Eveningwort
Dracoa lucidum
Stellaceae (the Star family)
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Description
An ephemeral annual appearing only during specific astronomical events. Heart-shaped leaves with downy undersides and serrated margins.
Large, solitary blooms open at dusk and close before dawn, colored storm grey. Blooms during the new moon.
Habitat
Grows exclusively in the cracks of old stone walls and ruins.
Traditional Uses
Pressed flowers preserved in books were exchanged as tokens of affection.
Folklore
Considered unlucky by some, fortunate by others - opinions vary by region.
Similar Species
Hybridizes with Youngmoss.
Conservation
Possibly extinct in the wild - surviving only in botanical gardens.
Field Notes
Look for characteristic growth pattern on north-facing surfaces.