It is May 10 and the first guys are sticking their heads out of their shells or pods. I am always fascinated by this event. Maybe because there's a bit of a phallic symbol going on here. I usually don't get two at a time, but this year is different. These two will last for a day or so then close up, rot and fall to the ground. The inside of the pod is the most pristine creamy white as is the part that sticks out. Is that a stamen or a pistil? Must do some research on flowers. They are flowers of a sort, but I don't know what purpose they serve. All in all, there are a grand total of seven to bloom. That's the most there have ever been. The pics are not in order. Look at them from bottom to top. Doesn't matter much because the plant is pretty spectacular.
