Posted 8:37 pm Thursday, August 23, 2012
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Moon Flower has a name that is very fitting
By DEE BISHOP
Smith county Master Gardener
Smith county Master Gardener
Datura wrightii, better known as Moon Flower or Gabriel’s Trumpet, is often seen in Texas yards and in ditches where seeds have washed.
Mama had them in our yard and we would sit out in the evenings and watch the large white blooms open right before our eyes, like the similar looking moon vine. The event was miraculous to us children, but to add to the action, hummingbird moths would come sipping the nectar right into the night.
The huge trumpet shaped blooms are the whitest white and shimmer in the moonlight, thus the name “Moonflower’ is very fitting.
Mama had them in our yard and we would sit out in the evenings and watch the large white blooms open right before our eyes, like the similar looking moon vine. The event was miraculous to us children, but to add to the action, hummingbird moths would come sipping the nectar right into the night.
The huge trumpet shaped blooms are the whitest white and shimmer in the moonlight, thus the name “Moonflower’ is very fitting.
Daturas are very poisonous if ingested; so if you have pets or small children who nibble your plants, you wouldn’t want a datura. Daturas have been used medicinally for eons of time, mainly for medicines to enlarge the pupil of the eye to allow light to enter If you have ever had an eye exam and had your eyes dilated, they used a form of Datura.
Daturas are extremely easy to grow. They need good soil, moisture and a lot of sun. They will grow in a good bit of shade too, but bloom so much better in sun.
They grow about 3-4 foot tall and as wide as 6 inches.
Plant one so you can watch the blooms open like magic on a hot summer evening.
Dee Bishop is a Smith County Master Gardener. She writes about plants growing in the Tyler Rose Garden.
Daturas are extremely easy to grow. They need good soil, moisture and a lot of sun. They will grow in a good bit of shade too, but bloom so much better in sun.
They grow about 3-4 foot tall and as wide as 6 inches.
Plant one so you can watch the blooms open like magic on a hot summer evening.
Dee Bishop is a Smith County Master Gardener. She writes about plants growing in the Tyler Rose Garden.
