Thursday, March 20, 2008

The Sadness of those who are not Botanists

Olivia and I are in a haunted hotel in Natchez, Mississippi. The player piano sits quiet. On the trees outside, a tiny white flower blooms, smells (she said) like just-washed hair; neither of us know enough about plants to identify it.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

how about a photo...you know your brother is teaching a course on forensic botany as we speak...

Nicole Callihan said...

Hmmm...well they're really small and white. Almost like Queen Anne's lace but not so big. I might guess it was jasmine but that seems like guessing all the BIG white ones are magnolias.

Anonymous said...

could be a Magnolia loebneri... citrus-like fragrance and...oddly enough, one variety (Magnolia grandiflora)is the state flower of Mississippi

Townes Elwood Keeth said...

Why are you and Olivia in Mississippi? And why aren't I there with you?

Nicole Callihan said...

My brother, you're a genius, but where does this leave you with mystery!?! Andrea dear, Livs and I are sucking the marrow out of spring break. Wish you were here!

Joe Hefner said...

As Dr. Peter Venkman so eloquently put it: "Back off, man. I'm a scientist."