Philosophy, Plants and Life

Firstly, would anyone know of a book which deals with the theme of my thread.I have always been absolutely fascinated by nature, to the point that it's design is remarkable and exact, so much so, it has to be design, hasn't it?Yesterday, I eventually found out what was appearing in my customers garden, A Voodoo Lilly (Dracunculus Vulgaris), which is an amazing looking plant but if you do not know, this plant exudes the most putrid of stenches I have ever come across, to the extent that it attracts flies, not hoverflies or anything as pretty as those, but the type of fly which frequents rotting meat and faeces.I began having some very, very deep thoughts about this subject, to the extent that I don't think I can verbalise them and to do so may expose myself a little but back to my original point. Biology is very much, or only about the science of Horticulture, but take away the science and concentrating on the lets say spiritual concept of nature, plants, etc. I would like to read a book based on this. I know the Native Indians and Pagans involved the nature into much of their lives.I guess the thought was, how does a plant replicate the smell of rotten meat to allow the flies to disperse the pollen, is it coincedence, design, why has such a plant decided to pollinate in such a fashion.

I've been fascinated by the fact that weeds somehow replicate themselves to look like the plant next to it. It is absolutely fascinating that nowhere else in a garden is creeping buttercup apart from next to herbaceous geranium and it gets horribly confusing!!

I know that plants do adapt over decades, centuries to their situation to their benefit. I must look a bit wacky to my customers as I say to them that plants are like people, if you look after them and feed and water them then they will do their best for you. Can you imagine how you feel when you're dehydrated? I think I have exposed myself to be a bit of a loon!!! I know though that in the old times they would follow lunar cycles to look after plants - I think there's previous chats on here about it. I definitely know though that the pagans followed lunar cycles and there's loads of websites on it.

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Phil Voice June 26, 2009 at 7:46am

It is about a year ago that you added this post Sefton and I notice you have not had a reply. I was wondering if the plant is flowering now and if you can pop a photo on the site so we can have a look?
Sefton Paine June 29, 2009 at 9:51pm

That's the baby. They seem to do well on the South East coast for those who dare to grow them. It should be smelling or should I say, stinking by now. The smell only lasts for upto 5 days, in which period in has hoped to have pollinated. You maybe lucky, in the sense that you get the beauty but not the smell. Believe me, it will make you sick...

John said:
My Dragon lily / Voodoo lily has just flowered but I cannot smell rotting meat, so perhaps it is not a voodoo lily, anyhow I have enclosed a photo of it , the flower is about 20 cm long.

Philip Voice said:
It is about a year ago that you added this post Sefton and I notice you have not had a reply. I was wondering if the plant is flowering now and if you can pop a photo on the site so we can have a look?
Lisa Valentine June 30, 2009 at 5:18pm

I've been fascinated by the fact that weeds somehow replicate themselves to look like the plant next to it. It is absolutely fascinating that nowhere else in a garden is creeping buttercup apart from next to herbaceous geranium and it gets horribly confusing!!

I know that plants do adapt over decades, centuries to their situation to their benefit. I must look a bit wacky to my customers as I say to them that plants are like people, if you look after them and feed and water them then they will do their best for you. Can you imagine how you feel when you're dehydrated? I think I have exposed myself to be a bit of a loon!!! I know though that in the old times they would follow lunar cycles to look after plants - I think there's previous chats on here about it. I definitely know though that the pagans followed lunar cycles and there's loads of websites on it.