Discovering His Creation: July 2014

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Rustweed - Juniperleaf (Polypremum procumbens)

Here's another small weed that caught my attention. If I see flowers blooming even this tiny then I want to know what they are. Rustweed or Juniperleaf I notice every time I walk out the door. It came up near some flowers. Before I had time to pull it up I noticed the blooms and left it so I could look it up later. It took a little time searching for but finally I found the name. This small weed is native throughout the Southeastern United States and can be found in other parts of the world as well. The leaves later turn a orange color hence the name Rustweed. The name Juniperleaf because of the leaves resemblance to Juniper. Seems like we could come up with one name and stick with it. :) I couldn't find any information as to it being edible or medicinal. Only God has all the information we need about His creation. We humans know so little but a great Creator knows every tiny weed and for what purpose He put it here on earth. Take some time and discover God's creation today.

Rustweed - Juniperleaf (Polypremum procumbens)

Monday, July 21, 2014

Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

It happened again another discovery I wasn't expecting. I was picking up some pine cones and caught a glimpse of what looked like something blooming over in the woods beside me. It wasn't as tall as a tree but the leaves sure took my interest. I couldn't get very close at the moment and we might say just a little too woodsy for me to romp through. So I got my youngest son to go over with the camera. I kept asking him are you sure those flowers are coming from the leaves? He assured me they were. I wondered because the blooms looked just like the ones I saw from the Wild Hydrangea or Sevenbark. The leaves are different from other hydrangea and it was easy to identify. In fact the Oak-leaf Hydrangea since 1999 has been named the official State wildflower for my state of Alabama. William Bartram first noticed the plant in the 1790's and named it Hydrangea quercifolia. It's also native to the Southeastern United States. I later decided to go back and rake a trail which took a little while. Well, I'd say a little more than rake. With a foot or so of pine straw, leaves and tree branches to move out of the way I finally got to it. I wanted some more pictures and a close-up view of it myself. I'm still amazed at what's growing around here that I never noticed before. I guess Ecclesiastes say it well. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 This has been a season for me of discovering God's creation. I hope you'll take time and discover God's creation as well.

Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) Leaf

Oak-leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)

Friday, July 18, 2014

Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

The Crepe Myrtle is absolutely one of my favorites. The ones that are in our yard started from two my parents bought back in the 1990's. They have multiplied and spread in our backyard to a beautiful array of pink in the summer time. Although that first small Crepe Myrtle gave me a lot of concern not long after my parents bought it. I accidentally ran over it with the lawnmower and thought I might have killed it . Grass had grown up around that tiny thing and I didn't see it. God was gracious and it recovered :) into the tree that it is now. It was blessed by Him and has continued to multiply throughout our backyard. Crepe Myrtles are native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Northern Australia and parts of Oceania. The Crepe Myrtle was first introduced to the United States in 1790 to Charleston, South Carolina from China and Korea. Crepe Myrtles are not considered poisonous. Although not much said about their edibility on the internet but more about their medicinal use. They have been used in Japan, Philippines and India to treat diabetes. Research has shown that it contains high levels of corosilic or colosilic acid a substance used in the treatment of diabetes. The leaves also contain minerals such as zinc and magnesium. So it seems not just the beauty to look at here but a great benefit can come from the Crepe Myrtle. If interested do research yourself. I'm only here to give information on what I'm learning and discovering about God's wonderful creation that's surrounding me.

Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

Me under the Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) . You can see how tall it is.

Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia)

Monday, July 14, 2014

Spotted Spurge (Euphorbia maculata)

Spotted Spurge is native to the Eastern United States and is common to California. It loves to grow in the cracks in the concrete in the backyard where I frequently pull it up. It grows a few places in the lawn and at the end of the sidewalk in the front. I often looked at it especially when those small pink flowers are in bloom and wondered what it was. I found the name while looking up information on something else. There is a milky, sticky sap that can cause dermatitis. I didn't know that until today and normally I pull this up with my hands without gloves on. I don't ever remember any problems after pulling it up so maybe everyone doesn't have the same reaction. To be safe though I might consider having on gloves from now on if handling it. Some Spurge species if eaten can cause mild to severe digestive tract irrigation. Not one for the edible list I would say! My summer of discoveries grows and a world of new information of my Heavenly Father's Creation.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Wild Hydrangea - Sevenbark (Hydrangea arborescens)

Today I took a little walk and anything that might have any type of flower catches my attention quickly. What I caught sight of was a scraggly looking shrub with a few scanty flowers. As often is the case I didn't know what it was. I sure didn't think it was a Hydrangea but I soon discovered it to be a Wild Hydrangea or as my Mother called it Sevenbark. I never heard the term Sevenbark or even knew there were Wild Hydrangeas. It is scattered throughout the Eastern United States and endangered in New York and Florida. It has it's origins in Asia and the Americas. The root was used medicinally by the Native Americans and early settlers for treatment of kidney and bladder stones. It is still used in herbal medicine. I found this an interesting discovery and one I might not have noticed because of the location. I actually raked a path to get to it and it's in a very shady spot. What's growing wild here surprises me more and more. I'm thanking God for the privilege of seeing and learning about His Creation.

Wild Hydrangea - Sevenbark (Hydrangea arborescens)

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

American Beautyberry / French Mulberry (Callicarpa americana)

This has been an amazing summer for learning new wildflowers, plants, shrubs and trees. The tiny lavender flowers on what I thought was a small tree caught my eye when taking a look at the Muscadine down the hill . The American Beautyberry which is a shrub can grow to 9ft tall. They usually reach 3-5 ft which is about the size of this one right now. It is native to the Southeastern United States. I Can't remember if I've noticed this down the hill before or even the berries that will appear later. There is so much to see and usually I'm busy working, using the weed eater or raking. The fruit is edible and this will be another new one for me to try. The berries can be astringent so best if eaten raw to eat only a few at a time. It can be used to make jellies and teas. The birds and deer also love the fruit. The Native Americans used the leaves and roots medicinally. There are said to be chemicals present in American Beautyberry that act as a insect repellent. Boy do we need that here ! Mosquitoes are in abundance ! :( One of these chemicals has been patented by the United States Department of Agriculture as a mosquito repellent. I think I will look for more of these wild and be moving them to new locations throughout the yard. I am thankful to have discovered again another valuable plant that has probably been here for a while. Take a look around you and discover God's creation today.

American Beautyberry / French Mulberry (Callicarpa americana)

American Beautyberry / French Mulberry Leaf (Callicarpa americana)

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Autumn Olive-Autumnberry (Elaeagnus umbellata)

That wonderful trail has brought me to a new discovery. There are Autumnberry shrubs mingled here and there and also as you walk along the trail. As usual we were going to take pictures of another new wildflower and I find something else not expected. The berries caught my attention a few days ago as my son and I walked down the hill. I took a few pictures and hoped I would be able to identify it without knowing the name at the time. With God's direction I found a lot of surprises on this one. Autumnberry is considered an invasive species by many but I would love if it spread here. The berries and seeds are edible and contain more lycopene than tomatoes ! I'm wondering why so many would ignore something so nutritious. The berries can be used to make jellies, jams and juices. Hopefully I can try that in the future when these become fully ripe. They contain vitamins A, C, E and also minerals phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron. I don't remember hearing about these until now. Seems like I have seen them but as usual I knew nothing about them. The reddish berries are covered with what has been described as silvery flakes. I actually thought it looked like white rough specks. The leaves on the underside are a silvery color and green on top. It grows wild throughout the Eastern United States and was introduced here in 1830. It's native to China, Korea and Japan. In China it was traditionally used as a food but was brought here to help with erosion and landscaping. Talk about wasteful ! Food that's been overlooked here in the United States! Well, maybe more are realizing that now. Hopefully information will spread of it's nutritional and possibly medicinal value. I'm thanking God for another new discovery of what's right at my own backyard ! Take a look around you and discover God's creation.

Autumn Olive-Autumnberry (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Autumn Olive-Autumnberry leaves from the underside (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Autumn Olive-Autumnberry (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Friday, July 4, 2014

Carolina Wild Petunia - (Ruellia caroliniensis)

I have seen Wild Petunia before but I don't remember it growing in my yard until this year. I noticed it near the end of the backyard and also discovered it as my son and I walked the trail behind our house. It's definitely been a good year to find wildflowers here. The five petaled flowers are trumpet shaped and the leaves are hairy.The flowers also attract butterflies. This flower is found throughout the Eastern and Southern United States. The genus was named after the 15th century French botanist Jean Ruelle. I haven't found any information that it is edible or medicinal. I have read that many wild petunias are said to be poisonous. (More information needed) As for real petunias they are not. Maybe we could say just a little confusing but real petunia and wild ones are not closely related. So at this time I'll just say it's pretty to look at and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Carolina Wild Petunia - (Ruellia caroliniensis)