Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1901 — Blushes When It Rains. [ARTICLE]

Blushes When It Rains.

One of the strangest things found tn the morasses ot Florida Is the blushing tree. It is found only in the thickets of these interminable marshes, whose luxuriant vegetation always proves a revelation to explorers. It Is called the blushing tree by those who know it because It actually blushes or turns a pink color when rain falls upon It It Is a graceful tree, with broad, bananalike leaves. Wide-spreading branches hang down slightly waving in the warm breeze, and it has emerald-hued foliage. It rises to a height of-twenty feet and Its thick, substantial trunk Indicates many years of existence. “While watching the tree the rain began to fall in torrents," says a returned swamp explorer, “after a custom It has In these parts. As the cool water drenched the tree I was amazed to note a changing of Its color. Gradually but unmistakably the green hue was giving way to pink. I went up to its trunk under its spreading branches to obtain a closer look and found it to be true, and the tree was blushing from the effect of the rain. In a few minutes the green had faded from sight, except in a few half-hidden spots whore the rain had failed to penetrate." After the shower had passed over the spectator watched with equal Interest this remarkable tree again assume its familiar green color.