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Autumn... a Pictorial

Fall Observations and Pansies

The weekend was delightful with the deluge on Friday and Saturday arriving as a day of pure outdoor pleasure. Once the rain stopped the cleansed sky was a gorgeous azure with billowing white clouds slowly drifting as the caw-caw calls of the crows could be heard in the distance. The sound of the Canadian geese, barely seen in the distant sky in the familiar V formation, was reassuring that Nature does indeed have a plan.

Observation indicates the grasshoppers have become rather lethargic, hopping slowly rather than zinging along. Thankfully their days are numbered, and between the cold and the damp, they are miserable! The ants, whose activity in the fall is always an indicator of the degree of winter we may expect, are racing about storing tiny pieces of grain. And the squirrels too are hastily assembling a stash of food for winter. The weather pattern and the critters point toward a relatively harsh winter so relishing these fall days is a must.

These comfortable daytime temperatures and cool evenings have made plans for fall gardening a delightful priority. And since the rain, the wild violets have sent forth tender new leaves signaling it is time to plant the earliest spring bloomers. Their relatives, the precious pansies, have begun arriving in the nurseries and if planted now will survive nicely over the winter.

Originally a common viola growing in fields and hedgerows in England their first noted appearance as a new species was on the estate of James, Lord Gambier. His gardener, William Thompson, crossed a viola species with a viola tricolor in an effort to achieve a round flower of overlapping petals. In the late 1830s he found by chance a flower with a broad dark blotch instead of narrow nectar guides; from this singular pansy came the future ‘flowers with a face’. Released to the public in 1839 with the name "Medora" this pansy instantly attained rock star status among gardeners and breeders throughout Europe.

Spiders on the Move Before Frost

The Deadly Black Widow... she will attack to protect her egg sac

Most spiders live one season, however some species live long lives and spend the winter in a semi-hibernation. The Fiddlebacks have hidden in the rafters, behind the books, under the bed, and in other out of the way places and are now beginning to look for a warm hiding place to spend the winter.  They have grown over the summer and will shed last years 'shell' leaving behind the empty casing... the empty casing is a sign that a more mature one is lurking somewhere nearby. The gentle Tarantula has an extremely long life expectancy and will easily live up to 20 years in captivity. The record has been set by a female who resides in LA and although her age was unknown at the time of her capture, she is now fifty years old.

Spiders are a most interesting invertebrate in both appearance and habit. All are predators which make them valuable to the gardener as they will eat flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, locusts, cockroaches, and aphids. The habits differ among species with some making intricate webs to trap their prey while some lie in wait on flowers and some simply travel about on the ground.


Spiders are found in every corner of the planet, making them one of the most common invertebrates and they alone have eight legs. True spiders (thin-waisted arachnids) evolved about 400 million years ago, and were among the first species to live on land. There are many references to the spider in popular culture, folklore and symbolism. The spider symbolizes patience for its hunting with web traps, and mischief and malice for its poison and the slow death they cause their prey. (Who could forget the pitiful death sequence in the movie ‘The Fly’?)

Though not all spiders spin gossamer webs, spiders have been attributed by numerous cultures with the origin of basket-weaving, knot work, weaving, spinning, and net making. Lovely pottery artifacts featuring spiders may be found in all ancient cultures, so respect for them is universal.



The lovely Orb Weaver web

Any talk of spiders includes the two most dangerous in North America and they must be addressed. All spiders have venom however the Black Widow and Brown Recluse(Fiddleback)are very dangerous species whose bite may have disastrous affects on humans. The Brown Recluse likes living in quiet corners of the house while the Black Widow resides outdoors. A member of the Tangleweb family, the Black Widow makes an untidy web as the name implies and will aggressively guard her egg sac. Both have thin legs and a fragile skeletal structure, making them easy to squish... do not hesitate to kill them.



Huge Brown Recluse (Fidleback) on the lamp shade!

A favorite spider which comes to mind is the darling fuzzy black jumper.
One summer we had a black fuzzy with emerald green fangs who took up residence in the kitchen. Every morning as the household awoke and greeted her, she would would lift her 'arm' and wave... a marvelous trick by any standard.

A harmless Fuzzy Jumper

There is an entire psychological phobia named after fear of spiders called Arachnophobia. So popular is this fear that comic book creator Stan Lee embraced it, introducing an irresistible spider hero in 1962. Spiderman instantly became an all time favorite!

Kettling Hawks

The Magnificent Hawk
 

Sunday was a perfect day for a drive to see if the foliage has yet begun to change and although the foliage was unremarkable, we did see a most unusual happening. Mother Nature apparently sent a message about the change of seasons for as we drove by a large pasture of brown grasses, a Red Tailed hawk could be seen quietly sitting on the ground. It was notable because it is unusual for Hawks to sit and also because there was another Hawk resting nearby. Hawks are rather solitary in habit so we stopped to better observe this unusual occurrence.

Lo and behold, the entire field was full of Hawks blending with the grasses…. all gathered calmly as if at an outdoor market. The blue sky began to fill with Hawks who were circling to land as though they had been telepathically summoned by those already attending the sit-in. Soon their numbers reached a hundred or more, all waiting patiently for some internal signal.

All at once they began to take flight and Hawks from adjacent fields joined them. As we watched in amazement hundreds of Hawks began the phenomenon bird watchers refer to as ‘kettling‘.

‘Kettle’ is the term used to describe the graceful acrobatic wheeling performed by a large flock that is beginning migration. Kettling birds catch a warm thermal updraft and begin swirling in a circular motion, going higher and higher as more birds join the wondrous dance... they literally floated with a quiet, graceful, and steady movement of feathered flight. It was mid-afternoon and the sight was beautiful as the light caught the underside of their wings. They continued ever-upward until the first birds appeared only as small dark specks in the blue sky. And then, as suddenly as they had appeared, they were gone. They will go South now and not return until spring.

Sometimes happenchance will give a delightful surprise if one is simply at the right place at the right time! We feel incredibly blessed to have witnessed such a rare and wondrous sight. Watch carefully for the Hawks will continue to kettle for several weeks… perhaps, just maybe, you will see one.

The Social Wasp

This nest us under the eve of the chicken house... terrifying!

 

This time of year it seems the social wasp has taken an extreme dislike to humankind and they are poised to attack at a moments notice. A very nervous insect on a good day, lately they are like gun slingers at the OK Corral! It is because they are in a last minute fervor of mating to ensure survival of their species. Wasp society is typically matriarchal, the female is the one with the sting, it is best to stay clear since she wants no interruptions for this final party.

The days of the colony are numbered and soon many wasps will die leaving behind the mated queens who will find a place to hibernate for the winter. In the early spring the females emerge to find a suitable place to build a nest. Their bodies already contain fertilized eggs from last fall so they need only to select a place secure from the elements to begin the cycle of reproduction. Once the site is selected, surviving females gather to build a paper nest.

Intricate paper Nest is visible... these are in the ivy outside the front door!

Some studies indicate that several species of social wasps select a the queen through a contest within the group who gather in early spring. All of the females within this species are capable of laying eggs however the one with the ability to eat the eggs of her rivals wins. Following selection of the winner all other females stop laying eggs and the losers become workers, foraging for their queen and raising her young.

In other species, the female lays the eggs and raises the first young wasps herself… the first of the eggs to hatch are always sterile female who become workers who take over for their mother. They expand the nest and maintain their siblings in a series of intricate brooding cells. It is easy to determine the number of wasps in a colony by the size of the nest. Large colonies, which can number into the thousands, have extremely large and intricate nests.

As with Ants, male wasps are relatively unimportant and rather like dead beat dads. There is little necessity for them with exception of fertilization of the eggs as they contribute nothing to the hive. Wasp males born late in the season have the express purpose of embracing the females and following this task they die.

The wasp is a fierce natural predator, eliminating many garden pests, so oftentimes useful to ignore them. However stay clear of the excited buzzing-about that is occurring now; they are happy to attack enmass in a painful, terrifying swirl.

The Miracle of Faith Healing... Blowing the Burn

Peter the day before the explosion~
Warning photos below may be disturbing.

I was re-reading the Foxfire books one spring many years ago. We had a cook out one fine Sunday and I was talking about the books to friends. I mentioned how fascinating it was to me that the old ones in the Appalachian region had used folk medicine and held their beliefs since the 1700's. Brought to America by their Scottish ancestors, because of the mountains, an intense isolation had taken hold and nothing had altered their ancient practices. I mentioned I read they used a Bible verse to stop bleeding. A guest casually said her uncle could 'blow the burn'. I asked her to elaborate and she said he could even do it over the phone, it was his gift and he did without pay. She said he tried to help severe burn victims in hospitals but often they dismissed his efforts and told him to leave. It is his belief that fire stays in the flesh unless it is blown, thus the zig-zag look to a healed burn. It's the fire still within the skin and it must be blown for the burn to heal correctly. Strange conversation, strange luck... because I would need the information within weeks.  Our sixth son Peter was 10 at the time of his burn. 


If you slam our oven sometimes the air flow will blow out the burner but we're careful and you can always smell the accumulation of propane. He was happily baking cookies and I was in the kitchen with him as he checked them. I got a whiff of propane and was horrified as he grabbed a stick match and in a split second lit it! The explosion rocked the house and could be heard at the barn. Ten minutes of propane had filled the oven and blew up in Peter's face. He was blown backwards and I saw the fire as it boiled out of the oven to snatch him... it had talons and it was alive.

(Photo: Minutes after the explosion.)
Michael who was coming in the back door grabbed Peter who had been blown 10 feet against the back wall and put out his hair. Peter was immediately in shock and the skin on his face began to rise up. Turning from red to white, layer after layer was coming up, his nose was black, his lips ashen, his eyebrows and lashes melted, the forehead hair was singed and much of it gone as well. It was too bad a nightmare to comprehend!

I called the hospital and they told us to route to the burn center. Peter began to shake and cry; the pain was unimaginable and horrible. Maybe 4 minutes had lapsed and the skin was still lifting and beginning to white-bubble. The black around his nostrils indicated how much smoke he had inhaled. We wrapped him in a blanket and in a single heart beat imagined the months of peeling, molded face masks, and our son never looking the same as his brothers. We decided the burn was too bad for hospitalization.

Michael told Peter to draw deep down within himself and find a place to put the pain for a few minutes until we could call the burn-blower and it would be alright. It took three agonizing minutes to get the number and make the call. The gentleman blower was not at home but his grandson said he had the gift too and he could do it even though he had never done it before. He was sixteen.

 He asked how he was burned, with what properties, where the concentration was and a few other questions. Then he told me to gently blow on Peter's face, starting from left to right and slowly blow and he would do the rest. As I blew, layer after layer of skin began to flatten down, Peter stopped shaking and the pain subsided. The grandson told me that the aloe I had on hand was fine to use but not necessary. He said the burns would be totally healed in 30 days and that they would leave no scarring. The fire had been blown and was no longer within Peter's face.

(Taken over the next three weeks...)
The scabs were thick, deep, and dark. What was left of his hair was a brittle singed relic and his nose was transparent on one side. However the scabs fell off in thirty 30 days, leaving no scarring. His nose was a little thin on one side for several years and his freckles disappeared forever, but he never even needed antibiotics for breathing in the flames.
~The Miracle of Faith Healing... I am a grateful believer.

The Field Cricket

 The lovely song of the field cricket is heralded this month and its melodic symphony can be heard each evening. Fall is the time for cricket mating and the male, who is the only voice of the cricket, is singing to potential sweethearts. Although the female can not sing, she can hear the song through her ears which are located on her front legs just below her knees.

A shy and reclusive little insect, the cricket rarely makes a public evening appearance until the urgency of mating begins. Following fertilization cricket eggs are deposited in the soil in the autumn soon after the rains begin. They will rest there until time to hatch in the spring; once they are born baby crickets hide during the day. They emerge to eat in the evenings and enjoy grasses, pieces of grain, wool and their favorite snack... book bindings. Apparently the darling cricket will sing, mate, then come inside to eat a good pair of wool pants and a book or two before its life cycle ends.
Photo: An Outdoor Asian Market Selling Cricket Cages

 In China singing crickets are kept as pets in special cages and it is believed they bring a household good fortune... prized specimens fetch amazing prices. In fact the cricket culture in China dates back to the Tang Dynasty from 500 BC to 618 AD. It was during this time the crickets first became respected for their powerful ability to “sing” and a cult formed to capture and cage them. Naturally the obsession escalated and in the Song Dynasty from 960 to 1278 AD the sport “cricket fighting” became popular.

The sport became so popular that China actually produced a Cricket Minister, Jia Shi-Dao who reigned from 1213 to 1275 before being deposed for irresponsibility. Then from 1427 to 1464, a Cricket Emperor, Ming Xuan-Zhong ruled in favor of cricket fighting, making his palace a major tribute to this important insect. Racketeering, gambling, and even suicides were reported over Chinese cricket mania. *This 'mania' was described as a national obsession.

Luckily, the Asian fabric of choice is silk which is unappetizing to crickets for had it been wool the cricket's popularity would have suffered greatly. Years ago I pulled my 'good' white wool, Katherine Hepburn style, very expensive pleated slacks from my closet only to discover one leg was totally destroyed with cricket holes. Now whenever I hear them in the house I track them and gently place them outside to play!  

Magical Morning Glories~

This is the time of the summer when the spectacular Morning Glories have reached their zenith, climbing almost any vertical surface at a surprising growth rate of up to inches a day. In direct contrast to the Moon Flower, which is the same family, the flower of the Morning Glory opens with the dawn and lasts but one day, finishing the flower cycle by evening. However since it is a prolific bloomer, there is not a summer day that does not include lovely new blooms for the entirety of the season.

Wild morning glories have been traced back to ancient China where they were used for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. The Japanese first cultivated the flower for ornamental use in the 9th century and it is celebrated in both culture and art.

Artifacts indicate that over three thousand years ago, many South American civilizations had discovered when morning glory seeds were added to the substances from the rubber tree, a bouncing rubber ball was produced. The sulfur in the seeds was the key and the ancients used the exact same process supposedly ‘discovered’ by Charles Goodyear in 1844.

The flower lasting but one day led to romantic folklore and in Victorian times the fleeting flowers represented the fickle nature of love while the profusion of new blooms symbolized the renewal nature of affection. At that time images of morning glories were used on tombstones where they were a symbol of the shortness of life.

Besides the traditional blue there are many new varieties in an astounding array of colors making this charming vine a welcome addition to any garden. With drought and poor soil tolerance, rapid growth habit, and amazing twining ability, the morning glory has long been used to shade porches, easily climbing a trellis to provide cooling relief on hot summer days.

It is an annual, meaning it must be planted each year and will die at first frost. Collection and storage of the seeds as the season progresses is economical however it should be mentioned the seeds contain an hallucinogen. For this reason the seeds are considered dangerous and must be stored away from children and pets.
*Photo Credit: Linda Perfield

Amaryllis Belladonna

The lovely Amaryllis Belladonna, in all her glory, has been attending the garden party for the past several weeks. Commonly called ‘Naked Ladies they appear from a leafless base and are also called ‘Surprise Flowers’ for their overnight appearance in the garden from a barren spot. The stunning Naked Lady comes from a clump forming bulb. Each year the bulb will increase in size and the flowers will appear at the outermost edge so over the years one bulb becomes a mass of exquisite flowers.



The foliage appears in the garden in the very early spring and looks at first like emerging jonquil leaves. Very soon however the foliage out-grows everything around it and begins to collapse early in the season, requiring binding or staking to keep it from overshadowing its neighbors. The foliage dies away and is easily removed as dried debris late in May. The spot in the garden now appears quite bare until mid-July when suddenly the forgotten flowers begin to appear. A tall sturdy stem emerges and supports a mass of six to twelve exquisite purplish-pink flowers which have a heady and intoxicating fragrance. Flowering at irregular intervals, they add long-lasting beauty to the garden and are also a lovely cut-flower for arrangements, lasting almost a week in the cool of the house.
This wonderful plant seems undisturbed by severe growing conditions and will bloom faithfully in shade or sun regardless of the heat. The ease of these ‘Ladies’ growing habits makes even a novice gardener joyful and will add beauty and grace to any garden setting. Often planted with Shasta daisies to cover the bare base, they bloom at the same time allowing for a visual garden bouquet. As with so many of our lovely flowers this one is originally from South America where it grows in wild abandon in dry and dusty sites.



Mine arrived in my garden quite by accident. When my Daddy died in July of 1994 I was distraught and could not be comforted. I was walking in my garden the day after his funeral when the most beautiful flower I had ever seen appeared miraculously. It was the first of 12 Naked Ladies to arrive, one each day for 12 days, each in an odd place in my garden. Since no one recalled planting them my family has long maintained that my father sent them to me from Heaven.

The Magnificent Mimosa

                                         

 The lovely Mimosa has begun to bloom. As the sweet scent of their flowers fills the air, we can enjoy both their fragrance and the gentle shade provided by their fern-like canopy. The Mimosa was introduced to the United States as an ornamental specimen in 1785 by Filippo Degli Albizzia, a Florentine nobleman. Arriving from Asia, it is also referred to as the Silk Tree for the texture of its flowers. The flowers appear in early summer and have long threadlike pink stamens which are white at the base. They bloom from June through July as stunning pink powder-puffs which drip with sweet nectar. Covering the trees, these blossoms attract hummingbirds, honeybees, and butterflies.

As with almost every plant and tree on the planet, the Mimosa has medicinal properties as well. The bark is a bitter and an astringent containing compounds which are used to shrink inflamed tissues. They are also used to relieve pain, and contain a sedative which was used to treat insomnia or anxiety. They increase blood circulation and thus treat heart palpations, and also act as a diuretic.

The lovely flowers were used to relieve a constrained liver and acted as an antitoxin providing a cleansing effect on the body. They have a sedative affect and were used for symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and poor memory. The concoctions made from flowers also relieved pressure in the chest and gastric pain. Apparently the spectacular Mimosa was a cure all for many ailments and it is truly a loss that the ‘recipes’ for its many uses have been lost over time.

This species of tree likes it hot and dry and thrives in the southern regions of the United States with relative ease. Used as a staple in front of Victorian homes it grows rapidly, up to three feet a year, and provides a lovely canopy of mottled shade allowing the grass to grow underneath the branches. With its stunning flowers it is a fantastic addition to the landscape regardless of the fact it is considered a chore to clean up after lest it become invasive.

The fruit-like seed pod, which may require management, can produce over two hundred thousand seeds each year. However with the ease of today’s mowers, it is not a chore to simply collect and discard the pods during regular mowing. Plan on weeding the young seedlings from the flower beds and enjoy the beauty of this exquisite tree.

Purple Martins and Mosquitoes

The rain and cooler weather have been such a lovely respite from out usual July. Last week we were sweltering, the soil had been transformed by the dry heat into powdered dust, and there seemed that no respite was forthcoming. And yet a reprieve did arrive and from the east, which is highly unusual since we receive our rain from the west. There is no second guessing Mother Nature, and this time we were truly blessed.

As a side effect of the rain we may expect a large influx of mosquitoes so be sure to dump any containers of standing water. While the male mosquito eats nectar, his lady is blood sucking as she needs it to complete the fertilization of her eggs. The eggs are deposited in a small amount of quiet water and it takes but two days for infant mosquitoes to hatch, squiggle about, and begin morphing into adults. Their entire 6 stage process of reaching adulthood takes but two weeks and most species live up to a month or more, with one living over 100 days.

The female mosquito is kind enough to produce a high pitched buzz, alerting that she has found a target. Her proboscis, which is long and needle-like, produces an anticoagulant to allow for blood flow and this chemical is the cause of the swelling and skin irritations following a bite. Mosquitoes are present everywhere on Earth, have a specific territory, and with exception of the newly arrived Egyptian species, most emerge at dusk.

The Purple Martin is a charming member of the North American swallow family with interesting flight habits, shiny steel-blue plumage, and an appetite for the mosquito. The Purple Martin gets all of its food and water while in flight, skimming the surface of a pond, scooping up water in its lower bill… they can consume over 10,000 mosquitoes a day!

Martins are a very people friendly little bird, nesting almost exclusively in man made houses provided for them. Long before the arrival of the first Europeans, Native Americans invited Purple Martins to take up residence by hanging hollow gourds for them. They migrate to Brazil for the winter and return each spring to their home, with the older Martins arriving first and the younger birds arriving two weeks later. For a natural and conservative method of mosquito control, they are simply the best alternative available.

Crepe and Crape Myrtle... one and the same.

As the summer heats up and mirages appear on distant roadways only to disappear as one approaches, it is time for the dazzling Crepe (or Crape) Myrtle to begin her show. This gorgeous shrub will begin blooming now and continue until late fall. The Crepe Myrtle originally made her way into American gardens in about 1750, so it is well established in the Southern parts of the United States. The most common species came from southern Asia and is called “bai ri hong” by the Chinese, meaning “a hundred days of red”. This species has consistently maintained her popularity by gracing both mansions and farmhouses for over two hundred and fifty years.

This stupendous tree has now been hybridized to include every height. There are dwarf Crepe Myrtles small enough for a patio pot and those that resemble small trees which may be planted as a screen or simply a mass of visual beauty. The blooms arrive in clouds of clusters which exude an exotic look. The deeply ruffled flowers, each almost a quarter of an inch and complete unto itself, are bunched in gorgeous tapering cascades which literally cover the tree. The color spectrum is fantastic as well with the traditional red joined by white, pale or deep pink, shades of rose, and the entire spectrum of lavenders from soft to a deep violet.

The bark of this marvelous species is stunning as well. The interest in the bark lies in the fact the rough outer bark curls and peels, revealing an under bark which is smooth and of contrasting color. The foliage remains throughout the fall, changing to a deep red which lasts until the deepest freeze.

The Crepe Myrtle loves it hot and dry and should be watered only during prolonged dry spells. To maintain flowering throughout the Summer it is recommended that you cut back the spent branches just above the bloom thus causing the tree to produce a new one. Many people trim their Crepe Myrtles quite low in the early Spring to control and maintain their shape and since blooms appear on this years growth, this does not affect the flowering. It is a matter of personal taste whether you wish to have a shrub or tree… however every garden deserves the beauty of at least one lovely Crepe Myrtle.

The Year of the Frog

We have the rain to thank for the resurgence of the frogs with every kind from jumpers to bull frogs seemingly everywhere this year. The last time they were seen in such great numbers was 1993 when they appeared after the spring flooding along with hundreds of tiny painted turtles. They were also notably prolific in 1983, the year we gave tadpoles as favors for a June birthday party. My friend above, Mr. Toad, has lived here for over 20 years.

It is good to see them making a come back, especially since frog populations have declined dramatically since the 1950s… the reasons are entirely environmental. The earliest fossils indicate frogs existed 125 million years ago so they are a mirror of the environment. Oxygen is dissolved in an aqueous film on a frogs skin and passes from there to the blood and for this reason the skin must remain moist. Unfortunately this process can mainstream toxins into the bloodstream which is part of the source of their decline. Also their eggs are subject to water pollution and no adaptation may protect them from man made poisons.

A true amphibian, frog eggs are laid and fertilized in the water and it is in the pond that young hatch and begin to morph. They appear first as tadpoles then gradually change into young frogs by losing their tail, losing their gills, developing lungs, and finally developing their fabulous hind legs. There are differences between frogs and toads, even though the toad is part of the frog family; the toad has adapted far better than his cousin, the frog.

The frog insists upon a pond to lay her eggs however the toad is not particular and may lay eggs in a standing puddle. The hind legs of a true frog are highly unusual and better suited for leaping than walking; the hind legs of a toad are shorter and well suited for hopping. A toad is not dependant upon water, has warty skin, and a shorter more muscular face. He also has survival tactics against predators which the frog lacks. A toad may inflate his body, play dead, or secrete an unpleasant tasting chemical through a gland behind his eyes. The smooth skinned frog has only the ability to leap long distances away from predators. It is a myth that toads may pass their warts to humans; the warts belong to them alone. The tiny toadlets (baby toads) hiding among the flowers this month are harmless and make adorable playmates for the day… remember to release them by evening.

The males of the family have the voice and will begin their evening song during mating season. From the deep baritone of the Bull Frog to the sweet squeak of the little jumpers, their song is familiar to nightfall and highly anticipated by all who love an evening serenade. The frog hibernates in winter and tends to stay in the same home-place for the duration of their life. Some species may live up to 40 years so you may well see your old familiar friends in the garden for decades.

Mushrooms and Grasshoppers... the odd couple

With the weather of late we are seeing strange occurrences in the garden. For perhaps the first time in many years we have an odd assortment of mushrooms appearing everywhere. It seems that every flower pot and crevice has sprouted a different and interesting specimen with some tiny, others in large clusters, some wrinkled, others silky smooth, and all with interesting texture and color. We are rarely treated to their presence since they require cooler weather and moisture to complete their life cycle.

Mushrooms are a family of fleshy fungi with over 425 types found in the United States and Europe. The important part of a mushroom is beneath the soil with the form we see above ground for reproduction. In a vast over simplification, the interesting ‘top’ seen above ground contains spores, which are tiny single cell reproductive genes that are shot into the air to be transported by wind away from the parent. Along its travels this cell will join with another and thus mushroom is born. Scientists estimate that one mushroom may release as many as a trillion single-celled spores.

All descriptive books on mushrooms contain photos and a side panel illustrated with a plate that has either a fork or a large red X, indicating whether the mushroom may or may not be eaten. I recommend that edible consumption be limited to those that are commercially grown. The mushrooms in the yard are simply fascinating to observe… and it’s fun to kick one to release the puff of spores!

With the heat last week the grasshoppers arrived, appearing in the garden as miniature infants. In a week they have become adolescent eating machines that may be heard plopping in tandem on select garden guests. In a matter of days, they decimated the foliage on the comfrey and rose bushes!

After fall mating females deposit clusters of eggs in the soil in a protective "pod". The pod is formed by soil and a glue-like secretion and may contain up to 150 eggs. The eggs over winter in the soil and hatch as nymphs throughout April, May and June as soil temperatures rise and spring rains begin. Nymphs feed and grow for 35 to 50 days, molting five or six times during this period. Development proceeds most rapidly when the weather is warm and not too wet, with rain slowing them down a bit. The Father’s Day storms took them by surprise drowning and washing many away… and quite possibly saving the roses!

Poisonous Plant Makes Political News

 

Photo of a Castor Bean in Full Bloom~

Letters laced with toxic ricin were reportedly mailed to government officials several weeks ago placing plants at the top of the political news. Ricin is made from seeds of the castor bean, a common plant which has long been used to eliminate gophers from the garden.

Plants have been source of fascination since the beginning of time and they have provided a multitude of benefits to mankind, however there is a dark side to the plant kingdom and many plants are extremely deadly. The science of producing poison from plants reached a zenith during Medieval times when dispatching an enemy was as easy as brewing an untraceable tea.

Following ingestion of a poisonous plant, complaints may range from indigestion, to hallucinogenic visions, and possibly even death. Many plants contain dangerous compounds which are removed by cooking. Our own Poke Weed, found in early spring, is toxic unless the leaves are prepared in a specific manner. Some plants have parts of them which are edible while other parts are toxic as in Rhubarb, which is used in flavorful jellies and pies. It has poisonous leaves but the stalks are not.

The following plants are listed as fatal, making them of particular import. The lovely Larkspur is so toxic that it was used during the Revolutionary War as a pesticide with soldiers stuffing their boots with it to repel mites and ticks. The green berries of the lovely and prolific Lantana are fatal in small doses as are those of the Wisteria, Jasmine and Mistletoe. All parts of the Azalea and Rhododendron plants are deadly as well. The popular house plant Dieffenbachia is called dumb cane for its affect on the mouth and throat if ingested. The instant swelling not only renders the individual dumb, but may cause air-blocking swelling.

Many toxic plants incur cult followings among ill informed youth. Used as a recreational drug due to hallucinogenic properties, the exotic Moon Flower made the news as high school students chewed seeds in class. The beautiful Salvia Divinorum contains a property which is a potent naturally occurring hallucinogen when smoked. The leaves were used in traditional spiritual practices by the native people of Mexico however due to its ‘popularity’ among non-native followers, it has been banned in twelve states including Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Delaware, North Dakota, Illinois, and Ohio.

There is a simple common sense rule to follow in dealing with the Plant Kingdom: Do not graze in the woods or garden, eating what abounds, unless it is something that you know and recognize as healthful… and with great caution, teach the children which plants are dangerous and to avoid them.

Wildflowers

Oklahoma's state wildflower is the Indian Painted Blanket~

The wildflowers have begun a spectacular show and a drive along any road will provide a glimpse into the beauty of our naturalized countryside. Fossil records indicate that flowers appeared quite suddenly about 80 to 90 million years ago; today they are the most abundant plants on the earth. Originally plants were generated from spore, however with the emergence of seeds plants needed birds and insects to achieve fertilization. Flowers needed pollinators and the showy forms we see today emerged as a way to seduce them with scent and beauty.

Egypt was involved early in botanical exploration. Excavations of the Nile Valley have shown remains of 25 plants, including cattails, all of which date over 17,000 years ago. Chemical analysis on ancient Egyptian fabrics indicates dyes from plants were used as long ago as 1300 BC. Flower gardens are depicted in murals painted on the bedroom walls of Amenhotop in 1380 BC, while Ramses III reported importation of hundreds of plant specimens from the travels of his soldiers.

By 300 BC the Greeks were actively involved in describing and naming species of plants. The long and difficult botanical names come directly from them and their naming process continues today in respect for their efforts. By Medieval times monks were largely in charge of botanical discovery but little progress was made in the Western world until the 1700’s. As European discoverers made their way across the planet, they returned with specimens to present in court. By the 1800’s there was a global excitement over the enormity of plant species and advancements were made to classify and learn the uses of them. Lewis and Clark carefully noted the wild flora while Charles Darwin collected plants which are included in his ‘Origin of Species’ published in 1859. Gregor Mendel introduced the science of genetics in 1866 and with it began the tracing of DNA.

Royal gardens were strictly formal and there was no interest in common wildflowers. However in the early 19^th century American and English gardeners began to note the appeal of ‘natural’ gardens growing in woodland seclusion. Gertrude Jeckyll, (1843-1932) created over 400 gardens in Europe and America and her influence on wildflower gardening is to be commended. It is through her efforts in preserving ‘flowering incidents’ in woodland settings that we recognize the importance of flowers growing in the wilderness. Take a drive and enjoy the beauty of Oklahoma in the spring!

Dedicated to the Oklahoma Tornado Victims

It would be impossible to write this week without mention of the horrific storms and tornados that have plagued the state. The velocity of Nature’s wrath is beyond comprehension and there is a collective sadness over such loss and devastation. Although it seems impossible now, there will arise something of import from this… perhaps Memorial Gardens. Memorial Gardens are created to honor those who have passed and allow the living a place to go to seek soft solace. According to space and circumstance they may be grand or small, but each surrounds and embraces, allowing people to come and benefit from silent meditation, often finding moments to heal. For in the words of Kahlil Gibran: "Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there lies in silence." Following the events this week, many people will need a place for solace and healing.

Whether public or private a memorial garden might include some of our heirloom roses to symbolize hope. They may be seen blooming in a profusion of pink, yellow, or white clusters and their sweet scent is remarkable. Roses were wildly popular and easily affordable in the early nineteen hundreds when cemetery boards encouraged people to plant them to beautify the gravesites of loved ones. These hardy roses were also set about rural farmhouses where ladies hand watered them each wash-day Wednesday with rinse water from the family laundry.

However times change and the roses were forgotten, remaining in lost obscurity long after the farm residents departed. Trampled by cattle, overgrown by native grasses, starved for water, they managed to survive and thus they symbolize hope and survival. When we first began our garden thirty eight years ago and finances were tight, we trekked about and collected roses from creaky farmhouses where these marvelous specimens had survived the Dust Bowl… unattended! My antique roses have been a delight these many years, blooming faithfully with little fuss, surprising us with their fortitude.

Oklahoma Living Magazine contained information about these roses in an article by Allan Storjohann, who is Manager of the Myriad gardens. It seems a few dedicated people felt the ‘farmhouse roses’ needed to be saved so they collected specimens just as I did… from abandoned farmhouses and overgrown cemeteries. From their 25 year old collection, the Antique Rose Emporium propagated these roses for re-release to the public, making this extraordinary survivor available once again. They would be a lovely and fitting addition to any memorial garden.

Native Wildflowers

Oklahoma's state flower is the Painted Indian Blanket seen all across the countryside                                       

With the recent rains the Oklahoma wildflowers have begun a spectacular show this year and a drive along I-40 note will provide a glimpse into the beauty of our naturalized countryside.
The Oklahoma Native Plant Society, established in 1986, is a group dedicated to preserving our unique collection of botanical specimens and donations to their efforts may be made through the state. The lovely red and yellow Indian Blanket, seen all along the countryside, is our state wildflower.

Fossil records indicate that flowers appeared quite suddenly about 80 to 90 million years ago and today they are the most abundant and diverse plants on the earth. Originally plants were generated from spore not seed so they were able to reproduce without the aid of pollination. With the emergence of seeds, the plants needed either wind, or birds, or bees to achieve fertilization. From this necessity arose the lovely and showy flower forms we see today; the flowers needed to allure the pollinators.

Egypt was involved very early in botanical exploration. Excavations of the Nile Valley have shown remains of 25 different plants including cattails dating over 17,000 years ago. Chemical analysis on ancient Egyptian fabrics indicates dyes extracted from plants were used as long ago as 1300 BC. Flower gardens are depicted in murals painted on the bedroom walls of the chambers of Amenhotop in 1380 BC while Ramses III reported importation of hundreds of plant specimens from the travels of his soldiers.

By 300 BC the Greeks were actively involved in describing and naming species of plants. The long and difficult botanical names come directly from them and the naming process continues today in respect for their efforts. By Medieval times, monks were largely in charge of botanical discovery but little progress was made in the Western world until the 1700’s. European discoverers made their way across the planet and returned with specimens to present in court. By the 1800’s there was a global excitement over the enormity of plant species and advancements were made to classify and learn the uses of them. Lewis and Clark carefully noted the wild flora while Charles Darwin collected plants which are included in his ‘Origin of Species’ published in 1859. Gregor Mendel introduced the science of genetics in 1866 and with it began the tracing of DNA.

Royal gardens were strictly formal and the interest in wildflowers was not great until the early 19^th century when American and English gardeners began to note the appeal of ‘natural’ gardens growing freely. Gertrude Jeckyll, (1843-1932) created over 400 gardens in Europe and America and her influence on wild flower gardening is to be commended. It is through her efforts in preserving ‘flowering incidents’ in woodland settings that we today recognize the importance and beauty of flowers growing in the wilderness. Take a drive and enjoy the beauty of Oklahoma in the Spring!

Peppers

      

Research reported in the journal Science in November of 2006 concluded that the chile pepper may be the oldest cultivated spice in the Americas. A 6,100 year old archaeological specimen, a bowl, was found intact. As scientists scraped the residue, they found it contained both chile peppers and corn. In all, seven New World sites have found chile pepper residues and also the remnants of corn. This would suggest that these two foods, still intimately paired in South American cuisine, have been used as staples since ancient times.


Additionally, the researchers believe further study may show that peppers have actually been used 1,000 years earlier than their current oldest specimen. The birthplace of agriculture has long been considered the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia. With this discovery the pepper will join the list of ancient spices cultivated there. The three oldest known spices are capers which have been found at 10,000 year old sites in Iran and Iraq; coriander found at an 8,500 year old site in Israel; and fenugreek in Syria's Tell Aswad, which is 9,000 years old.

It is not known whether the capers, fenugreek, or coriander were domesticated or wild, however it has been determined that the peppers and corn had been domesticated. To be considered domesticated, a population of plants must have their behavior, life cycle or appearance significantly altered as a result of being under the control of humans for multiple generations. Within decades of European contact, the New World plant was carried across Europe and into Africa and Asia where it was met with wild enthusiasm. Upon acceptance on these continents, it was further altered through selective breeding until today it exists in some form almost everywhere. The chile pepper is an essential cooking ingredient in Hungary, where paprika is a national symbol, in Ethiopia, with its signature spice berbere, and in China, where entire cuisines are built around its heat.

This study, conducted by a team of 15 scientists, found chile pepper residues in utensils in both the Amazon basin and on the coast of Ecuador. This is positive indication that cultivation occurred in coastal, tropical cultures, which until now were considered primitive. The peppers were important enough to be traded across the huge mountain range to the home of the sophisticated and advanced Incas. We have the foresight of our neighbors to the south to thank for this ancient and fabulous species of plant. Salsa and tacos anyone?

Pnoto credit: dreamstime.com

Honeysuckle

 

The lovely Honeysuckle arrives each spring to fill the early air with her sweet scent. The flowers are white, yellow, and sometimes red, but all are in tiny clusters that travel along the woody branches. The Honeysuckle family is large, consisting of over 180 species, originating in both the Orient and the Americas.

The Japanese and Korean Honeysuckle are a vine that is extremely hardy, will endure severe pruning and enjoys a trellis for support. In cold climates it will die back over the winter, but once out of dormancy may grow thirty feet in a year. Brought to New York in 1806 as a food source for wildlife, it was soon noted it was equally efficient at preventing land erosion, where its vigorous growing habit soon labeled it as invasive.
 

The American Honeysuckle may appear as either a vine or shrub, with heirloom varieties reaching tree-like proportions with a height and spread of over ten feet. Besides bringing early spring blooms to the garden, Honeysuckle has been traditionally important in both medicine and lore. For centuries the Chinese used honeysuckle for snake bites, to help remove poisons, reduce swelling, and promote healing. In Middle Ages European monks used Honeysuckle to cleanse a wound and reduce inflammation. The woody stems were pounded and eaten for arthritis, mumps, hepatitis, respiratory infections and dysentery. The delicate flowers were used to cure skin diseases, tumors, rashes and sores until the early 1900’s and the advent of ‘modern medicine’.
 

According to lore, it is said that bringing the blooms of Honeysuckle into the house will mean a wedding within year. In superstitious Scotland, at one time Honeysuckle vines were hung on barns to prevent cattle from being bewitched. And in the language of flowers, Honeysuckle is the symbol of love and fidelity with the fragrance said to induce dreams of passion should a bouquet be placed beside the bed.

 

The Honeysuckle I got from my Grandmother's home... it was at the feet of the Mother.

 

The name Honeysuckle comes from the drop of sweet honey-like nectar that is within each flower. As a child, I spent many hours under my grandmother’s Honeysuckle gently pulling the center stamens to allow the drop of nectar to appear. The offspring of her heirloom Honeysuckle appear in my garden and those of my children. With its tree-like porportions the early humming birds feast and nest as the bees buzz about... and the sweet nectar tastes like spring!

Comfrey... Miraculous Medicine

Comfrey in Bloom~

An often overlooked plant that thrives in partial shade is Comfrey. Besides sporting delicate cascading pink blooms, the delightfully prickly deep green foliage make this addition striking beyond compare. Easily grown if root stock is taken from a Mother plant, this steadfast guest in the garden will last twenty years or more faithfully providing a lovely focal point. Growing to the size of a large bushel basket and ever-blooming if cut back during the season, it is a welcome addition to the garden party. Although it is said that it may be planted in full sun, in fact it is a true shade lover that will thrive in a bed located under a tree.

Comfrey has been cultivated in the East since 400 BC as a healing herb. The word ‘comfrey’ is derived from the Latin meaning ‘grow together’ which reflects the early use of this lovely plant to aid in knitting broken bones. Both Greeks and Romans used it to stop heavy bleeding, treat bronchial problems, and heal wounds. Poultices were made for external wounds and a tea was consumed for internal ailments.

This handsome member of the Borge family, has also been used medicinally throughout the British Isles for centuries with the common name of Knitbone or Boneset. A tea made from boiling the root in water or wine was used for all pulmonary complaints and could stop bleeding of the lungs. Taken every two hours the concoction was said to relieve hemorrhoids as well. The pounded roots applied to fresh wounds promoted healing almost instantly making Comfrey a necessary addition to every garden.

Early in the Spring

Often when reading about plants, it is difficult to imagine exactly how they were made into medicine. Coldpepper, the famed 18th century botanist, wrote of Comfrey, that it was “so powerful to consolidate and knit together that if they (roots) be boiled together with dissevered pieces of flesh in a pot, they will join them together”. Further, he gave the recipe for making a poultice as follows, “The fresh roots of Comfrey beaten small and spread upon leather laid on any place troubled by gout presently gives ease. Applied in the same manner eases pain to joints, heals running ulcers, gangrenes, mortifications, for which hath often (through) experience been found helpful”. Although I am unsure what mortification is, it sounds quite serious and this little plant took care of it.

I have used it medicinally for years and last fall made a series of poultices for my son's big toe that he had broken in two places. I picked fresh leaves and packed them in a food processor with a bit of water and a little peanut oil to keep them tight. Once blended, I wrapped the concoction in small pieces of sheeting, making about thirty small poultices in all. He put the Comfrey on his toe for several hours twice a day and X-Rays before and after (to the doctor's amazement) showed it had healed within two weeks. 

He had another accident and broke his nose last week. We dug the root and smashed it up a bit before applying it and by the second day of use, his nose no longer hurt to the touch. The root contains a white slimy goo, much like the aloe, and it turns the same dark color natural aloe does when its root bound state has been altered. Comfrey will also cure a bicycle-skinned knee in several days time.  

With the emergence of ‘green’ as the way of the future and pharmaceuticals becoming unaffordable, perhaps traditional use of some of these valuable plants as medicine may reemerge. A trip to the garden seems far more pleasant than a trip to the doctor.

~

The 'concoction' lasts for months if refrigerated~