Discovering His Creation: October 2014

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 .

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Maryland Golden-aster (Chrysopsis mariana)

Maryland Golden-aster is another flower discovered from the weedy spot in my neighborhood. It's native to North America and found in in the Eastern United States. It can also be found throughout my state of Alabama. Bees, birds and butterflies are said to be attracted to Maryland Golden-aster. They are said to grow 1-2 feet tall. This one was about that size but somewhat bowed over. I couldn't find any information saying it was edible, medicinal or poisonous for that matter. So I'll just say more information needed. What a great Creator my Father is and I'm learning more about His Creation. I hope you'll take time to discover His Creation where you are.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Sicklepod - Chinese Senna - Arsenic Weed (Senna obtusifolia)

Sicklepod came up not long ago beside my sidewalk. To my remembrance I haven't noticed it in my yard before. I realized it had to be in the Pea family even though I didn't know it's name. It's native to much of the Eastern United States and especially the Southern United States where I am. It's been introduced to California and Hawaii and else where in the world. It can be found in Mexico, South America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. The bean pods of this plant when crushed have the aroma of coffee. Although other types of Senna have been used for a coffee substitute this one can be poisonous from the alkaloids and a few other things it contains. The seeds are said to cause diarrhea, tremors and dark brown urine. Yet I did read that young shoots could be boiled and eaten. Sounds a little confusing right? I did find information saying that leaves were toxic although another article said only toxic if eaten in large quantities. Also there was a certain boiling procedure in the cooking process. From what I can understand though terpenoids and alkaloids are contained in the leaves and saponins are in the seeds. With all that said I will consider this plant not edible for myself but if interested I would suggest researching it thoroughly.The plant has been also used medicinally in Asia and I would say that's probably the best use for it. As with any plant be well informed and have the advice of an expert before being used as an edible or used medicinally. I'm still amazed at what I'm discovering right in my yard and neighborhood. I'm learning about God's creation and uses for that creation that were unknown to me before. Take time and discover the Creator and His creation.

Sicklepod - Chinese Senna - Arsenic Weed (Senna obtusifolia)

Monday, October 13, 2014

Southern Ragwort - Small's ragwort (Packera anonyma)

Small's Ragwort can be found in the Eastern and Southeastern United States. This was growing in our neighborhood in early May and my son photographed it. I was looking back through photos this year for some other plants and saw them. I had forgot about the pictures and some weren't very clear but was surprised to identify it so quickly. Ragwort has been used medicinally by the Native Americans and Cherokee Indians used it for heart problems and to prevent pregnancy. The plant does contain several toxic alkaloids one of which is pyrrolizidine so this would not be considered an edible. It's said to increase blood pressure to. The early European herbalists used it medicinally. Compresses were used externally for antiseptic properties and teas were also made. So many plants this year I've learned about and now I'm wondering will I still continue to discover more in just a small area ? Surprisingly my journey continues of discovering God's creation in my little world ! Take some time and discover God's creation where you are.

Small's ragwort (Packera anonyma)

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed grows abundantly in my yard and is a beautiful sight in the spring. We added this to the yard back in the 1990's from some we transplanted from the nearby woods. It makes a great ground cover and has been useful for a hillside in our yard to stop erosion. It's native to Europe, northern Africa and southwestern Asia. It has been introduced here in the United States and Canada. It's a nectar source for Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly and the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly and also a secondary nectar source for a list of other butterflies. The bees also love it as well. Although the leaves of this plant are said to be edible it's not one I would personally try. I would say more of a medicinal plant. It has been used medicinally but is said to be a narcotic hallucinogen. Some of the medicinal uses have been to heal wounds and tumors externally and the for treatment of coughs. Some say a mild pain killer and mild sedative. In traditional Austrian medicine it has been used in treating respiratory tract problems. The information in my blog is here for just that information! As with any plant be well informed, have plenty of references and expert advice before using medically. Always be aware of any risks or allergic reactions that could occur when used as an edible or medicinal plant. I have discovered there is so much to learn about the plants our Creator has placed here on earth. I hope you'll take time to discover His creation and better yet discover the Creator of it all.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)