Discovering His Creation

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

White Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium Albidum )

I haven't noticed White Blue-Eyed Grass growing in the yard until the past few years. It possibly could have been here much longer but maybe I confused it with the Bluets. It's native to my state of Alabama and a member of the Iris family. A very tiny member I would say. :) There are many other species not native to my state located throughout the United State and Canada and they differ in color. It really is beautiful when you see it enlarged as the pictures I took on here. Other varieties in the Blue-eyed family have been used medicinally by the Native Americans, the roots in teas too. I'm sure there is more to be learned on this little creation as others I'm now learning about on a daily basis.

Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium Albidum )

Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis Fulva)

The Orange Daylily is no stranger to my neighborhood. I grew up seeing them even next door to me but these we didn't plant in the backyard until 2001-2003 ? . I can't remember exactly. Around the time of my birthday we were seeing these on the side of the road and not near my home though. This was during a time where we had extreme financial difficulties after my Daddy had passed in 2000. We obviously weren't spending money for birthday gifts but this gift that came that year was uniquely special. Since we would pass by the Orange Daylilies and Chicory often on the side of the road I asked my sons to pull a few up to take home and plant. From just a few my sons got that day they have really spread along with the Chicory. A beautiful gift that blooms every year around my birthday and one I remember with joy. :)
The Orange Daylily is native to Asia and it was imported to the United States in the 1600's It's is edible and the flower can be eaten raw, in salads or some even batter and fry them . The tubers are also edible. The flowers contain iron, vitamin c and beta carotene. A word of warning though some people do have allergic reactions to Daylilies which could include nausea and vomiting. So if trying them for the first time I would suggest only a few bites. If all goes well then you are now open to a world of recipes and dishes. Daylilies are also said to have medicinal properties and have been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2000 years. The Daylily has added beauty to my yard but now as I discover more about God's creation valuable information has been added .

Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis Fulva)

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Little Sweet Betsy, Large Toadshade (Trillium Cuneatum)

Trillium is a interesting little plant that grows in the woods near our home. Almost 2 months ago now my son and I took pictures of it. I remember it being there years ago but forgot about it since I haven't been to the trail where this was in years. It took me a while to make a decision as to which variety this was. It's almost as confusing as to which name to call it, Little Sweet Betsy, Large Toadshade, Purple Toadshade, Whip-poor-will flower and Bloody Butcher. Talk about two extremes "Little Sweet Betsy" or "Bloody Butcher". I think I'll just stick with Little Sweet Betsy. :) Trillium are in the Lilly family and the leaves are said to be edible raw or cooked. I haven't tasted any there are only a few near here.They are almost covered over now with Virginia Creeper so I keep my distance. One variety of Trillium are endangered in my state of Alabama the Relict Trillium (Trillium Reliquum). There are many varieties of Trillium and much beauty with each. Another plant has been added to my list and new information as I continue to discover my Heavenly Father's creation.

(Trillium Cuneatum) Little Sweet Betsy

(Trillium Cuneatum), Little Sweet Betsy

Friday, May 23, 2014

Venus' Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata)

Venus Looking Glass is an annual herb with small star shaped violet to purple flowers . There are several here and there in the yard that snuck in among the other flowers. One came up in a hanging flower basket that's just sitting around outside. I decided to pull the other weeds out of it and let that one grow. I think the purple flowers are a beauty at any size and one of my favorite colors. :) The leaves are said to be edible but not much information available as to it being medicinal . I did find a few references to it being used by Native Americans in the past though. Today I will just admire the beauty I've found in another of God's creation.

Venus' Looking Glass (Triodanis perfoliata)

Striped Prince's Pine (Chimaphila Maculata)

This little plant I've noticed since a child and even when we first moved here I can remember seeing it. It hides in the woods behind our house shaded by many trees.The small flower buds look like they are bowing their heads maybe to the awesome Creator who made them. I will be watching with anticipation to see the buds open soon.This evergreen is native to Eastern North America and South America.The green leaves are white striped and almost look prickly. It's edible and also said to be medicinal. At one time it was used by Native Americans and had a number of uses. There aren't an abundance of these in my yard but a few scattered here and there. Some states have it as a protected species and Canada also. My eyes have come open to see what great things the Creator has placed in my own backyard. May your eyes come open to discover our Father's creation as well.

Striped Prince's Pine (Chimaphila Maculata)

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Common Vetch (Vicia Sativa)

Common Vetch also called Tare, Garden Vetch and Spring Vetch maybe a new name to me but I see it in my yard and along the roadside often. For years I've seen it in my yard growing in shades of pink and in stretches of my neighborhood it's purple . Either color I think is pretty . It can also be found growing throughout the world. Common Vetch is in the Pea family and I never noticed those seed pods before until photographing the flowers. I read they contain cyanide compounds and can be toxic though so I won't be adding this to my edible list. Although some people seemed to be of a differing opinion over this being edible. As for me I'll just enjoy the beauty I've discovered in another one of God's creation.

Common Vetch

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Old Garden Rose

Learning about the roses on the side of our house has not been as easy as I thought. I had no clue how complicated this would be.I never realized there are so many varieties.Maybe though I have gained some understanding.These roses only bloom once a year so are considered Old Garden Roses.They have no fragrance so must be a hybrid too. I learned that chemicals in roses and glands on leaves and petals give them fragrance.The many years of cross breeding bred out the scent for some and also mildew can cause a loss of scent.There has been some problems with mildew in these but I don't remember them as being fragrant anyway.These roses will definitely spread and climb and are a lovely shade of pink. Possibly I thought they were a Climbing Polyantha or a Hybrid Multiflora. Indeed it has become a little complex for me but maybe I'm on the right path. Gladly I would receive advice on this from someone who has experience and knowledge on roses ! I still don't understand how these roses appeared along a line of hedges that had been there since my childhood. During the 1990's I was cleaning out a section of my families yard covered in leaves and pine straw. I almost had felt like giving up because there was concern that my family (I lived with my parents)might loose our home. I thought why should I keep trying to clear all this if we were going to have to leave. Surprisingly there appeared a small pink rose that caught my eye in the Spring. Almost as a sign from God it was placed there. He took care of the worries over our home. We stayed and years later paid it off. Through many years though of hardship as well as the loss of my Daddy who passed away before this happened. Where the rose came from is not understood. It's possible that it could have been buried under all the leaves and pine straw. I thought maybe my neighbor had dumped cuttings or some she pulled up from else where. Cuttings doesn't make sense now but an idea I had previously. It spread through these hedges over into my yard but was never seen there before neither do I remember any like it anywhere near there. I eventually dug up one and planted it where it is now as seen in the pictures. The others that remain there have stayed small and don't always bloom. Not enough light with so many trees surrounding them. Interesting how God brought it all about and how I now enjoy seeing these every Spring. Discovering His Creation in the rose I can see will continue.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Psalm 126:5

My Old Garden Rose

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