Sea Squill Sentry

Hatzav; Photo: AtaraKatz

Sea Squill ; Photo: Atara Katz

 

Standing sentry ‘afore

Greenery finds a path

It heralds end of summer

As dry days’

Aftermath.

Rising tall

It dares bloom

When most others will not,

Drawing water with roots

That reach deeper

Than most.

 

Fun facts: The Sea Squill (Urginea Maritimia) has large bulbs that average 8 inches (20 centimeters) across, and strong roots that reach depths of 14 feet (4 meters) below ground, and can snake their way into narrow cracks in rocks, widening the cracks and ‘hueing’ through the rock to get to moisture. The roots are so difficult to dislodge that ancient farmers would plant rows of Sea Squill at the edges of their fields and those were considered a permanent boundary marker. The flowering spears of the plant reach up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) in height and carry 200-300 flowers. Many parts of the plant are poisonous but the bulb also holds medicinal qualities similar to digoxin.

 

For Cee’s Flower Of The Day

 

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