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the Mescal Bean Blossom
Lens: 50mm f/2.8 macro Camera: Kx Photo Location: Pahrump NV 
Posted By: Bob Harris, 03-28-2013, 10:46 PM

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.

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03-28-2013, 11:31 PM   #2
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Great colors, thanks for the warning in case I ever run into one.
03-29-2013, 04:45 AM   #3
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The seeds are also very toxic (extremely so in some species - one seed supposedly can be fatal) - unlike some other hallucinogens, in this case that's not just a story made up to scare people off.
03-29-2013, 05:25 AM   #4
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I wish your photo was a scratch and sniff!! Great shot of pretty but dangerous plant.

03-29-2013, 06:32 AM   #5
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Neat shot, buddy - I like the color and "texture" of this photo - what were the lighting conditions?

Jer
03-29-2013, 06:49 AM   #6
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You got a good shot of this one Bob. I have heard of mescal but didn't know anything about it.
03-29-2013, 07:41 AM   #7
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Beautiful flower Bob , thanks for the info. So you take a trip and never leave the place.

03-29-2013, 08:02 AM   #8
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Beautiful flower Bob. The individual blooms remind me of violets.
03-29-2013, 12:55 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by crewl1 Quote
Great colors, thanks for the warning in case I ever run into one.
Larry, just to let you know that Joshua Trees are in full bloom this year up in the High Desert, one of the most beautiful displays in years.
03-29-2013, 01:00 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by russell2pi Quote
The seeds are also very toxic (extremely so in some species - one seed supposedly can be fatal) - unlike some other hallucinogens, in this case that's not just a story made up to scare people off.
the plant and tree are quite beautiful, this one was planted at our campground, but they grow wild in portions of Texas and Mexico. I have read where dogs have eaten the seeds of the plant and died. I wonder what effect it has on birds, didn't read anything about that.
03-29-2013, 01:05 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by tessfully Quote
I wish your photo was a scratch and sniff!! Great shot of pretty but dangerous plant.
Now that would be cool Tess, a scratch/sniff photo
03-29-2013, 01:12 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sailor Quote
Neat shot, buddy - I like the color and "texture" of this photo - what were the lighting conditions?

Jer
the plant wasn't in direct sunlight Jer, I shot it at f/2.8 in the later afternoon. I think I'll take some shots to show the complete bush when I take my little walk around the campground later.
03-29-2013, 03:18 PM   #13
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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.
03-29-2013, 03:40 PM   #14
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Interesting colourful flowers.
03-29-2013, 05:47 PM   #15
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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.
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