produced the flower I'd been waiting to see.
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The bud got bigger and bigger but it took seemingly forever for it to open
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I noticed it had opened on Monday evening. This is Stapelia grandiflora, also known as carrion plant. It's common name is due to the fact that it emits an odor like rotting meat to attract flies as pollinators. Another, nicer common name is starfish flower.
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I didn't detect any odor when the flower first opened but I admit I didn't stick my nose into the center of it either
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It was attracting enough flies to be annoying late yesterday morning, though. I still couldn't detect much of a scent but the flies kept me from hanging out nearby.
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Flies aren't the most appealing insects but yesterday, while snapping a few photos in my cutting garden, a more attractive creature flitted by.
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I haven't seen a lot of butterflies this year and although this one jumped from one flower to another, she wasn't very cooperative when I tried to catch photos using my phone. This was my best shot. I think it a painted lady (Vanessa cardui).
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Our heatwave is now expected to extend through Friday. While heatwaves are common here, especially during the summer months, 10-day heatwaves aren't. We won't be sorry to have it come to an end. Current forecasts are showing a 50+ percent chance of light rain on Saturday. A touch of grace on Mother Nature's part would be greatly appreciated.
All material © 2012-2022by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
