Saturday, August 4, 2012

Some Beauty For Saturday...!

Sometimes beauty can last forever, but it isn't likely without help.

Call it fate, call it luck, call it divine intervention! Whatever you call it, you have to admit that it's sort of a minor miracle that the plant is still here!

Ghost Orchid
Epipogium aphyllum



The Ghost orchid is a fascinating rare plant that was presumed extinct for almost 20 years, only recently did it rear its head again. The plant is so rare because it is basically impossible to propagate. It has no leaves, does not depend on photosynthesis and does not manufacture its own food. Like the Lady slipper, it needs a specific fungus in close contact with its root system, which feeds it. The Ghost orchid never grows leaves, and will therefore always depend on the fungus for its nourishment. The Ghost orchid can live underground for years, without showing any external signs and will only bloom when all conditions are optimum. This explains why some orchid enthusiasts search for years and years just to have a glimpse of this elusive flower.

You know, when something like this just refuses to go away you have to consider that it is here for a reason. Some force, some hand is partly responsible for the long lasting beauty that only shows itself from time to time. Maybe we should just leave well enough alone!

Coffee in the kitchen this morning. There is a bowl of fresh fruit on the table, so help yourself!

11 comments:

Catman said...

Wow. Thanks for this. Totally new to me.

HermitJim said...

Hey Catman...
Always glad to be of service, buddy! Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for coming by this morning!

Momlady said...

I can see why it's called 'Ghost' orchid. I'm going to share the picture with an acquaintance who raises orchids.

Dizzy-Dick said...

Wow, that is really a wonderful plant. There are a lot of symbiotic relationships in nature and that is why man has to be more careful of what he his doing to this earth.

JO said...

Such a beautiful flower. Orchids are very just so magnificent. I tried a few times to keep them but no luck.

Coffee in the kitchen sound cozy. It's alittle chilly here this morning.

Felinae said...

Thanks for sharing, Uncle Hermit.
The flower is pretty. Orchids are my second most favorite flower. The top spot goes to Lilies. :)

Coffee sounds good, I'd be happy to sit for a spell.

Have a good day!
Hugs~Fel~

HermitJim said...

Hey Momlady...
It certainly is a pretty thing!

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Dizzy...pretty rare, from what I've read!

It would be a shame if we killed off the few that remained!

Thanks, buddy, for coming by this morning.


Hey JoJo...
Used to be the flower I chose for a date. I sure like the way they look!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming over today!


Hey Felinae...
Glad you liked it, my feline friend!

I sure do appreciate you coming over today!

Gorges Smythe said...

Another good reminder that some things are simply beyond our control.

HermitJim said...

Hey Gorges...
That is so true, my friend! Best if we all remember that from time to time!

Thanks for the visit today!

Unknown said...

To me most things of real beauty is a result of nature!

HermitJim said...

Hey Ted...
Makes sense to me! More reason to just leave well enough alone.

Thanks for the visit today!