Nature's Practice. Convolvulus arvensis, Field Bindweed, Océ-weerd, Meuse Corridor, Venlo, The Netherlands
Though it's clearly Chilly Autumn, Nature still allows Field Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, to tangle around along the ancient pilgrimage way down the Meuse River from Venlo to Genooi. Contemplating on the little Chapel there devoted to Our Lady, I could not but be reminded of the White Lilly, her particular flower. And seeing Convolvulus, I thought of great Pliny the Elder's (23-79) aside in his Natural History's discussion of Lilium candidum, Madonna Lily. That great naturalist remarks on Convolvulus's likeness to Lily except for its scent and the Lily's yellow stamens; and he concludes that Nature must've practiced on Convolvulus to perfect her Lillian Skill. An honor indeed for our humble Convolvulus, most often white but here no doubt blushing with pleasure at Pliny's word!
PS Scholars have said that Pliny's Bindweed was Convolvulus saepium and not arvensis; the difference though is not all that great...
Nature's Practice. Convolvulus arvensis, Field Bindweed, Océ-weerd, Meuse Corridor, Venlo, The Netherlands
Though it's clearly Chilly Autumn, Nature still allows Field Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis, to tangle around along the ancient pilgrimage way down the Meuse River from Venlo to Genooi. Contemplating on the little Chapel there devoted to Our Lady, I could not but be reminded of the White Lilly, her particular flower. And seeing Convolvulus, I thought of great Pliny the Elder's (23-79) aside in his Natural History's discussion of Lilium candidum, Madonna Lily. That great naturalist remarks on Convolvulus's likeness to Lily except for its scent and the Lily's yellow stamens; and he concludes that Nature must've practiced on Convolvulus to perfect her Lillian Skill. An honor indeed for our humble Convolvulus, most often white but here no doubt blushing with pleasure at Pliny's word!
PS Scholars have said that Pliny's Bindweed was Convolvulus saepium and not arvensis; the difference though is not all that great...