Found this mystery plant in the back garden seating area of Palapa Joe’s. No one could figure out what it was. The “fruit,” which the waitress said was inedible, looked like hard cherry tomatoes, somewhat misshapen. It was much firmer than a tomato and filled with a white fluffy-looking substance like cotton which was actually very firm and surrounded a large seed nearly the size of the outside skin. I spent a long time searching through Google and never could discover what it was. until Iwbut finally found our answer for us.  He gave clues that led to Thevetia ahouai as the name of this mystery plant.  Jan contributed information from Omar, a local man who has one in his front yard, who says it is called “Bull’s Balls.” I can imagine why. My research, prompts by Iwbut’s, says that the useless fruit is also known as “huevos de obispo” which translates as “bishop eggs.” Since huevos is a slang expression for testicles in Mexico, perhaps the intended meaning is “bishop balls” as well. Is it because bishops wear red vestments?  Ah the trails these plant searches take us down.

Don’t miss seeing this amazing delphinium shot by Cee.