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danwhobrowses · 3 years

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One Piece Chapter 1023 - Initial Thoughts

15 Minutes is on the clock

Onigashima reaches the mainland and the fights continue on. Including the Wings of the King vs the Disasters of the Beast

Without further ado, let's get into it

Spoilers for Chapter 1023, Support the Official Release too

Vivi cover page is nice, proper Disney Princess action with Karoo being jealous birb again, but now I have worries because last we heard something went down with Alabasta...all those post-Reverie questions

Back to where we left off with the boys being back in town

Miyagi can you not ominously foreshadow Zoro's future pain please?

Kawamatsu's here to save Zoro from interference, and Hyou's telling the Yakuza not to get in the way of this fight

Marco though is a pensive Pineapple, taking a good long look at King as he recalls Whitebeard telling him about King's race living on the Red Line before the world nobles, Void Century and before stuff

Mention of Gods does fuel one of my old post fan theories, but also fuels that the WG kicked King's race out of the Red Line

Izo though out here saving Marco from being an easy target, tbh Marineford did show he was prone to a surprise attack

Asking Izo if they believe in God though in a raid that may lead to their deaths is kinda irreverent right now though huh?

Queen back to hyping themselves up though

Hm? Is there a limitation to Sanji's raid suit? Sanji's saying he feels weird

Zoro wasting no time to banter with it though, saving Sanji from King as Sanji returns the favour with Queen

Queen does make a valid point though, as much as Sanji expresses that he is unenhanced by Germa he can also set himself on fire, I do wonder if it is just part of that enhancement in there that he expresses as his 'fiery hot passion'

Lunarian though, that must be King's species' name: moon people again I bet which feeds my fan theories

Also since we mentioned Germa again what happened to them? Jimbei made it out after all and I wanna see me some alive and well Baeju

I would issue doubt on Queen's claim that their enhancements are beyond Vegapunk's, given how little we know of Vegapunk after all

King's got a special sword too, it can change its edge to be teethy which he used to ensnare Zoro's swords

Wado saves Zoro's face from eating King's spiked fist though

King does make a fair point though, traditional weapons are romanticized but a fight's about getting every advantage you can, Zoro at least respects that since King never claimed to be a Swordsman, while also reminding King that he could be a feral bastard too

Kinda gave me mini Mr. 1 fight vibes there

Oh here we go, potential Zoro lineage time

Kawamatsu and Hyou muse over how Zoro was like Ushimaru when he was young, even down to his style (though that could be more Shimotsuki Koushiro's doing since he's Zoro's master)

Also Ushimaru was Ryuma's direct descendant, which means that 1. Ryuma banged, 2. Swordsmanship runs in the blood and 3. Ryuma banged

Also Ryuma also had the one eye, and it does seem pretty mythical that a swordsman of similar skill and stature returns Shusui back to Wano (even though this should mean that Shusui would be Zoro's birthright and he was kinda forced into relinquishing it)

Also worth reminding that Kozaburo was Kuina's grandpa so there may only be loose relations if Zoro is a Shimotsuki too, we don't exactly know how Kozaburo and Ushimaru are related if it's by blood or clan, plus I still wonder about Tashigi

Over to Jack vs Inu though, and Jack's hybrid form is just...weird

I did not need to see an Elephant head with abs you know Oda!

Both are pretty tired, as Jack mocks Inu saying he has forgiven Zou for the Raizo stuff, since he already destroyed most of it

Inu though with the shoulder toss, reminding Jack that they had to make these sacrifices to get to here

But we're getting the epic speech, and the hole in the roof caused by Ashura's sacrifice is changing Inu back into Su Long

Same thing is happening with Neko, turning Su Long in front of Carrot and Wanda (who I guess are covering from the moon) as he stares down Perospero

And I'm glad Neko's pointing out that Pedro's sacrifice is valid. I truthfully always felt a bit iffy about people saying that Carrot's desire to avenge Pedro was ill-found because 'Pedro killed himself'. Had Pedro not sacrificed himself then Brook and Chopper would've been dead by candy and Big Mom would've obliterated the rest on the ship

Raizo and Megaforehead though prelude with the mention of maturity, that everyone - even the Akazaya - needed time to mature into who they wanted to be

Down to the surface though and the Heart Pirates are on high alert/panic, they think Kaido's here

But it's Momo, and he looks magnificent

Shinobu's aged him up to 28, the age he'd be had he not been leapt through time, but now she's upset he looks like Kaido

There's new fire in Momo's eyes though, the return ascent begins!

Can you feel that? It feels like the last stretch before the ultimate battle of Wano

Sanji and Zoro vs King and Queen hopefully will remain a tag bout, but I am curious as to King's abilities and what's affecting Sanji in terms of the raid suit. It's not bad to have a limitation but this is the first we've heard of it after seeing him use it 4 times. I don't hate Zoro being a Shimotsuki, though I do feel like we could've built to this, plus we're still lacking in the how.

One wonders what role Marco will now play, and whether Tiny Tiny Chopper is due to recover. We haven't heard from the others for a bit, nor CP0 nor Yamato. Our Pineapple does have unfinished business with Edward Weevil tbf so he could make it out, Izo may be a variable in that, they've yet to learn of Kiku's fate.

Also we never did see who that mystery person was did we? Still could be Hiyori

Marco's musing about gods does feel like we're gonna get more about King, and more lore of the world that Robin will love to soak up like a sponge, Oda have been leaving these seeds since Skypeia, and where there are Gods, there are Devils.

We are however getting major death flags from the minks, one last turn to Su Long to enable their efforts. I like how Ashura's sacrifice is not in vain because of this though, it makes me wonder if there's a slither of hope for Kin and Kiku. If anything though the minks will die from exhaustion rather than being defeated, Su Long eats away at you after all, it's probably gonna be traumatizing for Carrot a little but I hope we see some resolve out of her more like when she was in Zou and WCI, I still want her for Nakama.

And then the final coup de grace, giant dragon Momo, it's one hell of a panel and it means we're bringing Luffy back into the fight. But the extent of Momo's ripening is only in body remember, in mind he's still young. But now we have the setup for the final fight between Luffy and Kaido, I'll expect in that time we'll have to try and finish off everything else with the Akazaya, reconvening the Straw Hats, King, Queen, Big Mom, Kid, Law, Killer, Hawkins, Apoo and Drake.

Act's not over yet, less than 15 minutes until Onigashima Falls.

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brokehorrorfan · 4 years

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Blu-ray Review: The Specials

James Gunn is now synonymous with superhero cinema, having written and directed the Guardians of the Galaxy films, but genre fans are well-aware of his deep-seated ties to the horror genre. After working in the trenches of legendary B-movie studio Troma, he went on to pen the scripts for Scooby-Doo and Dawn of the Dead (2004) before making his feature directorial debut on Slither. Yet Gunn's first non-Troma feature screenplay to be produced was actually a superhero film: The Specials.

Comic book movies are so ubiquitous it's almost hard to recall the landscape in 2000, so here's a quick refresher: We were five years removed from Batman Forever and five years away from Batman Begins. Iron Man wouldn't launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe for another eight years, and even Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy was two years away. The only heavy-hitting contemporaries were X-Men, released the same year, Blade, debuting two years prior, and Spawn, three years removed.

Brand new to Hollywood and burnt-out by Troma, Gunn opted not to direct his script. Instead, the film served as Craig Mazin's debut at the helm. (Mazin went on to direct Superhero Movie and co-write Scary Movie 3 and 4 and The Hangover Parts II and III.) Comparisons have often been drawn to Mystery Men, another comedic deconstruction of a hapless superhero team, despite their drastically different approaches (and budgets). Mystery Men beat The Specials to the punch, and its disappointing box office performance in 1999 seemingly doomed The Specials to a limited release - but it ultimately found a cult audience.

The film centers around the titular Specials, a ragtag ensemble of crime fighters touted as "the sixth or seventh greatest superhero team in the world." Nary a frame of action, the unconventional tale digs into the heroes' mundane lives when not battling supervillains, revealing a bounty of in-fighting between members. Nightbird (Jordan Ladd, Death Proof), the new addition to the team, serves as the audience's entry point to the story.

The rest of the team consists of: the most popular member, The Weevil (Rob Lowe, Parks and Recreation); the blue-skinned bad boy Amok (Jamie Kennedy, Scream); the de facto leader, The Strobe (Thomas Haden Church, Spider-Man 3); his wife, Ms. Indestructible (Paget Brewster, Criminal Minds); Minute Man (Gunn); Power Chick (Kelly Coffield, In Living Color); U.S. Bill (Mike Schwartz, Scrubs); Deadly Girl (Judy Greer, Halloween); Mr. Smart (Jim Zulevic); Alien Orphan (Sean Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy); and the eight beings sharing a single consciousness, Eight (led by John Doe of the punk band X).

Schwartz steals every scene he's in, but the whole cast is committed. Michael Weatherly (NCIS), Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Taryn Manning (Orange Is the New Black), and Jenna Fischer (The Office) also appear in small roles. There are far too many characters to introduce and develop in a mere 82 minutes; paring the team down by half could have strengthened the film. The subversive structure comes to a close where a traditional superhero saga would launch into an action-packed final act. The pacing occasionally languishes as a result, but it makes up for it with ample charm.

The Specials has been newly restored in 2K from the interpositive with lossless 5.1 and 2.0 audio options for its Blu-ray debut via La-La Land Entertainment. Limited to 5,000 units, it features cover art by Paul Shipper. The lone new special feature is a three-minute piece in which visual effects supervisor Adam "Mojo" Lebowitz (Battlestar Galactica) speaks about his work over footage of the few visual effects. The disc also includes deleted scenes, the full toy commercial (far and away the funniest scene, as far as I'm concerned), the extended wedding video, a behind-the-scenes photo gallery, and the trailer.

But the best extras are the two audio commentaries. The first was recorded in 2000 with Mazin, Gunn, and producer Mark A. Altman. It's a candid discussion about the making of the film, including working against the time and budgetary restraints. The rapport among the crew lends itself to several laugh-out-loud quips. The second track features Gunn and Brewster, whose camaraderie is even more palpable, from 2005. Gunn opens up about how he was unhappy with the movie at first, including power struggles with Mazin. The gossip doesn't end there; beyond airing their grievances about cast and crew, Brewster goes on an unexpected but hilarious tirade against Jessica Alba.

The Specials' sense of humor runs the gamut from broad and irreverent to witty and dark. Some of the off-color jokes have aged poorly, and it's nowhere near as funny as Guardians of the Galaxy, but the seed of Gunn's talent is present throughout the picture. The antithesis of superhero blockbusters, its concept is exponentially more potent now that the comic book movie has become a genre unto itself. If I was a Disney executive, I'd be trying to convince Gunn to shepherd a Disney+ series based on the movie.

The Specials is available now on Blu-ray via La-La Land Entertainment.

#the specials #james gunn #rob lowe #jamie kennedy #thomas haden church #la la land records #dvd #gift #review #article #paul shipper #judy greer #paget brewster #jordan ladd #sean gunn #guardians of the galaxy

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therococoprometheus · 4 years

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Cake and summer

The heavy rumble of metal brooded along the worn rails, coughing out a black puff of smoke; footsteps stirring up the rich bed of dried pine needles and red earth. A curious purple finch promptly abandoned its foraging ground, shiny black eyes darting wishfully at the choice weevil laid stuck on his back just below the tracks. A fat, languid squirrel offered a halfhearted glance at the old train before continuing to peruse the branches before him.

A pair of scuffed leather boots stood firmly on the side of this scene, rheumy blue eyes intent, though tired. He took a great breath through his nose and scratched at his cheek, moldy with white stubble. “Twenty minutes late,” he observed as the locomotive lumbered off.

The gray and rusted pelt of a fox, which had been lapping at the wind, now sat at rest as it settled against its place, hung from makeshift belt. The man spit out a chewed sunflower seed shell and parted the sojourn.

It was somewhere in the late hours of an afternoon when he arrived at a little crude cabin, golden hues of light now boiling the clearing. The grass had yellowed, now, crisp snapping as the man sauntered to the front door. He was welcomed by the figure of a lady in the kitchen. She was intently studying their wood burning stove, her linen skirt spilling over the floor as she crouched. She fed little slivers of timber with the wrinkled, rough hands of a shepherdess. “Did you catch anything, Jessie?” A low guttural reply. “Mhm. A fox searching about St. Armistead’s Creek. ‘Suppose he must’ve been looking for some food.”

“Blanche’ll be elated about that. We were talking last night about cooking up a nice stew for Sunday supper.”

“Say, the train was unusually late today. Suppose that storm last Tuesday knocked a tree over or so?““I can’t say. I don’t have eyes in the back of my head.”

The man gave a gruff, unamused nod and dropped his straw hat on the table, slumping into the seat. He smelled of piss and bourbon. “Whereabouts is Blanche, anyway? Usually by now she’s feeding the cows.”

She rose from her station and fixed fallen strands of hair. “Down by the orchard,” she replied, murmuring. Her brows furrowed in thought. “Plums, cherries, pears, grapes…about everything is ripe. As a matter of fact: there’s more than enough to dry, so…” “Spit it out, Emma.“ The lady let a small smile crack and her face relax. She removed a pan from the stove, gently setting it to cool. Quite soon after Jessie was cued to lean over and open the window by the quick wave of her hand. In front of Emma was a wheat colored cake laden with pears. It smelt of cinnamon and pecan.

#sophia's writing #nonsims #here you go!#a little short story #creative writing #writing prompt #sorry for the format

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velmaemyers88 · 5 years

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This Tiny Caribbean Island Grows 44 Kinds of Mangoes

Once the star island of the sugar trade, the tiny Caribbean island of Nevis now produces something even sweeter: an overwhelming surplus of mangoes. Branches hang heavy with them over the narrow roads that wind around the island; fallen fruit stays only a few minutes on the ground before the wild donkeys and monkeys that roam the island snatch it up. Something about the island’s climate and soil has led it to play host to thousands upon thousands of mango trees, sporting the indigenous Nano variety—fibrous and complex, with undertones of papaya—the much-coveted Amory Polly, favored by Nevisians for its sweetness, or some 42 other kinds of mango. But if you want to taste the fruits of this mango paradise, you’ve got to get there first.

Just two miles by boat from St. Kitts, which is a three-and-a-half-hour plane ride from Miami, Nevis is a quiet island, perhaps best known for being the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, or as a place where rich people hide their money in nameless bank accounts. (After tourism, the island’s second biggest industry is financial services.)

But for fruit nerds, mango maniacs, or just tourists in search of a sweet and quiet paradise, Nevis holds special charm.

Mango tastings at the Nevis Mango and Food Festival. Courtesy of Nevis Tourism Authority

Banky King, the Nevis Department of Agriculture’s “mango man,” estimates that the official count of 44 kinds of mangoes on the island is off by about 10-fold. “I can count 200 off the top of my head,” he says, guessing there’s more than double that number. And nobody knows why there are so many different varieties here. Over the years, a lot of people have brought mango seeds to Nevis and discovered that they grow well on the island. Some other Caribbean islands have mangoes—a few varieties here and there—but nothing comparable to Nevis, where mangoes take to the land like weeds and have become a way of life for Nevisians.

Waz Allie, a 21-year-old guide for Funky Monkey Tours who lives on the island, says if he doesn’t pick the mango himself just moments before, then he won’t eat it. To pick the fruit, he takes an unripe one from the ground and, with practiced aim, hits the ripe fruit from 15 feet below. It drops into his hand, warm from the sun and juicy enough that, instead of slicing it, he can simply tear the skin with his teeth and suck the meat out.

If you’re intrigued by this wealth of mango varieties—such as the giant yellow Keiths, the appropriately named Teenys, or the beloved Julies—the only way to try them is to go to Nevis during mango season. That’s because Nevis’s mango trees, for all their wonders, can be affected by the mango seed weevil. The pest doesn’t affect mangoes eaten on the island, but quarantines require that all fresh mangoes stay here. Small amounts of mangoes—a few thousand pounds a year—get turned into pulp, which can be exported, and some of that is sent to neighboring islands for use. But there is no industry or infrastructure in place to expand the scope of distribution. Instead, the bulk of the mangoes stay right here on Nevis, reserved only for Nevisians and visitors drawn to the island for its sun, sand, and fruit.

Mango guacamole at the Nevis Mango and Food Festival. Courtesy of Nevis Tourism Authority

Nevis has few of the sprawling mega-resorts you’ll see on other Caribbean islands—just a Four Seasons that’s currently closed for remodeling. Instead it offers small inns, home rentals, and collections of villas—nearly all of which will have their own mango trees. Nothing on the island can be built higher than the coconut trees, which means that from afar, the brightly colored houses almost disappear into the green hills. Mount Nevis rises from the center of the island, almost always wearing the beret of clouds that earned it a name derived from the Spanish word for snow—what it apparently looked like to early explorers.

But up close, the white clouds can’t hide the vibrant colors of the mango crop when it ripens, once around July and again in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The rest of the year, you’ll find mango products such as hot sauce or jam made from the fruit. Still, most Nevisians are mango purists: Much like Allie, they consider mangoes not plucked directly from the tree to be not worth eating and what’s more, a waste to cook with. That turns the mangoes of Nevis, the wide variety ranging from syrupy-sweet to one that oddly tastes like turpentine (but is somehow still good) into an ephemeral and untransportable treasure that is free—at least to anyone willing to make the journey to Nevis.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—Where you should eat, visit, and stay on your trip to Copenhagen

—This island in Washington State will make you feel like a multimillionaire

—Your next getaway: Tulum is out, this island is in

—Inside the “ultimate high-performance luxury lifestyle” experience at the new Equinox Hotel

—Listen to our new audio briefing, Fortune 500 Daily

Follow Fortune on Flipboard to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis.

Credit: Source link

The post This Tiny Caribbean Island Grows 44 Kinds of Mangoes appeared first on WeeklyReviewer.

from WeeklyReviewer https://weeklyreviewer.com/this-tiny-caribbean-island-grows-44-kinds-of-mangoes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-tiny-caribbean-island-grows-44-kinds-of-mangoes

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kevinscottgardens · 5 years

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22 April through 3 May 2019

Since returning from Morocco, the garden is really coming alive. All the winter protection is down and it’s been necessary to open the vents in the tropical corridor. The weather has been very seasonal, hot, cold, windy and a bit of rain, though I have also started irrigating because we haven’t had a really good rain for many weeks. Lily and viburnum beetles are out in force this year too.

We installed new fencing around the standing out ground and it looks great. The previous ones lasted around six years. In this photo, the old fencing has been removed, and some of the new ones are being positioned to be attached to the supporting posts.

We also started installing support structures with pea sticks (hazel branches) around plants that will be very tall later in the year.

Robert’s cast was removed last week. We have Brady with us from North Caroline for a month and he is great. Disappointingly, Fränzie wasn’t accepted onto the one-year certificate course at Kew in the vegetable garden. This will be Charlotte’s last week with us and the next trainee will start at the end of May.

I attended the IrisBG user conference in Göteborg, Sweden, on 29 and 30 April. I spent the weekend there as well; it was my first visit. Denis and André connected me with with a very dear friend of theirs, Ullis. We spent Saturday afternoon together and Martin, also attending the conference, saw us walking and joined us. The conference was very helpful and it is always good to meet other users. The botanic garden is beautiful. They have fantastic topography, which makes their rhododendron dell feel very authentic - it reminded me of hiking in Nepal.

Planting has commenced in the garden. A busy time ahead for record keeping. Additionally, I have several projects I want to do, inspired by others at the conference. If I get them done over the summer, moving plants in the autumn for winter protection should be much more efficient. I also have ideas for streamlining our seed procurement process. The tropical corridor also needs some work to make attaching bubble wrap in the autumn easier. So much to do!

Yesterday, I met Phoebe, Hannah and Mark’s newborn daughter. Pin, Alex, Janaka and I (all from Kew) went to Mark’s new home and spent a very nice day catching up and watching a local cricket match. Today I’m going to see Nicholas and Christopher. Tomorrow I’ll spend some time in the garden at home. I’m really happy to see the peonies, hostas and epimedium all filling in and looking great. After my regenerative pruning of the choisya two years ago, it is in full bloom this year.

Plant of the week 19 April

Tamaricaceae Tamarix tetrandra Pall. ex M.Bieb.

common name(s) - four-stamen tamarisk, salt cedar synonym(s) - none conservation rating - Least Concern native to - Cyprus, Greece, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine location - dicotyledon order beds, accession _____ leaves - arching, almost black branches, minute green scale-like leaves flowers - large plumes of light pink flowers in late spring habit - lax, medium-sized deciduous shrub to 2m tall and 2m wide habitat - coastal and dry regions of eastern Mediterranean pests - generally pest-free disease - generally disease-free hardiness - to -15ºC (H5) soil - acidic to neutral clay, loam or sand; well-drained and moist sun - full sun; requires shelter from cold drying winds when planted inland propagation - semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter; seed sown, when ripe, in containers in a cold-frame pruning - damaged, dead, to shape only nomenclature - Tamaricaceae, Tamarix - the late Latin name, tamariscus, for the Spanish area of the River Tambo; others drive it from the Hebrew, תמר tamar, for a palm tree; tetrandra - with four stamens, four-anthered NB - Tamarisk is a very useful plant in that it can tolerate saline soils and actually concentrates salt within the plant. This makes it a good candidate for bordering grey water inlets. Overtime, grey water systems often accumulate salts in the surrounding soil and this can be damaging to nearby plants as it affects osmotic uptake of water. Planting a few Tamarisk shrubs can help control the accumulation of salt in the soil, although be sure to dispose of any trimmings as these will contain the accumulated salt.

References, bibliography:

Balkan Ecology Project [online] http://www.balkep.org/tamarix-tetrandra.html [6 May 19]

Gledhill, David, (2008) “The Names of Plants”, fourth edition; Cambridge University Press; ISBN: 978-0-52168-553-5

ÍIUCN [online] https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/46102981/46102984 [6 May 19]

Plant List, The [online] http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2521227 [6 May 19]

Royal Horticultural Society [online] https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/58409/Tamarix-tetrandra/Details [6 May 19]

Plant of the week 26 April

Geraniaceae Pelargonium cucullatum (L) L'Hér.

common name(s) - herba althaea, tree pelargonium, hooded-leaf pelargonium; (Afrikaans) wildemalva synonym(s) - Geraniospermum cucculatum (L.) Kuntze; Geranium cucullatum L.; Pelargonium angulosum Aiton; P. cucullatum subsp. cucullatum conservation rating - none native to - South Africa location - glasshouse four, accession 2014-0390 leaves - grow upwards, forming circular bowls with jagged, red-tipped edges; give off pleasant herbal scent when crushed and they have a wide variety of uses in traditional medicine flowers - masses of sweetly scented, pink and purple flowers in the summer habit - vigorous, fast-growing, sprawling shrub can reach heights of over 1m habitat - summer rainfall; sandy and granite slopes along the Cape coast from Saldanha to Baardskeerdersbos pests - vine weevil larvae, leafhopper, root mealybugs, whitefly disease - Puccinia pelargonii-zonalis, viruses (one is a notifiable quarantine disease, tomato ringspot virus), grey moulds, leafy gall hardiness - to 5ºC (H1c) soil - sandy, free-draining, acidic to neutral sun - full sun, tolerant to coastal conditions propagation - cuttings in summer or autumn, seed pruning - deadhead to encourage flowering nomenclature - Geraniaceae - crane, Dioscorides’ name refers to the shape of the fruit resembling the head of a crane, cranesbill; Pelargonium - stork, Greek name compares the fruit shape of the florists’ geranium with a stork’s head; cucullatum - hooded, hood-like NB - used to produce a great number of modern Pelargonium hybrids; introduced into cultivation in England by Bentick in 1690

References, bibliography:

Gledhill, David, (2008) “The Names of Plants”, fourth edition; Cambridge University Press; ISBN: 978-0-52168-553-5

ÍIUCN [online] http://www.iucnredlist.org/search [6 May 19]

Plant List, The [online] http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-13900441 [6 May 19]

Royal Horticultural Society [online] https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=240 [6 May 19]

Ibid [online] https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=550 [6 May 19]

SANBI [online] http://pza.sanbi.org/pelargonium-cucullatum [6 May 19]

Wikipedia [online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelargonium_cucullatum [6 May 19]

Plant of the week 3 May

Iridaceae Iris x germanica var. florentina Dykes

common name(s) - Florentine iris, orrice root, orris root synonym(s) - Iris x germanica L., Iris 'Florentina' conservation rating - none native to - southern Europe location - perfume garden, accession _____ leaves - slightly glaucous foliage, sometimes remaining semi-evergreen flowers - stems to 1200mm bearing medium sized flowers; standards are wide, erect, cupped, falls are narrow, distinctly drooping, both silvery white with a slight blue tinge and beards are yellow habit - vigorous, spreading rhizomes habitat - not found in a truly wild situation pests - slugs, snails, thrips disease - iris rhizome rot, leaf spot, virus hardiness - to -20ºC (H6) soil - well-drained loam or sand, neutral to acidic sun - full sun propagation - division of rhizomes from midsummer to early autumn pruning - remove any dying foliage in autumn, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering nomenclature - Iridaceae, Iris - the name of the mythological messenger of the gods of the rainbow, cognate with orris; germanica - from Germany; florentina - from Florence NB - formerly grown as the source of the aromatic orris root, used in perfume making; root can be dried, ground into a powder and used as a food flavouring, it may take several years of drying to develop its full fragrance

References, bibliography:

Find Me A Cure [online] https://findmeacure.com/2012/09/22/iris-x-germanica-var-florentina/ [5 May 19]

Gledhill, David, (2008) “The Names of Plants”, fourth edition; Cambridge University Press; ISBN: 978-0-52168-553-5

ÍIUCN [online] http://www.iucnredlist.org/search [5 May 19]

Plant List, The [online] http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=Iris+germanica [5 May 19]

Royal Horticulture Society [online] https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98796/Iris-Florentina-%28IB-TB%29/Details [5 May 19]

#Iris x germanica var. florentina #Pelargonium cucullatum #Tamarix tetrandra

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onenicebugperday · 4 years

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Iris weevil, Mononychus punctumalbum, a type of minute seed weevil in Curculionidae

Photo 1 by gillessanmartin, 2 by Siga, 3 by felix_riegel , 4-5 by slovianka, 6 by gbohne, 7 by nathannyx, 8-9 by pieterprovoost, and 10 (for scale) by panasenkonn

#animals #curators on tumblr #insects #bugs #beetle #weevil #iris weevil #minute seed weevil #one nice bug #can you BELIEVE these lil buds #unreal

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sherristockman · 6 years

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How to Grow and Care for Cyclamen Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola Cyclamen is a vibrant flowering plant that’s particularly popular as a houseplant, in part because it blooms during the winter months of January, February and March. The word cyclamen is Greek and comes from the word “kyklos,” meaning circle, which refers to the round shape of its tuber (a short underground stem) or the twisted, curved shape of its main flower stalk.1 It’s best known for its striking blossoms that come in shades of pink, white, purple and red along with their impressive foliage, which includes heart-shaped or round leaves patterned with shades of green and white. Originating in the Mediterranean, technically cyclamen refers to a number of plants from the Primulaceae family, many of which can survive outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hardiness zones 7 and above. The most popular variety, however, particularly in the U.S., is Cyclamen persicum. This perennial plant is often found for sale in garden shops during the fall and winter and is most prized as a houseplant. Cyclamen Has a History of Medicinal Use Cyclamen has a long history of use as both an ornamental plant and medicinal, but the latter is actually what came first. Cyclamen has been used medicinally for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the 1600s that it started to show up in European gardens.2 Around that time, cyclamen plants would only bloom once every four or five years, but modern cultivation has changed that to yearly blossoms.3 According to Tony Avent, owner of Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina:4 “In the 1800s the Victorians became enamored with the tender Cyclamen persicum and started breeding it into the multitudinous number of florists cyclamen cultivars that we see today. The Victorians prized cyclamen for their winter flowers and used them as a popular Christmas decoration ... a practice that has grown into a huge business today.” The therapeutic properties of cyclamen are thought to be due, in part, to triterpene glycosides known as saponins, found in the roots. With noted anti-inflammatory properties, cyclamen has been used since medieval times in the treatment of arthritic conditions.5 Saponins from cyclamen’s extract may help regulate inflammatory response by influencing the behavior of human macrophages.6 Further, the C. europaeum cyclamen species may also help reduce facial pain and ease mucosal obstruction in patients with mild to severe rhinosinusitis if used as a nasal spray for seven days.7 The extract of Cyclamen coum, an endemic cyclamen plant in Turkey, has even been found to kill cervical cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer cells in a laboratory study, with researchers suggesting it could prove to be a novel anticancer agent.8 The plant also has a long history of homeopathic use for a variety of ailments, from anemia and bone pain to uterine and menstrual disorders.9 Cyclamen also goes by the names of Persian violet and sowbread, the latter because wild pigs are known to have a fondness for digging up the tubers to eat them. Choosing the Right Variety of Cyclamen There are 23 species of cyclamen, and if you plan to grow it outside you’ll need to make sure you’re in the proper hardiness zone and also choose a variety that’s hardy. Cyclamen enjoys hot dry summers (during which it’s typically dormant) and cool winters without frost. If you live in an area with heavy summer rains, the tubers may rot. Choose a protected area, as cyclamen in the wild tends to live among trees, shrubs and rocks. It may need mostly shade or some sun, depending on variety. If you’re planting a tuber and there are no visible roots, you may be wondering which way is “up.” If you look closely, you’ll notice a growing point on one side, which is what should face upward. If the tuber is shaped like a saucer, the Cyclamen Society notes, “Plant with the convex side downward [and the] concave side upward.”10 As for species, according to Avent:11 “The following list groups the species from easiest to grow in temperate gardens to most difficult, based on their cold hardiness and overall adaptability. 1. Cyclamen hederifolium, cilicium, coum and alpinum 2. Cyclamen purpurascens, pseudibericum, repandum, mirabile, rhodium, intaminatum, graecum, colchicum 3. Cyclamen balearicum, creticum and parviflorum 4. Cyclamen africanum, coum ssp. elegans, rhodium ssp. peloponnesiacum, persicum, rohlfsianum and somalense” While cyclamen can be finicky in regard to water requirements and placement, they do not tend to struggle from pests and diseases, except for the occasional aphids, weevils or thrips. There’s a good chance, however, that you’ll want to grow your cyclamen indoors as a potted plant. Cyclamen persicum hybrids work well for this purpose and can be found in many different colors and sizes, including miniature, medium, large and giant. Remember that cyclamen likes cool weather, so keep the plant in a cool location, one that doesn’t go higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit (F), ideally in a window with indirect light.12 Since most people turn on the heat during the winter, you should try to find as cool a place in your house as possible, such as one that stays around 50 to 55 degrees F. If you plan to grow cyclamen from seed, you can plant multiples in one pot until they develop two to three leaves. At this point, transplant each plant to a 2.5-inch pot. According to Plant Care Today: “A good soil mixture usually comprises of sandy loam, leaf mold and well-rotted manure. When well established you can shift them to three-inch pots, at which time they should hold six or eight sturdy leaves. Until they become ready to shift into 5- or 6-inch pots, they need no commercial fertilizer. During winter, give them a temperature of 50 to 55 degrees [F], maximum light, plenty of water and good ventilation. Keeping the young plants growing during the summer makes a challenging stage but when fall comes they start up vigorously … Eighteen months after sowing, it will reach its full bloom.”13 How to Water Cyclamen How to water a cyclamen plant depends on the season. During the summer, when the plant is dormant, you should stop watering altogether, as excess moisture will cause the tuber to rot. “The idea is to give it a good soaking, let it use up all the water (without the compost getting so dry that either the plant wilts or it is so dry it won’t wet again) and then soak it again. You can expect that by the end of April it will want to go dormant … so you should stop watering then until September,” according to the Cyclamen Society.14 Overwatering is one of the most common problems gardeners experience with cyclamen plants. This may cause the leaves to turn yellow. During the winter, cyclamen should be watered when the compost feels dry, either from the top or bottom, and then allowed to drain thoroughly. Any water remaining in the saucer should also be cleared away after five minutes. Because cyclamen may rot if you get too much water near the center of the plant, some people prefer watering cyclamen from the bottom (by filling the pot’s saucer with water) or using a self-watering planter. You can also carefully water the plant around the edges of the pot. If you don’t have a green thumb, you shouldn’t feel intimidated by the cyclamen’s sometimes-demanding nature. “The main things really are keep it cool, out of direct sunlight and don’t over-water,” the Cyclamen Society notes. “Let it dry out, then stand the pot in several inches of water to give it a good soak, then let it drain and leave it until it is fairly dry before repeating the process.”15 Propagating Your Cyclamen Plant There are a couple of ways to grow new cyclamen plants, one being from seed and the other by division. After the cyclamen goes dormant for the summer, you can cut up the tuber like a potato, making sure that each section has a growing point, or eye, and a root bud on the bottom. Dust the cut areas with rooting hormone then place them in moist sand covered with a tent of plastic to increase humidity. Once roots form, the tubers can be placed into a small pot of potting soil and kept moist until the winter.16 If you’re growing cyclamen in your garden, you can also collect seeds to grow new plants. Avent explains:17 “Cyclamen are facultative out-crossers so they will set seed best if there are multiple plants growing near each other (that are not clones). Keep an eye on the developing fruits. They will start to soften prior to splitting open. You need to collect the seed after they are mature, but before the fruit opens since insects will likely haul them away before you do. Ripe seed change color from white to light brown. When they dry out, they turn dark brown. Since the seed have no dormancy requirements, they are best sown fresh and will germinate in 2-4 weeks. They can also be dried and stored for a year or so if needed.” If you need to repot a cyclamen plant, wait until it goes dormant in the summer to do so. To keep the tuber over the dormant season, store it in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place until early autumn. When the plant starts to sprout new leaves, you’ll know it’s time to start watering it again. Cyclamen Is Toxic to Pets One caution to be aware of: Cyclamen is toxic to pets due to the saponins it contains. Any part of the plant can be dangerous, but the tubers or roots are especially toxic. If your dog or cat ingests cyclamen, he may experience drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate and rhythm, seizures and even death. So be sure to keep these plants (and their tubers during the dormant season) away from pets. Cyclamen can also be harmful to people, especially children. According to the Illinois Poison Center, cyclamen ranks a 2 out of 3 on their plant toxicity rating scale. This means moderate symptoms may occur if the plant is ingested, including hallucination, stomach irritation, diarrhea and related dehydration. As long as it’s kept in a safe place, however, cyclamen is a beautiful plant that can make a stunning addition to your home or garden.

#VitalityPath

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jakehglover · 6 years

Text

Mullein: A Common Weed With a Host of Potential Health Benefits

The mullein plant (Verbascum) is a biennial introduced in the United States during the 18th century by settlers.1 Due to its quick rate of spreading in certain areas such as western North America,2 it has earned a reputation as an undesirable weed in gardens.3

Its common name is derived from the Latin word "mollis," meaning soft, which most likely refers to its soft stem and leaves.4 Its botanical name, on the other hand, comes from the Latin "barbascum," which means beard — a reference to the plant's shaggy appearance.5

This plant is also known as candlewick plant, lungwort, cowboy toilet paper, torch plant and woolly mullein, to name a few.6 Mullein has around 300 species and is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. On the first year, the plant does not bloom flowers. But on the second year, a single stalk (where the flowers appear) grows upward from the center, ranging from 18 inches to 8 feet, depending on the species. The leaves typically grow within one year, and the flowers grow in the next year.7

The common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is perhaps the most well-known variant of the plant, due to its history of medical use among various cultures.8

The Health Benefits of Mullein

The medicinal benefits of mullein were discovered quite early on. Early American settlers brought it from Europe because it was known for its ability to help treat various ailments such as coughs and diarrhea.9 When the Native Americans established contact with the settlers and discovered the plant, they took advantage of it as well.10 Some of the potential usage benefits of mullein are for the following:

• Respiratory Conditions

One of the most well-known uses of mullein is its purported ability to help alleviate respiratory conditions. Taken as a tea, it can help with common ailments such as dry cough, congestion and sore throat. It may help with inflammatory respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis as well.11

• Antiseptic

The antibacterial compounds of mullein can be used to help disinfect wounds or scrapes. You can crush mullein flowers to make a paste, and apply it on your wounds.12

• Antiviral

Mullein may help ease viral infections. According to one study, compounds extracted from V. thapsus showed potential against the Herpes simplex virus type 1, as well as the influenza A virus.

• Heart Health

According to an animal study that used mice as the test subjects, the polysaccharides of the leaves extracted from V. thapsus exhibited a noticeable ability to reduce bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It's unclear how the leaves work, but the researchers suggest that using it may help lower your risk of developing hypertension, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.13

• Hair Health

Mullein can help promote hair health. Extracts from the flowers can be used to keep your scalp healthy, as well as eradicate dandruff. It may even be used as a conditioner to help keep your hair smooth and help enrich your hair's natural color.14

Different Ways Mullein Is Used

In America, mullein is considered a weed because it is not native to the continent, and it propagates very quickly in some areas with bright sun. However, certain species are used in enhancing the aesthetics of gardens due to their beautiful appearance, such as:15

• Moth mullein (V. blattaria): Known for its light pink to white flowers

• Olympic or Greek mullein (V. olympicum): It has golden-yellow flowers and 8-foot branching stalks

• Purple mullein (V. phoeniceum): Popular for its long-blooming flowers

• Nettle-leaf mullein (V. chaixii): Known for its long-blooming white or yellow flowers with a purple center

Historically, mullein has been used for practical purposes. For example, it was known as the "candlewick plant" because its leaves and stems were used as lamp wicks. According to John Parkinson, an English botanist from the Middle Ages, the plant itself was also used as a torch by dipping its stalk in suet, a type of animal fat, to provide light for various needs.16

Mullein has played a role in superstitious beliefs as well. It was called "hag's taper" because it was believed that witches used the plant as lamps or candles during their incantations. In other parts of Europe and Asia, it was believed that mullein had the power to protect from evil spirits and magic.

Greek literature may have played a role in this regard, because according to legend, Ulysses used mullein to help ward off the influence of Circe, the Greek goddess of magic.17

Growing Mullein in Your Garden

If you have very little experience in gardening, growing mullein is a great plant to start with because it's easy to grow and maintain. Being a weed, the plant can thrive almost anywhere, from fertile forest soil to bare, rocky soil found near cliffs.18

Start by placing a pinch of seeds 18 inches apart in your garden bed, placing them lightly on top of the soil. The soil should have good drainage, because excessively moist soil can affect the plant quality. The plants can grow in light shade but, if possible, they should be exposed fully in the sun.19 The plants need very little watering. You can water them daily, but never keep the soil consistently soggy.20

According to the University of Wisconsin’s Extension Master Gardener Program, many beneficial insects, including bees, flies and butterflies, are particularly attracted to mullein’s flowers,21 which makes pollination for mullein and other flowering plants easy. However, other insects attracted to mullein, such as thrips and weevils — and one called the “mullein bug” — can pose serious problems for nearby flowering food plants such as apple and pear trees.22,23,24

Interestingly, grazing mammals do not go near the mullein plant because the leaves can irritate their mucous membranes.25 The only other thing you need to watch out for while growing mullein is removing the rosettes as they grow.26 That's because a fully grown mullein plant contains 100,000 to 180,000 seeds that can be scattered by the wind. They can lay dormant for many years and if they germinate, you will have a big gardening problem on your hands.27

Mullein Recipe: How to Make Mullein Tea

One way of taking advantage of mullein's benefits is using it to make tea. In fact, it's one of the oldest ways of consuming mullein. Best of all, it's very easy to prepare.28

Mullein Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of water

• 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried mullein leaves or flowers (the flowers provide a sweeter flavor)

• 1 teaspoon of dried spearmint for flavor (optional)

• 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw honey for flavor (optional)

Procedure:

1. Boil the water and steep the leaves in it (using a tea bag or ball) for 15 minutes.

2. Add the spearmint and/or the honey for flavor (optional).

3. Serve and enjoy.

Creating Mullein Infused Oil at Home

Mullein flowers can be used to create an infused oil, which can have various medicinal purposes. You can easily create it in the comfort of your own home using very few ingredients, making it a mainstay in your medicine cabinet.29

Mullein Infused Oil at Home

What You Will Need:

• Dried mullein flowers (you can use fresh flowers as well)

• Extra virgin olive oil

• A glass jar (the size is up to your preference)

Procedure:

1. Place your desired amount of flowers in the jar.

2. Pour enough oil until it covers the flowers, then cover the jar. If you're using fresh flowers, use a cheesecloth to cover the jar, allowing the moisture to escape.

3. If you're using dried flowers, leave the jar in a dark, cool cabinet for four to six weeks. If you're using fresh flowers, place the jar under the sun for three days without the lid.

4. Strain the oil in a new jar three times to make sure the finished product is free from plant particles.

Additional content if any

Once you have the oil, you can use it to help with any of the following:30

• Earaches

Just as mullein tea's reputation is associated with respiratory conditions, mullein infused oil is largely associated with earaches, which may help reduce swelling and pain. Simply pour 2 to 3 drops of the oil into the affected ear three to four times a day for relief.

• Mouth Ulcers

The anti-inflammatory compounds in mullein infused oil can help soothe the pain brought on by mouth ulcers. Swish a small amount of the oil on your mouth for a few minutes then spit it out.

• Skin Conditions

You can use mullein infused oil to help treat common skin problems such as cuts, scrapes, wounds and sunburn. Simply pour some oil on a cotton ball or swab and gently apply it on the affected area a few times a day.

• Postpartum Healing

Mothers who recently gave birth can use mullein infused oil to help decrease genital swelling, reduce pain and lower the chance of developing infections if the baby was delivered via C-section.

• Joint Inflammation

Mullein infused oil may have a positive effect on inflamed joints. You can massage the oil on the affected area to help relieve pain and help promote blood circulation.

from HealthyLife via Jake Glover on Inoreader https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/04/26/mullein.aspx

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wendyimmiller · 7 years

Text

Of Kids and Kudzu for a Better World by Bob Hill

Students competing in the 2015 fair

We who worry and wonder about our social-media-obsessed youth and the future of horticulture found some relief at a recent gathering of the Louisville Regional Science & Engineering Fair.

And it all sort of came down to kudzu – the vine that ate the South.

The fair was a gathering of our future leaders – grades six through twelve – at the Kentucky Science Center in downtown Louisville, not too far from the monster metal bat fronting the Louisville Slugger Museum, itself mimicking the ash wood of yore.

The fair’s 22 categories included Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Plant Sciences.

Bioinformatics Whiz that I am, I was asked to help judge the plant sciences stuff.

We gathered on a rain-splashed Saturday morning, about ten judges in the plant sciences field in search of coffee, a 600-calorie doughnut and some instructions. The instructions were given by several people obviously accustomed to be in charge, who gave us scoresheets on which we were to list the categories we were to judge; no student names or schools to be used.

Cutting right to the chase, I was to judge the following unscientific categories – Drought Companions, Seed Stress, WiFi Growth, Magic Flower, What’s in the Window? and Kudzu Killer – with students presenting exhibits on each.

The students approached all this with varying degrees of preparedness, diligence and nervousness. I well understood the latter; in all my years of high school I never could stand in front of a class and speak at the same time.

The Drought Companion exhibition was interesting; all about which plants can buddy up to one another to co-exist, or die of thirst. The Wi-Fi exhibit was something I had never thought about. I had no idea too much electromagnetic exposure can mess with seeds and plants – not to forget people.

But my favorite experience was with the student – maybe a junior or senior in high school – who had taken on Kudzu and The Future of the South.

Or at least Mississippi.

It was an interesting match; this very bright high school kid researching a vine with a history that pretty much touches all the bases of agriculture, horticulture, ornamental and environmental stupidity.

Its history ranks right up there with Eugene Schieffelin, who released 100 starlings – the perfectly Latinized Sturnus vulgaris – into New York’s Central Park in the early 1890s because he wanted to have all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays living North America.

The estimated population of their starling kin is now north of 200 million.

Somewhat the same for kudzu. The plant was first introduced to the United States from Japan in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and was so popular it was taken south-by-southwest from there to the New Orleans Exposition in 1883.

Oh boy, the thinking went, here’s a tough, useful low-maintenance vine that provides maximum exposure with minimum care. It was deemed so useful, in fact, that it was widely marketed across the entire South to create shaded porches, the problem being that if grandma sat out too long she would disappear in green froth.

The biological reasons for that are very basic. Kudzu can grow 60 feet a year, with 300-pound roots diving 12 feet into the ground, sucking up any water in the neighborhood.

It took a while for the kudzu literati to figure that out. In much of the early 1900s it was heavily marketed as a high-protein cattle fodder with a secondary use as erosion control. The fabled Civilian Conservation Corps workers spread kudzu across the Dust Bowl to prevent Oklahoma from blowing into the Atlantic Ocean.

Our government disaster involved distributing 85 million tax-payer-funded seedlings across the Southeast. By 1946 it was estimated about 3,000,000 acres of kudzu had been planted from Mississippi to Florida.

The problem worsened as boll weevil infestation and cotton crop failure across the same turf led farmers to abandon their fields while kudzu sprinted toward North Carolina.

Kudzu-covered barn

It was about 1953 that somebody in the United States Department of Agriculture got up off his investigative asset and realized the plant could be a problem. It was only 17 years later – in 1970 – that it was declared a weed.

And yes, it’s hard to hold a good government investigative team down. It was only another 27 years – in 1997 – before kudzu was officially placed on the Federal Noxious Weed List.

At that point it had been found growing in Canada, Nova Scotia, Columbus, Ohio and all five boroughs of New York City – and about a mile from my house in Southern Indiana.

This would seem to be a daunting eradication task for a teenage kid at a science fair in Louisville, but she was ready. She was impressive. She had done her research. She smiled. She was confident. She rattled off about 15 minutes of kudzu facts, with illustrations.

She offered some possible solutions to the kudzu problem; chop the vine at ground level, strong herbicides, and the introduction of foreign-raised kudzu eating bugs, although once free, who knows what they will eat next?

Actually, all six of the young plantologists – ages maybe 12 to 18 – showed at least some devotion to duty, an eagerness to seek out and solve horticultural problems. Their research restored my faith in the American educational system – with one warning:

Remember the starlings.

Photo credits: Student photos from YouTube, Kudzu top by USDA, and covered barn. Starling.

Of Kids and Kudzu for a Better World originally appeared on Garden Rant on March 22, 2018.

from Gardening http://gardenrant.com/2018/03/of-kids-and-kudzu-for-a-better-world.html via http://www.rssmix.com/

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turfandlawncare · 7 years

Text

Of Kids and Kudzu for a Better World by Bob Hill

Students competing in the 2015 fair

We who worry and wonder about our social-media-obsessed youth and the future of horticulture found some relief at a recent gathering of the Louisville Regional Science & Engineering Fair.

And it all sort of came down to kudzu – the vine that ate the South.

The fair’s 22 categories included Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Plant Sciences.

Bioinformatics Whiz that I am, I was asked to help judge the plant sciences stuff.

But my favorite experience was with the student – maybe a junior or senior in high school – who had taken on Kudzu and The Future of the South.

Or at least Mississippi.

The estimated population of their starling kin is now north of 200 million.

The biological reasons for that are very basic. Kudzu can grow 60 feet a year, with 300-pound roots diving 12 feet into the ground, sucking up any water in the neighborhood.

The problem worsened as boll weevil infestation and cotton crop failure across the same turf led farmers to abandon their fields while kudzu sprinted toward North Carolina.

Kudzu-covered barn

And yes, it’s hard to hold a good government investigative team down. It was only another 27 years – in 1997 – before kudzu was officially placed on the Federal Noxious Weed List.

At that point it had been found growing in Canada, Nova Scotia, Columbus, Ohio and all five boroughs of New York City – and about a mile from my house in Southern Indiana.

Remember the starlings.

Photo credits: Student photos from YouTube, Kudzu top by USDA, and covered barn. Starling.

Of Kids and Kudzu for a Better World originally appeared on Garden Rant on March 22, 2018.

from Garden Rant https://ift.tt/2DVEMv9

#Garden Rant

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sherristockman · 6 years

Link

Mullein: A Common Weed With a Host of Potential Health Benefits Dr. Mercola The mullein plant (Verbascum) is a biennial introduced in the United States during the 18th century by settlers.1 Due to its quick rate of spreading in certain areas such as western North America,2 it has earned a reputation as an undesirable weed in gardens.3 Its common name is derived from the Latin word "mollis," meaning soft, which most likely refers to its soft stem and leaves.4 Its botanical name, on the other hand, comes from the Latin "barbascum," which means beard — a reference to the plant's shaggy appearance.5 This plant is also known as candlewick plant, lungwort, cowboy toilet paper, torch plant and woolly mullein, to name a few.6 Mullein has around 300 species and is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. On the first year, the plant does not bloom flowers. But on the second year, a single stalk (where the flowers appear) grows upward from the center, ranging from 18 inches to 8 feet, depending on the species. The leaves typically grow within one year, and the flowers grow in the next year.7 The common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is perhaps the most well-known variant of the plant, due to its history of medical use among various cultures.8 The Health Benefits of Mullein The medicinal benefits of mullein were discovered quite early on. Early American settlers brought it from Europe because it was known for its ability to help treat various ailments such as coughs and diarrhea.9 When the Native Americans established contact with the settlers and discovered the plant, they took advantage of it as well.10 Some of the potential usage benefits of mullein are for the following: • Respiratory Conditions One of the most well-known uses of mullein is its purported ability to help alleviate respiratory conditions. Taken as a tea, it can help with common ailments such as dry cough, congestion and sore throat. It may help with inflammatory respiratory conditions, such as asthma and bronchitis as well.11 • Antiseptic The antibacterial compounds of mullein can be used to help disinfect wounds or scrapes. You can crush mullein flowers to make a paste, and apply it on your wounds.12 • Antiviral Mullein may help ease viral infections. According to one study, compounds extracted from V. thapsus showed potential against the Herpes simplex virus type 1, as well as the influenza A virus. • Heart Health According to an animal study that used mice as the test subjects, the polysaccharides of the leaves extracted from V. thapsus exhibited a noticeable ability to reduce bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It's unclear how the leaves work, but the researchers suggest that using it may help lower your risk of developing hypertension, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.13 • Hair Health Mullein can help promote hair health. Extracts from the flowers can be used to keep your scalp healthy, as well as eradicate dandruff. It may even be used as a conditioner to help keep your hair smooth and help enrich your hair's natural color.14 Different Ways Mullein Is Used In America, mullein is considered a weed because it is not native to the continent, and it propagates very quickly in some areas with bright sun. However, certain species are used in enhancing the aesthetics of gardens due to their beautiful appearance, such as:15 • Moth mullein (V. blattaria): Known for its light pink to white flowers • Olympic or Greek mullein (V. olympicum): It has golden-yellow flowers and 8-foot branching stalks • Purple mullein (V. phoeniceum): Popular for its long-blooming flowers • Nettle-leaf mullein (V. chaixii): Known for its long-blooming white or yellow flowers with a purple center Historically, mullein has been used for practical purposes. For example, it was known as the "candlewick plant" because its leaves and stems were used as lamp wicks. According to John Parkinson, an English botanist from the Middle Ages, the plant itself was also used as a torch by dipping its stalk in suet, a type of animal fat, to provide light for various needs.16 Mullein has played a role in superstitious beliefs as well. It was called "hag's taper" because it was believed that witches used the plant as lamps or candles during their incantations. In other parts of Europe and Asia, it was believed that mullein had the power to protect from evil spirits and magic. Greek literature may have played a role in this regard, because according to legend, Ulysses used mullein to help ward off the influence of Circe, the Greek goddess of magic.17 Growing Mullein in Your Garden If you have very little experience in gardening, growing mullein is a great plant to start with because it's easy to grow and maintain. Being a weed, the plant can thrive almost anywhere, from fertile forest soil to bare, rocky soil found near cliffs.18 Start by placing a pinch of seeds 18 inches apart in your garden bed, placing them lightly on top of the soil. The soil should have good drainage, because excessively moist soil can affect the plant quality. The plants can grow in light shade but, if possible, they should be exposed fully in the sun.19 The plants need very little watering. You can water them daily, but never keep the soil consistently soggy.20 According to the University of Wisconsin’s Extension Master Gardener Program, many beneficial insects, including bees, flies and butterflies, are particularly attracted to mullein’s flowers,21 which makes pollination for mullein and other flowering plants easy. However, other insects attracted to mullein, such as thrips and weevils — and one called the “mullein bug” — can pose serious problems for nearby flowering food plants such as apple and pear trees.22,23,24 Interestingly, grazing mammals do not go near the mullein plant because the leaves can irritate their mucous membranes.25 The only other thing you need to watch out for while growing mullein is removing the rosettes as they grow.26 That's because a fully grown mullein plant contains 100,000 to 180,000 seeds that can be scattered by the wind. They can lay dormant for many years and if they germinate, you will have a big gardening problem on your hands.27 Mullein Recipe: How to Make Mullein Tea One way of taking advantage of mullein's benefits is using it to make tea. In fact, it's one of the oldest ways of consuming mullein. Best of all, it's very easy to prepare.28 Mullein Tea Ingredients: • 1 1/2 cups of water • 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried mullein leaves or flowers (the flowers provide a sweeter flavor) • 1 teaspoon of dried spearmint for flavor (optional) • 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw honey for flavor (optional) Procedure: 1. Boil the water and steep the leaves in it (using a tea bag or ball) for 15 minutes. 2. Add the spearmint and/or the honey for flavor (optional). 3. Serve and enjoy. Creating Mullein Infused Oil at Home Mullein flowers can be used to create an infused oil, which can have various medicinal purposes. You can easily create it in the comfort of your own home using very few ingredients, making it a mainstay in your medicine cabinet.29 Mullein Infused Oil at Home What You Will Need: • Dried mullein flowers (you can use fresh flowers as well) • Extra virgin olive oil • A glass jar (the size is up to your preference) Procedure: 1. Place your desired amount of flowers in the jar. 2. Pour enough oil until it covers the flowers, then cover the jar. If you're using fresh flowers, use a cheesecloth to cover the jar, allowing the moisture to escape. 3. If you're using dried flowers, leave the jar in a dark, cool cabinet for four to six weeks. If you're using fresh flowers, place the jar under the sun for three days without the lid. 4. Strain the oil in a new jar three times to make sure the finished product is free from plant particles. Additional content if any Once you have the oil, you can use it to help with any of the following:30 • Earaches Just as mullein tea's reputation is associated with respiratory conditions, mullein infused oil is largely associated with earaches, which may help reduce swelling and pain. Simply pour 2 to 3 drops of the oil into the affected ear three to four times a day for relief. • Mouth Ulcers The anti-inflammatory compounds in mullein infused oil can help soothe the pain brought on by mouth ulcers. Swish a small amount of the oil on your mouth for a few minutes then spit it out. • Skin Conditions You can use mullein infused oil to help treat common skin problems such as cuts, scrapes, wounds and sunburn. Simply pour some oil on a cotton ball or swab and gently apply it on the affected area a few times a day. • Postpartum Healing Mothers who recently gave birth can use mullein infused oil to help decrease genital swelling, reduce pain and lower the chance of developing infections if the baby was delivered via C-section. • Joint Inflammation Mullein infused oil may have a positive effect on inflamed joints. You can massage the oil on the affected area to help relieve pain and help promote blood circulation.

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