Thursday, November 29, 2012

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow


All along the lanes by our house grows a lovely, large shrub covered with fragrant flowers.  Brunfelsia bonodora is its botanical name, but it is more commonly known as yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The plant gets its everyday name from the fact that its flowers last only three days, and during that time change color from a deep purple to light lavender and finally white.

The flowers last only three days, going from purple to lavender, then white
I had never seen this charming plant before, even though it has its origins in tropical South America. You’d think I would have encountered it in my 3 ½ years in Peru. And evidently it grows well in the southern US, among other places.

Doing a little research on brunfelsia bonodora I discovered that though I wasn’t familiar with this particular variety, I was indeed quite well versed in its larger family – the Solanaceae, which includes among other things, the potato.

As many of you know, I recently left my position as head of communications at the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru to move to Nairobi. The job and the center are based in Peru, because it is the home of origin of the potato. Not surprisingly, the Andean-Amazonian region of South America is also center of origin of the more than 3,000 species of Solanaceae, which includes not only potato but also tomato, eggplant, peppers, ornamental plants like petunias, and medicinal ones like Capsicum.

I knew nothing about Solanaceae before working at the potato center, but quickly became a great enthusiast. Just ask some of our friends, who thought I was a bit kooky, until finding themselves hooked by the amazing colors, shape, and variety of the humble tuber that is a key source of nutrition and sustenance among rich and poor all over the world.

So, it’s funny that I’ve become captivated by another Solanaceae family member. There are more exotic and spectacular plants around, including in our own garden. I think what compels me about this plant is its wonderful fragrance and the ephemeral nature of its delicate flowers. They are pretty but fleeting. So each day the bush looks different.

And as its name suggests, yesterday, today, and tomorrow reminds us of the transience of time, as noted by this quote (often sited, but of unclear origins):  

"The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present."

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