All at once I remembered a long ago episode (Amok Time) of Star Trek in which the non-emotional Mr. Spock is suddenly ... umm ... in a state of rut and must return to his home planet to find a Vulcan mate.
Anyway, as I recall it (and this was a very long time ago,) there was a big ceremony when Spock came home and everyone carried staffs with jingly things on them. Which is what the mystery thing reminded me of.
You all probably knew what it was at once or, at least before I got to the third paragraph.
Back last spring, it had pretty purple flowers . . .
And by summer it was covered with round seed pods . . .
When the seed pods dry, you can peel off the outer coat to find the seeds and the shiny interior membrane.
Lunaria, Money Plant, and Honesty are some of its names. But, at least in its final stages, I'm going to think of it as a Vulcan Jingly Thing Plant.
21 comments:
Amazingly dainty wee structure. I have seen the dried honesty flowers but never their skeletons.
I must admit that bumfuzzled had me ...well, bumfuzzled. I have never come across it before and had to look it up.
It does look alien, and at the same time so fragile. Wish we had money plants around here. I remember that star trek show too and that jingly sound the staff made.
live long and prosper...smiles.
i bet it is really fragile it makes for wonderful nature art...
And, so, Nature makes beautiful everything that the correct observer can see . . . in every phase of its life.
LOL!! I love it!! Thanks to you, I'm going to see every money plant from here on out as a "Vulcan Jingly Thing Plant!" That's hilarious. I have never in my life seen one without the papery pod 'interiors' - I wouldn't have known what it was either. Fascinating and beautiful. My first thought was it reminded me of one of those desktop tree things that people stick photos in.
Bumfuzzled (bewildered, puzzled)was a word I learned when we moved to the mountains. I'm fond of it and often have cause to use it.
Callie, so glad someone else remembers that episode. Evidently it was one of the most popular of the series.
That is interesting! I love the things that you find in the garden this time of year. That has never happened with my Honesty plants. Very neat.
Money plants are fascinating. I haven't seen one in years. And now if I ever do see one again, I'll never look at it the same ;0
Oh, thank you for this, Vicki!! I adore the Money Plant and had forgotten about them! Need to get some seeds to add to my stawflowers, gomphrenas, and gourds this year, as I wanted to focus on dried flowers in the garden. Again, thanks much!
Elora
See, now I learned two new words: bumfuzzled and branches for streams. Isn't blogging great fun? I loved your photos too, particularly of the branches and the woods. Just lovely.--Inger
I've always loved money plants, but wouldn't have recognized except in the version in the vase. I understand they may also serve as an early warning system should any Romulans ever try to sneak into the farm.
Lynne in GA
OMG! That is so awesome! Mother Nature's beauteous mysteries continue to amaze me.
Well, I'll be flubbered!
I've never seen it in that state. What a beautiful thing to see, that Vulcan Jingly Plant.
well it left me bombfuzzy (:-) I did not guess its reality and thought it a metal stake of sorts. Great photo too..I am almost done reading your In a Dark Season, very much enjoying the story...another great tale..
Yes and very pretty too and perfect for doing money spells!
Dear Vicki: Isn't Art in Nature magnificent...since all is derivative from "The Source" anyway!Remember Spock in his rut, almost tragedic for a Vulcan, considering what would happen to him after he did the nasty thing and although he logically did not want to do it; by obligation and necessity he was required so o do....maybe on some level?
Well, I have to admit, I didn't know what it was until I got to the pictures of the Money plant the way it normally looks.
Vicki, your use of the word 'bumfuzzled' made me smile. I haven't heard anyone use that word since Mama passed.
In French"Monnaie du pape"!
Interesting how it's identity changes so vividly during the seasons. Most interesting.
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