calico flower

we are going to london (ontario) tomorrow to see our little granddaughter as we weren't able to go on her birthday. i'm so excited because i bought her a sailor dress with a hat and shorts and we can't wait to see her wearing it. i went around today getting other stuff for her and her big brother. the streetcar i was on passed by the allen gardens (remember my hydrangea photos last month?) and on impulse i got off to see what plants and flowers they have on display as i know the hydrangeas are already gone by now.

lots of beautiful flowers which names i don't know and just when i was about to leave, this thing caught my eye. well, kinda hard to ignore it because they're huge. these unusual flowers are calico flowers, of a vine native to brazil called "aristolochia elegans". the large heart-shaped flower has intricate purplish-brown markings. looking at it closely, i sort of remembered that i had a skirt with similar print back in college and the dressmaker told me it was calico fabric, although the websites i've looked at do not give any indication that they are connected or related.

-o0o-

second day of "30 Days In June Monthly Challenge" by @olivetreeann. you can find the rules here, if you wish to participate: http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/12814/30-days-in-june-monthly-challenge

my post for the "june word" challenge: http://365project.org/summerfield/365-again/2012-06-02

[Carolyn Sue]

what an amazing flower!!!! It's beautiful!!

[Pam Hawkes]

Interesting looking flower! I am excited for you that you will see your granddaughter! It sounds like you are going to spoil her and her brother.

[bkb in the city]

Glad you got off. What a great looking flower

[Howard Steele]

that's a strange looking bloom and a great shot

[alia_801]

What an interesting flower! Pretty patterns on the petals. I hope we get to see your granddaughter's new outfit :)

[Lesley Allen]

Wow amazing flower.....dare I say it....I wouldn't say it is pretty!!! nice markings though

[Roberta Clark Chalmers]

What a great shot and a huge flower!

[Ann H. LeFevre]

That is a bizarre looking plant! Very interesting and nicely captured- perfect for the Saturday challenge.

[Terry]

I have never seen one of these, have a great time visiting the grand kids.

[MaryBeth Dailey]

Those are big and bizarre! Very cool! The print does resemble calico..like the American West calico....

[Beau]

Amazing flower and capture. They must be huge. I think I've seen similar one's on here before, but never in person. I really should head to the botanical gardens in NYC one of these days. See what I can capture.