Intriguing Specimen From A Kitchen Garden

Today, for Smithsonian Museum Day, we went to Cracker County, a living history museum, at the State Fairgrounds in Tampa.

While we wandered the grounds, costumed interpreters churned butter, ran the printing presses in the print shop, cooked rabbit stew over open flames, scrubbed laundry using lye soap and ribbed washboards, forged metal, caned chairs, carved wood, fashioned baskets, and entertained children in the schoolhouse, the church, and at the lasso demonstration.

The train depot, moved from Okahumpka FL, contained a model railroad.

And boasted a little red caboose fitted out as a doctor’s office.

The most intriguing thing we saw was loitering about the kitchen garden.

Not in the garden proper, but hanging about the fence . . . mini boxing gloves.

We thought someone had quilted ornaments and hung them to dry.

Further examination revealed the delicate organic nature of the blooms.

We asked around; no one recognized the plant or its alien pods.

Stumped, we clumped around the grounds looking for “Claude,” the gardener. 

At last, we learned the name of this mysterious kitchen garden specimen. 

Aah . . . that’s better!

Do you recognize the plant?  Ever seen one before?  Do you recall when and where?  Do you remember its name? 

First one to post the correct answer below gets bragging rights!  If no one guesses the plant’s name, I’ll gladly tell you on Tuesday.

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