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【 DATURA SUAVEOLENS
】 .This flower is called in Japanese
"Kidachi-chosenasagao" or "Ohba-chosenasagao", and belongs to the
nightshade family. The place of origin is Brazil, but today it's a
naturalized plant. You can see the trees on riverbanks, swamps and even
hillsides. Of couse there are people who grow them in their gardens. They
reach a height of 3 to 5 meters. The flowers bloom several times a year
(though not in winter), but they flourish most in early summer. The white big flowers bloom downward. They have a delightful scent and the fragrance intensifies at night. Pink and yellow species have been developed and colored daturas are now among popular garden plants. Isson Tanaka who lived in Amami during his last nineteen years also painted this flower in one of his masterpieces. The upper half of the hanging- scroll-style picture has gorgeous white datura flowers. A ruddy kingfisher is perched on a vine centered in the lower half. Deep green datura leaves on the left side add a strong accent to the picture. ("Collected Paintings of Tanaka Isson" is published by NHK-Shuppan. If you are interrested, you can learn more by reading this book.) | |
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