The mescal bean tree is in full bloom at our campground and what a sight to see. If you have never been around this blossom, it smells like purple kool aid or grape soda. Most parts of this plant are poisonous - especially the claret red seeds in the seed pods. Native Indians used the seeds as hallucinogenics. This particular bloom is about 5 inches in length.

[Bob Harris]

You got a good shot of this one Bob. I have heard of mescal but didn't know anything about it.

You can purchase the plants at nurseries and they are very cold and heat tolerant is what I read Tim, just don't eat the seeds and keep away from animals. It doesn't sound like a great family plant to me.

[Bob Harris]

Beautiful flower Bob , thanks for the info. So you take a trip and never leave the place.

yes Dave, much like the 1967 movie, The Trip. It starred Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern and written by Jack Nicholson. I know, before your time.

[Bob Harris]

Beautiful flower Bob. The individual blooms remind me of violets.

It is a very soft bloom Susan, quite like a violet. thanks Bob

[lamented bovine]

The mescal bean tree is in full bloom at our campground and what a sight to see. If you have never been around this blossom, it smells like purple kool aid or grape soda. Most parts of this plant are poisonous - especially the claret red seeds in the seed pods. Native Indians used the seeds as hallucinogenics. This particular bloom is about 5 inches in length.

Nice Shot

[Bob Harris]

This has a striking resemblance to to one of our native plants Hardenbergia violaceaCommonly known as the Happy Wanderer. I have not heard of any hallucinogenic effects with this but the name is suggestive.

That is quite similar Bruce, maybe a distant relative of some sort. The Happy Wanderer is a great nickname.

[Bob Harris]

Interesting colourful flowers.

thank you EM for viewing.

[Bob Harris]

Native Indians.... and 1960's college students Interesting image, I had never seen what mescal looked like before and I guess I had assumed it was related to the yucca or agave.

Jerry, I read where it is often confused with the agave plant, but in fact not related at all.

[Bob Harris]

Nice Shot

thank you Shane, glad you enjoyed the view.

[russell2pi]

Native Indians.... and 1960's college students Interesting image, I had never seen what mescal looked like before and I guess I had assumed it was related to the yucca or agave.

That's where the names get confusing...

mescal beans = these. Contains a substance related to nicotine (which is also highly toxic in high enough doses)
mescal buttons = peyote - a cactus that contains mescaline, the classic psychedelic
mezcal = a spirit distilled from fermented agave

All three not closely related at all. Native Americans historically switched from using mescal beans to mescal buttons as the usage of the latter spread northwards from Mexico.

As for Happy Wanderer - yep, both in the pea family.

[Bob Harris]

That's where the names get confusing...

mescal beans = these. Contains a substance related to nicotine (which is also highly toxic in high enough doses)
mescal buttons = peyote - a cactus that contains mescaline, the classic psychedelic
mezcal = a spirit distilled from fermented agave

All three not closely related at all. Native Americans historically switched from using mescal beans to mescal buttons as the usage of the latter spread northwards from Mexico.

As for Happy Wanderer - yep, both in the pea family.

What a great addition to the thread, this really explains what is and what's not. Thanks so much, I certainly learned something, Bob