Sampaguita in the dead of winter
by Mila Glodava
Incredible but true! My sampaguita plant is in bloom right now, in the dead of winter. That's right! It's winter in Colorado, but much more, we've been in the midst of blizzards, ice storms and bitter cold for nearly a month now. In fact, we have another snowstorm today (January 21, 2007). So you can imagine my delight when I noticed my Sampaguita blooming with its delicate white and star-shaped petals in the dead of winter. It's awesome. And it's doubly awesome because my orchids are blooming now too.
A friend gave me a cutting, along with another from her "Dama de Noche" more than six years ago (2000). When I came home and without much thought to it, I pushed this twig into a flower pot, and it started growing other branches and green leaves. It's not quite bushy yet, even after six years, but I hope to be able to share its branches with others as a gift, especially now that I know it actually flowers. I must admit, seeing the flowers to me is a bit of a miracle, a winter miracle. I really never thought it would grow to the current size, let alone bloom, because I have never seen sampaguita blooms anywhere in the states, not even at my friend's house. So to find this bloom is a real treat during these gloomy days of winter.
I'm sure you all know that the sampaguita is one of our national symbols, along with the carabao and the narra tree. The sampaguita, which has become a subject of legends, stories and songs, is a species of jasmine and is also called "kampupot." I remember when I was young and still living in Batangas, we used to gather kampuput for our "Flores de Mayo" rituals. And how can one miss the fragrant sampaguita lei at church entrances offered to those visiting churches. Indeed, the sampaguita is a symbol of devotion, especially those who have made vows to a particular saint. It is also a symbol of fidelity, purity and dedication.
Do you remember the legends associated with the Sampaguita?