This is a Datura, photographed in the gardens of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This beautiful plant, so common on the Côte d'Azur is a poison and a toxic hallucinogen which causes changes in the brain manifesting itself in agitated behavior and confusion.
Datura belongs to the classic "witches' weeds," along with deadly nightshade, henbane, and mandrake and has a long history in producing a changed delirious state and death. It was well known as an essential ingredient of love potions and witches' brews and sadly, the local newspaper, Nice-Matin sometimes reports on youngsters picked up in an intoxicated state having used Datura unaware of the extreme danger of the plant. Not the sort of changes anyone needs.
To see how other CDP bloggers have interpreted today's theme please click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
For 2010 I wish you happy changes, positive changes, changes that will make you dance with delight. Happy New Year everyone!
'If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.' ~ Author Unknown
'If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.' ~ Author Unknown
who knew such a pretty plant could be so dangerous
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Jilly, and for Pete's sake stay away from that plant!
ReplyDeleteThey're called Angel's Trumpets out here - beautiful but deadly. Very clever idea for theme day and nice photo too.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and best wishes for 2010.
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo
Wow. Thanks for the warning. I would never have thought anything that dangerous of this lovely flower.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Again. :)
Hmmm. Must go look for some mushrooms ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting reading...this flower is also very abundant in our part of the world too and call it by the same name....Wishing you also a very Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll join Ham.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and to all your wonderful canine friends, Jilly! Although I tend to comment on this and your Menton blog, I often visit your other one to see more photos of those beautiful companions.
Here, I believe, we call the Angels' Trumpets.
ReplyDeleteAlso called Angel's Trumpet and now we know why. The Angel is calling someone to their doom.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. MB
I'm addled enough without these toxic blossoms! Wow, you had to come up with TWO theme day photos.
ReplyDeleteBravo,
V
This beauty is really a beast! What an interesting post, Jilly. 'm confused enough without external help. Wishing you the very best in 2010.
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea these flowers were toxic! Cool choice for theme day, you clever girl!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another year of beautiful work that reflects and even more beautiful soul. I'm so happy to know you, Jilly!
Happy New Year!
«Louis» thinks the entire government of the U.S., especially the Congress, has overdosed on this hallucinogen!
ReplyDeleteBe that as it may, «Louis» wishes you Bonne Année!.
Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year!
ReplyDeleteNow I know why I don't stop along the side of the road and eat the flowers.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the goats have learned not to eat such plants.
Happy New Year, and best wishes for 2010.
the datura, such a dangerous plant. I posted a photo of datura on my site this past year also. And who would know when looking at this flower, how hallucinogenic it is. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteo dear jilly i thought the martini was not for me and then i come here!
ReplyDeleteThis plant grows the size of a small tree in my hometown (not in Michigan) - I always thought it looked rather like something the Addams Family would plant by their door!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year,
Three Rivers Daily Photo
Now I know why these grow like weeds in the yards of Berkeley where I used to live! :-)
ReplyDeleteI had always hoped to plant one in my garden, but they don't seem to grow well here in Seattle. . .at least I haven't noticed them in anyone's garden here yet.
Very cool post!
-Kim
I think this is one change I'd prefer not to experience! Fascinating that the bloom is at the bottom ... I assume they are growing in this fashion?
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!
I want some of that (although typically connected with Peyote in the minds of the general public, one of the foremost users of Datura was Carlos Castaneda who claimed its use as an apprentice to a Yaqui Indian shaman-sorcerer named Don Juan Matus that is said to have studied under a "Diablero".
ReplyDeleteIn that there are a number of species of Datura there is some confusion as to what Datura, Castaneda may have used. According to Castaneda in THE TEACHINGS OF DON JUAN: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge a shaman-sorcerer has an Ally contained in the Datura plants commonly known as jimson weed. Don Juan called that ally by one of the Spanish names of the plant, Yerba del Diablo (Devil's weed) as well as Mescalito, with the ally taking on the form of a sort of plant spirit. According to Don Juan, as he related it to Castaneda, any of the species of Datura was the container of the ally. However, the sorcerer had to grow his own patch, not only in the sense that the plants were his private property, but in the sense that they were personally identified with him.)
Wishing you a wonderful New Year.
We see them in the US in the Desert Southwest where they are much smaller and are called Sacred Datura.
ReplyDeleteDatura is indeed very dangerous, but the smell is soooo good. Reminiscent of pepper, first kisses and summer. The flowers are gorgeous, even the ones tinted with a pink hue.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog, very happy to have stumbled upon it.
Ciao
Eleonora
Roma Every Day