Jade vine

Dusk invites

Tumescent tongues

To delve for nectar

Seducing the jade vine

Till waxy flowers droop

Their heads,

Anoint their pollinator

The bat, who bears unseen

A crown of golden grain

Message of life

Between generations.

Note: The jade vine reproduces through chiropterophily, that is pollination by bats. Nectar bats are attracted to flowers with luminous petals, large blossoms, fruity aromas, and lots of nectar. They have long tongues and can hover like hummingbirds. The bats poke their tongues in for nectar, causing the flowers to tip down and drop pollen on the bats’ heads.

Photo description: A close-up of the waxy bright blue-green, scoop-shaped flowers of the jade vine, with their violet receptacles.