Bees on Datura at dusk

[Barry Digman]

The Datura is blooming again. It's a frenzy, as the blossoms only open at dusk and the bees have a very short window to work them before dark.

[beesohappy]

That was really cool to see. Thank you.

[gone2seed]

Great photo.Thanks for posting.

[Level 4]

loco weed

[Sherillynn]

Love those photos! Beautiful!

[Kelbor]

Any problem with datura honey? That stuff is crazy poisonous.

[Fuzzy]

Barry,

Impressive and also nice photos. I note that all of the bees are carrying a beige pollen. So, I would suspect that this plant
is a primary pollen source not nectar source. But obviously very attractive to the bees.

[journey11]

I've grown datura in my flowerbed for several years and the mason bees have always been crazy about it. I've had bees for 3 summers now and this is the first year I've seen the honeybees all over it. Turns out it isn't even my bees, as I've watched them fly home in the opposite direction. They are very frenzied and somewhat defensive about it and stay on it right up to twilight. I'd never seen anything like it.

[danmcm]

Datura is hallucinogenic but historically it wasn't consumed Risky. Datura was crushed and the slimey sap was applied to mucus membranes to get the hallucinogenic effect... As we are coming up on fall some may find this intreasting... The wicca or herbalists of the day would crush datura with a broom stick in a basin and apply the sap to thier bum hole. Many hallucinogens cause certain types of visions seeing snakes, meeting your spirit guide, or as in the case of datura it is supposed to give the feeling of flying. Put it together and yes this is where we get the tradition on witches flying on the ends of broom sticks. One of the many lessons from a ethno-botany class from 15 years ago but it was very memorable.

[wildforager]

The wicca or herbalists of the day would crush datura with a broom stick in a basin and apply the sap to thier bum hole..... it is supposed to give the feeling of flying. Put it together and yes this is where we get the tradition on witches flying on the ends of broom sticks.

As a broom maker I know this to be true but I rarely share this fact with people. It makes some people uncomfortable, some laugh. But this really has nothing to do with honey bees...... unless there is honey added to the "flying ointment" :-)

[Riskybizz]

Danmcm

I don't recall saying that is was consumed Dan, but your reply is quite informative. So applying the sap to your mucus membranes and butt hole won't ingest it into your system then?