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Photography

Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts) Sat Apr 12, 2025, 10:03 PM Apr 2025

24

Tower-of-Jewels (Echium wildpretii)

Taken two weeks ago at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. The plant is growing in a ceramic planter in the reflecting pool. Echium wildpretii is endemic to the Canary Islands, Spain, and grows mainly in ravines around Mount Teide, a volcano on the island Tenerife.

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18 replies

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Highlight:

Tower-of-Jewels (Echium wildpretii) (Original Post) Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 OP

Wow! The name certainly fits. Those leaves are just a bit scary . . . CaliforniaPeggy Apr 2025 #1

They usually grow straight, but this one looked whimsically Seussical (Dr.) Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #3

Nature is amazingly beautiful. Deuxcents Apr 2025 #2

Yes, in all of its manifold forms Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #6

Very interesting & beautiful! SheltieLover Apr 2025 #4

Thanks and you're welcome, SheltieLover! Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #7

The flowering part area51 Apr 2025 #5

I thought so too. It's a fascinating plant. Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #8

Closer shot of a more upright-growing Tower-of-Jewels at Longwood Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #16

I am really looking forward to going to Longwood Easterncedar Apr 2025 #9

I plan to be there Tuesday for the spring blooms Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #10

Oooh! I look forward to some pictures! Easterncedar Apr 2025 #11

Beautiful! Thank you for this lovely photograph. HeartsCanHope Apr 2025 #12

Thanks and you're welcome, HeartsCanHope! Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #14

What a strange looking plant. Thank you for the introduction. Beautiful photograph. LoisB Apr 2025 #13

Thanks, LoisB! Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #15

What a beautiful, unusual looking plant! Diamond_Dog Apr 2025 #17

Thanks, Diamond_Dog! Mousetoescamper Apr 2025 #18

CaliforniaPeggy

(156,302 posts)

1. Wow! The name certainly fits. Those leaves are just a bit scary . . .

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 10:06 PM

Apr 2025

They almost look like they could walk.

Very exotic.

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

3. They usually grow straight, but this one looked whimsically Seussical (Dr.)

Reply to CaliforniaPeggy (Reply #1)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 10:38 PM

Apr 2025

There were a half-dozen or so of these plants there. A docent said it's rumored that between 3 and 4 AM (the witching hour) the Towers roam the greenhouse seeking trespassing photographers which, if found, they devour with great relish (usually pickle).

Thanks!

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Deuxcents

(26,025 posts)

2. Nature is amazingly beautiful.

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 10:28 PM

Apr 2025

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

6. Yes, in all of its manifold forms

Reply to Deuxcents (Reply #2)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:30 PM

Apr 2025

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SheltieLover

(78,277 posts)

4. Very interesting & beautiful!

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 10:50 PM

Apr 2025

Ty for sharing!

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

7. Thanks and you're welcome, SheltieLover!

Reply to SheltieLover (Reply #4)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:31 PM

Apr 2025

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area51

(12,590 posts)

5. The flowering part

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 10:56 PM

Apr 2025

almost looks like a Christmas tree.

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

8. I thought so too. It's a fascinating plant.

Reply to area51 (Reply #5)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:32 PM

Apr 2025

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

16. Closer shot of a more upright-growing Tower-of-Jewels at Longwood

Reply to area51 (Reply #5)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 10:34 AM

Apr 2025

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Easterncedar

(5,766 posts)

9. I am really looking forward to going to Longwood

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:33 PM

Apr 2025

Thanks to you, mousetoescamper, for giving me the idea.

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

10. I plan to be there Tuesday for the spring blooms

Reply to Easterncedar (Reply #9)

Sat Apr 12, 2025, 11:54 PM

Apr 2025

You are most welcome, Easterncedar!

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Easterncedar

(5,766 posts)

11. Oooh! I look forward to some pictures!

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Reply #10)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 12:02 AM

Apr 2025

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HeartsCanHope

(1,552 posts)

12. Beautiful! Thank you for this lovely photograph.

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 12:11 AM

Apr 2025

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

14. Thanks and you're welcome, HeartsCanHope!

Reply to HeartsCanHope (Reply #12)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 10:03 AM

Apr 2025

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LoisB

(12,580 posts)

13. What a strange looking plant. Thank you for the introduction. Beautiful photograph.

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 01:00 AM

Apr 2025

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

15. Thanks, LoisB!

Reply to LoisB (Reply #13)

Sun Apr 13, 2025, 10:04 AM

Apr 2025

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Diamond_Dog

(40,095 posts)

17. What a beautiful, unusual looking plant!

Reply to Mousetoescamper (Original post)

Tue Apr 15, 2025, 04:17 PM

Apr 2025

Your photo shows lots of clear detail. Very nice! The curved one is indeed “Seuss-ical”!

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Mousetoescamper

(6,819 posts)

18. Thanks, Diamond_Dog!

Reply to Diamond_Dog (Reply #17)

Tue Apr 15, 2025, 08:17 PM

Apr 2025

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