✨Petaleptera✨ | Green Floral Butterfly Chandelier Earrings

The first preserved specimen of Petaleptera was almost certainly ruined by the naturalist who found it.

In his defense, he did not realize the flowers were part of the butterfly.

His notes describe a silver-winged creature collected near a known Faewilde crossing, with several bits of unfamiliar vegetation tangled beneath its wings. These were carefully removed before the specimen was placed beneath glass. By morning, three new blossoms had appeared.

The incident might have been dismissed as embellishment had later observers not reported the same peculiar anatomy. Mature Petaleptera develop trailing growths beneath their wings: translucent green leaves, tiny flowers, slender vines and heavy crystalline drops resembling dew that never quite falls. No two specimens arrange them in precisely the same way. Attempts to determine whether these structures are botanical, anatomical or some cooperative arrangement between butterfly and plant have produced several incompatible theories and at least one professional feud.

Faewilde naturalists have been considerably less troubled by the distinction. Their surviving field notes classify Petaleptera among the wandering gardens: creatures upon whom vegetation does not merely grow, but travels.

The oldest specimens are said to carry entire histories beneath their wings. Flowers appear from places they have visited. New leaves emerge after rain. Occasionally a blossom develops that belongs to no plant anyone remembers seeing.

For this reason, removing the flowers is strongly discouraged.

They only grow back.

The flowers are not debris.

Care Note:

Keep dry and away from perfume or harsh chemicals to protect the metal finish and glass beads, and store them where the long chains cannot snag or tangle; after wear, wipe the metal gently with the polishing cloth included with your purchase.