Buddha Belly Bloom

A unique tropical flower transplanted in Washington, D.C.

[Taffy]

Intriguing looking -- like little alien fingers protecting some kind of a pod. Cool shot.

[Deborah Ortiz]

Such a unique looking flower. Love the little blooms.

[David Ortiz Jr]

What a unique name! Next time we visit we'll have to get a pic of our traveling Buddha on the Buddha Belly! Super detail and great shot Karen!

[bkb in the city]

That is such a fascinating flower

[Gena Pegg]

Oh my...so different. Very pretty. Does it grow outdoors in Washington?

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Lovely shot

[vstap]

Very unique and interesting!

[Lady Magpie (Heather)]

Great name and a great capture, such super focus and detail. FAV straight away.

[Stephanie Swift]

Lovely colour and unusual form--makes me think of coral growing in the sea.

[Denise]

So interesting. I've never seen anything quite like this.

[Khawbecker]

@taffy He he! You're right. It does look like little alien fingers. Makes me laugh. They are quirky blossoms. It's weird to even refer to them as blossoms.

[Khawbecker]

@deborahortiz Thanks, Debbie!

[Khawbecker]

@davydo Thanks, Dave! You'll definitely have to get a photo with your traveling Buddha. The tree base to this plant bulges out like a Buddha belly--hence, the name.

[Khawbecker]

@bkbinthecity Thanks for viewing my photo. It is an unusual flower.

[Khawbecker]

@eyesmile Thanks, Gena. Yes, believe it or not, it's growing outdoors in D.C. I think that the Smithsonian gardeners must have a special touch. It's native to a tropical Central American climate.

[Khawbecker]

@ziggy77 Thanks, Jo!

[Khawbecker]

@vstap Thank you!

[Khawbecker]

@ladymagpie Thanks, Heather. I can count on you to appreciate the slightly out of the ordinary. :) Thanks for the fav!

[Khawbecker]

@tristansmum Thanks, Stephanie. You're right! It does have the look of coral.

[Khawbecker]

@denisedaly I hadn't either until I discovered it at this Smithsonian garden. I was intrigued by it. It's not the easiest blossom to photograph, I found. Thanks for the follow!

[Junko Y]

Unique, indeed! I've never seen anything like this. Must be because I haven't been to the Smithsonian Garden in a long time . . .

[Khawbecker]

@jyokota Thanks, Junko. I understand that these unusual plants are native to South America. The Smithsonian pulls off some amazing things in its gardens.