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Here's the other moonflower. Various species of Datura are called moonflower. This one is Datura inoxia. They're also called thorn-apples or Jimsonweed. When they're not in our gardens they are a noxious weed, very poisonous to all mammals. Large, white, opening at night and fading in the day, they deserve to be moonflowers.

My mention of the moon yesterday brought inquiries about moonflowers. There seem to be two species most often called moonflowers. They're large white blooms that moon us at night and fade after morning appears. This one is a morning-glory, Ipomoea alba. Native to American tropics, and seen elsewhere in gardens or escaped. These can be up to five inches across. This morning image shows the edges beginning to curl up.

One of your messages the other day mentioned that it was a new moon. That made me realize that in the midst of this trouble, I've lost sight of the wonders of the night. It's been a while since I've taken in the moon, or gazed at stars. Or stood under the light to see who else might visit (there's another ER story!). Now looking out the window I see yuccas about to bloom. That will get me out! Most of us are used to seeing yuccas like this, and it probably never occurs to stick your nose in. But at night these open up, and the fragrance is wonderful. That will get me and the moths out. Meanwhile, I wonder who might fly up to the light tonight, and tonight's clouds will be gone from the moon in a day.

Remember the old tale about the nail? But for a nail . . . and the battle was lost? This time it was a boot lace. But for a lace, I would have worn a hiking boot to McCauley-Bastian Preserve. Then even if I did step wrong, I wouldn't still be hobbling around in sprain pain. Other members of the family have also made that point, or made remarks about age. Could have avoided that too! I did see some of this bayberry there. Probably was planted originally, and wasn't in any shape to explore for more.

This variety of H. debilis gets around a lot more than its beach-loving relatives. It may be found in CT, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, and WV. Northward it is spread from cultivation, and not likely to persist. For example, it has been reported in Michigan from River Rouge in 1912, and East Lansing in 1923.