So I went to the LA Arboretum the other day, mostly to see the LA Mycological Society's annual mushroom fair (I had joined a foray the day before, to help gather specimens in the mountains nearby.)
After checking out the mushroom fair, I wandered into a few of the Arboretum's greenhouses. One of them was the Begonia House. I don't really care much for begonias, but I went in anyway.
I was glad I did. Toward the back of the greenhouse was an interesting plant that looked like a vine version of a pitcher plant. Of course I had to see if its flowers smelled at all. I didn't really expect anything, since begonia don't usually smell, and I presumed this was a relative.
But it did smell. Something faint and sweet and green, bordering on woody. I was fascinated, and kept sniffing it, trying to memorize it, maybe to create something like it later. I wondered what made the smell - the flower itself seemed full of water.
I was just about to leave, and no one was there. So I gently tipped one of the greenish flowers over, and spilled some of its flower-water onto my hand. It seemed like just water, with just the slightest hint of an aloe gel feel. I rubbed it in and sniffed. Nothing. Oh well.
I went on strolling around the Arboretum, and met a friend for lunch. After we ordered, I noticed some sort of scent. Something vaguely sweet. I'd had my hands folded in front of my chin at the table - that scent was me! Or rather, the flower-water from the pitcher plant vine had dried down to that amazing scent I'd tried to memorize! Wow! I put my hand out, and my friend said he could smell it too.
Eau du pitcher plant. That would be an interesting aromatic portrait... :P
After checking out the mushroom fair, I wandered into a few of the Arboretum's greenhouses. One of them was the Begonia House. I don't really care much for begonias, but I went in anyway.
I was glad I did. Toward the back of the greenhouse was an interesting plant that looked like a vine version of a pitcher plant. Of course I had to see if its flowers smelled at all. I didn't really expect anything, since begonia don't usually smell, and I presumed this was a relative.
But it did smell. Something faint and sweet and green, bordering on woody. I was fascinated, and kept sniffing it, trying to memorize it, maybe to create something like it later. I wondered what made the smell - the flower itself seemed full of water.
I was just about to leave, and no one was there. So I gently tipped one of the greenish flowers over, and spilled some of its flower-water onto my hand. It seemed like just water, with just the slightest hint of an aloe gel feel. I rubbed it in and sniffed. Nothing. Oh well.
I went on strolling around the Arboretum, and met a friend for lunch. After we ordered, I noticed some sort of scent. Something vaguely sweet. I'd had my hands folded in front of my chin at the table - that scent was me! Or rather, the flower-water from the pitcher plant vine had dried down to that amazing scent I'd tried to memorize! Wow! I put my hand out, and my friend said he could smell it too.
Eau du pitcher plant. That would be an interesting aromatic portrait... :P
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