There are not many ostentatious mid-summer flowers in Changsha, but there is skunk vine (paederia foetida, 雞屎藤), which flowers sporadically throughout the summer and then in abundance before the beginning of autumn. A few weeks ago its flowers were everywhere I walked along the river, already now it is uncommon to find a single bloom. The English and Latin names are a little unfair: although it is true that the bruised plant does release a mildly sulphurous smell it is neither noxious nor harmful, especially if left unbothered.
