Discovering His Creation

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Spotted Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria)

Spotted Ladysthumb is a new name for me but not a new image. Another common plant I've seen much of my life and maybe you have also. It's not native to North America but was introduced and since become invasive. It's native to Eurasia. The plant is said to be edible and medicinal. The leaves and seeds can be eaten raw or cooked but it does contain oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is not said to be toxic but can affect other minerals in the body and lead to a mineral deficiency of some minerals. Cooking the leaves is said to reduce the oxalic acid. Not a plant I'm planning on trying right now but good information to know. It's been used medicinally by the Native Americans as an astringent, diuretic, poultice and other uses as well. Ladysthumb have a marking on the leaves that looks like a darker green smudge in the middle of the leaf. Polygonum persicaria is one of many species in Polygonum. There are others that are also edible and medicinal. Remember never try plants without having many references, good information or the help and advice of an expert. I'm still amazed at how much information there is to learn about God's creation. I hope you'll take time to discover God's creation where you are.

Spotted Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria)

Spotted Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria) Leaves with darker spot in middle.

Spotted Ladysthumb (Polygonum persicaria)

Friday, September 19, 2014

Atrichum Moss (Atrichum angustatum)

At different times during the year parts of my yard will be blanketed in a lush carpet of green moss. Depending on how much rain we're having as to how green and lush it becomes. It's been here since my childhood and I have noticed that it has spread throughout the years. Atrichum angustatum can be found throughout the world, across Europe and reaching as far east as Asia. It can be found in the Eastern and Central United States and Canada. It actually could make a nice lawn in some ways but could require a lot of watering if we're not having much rain. At least no need for the lawnmower in those areas of my yard that it grows in. These photos were taken in the Spring when we had a good bit of rain. Part of the Summer it was not as lush and green since it was dry here for a while. Moss is just another part of God's creation I'm discovering more about and one that seems quite complex to me. Take a look around and discover God's creation where you are.

Atrichum Moss (Atrichum angustatum)

Atrichum Moss (Atrichum angustatum) growing on a rock.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Old Man's Beard (Usnea)

I happened to notice this on a stick when I was walking in the back yard. I almost tossed it over in the woods like other sticks and limbs down the hill. It caught my eye though and decided I would take some pictures. I see these but never thought much about them and have grown up seeing them. Glad God brought it to my attention because I never would have imagined the information I discovered about it. Usnea grows all over the world and can be found hanging from tree branches. It's been used medicinally for at least 1600 years or more and is an antibiotic and anti-fungal agent. It can be used externally for treating wounds, a pain reliever, fever reducer and in treating infections. It has also been used for weight loss. Although there have been concerns about it's effect on the liver when used as an ingredient in weight loss products. As always never try or use plants medicinally without the advice of an expert or without researching and having much information. My blogs are not here to give medical advice but to only inform of what I'm learning and discovering. Usnea contains a chemical called usnic acid and it has been used as ingredient in toothpaste, mouthwash, creams, powders, deodorants, shampoo and sunscreens . One of the best ways to identify it is to pull a green thread apart. Usnea will contains a white thread core. I tried doing that with some and saw just what was described. Any other lookalike will not have the white core inside. It's amazing something that could go unnoticed by many of us can have so many uses. I continue to discover just how little I know about God's creation that surrounds me and I see daily. What an awesome and wise Creator we have who designed the earth and placed a world of information in plants, trees and so much more. I'm discovering God's creation and I hope you will too.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Slender Bush-clover (Lespedeza virginica)

There is beauty in the small things. These were in the same area my son and I have found wildflowers in our neighborhood before. Lespedeza is a genus of about 40 species. One of which I just recently wrote about and found in the same location was Sericaea Lespedeza which is not native to the United States. It was brought to this country in 1896. Slender Bush Cover (Lespedeza virginica) is native to the United States, Southern Asia and Australia. It can be found in Northeastern, North-Central and the Southeastern United States. It can also be found in Eastern Canada and Northern Mexico. The leaves are eaten by deer, rabbits, cattle and seeds are eaten by birds. This species I could find no information on edibility for humans or if it had ever been used medicinally. I love learning and discovering about God's creation and I hope you'll take time and discover His creation near you .

Slender Bush-clover (Lespedeza virginica)

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Gulf fritillary or Passion Butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) Discovering His...

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Each walk my son and I take to the spots where we find wildflowers in our neighborhood seems to turn up something new. I love the color of these. Sericea Lespedeza has tiny flowers and tiny leaves that I think are lovely. It's long stemmed and the ones we saw were around a foot long. It's native to Asia and eastern Australia. It has been introduced to other countries and was introduced to the United States in 1896 from Japan. Sericea Lespedeza is now present throughout the eastern United States. It was used to help stop erosion and also forage for livestock but now is considered invasive in some areas. It's been used medicinally to treat skin ulcerations, dysentery, enteritis, hernias and other aliments. It's said to be anthelmintic, depurative and tonic. Young leaves after being soaked and cooked are edible. Those are very small leaves though ! As always be cautious and have the advice of an expert before gathering or using any plant medicinally or for food. Be well informed with many resources. So many plants and so many continuing discoveries about a small area that surrounds me. I'll continue to enjoy and discover God's creation. I hope you'll take time and do so also.

Sericea Lespedeza, Chinese Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata)

Monday, September 8, 2014

Woodland Lettuce, Florida Blue Lettuce, False Lettuce - (Lactuca floridana)

This was another nice discovery in that weedy spot where I found so many interesting wildflowers. The difference in the top and bottom leaves confused me for a while when researching this plant on the internet. At first I only saw pictures of lobed leaves and none of the lanced leaves. I finally understood though and was surprised that this is another wild edible. One I wouldn't have guessed to be considered a lettuce. It can be cooked as greens or put in salads but is said to be bitter. The flowers resemble those of the Chicory plant but much smaller. The plant contains a white milky sap and lac which means milk in Latin is found in it's scientific name.This is also a food for caterpillars and butterflies. I'm amazed at what I'm discovering and learning about God's creation. So many plants seem to be going to waste that I never knew had a purpose other than to be called a weed. How little so many of us seem to know. As always be cautious and well informed before gathering or trying edible or medicinal plants. Having the advice of an expert and many references is recommended. Look around with open eyes and discover God's creation near you.