Midnightreed
Auroraa graminea
Somnaceae (the Dream family)
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Description
A shrubby perennial with woody stems and aromatic foliage. Feathery, finely divided leaves resembling green lace.
Orchid-like blooms with intricate markings that guide pollinators, colored twilight blue. Blooms at dawn on equinoxes.
Habitat
Appears in gardens that have been tended with love for generations.
Traditional Uses
The sap was used to make a temporary ink that fades over weeks.
Folklore
According to old wives, it brings prophetic dreams if gathered properly.
Similar Species
Distinguished from Crystalwort.
Conservation
Possibly extinct in the wild - surviving only in botanical gardens.
Field Notes
Fragrance is strongest just after rain.