Poisonous Beauty: Part Two

A reader from the Philippines (thanks for stopping by!!) commented recently on the photo of the poisonous flower growing at the Gedi ruins. She wanted to know more about the plant because similar flowers grow in the Philippines. Here’s another view of the flowering tree. I can’t seem to find anyone who knows its name (it’s hard to find people here who are familiar with the naming of Kenyan trees or flowers. Seems they’re all distracted with issues of getting food and clothes and shelter. And this isn't meant to be facetious, it's simply the way things are in Kenya).

It’s a gorgeous tree and looks as though it’s in the Rhododendron family (we have lovely varieties of these in the North Georgia forests and the foothills of Appalachia. We call them Mountain Laurels). Our Kenyan guide at the Gedi ruins said the flower petals are poisonous if boiled. But that’s all the info I have so far. Hope it helps.