Visitors 41
Modified 30-Apr-20
Created 3-Jun-19
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A Soap Plant blossom lasts but one night: opening as the sun departs in the evening, and all spent before the next morning. The next night, other flowers bloom, until they are all done.
Each year, the Soap Plant puts forth a tall spike. If it is not eaten by the deer, buds form, then -- for one night only -- flowers. Then seeds, eventually.
Somehow, the little flies know to mob these flowers. I can't smell their fragrance, but I am guessing the flowers have a powerful attractant.
If you want to see for yourself, venture out at dusk or early, probably before local sunrise. Soon. There are several spikes along lower Mader Valley Trail in Portola Valley Ranch, and nearby on Deer Path Trail -- this one is blooming now, and will soon be done.
In Jasper Ridge, have seen Soap Plant in bloom along Trail 14 and at the edge of the chaparral near the triple intersection of Roads D, E, and F.