Greetings dear readers, this last week I have been a little absent again, my real-world activities have kept me quite busy, they have been very active days. The formalization of the registration for the new school year of my daughters, and the activities for the virtual concert in which my eldest daughter will participate, took up a lot of my time. On the other hand, it also came together with the culmination and delivery of grades for the semester at the university and the completion of a graduate level seminar that I was teaching, in short, they have been full work days.

But, thank God, I am now formally on vacation, I hope to be able to rest a little more, and dedicate more time to share with you. Besides, I plan to make a few crafts, I'm sure I'll share them with you too. But well, for now today I come to show you another of those wonders that nature gives us, this time I bring you a shrub whose flowers and fruits make it very attractive ornamentally, it is the Duranta, name by which it is popularly known.

Duranta Erecta, is the name with which it is known at scientific level to this shrub of the family of the Verbenáceas and this name was assigned in honor to a botanist of Italian origin. It is one of the 30 species that group the genus of Durantas, being scattered throughout the tropical and subtropical zones of the American continent. However, due to its attractiveness, it is highly valued in the ornamental field, which has allowed it to naturalize in other continents. Duranta is not the only common name attributed to this plant, Celeste Flower, “Garbancillo”, Sky Flower, Heliotrope, Yellow Tea, Bridal Crown and Golden Dew Drop, are some with which it is also identified.

This evergreen shrub, although considered native to South America, can also be found in Central America and the Antilles. It is characterized by its wonderful bright green foliage, which together with its prolific bunches of delicate light blue flowers and its clusters of small fruits in a bright golden yellow makes it extremely attractive at an ornamental level in the field of gardening. On the other hand, its attractive clusters of berries, in addition to giving the shrub a very striking touch, have given rise to one of its common names " Golden Dew Drop ".

This tropical and decorative shrub has a beautiful foliage, very branched and fast growing, reaching up to 7 meters in height approximately. It is ideal for creating hedges individually, or by planting it in a group of shrubs it allows privacy in the place where it is planted. They are not very demanding in terms of maintenance, so they can be planted in pots and pruned in the style of topiaries. Even today, they are often used to create Bonsay, but in all cases, they must be exposed to full sun, so that they develop properly. Now, although it is true that it is not very demanding in terms of care, you should be aware of providing a moderate watering.

Generally speaking, this Angiosperm shrub has a very nice natural relatively ovoid shape. If you want to keep it well rounded, it will need frequent pruning because of its rapid growth. However, care should be taken when handling it, because its thicker branches may or may not have thorns. On the other hand, in the case of this particular species, its leaves are simple and bright green. They are simple and elliptical in shape, and are found opposite each other along the branches, reaching a maximum length of 7 cm and a width of about 3 cm. Another aspect to know and keep in mind is that its leaves are toxic to humans and some animals and insects.

This shrub is also highly valued for its abundant inflorescences, its spikes of small and delicate blue flowers, make it extremely attractive, ornamentally. As you can see in the images I share today, its small flowers are a wonderful lilac blue color, which are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Its fragrant bell-shaped flowers ending in five petals, are relatively small ranging in size between 1 and 2 centimeters approximately. A very striking and charming detail is that, in the central part of two consecutive petals, they have a strong purple line, which stands out beautifully.

Finally, when its flowers are fertilized, they give rise to beautiful clusters of small lobular fruits the size of a chickpea, which when ripe turn a beautiful golden yellow. But, although these fruits are very attractive, like their leaves, they have compounds in their chemical structure that are lethal to humans, animals and insects. Birds, however, find these juicy berries very attractive and enjoy feeding on them because they are not affected by their toxins.

Well, it's time to say goodbye, I hope you like not only the pictures, but the information I share with you about this beautiful shrub. I also hope you like my friend @Adalger, and all his work team, since it will be my entry this week for the wonderful contest he organizes, Amazing Nature Contest - August 2021 - #01. I send you many blessings, don't forget to take care of yourselves and your loved ones by complying with biosecurity measures. You are loved.

Content and photographs of my intellectual property

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