Sunday, July 8, 2012

Jimson Weed


About two years ago, I posted a psychedelic photo of a Jimson Weed bloom.  You can see it here.  I took this photo last month at the Desert Botanical Garden with the early morning sun lighting up the flower but leaving the background in deep shadows.  Because of it's highly toxic properties, this plant should be admired from a distance but never consumed.

19 comments:

brattcat said...

wonderful shot.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

I love this shot. I would have guessed it was at night. The dark background highlights the flower and avoids any depth of field distractions.

Thérèse said...

I discovered Daturas at the Trovea Castle in 2007 presented by the gardener of the time :-) later we saw it along the wildflowers trails of DBG. It's a good soporific as well as a plant used in Indians ceremonies as far as I know.
Beautiful beautiful shot!

Birdman said...

I like this one a lot more than the other. Deadly in darkness.

Kathy said...

Very pretty!

Eric said...

Great shot! I've always called them moon flowers and they smell incredible at night. I just posted a picture of my first bloom this year Friday night on Instagram. Been growing these for years now but yes, I hear they are very toxic.

Eric said...

also the seeds form inside of golfball sized pods that are covered in sharp spikes. Not only toxic but dangerous during fall cleanup!

Judy said...

The lighting makes for a dramatic picture.

Unknown said...

Terrific capture, Sharon! Great job.

Randy said...

I love how these pop up all over the desert.

Catalyst said...

Seems I've read that horses are drawn to them, then "go crazy" from eating them.

Mo said...

Another beautiful flower portrait

Sonya @ Under the Desert Sky said...

Beautiful shot!

glenda said...

So interesting,this beautiful bloom packs a punch.

RedPat said...

Looks like a wonderful painting!

Kate said...

Hard to believe that something so lovely could be dangerous. Terrific shot with the light highlighting the blossom.

Magpie said...

This is a breathtaking photo!

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

yes datura is so dangerous. but so fun to photograph

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Yes I know them as moonflowers also, loved the psychedelic image Sharon, the way you've shown this one implies that maybe it's beauty has a sinister side to it.