Discovering His Creation: 2014

Monday, December 29, 2014

Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei)

This evergreen shrub I saw during the summer as my son and I would take pictures on the trail behind our house. I actually thought it was holly but after some research discovered it wasn't at all. Leatherleaf Mahonia is native to mainland China but can be found in the wild throughout the Southeastern United States. It came to this country sometimes in the 1800's. It can grow 5 to 10 feet tall and is an invasive species. There are bright yellow flowers that bloom but as you can see in the pictures these have not opened yet. It's still winter and yes they bloom during this season. Only small buds are on there now. The fruit of this shrub is said to be edible and some make jellies from them. They also contain vitamin C but are full of seeds too.The berries will ripen sometime in the Spring. The leaves, roots and stems have been used medicinally. It is said to be Antibacterial, Anti-phlogistic, Anti-rheumatic, Anti-cancer, Depurative, Febrifuge and used as a Tonic . There are no known hazards but always be cautious and well informed before trying any plant as an edible or using them medicinally. Have expert advice and many resources to gain knowledge from. I love discovering God's creation and it amazes me what I've found in my little world. I hope you'll take time to discover what the Creator placed where you are.

Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei)

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

There are about 3 Eastern Red Cedars growing in our yard. They are large now but I can remember when they first began to grow. The one in the front yard grows next to a Sweet Gum tree and for some reason it was never pulled up. At one time we would decorate it with lights for Christmas. Now it's too big to try that. Some Eastern Red Cedars are grown and used for Christmas trees. It is native to and can be found throughout the Eastern United States and Canada. It was first observed in Roanoke Island, Virginia in 1564. The colonists used it for building furniture, cabins and fences. Birds and small animals eat the tiny blue fruit. They look like berries but they are cones and indicates the female tree. The Eastern Red Cedar is not considered a true cedar either but is in fact a member of the Juniper family. It can grow to a height of 40 or 50 feet. The oldest Eastern Red Cedar is in Missouri and is said to be 795 years old ! In 2012 it became the state Evergreen tree for Tennessee. Native Americans used the berries in cooking and medicinally. It's still used in herbal medicine as a tea sometimes to treat coughs, respiratory conditions, bronchitis and as a antispasmodic. It's also used in treating pains, arthritis and as an antiseptic and more. It's said to be an anticancer agent called podophyllocotoxin. The berries can be somewhat toxic though as other parts of the tree. Eating large quantities can cause diarrhea. Always remember to be cautious and well informed with many references before trying or using any plant medicinally. Other uses include moth repellent, insecticide and an essential oil can be obtained from the wood. The Eastern Red Cedar is just another discovery of what's in my yard and area where I live. I hope you'll take time to discover a magnificent Creator and His magnificent creation where you are.

Eastern Red Cedar (female) (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern Red Cedar berries called cones (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern Red Cedar berries or cones (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

Eastern Red Cedar (female) (Juniperus virginiana)

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Nandina (Nandina domestica)

This Nandina shrub wasn't here when we moved in during the 1970's. Back in the 1990's my Daddy dug it up from the woods and we transplanted it to our yard. I later moved it again to where it's been now for a good many years. This evergreen shrub has beautiful red berries that always catch my eye this time of year. They remind me of the Christmas season. Nandina is native to Eastern Asia from the Himalayas to Japan. It was said to have been in the United States by the early 1800's and has become naturalized in the Southern United States. The berries can be toxic to cats and some grazing animals I've read. It's said to only cause low toxicity but the berries do contain alkaloids. One is nantenine. Nantenine is being used in research as a antidote to MDMA. My mother says she ate these berries as a child and didn't become sick eating them. She didn't eat large quantities but would eat a few at a time. She had no remembrance of feeling any different either. Most information I find lists them as nontoxic to humans. Although I have read that they were toxic. A little confusing right? Other parts of the plant also contain hydrocyanic acid which could be fatal if ingested. Interesting that hydrocyanic acid has been used in fumigating. Maybe we need more information then since there's some confusion over this shrub. I never see birds eating these berries and read there are studies saying it was harmful to them. In fact am I back to the question of toxic berries ? As for myself I don't think I want to try them if they do contain cyanide. Remember to be cautious and well informed. Have reliable expert information before trying any wild edible. Even in colder weather there are still so many things for me to discover about God's creation here. I hope you'll take time to know the Creator of everything and take a look around to discover His creation where you are.

Nandina (Nandina domestica)

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Mums (Chrysanthemum)

These Chrysanthemums have been in my front yard for a while. My mother planted them there and they are beautiful to look at in the fall. Although I know them when I see them and I knew their name I'm discovering more interesting facts about them. They are native to Asia and Northeastern Europe. Chrysanthemums were first cultivated as far back as the 15th century BC in China as a flowering herb. They were imported from England to America in 1798 and in 1884 California was first to grow them as the Chrysanthemum industry began here in the United States. The Chrysanthemum is a symbol of the Emperor and the Imperial Family in Japan. I was a little surprised that about 200 years ago people in central Asia discovered that dried crushed flowers of certain Chrysanthemum were discovered to be toxic to insects. French soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars used them as an insect powder to control fleas and body lice. In fact Pyrethrum is still extracted from certain species of Chrysanthemum and combined with other chemicals and used in household insect sprays. Yellow and white Chrysanthemums from the C. Morifolium species have been used in teas. The leaves of some species are cooked and used especially in Chinese cuisine. Some species of Chrysanthemum have been used medicinally to help with blood pressure and cardiac problems. Always be cautious, well informed and have the advice of an expert before trying or using medicinally any new plant! Remember to do your research first! So much I never knew about the Chrysanthemum ! I'm discovering God's creation where I am I hope you'll take time and discover His creation also.

Chrysanthemum

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Common Bracken - Eagle Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

Common Bracken Fern grows in the woods beside our home and I can still remember as a kid growing up seeing ferns here. The names of ferns are new to me but not their presence. This fern is native to most of the United States, Canada and also Oceania and The Caribbean Territories. Interesting that the fiddleheads of this fern are said to be edible but that's after soaking in salt water and cooking for 20 minutes and then draining. With all that said I read there were studies showing that carcinogenic compounds in this plant increase the risk of tumors in the stomach and throat. All parts are also considered poisonous and the toxicity can cause high fever, weakness, lack of coordination and convulsions. Wow! I think I'll pass on this one ! No time for the cooking process described or the risk of this one ! This fern is also said to have been used medicinally and for other uses as a dye, soap, basketry and adhesive. I would say research well and have expert advice before gathering or using any plant as an edible or medicinally. My blog is here to pass on information I'm learning and show what I'm discovering in the area I'm living in. So much information right in my own yard and neighborhood I never knew was here. Take time and discover God's creation near you. He placed it here for a reason.

Common Bracken - Eagle Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron)

Ebony Spleenwort Ferns (Asplenium plantyneuron) are scattered throughout my yard and the surrounding woods where I live. The one in these photos came up on it's own but in a good location. Growing up here I never had any idea ferns had different names. I just thought they were all ferns and only recently am I discovering the names of what is in my yard. Ebony Spleenwort is native to much of the United States, some of Canada, tropical Africa and the West Indies. When first researching I thought this might have been Christmas fern (Polystichum arostichoides) but one easy way to tell them apart is by the stems. The stems on the Christmas fern are green and Ebony Slpeenwort are a dark reddish brown. The spores are produced in the summer time. They are found on the underside of the leaf and are dark brown when mature. In the past this plant was used medicinally and the common name Spleenwort refers to the medicinal value once attributed to it. The sori (spores) on the underside of the leaves are in the shape of a spleen. If plants had parts or the whole plant itself were in the shape of a human organ then it was thought to benefit that part of the body in the past. Interesting but if any of that reasoning is true or not I don't know. As for this plant being presently used medicinally I haven't found any references and none saying it to be toxic or non-toxic. There are ferns that are known to be toxic to humans and animals so I would put this one in that category for now. More information needed on this plant. I hope you'll take time to discover the Creator and to discover His creation where you are.

Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron) Picture taken in early Spring,

Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron) Picture taken in June.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Zinnia Elegans

The Zinnias have come and gone this year at my house. The past few years they have been great in attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. My Mother started planting them a good many years ago here at the house and I've been planting them the past few years. They're native to Mexico and naturalized to the United States, Europe and South America. A new fact for me in that the blossoms are said to be edible. Maybe next year I'll catch a taste of one. Interesting that the early Spanish colonists in Mexico thought they were ugly and called them mal de ojos , meaning evil eyes. I guess we can definitely see things differently! To me I see them very lovely. Take a look around with open eyes and discover God's creation where you are.

Zinnia elegans

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium)

Dogfennel grows in the Southeastern United States. It can be found from Southern Florida to Eastern Texas. It extends northward to New Jersey and occasionally up the East Coast to Massachusetts. I've been watching this grow all summer and left it even after I was able to identify it because I wanted to see when it bloomed. It's grown huge since I first spotted that tiny plant in an area it was not wanted in. I've seen this all my life, not usually in my yard and didn't know the name of it. I never remember it blooming though. I think because it probably got cut down before it could. Mosquitoes are said to not like this plant and Native Americans used it to repel them. Cattle don't like the plant and it contains a toxin called tremitol. If ingested by cattle it causes dehydration. The alkaloid pyrrolizidine contained in this plant can cause serious liver damage so obviously this plant is not edible. The Scarlet Bodied Wasp Moth male feeds on the plant before mating. So one creature this plant is not poison to. Although I don't think this moth is in my area. Discoveries, discoveries so much I'm learning about where I am.Take time and discover God's creation where you are.

Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) in early June. Still small.

Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) in August how it looked.

Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium) in bloom in October.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Obtuse-Leaved Tick Trefoil - Stiff Tick-Trefoil (Desmodium obtusum)

Stiff Tick Trefoil was one I found among other varieties of Tick Trefoil this summer. These were all near each other and with other wildflowers. After having these pictures for a while I finally identified which one this was. Keeping up with what I've been discovering has kept me busy. Stiff Tick Trefoil is native to and can be found throughout the eastern United States, north central and the south central United States. It can also be found in Cuba and Guatemala. Some species of Desmodium have been used medicinally but as for this one specifically I haven't found any references that say that it has been. I'll just leave it as more information needed and as far as I know not edible. Maybe now I'm catching up on plants I've been trying to identify and write about. At least until the new discoveries come again. Take time to know the Creator and discover His creation near you .