August 27, 2012 -- okra leaf

This is a small okra leaf I trimmed off stem I was using in a larger arranement. I liked the little leaf so much, I gave it its own vase.  Because it was small, I expected it to hold up well in water, but it's shriveling. Okra leaves seem to be really  unpredictable about whether they'll hold up after cutting or not. (I usually trim all but the tip-top ones on a long stem.) Anyway, this one was a beautiful olive green with red undertones before it started to shrivel, and even now it's mighty pretty.

P.S. Okra makes vase water slimy--just as it does stews!