This was a new species for me – but it is not rare around here. I first saw on with two white, spherical flower buds held on short arched branches from the top of a vertical stem. It looked just like a miniature model of an old-fashioned gas street lamp! Since, at that time, I didn’t know what it was I named it the “gas lamp plant” and that is what it will always be to me 🙂

The flower is very delicate but hangs down near the ground so that one has to turn it over to fully appreciate its beauty.

In Providence Park they can be found dotted around the middle of the park. They are most numerous on the steep part of the red trail which climbs up from the lake to the derelict building. The plants are only 3 to 5 inches tall, so you have to look carefully to spot either the dark-green, spotted leaves or the (usually) pair of white flowers.