Cool bugs living on my Datura

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

These guys have been hanging around my Datura for a month or two. I was able to take a few pics of them breeding. Any one know what they are?

 

[blue lunar night]

ah, i do have a fondness for these - Graphocephala coccinea, the Candy-Striped Leafhopper !

Wikipedia - Graphocephala coccinea

i don't mind when they feed on my plants, as they never seem to cause much damage...
& they're so very pleasing to the eye

 

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

Thanks!!!!! I've been watching them each day. I'll let them be - as I had already planned to do. I don't want to eat the Datura, so if they want to. ... Fine!

 

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

She boomed!

 

[TreehouseChemist]

OMG those flowers are beautiful! What type of Dature is that?

The bugs look cool too, the only thing I have ever got on my inoxias were termites in the roots and the occasional bee poking around the flowers.

The SP looking cactus in the background is nice, wouldn't mind knowing what the out of focus plants behind it are

 

[darklordsson]

Absolutely beautiful flower, I love how you caught all the blooming! I didn't expect that when I saw the first pic lol. Soo beautiful!

 

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

Thanks guys! I'll take some pictures of my little garden tomorrow. I've grown quite a collection of cacti and succulents.

The Datura is Datura metel. I was given a few seeds from a friend last year. When he gave them to me, he told me about the alkaloids present and said that it could be described as the "ultimate trip." I asked him what part of the plant I should consume. He said, "None of it! Just grow it. They are pretty."

So far, his advice has not failed me. I love the way these grow. The first bloom has a nice healthy seed pod. Hopefully I'll be able to pass them on to another gardener.

I have taken a fresh leaf and let it sit on my shoulder while I sat in the sun. I left it there for 20 mins. The heat from the sun seemed to cause some oils to drop from the leaf onto my shoulder. It may have been placebo, but I certainly claim to feel a union with the plant. The oil on my skin seemed to produce mild psychedelic-like effects.

 

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

Acacia confusa - started from seed back in March

Mimosa hostilis - started from seed in March

Mimosa pudica - started from seed in august 2013

I believe the last one is a Desmanthus sp.

And San Pedro!

 

[Continuum]

Awesome garden, Acacia! Just lovely...

 

[AcaciaConfusedYah]

Thanks Continuum!

We moved to an area that is in the Zone 9 plant hardiness range. I know that is just a reference, and a freeze could happen, but I'm going to try to have an out door cacti patch.

I've got a few that are in the dry/root phase. They will likely go into the ground next spring.