the long cast shadows of early Spring and the old and diseased main trunk of the White Pine, Pinus alba, the Iroquois "Tree of Peace", that was taken down by the electric company as a threat to wires and driveway at my daughter and son-in-law's home. I'll incorporate some its' sawdust to artwork honoring its' long life. there was not enough resin to take for binder with pigments at the cuts and signified the dried state of the tree. this photo sketch also aligned with a trip with my daughter and grandchildren to the New York State Museum where several permanently installed life size dioramas and wall displays of early native Iroquois arts, life and traditions exist. enThanks...

~the two headed~

These Redbud bushes planted by Jenna O'Brien https://www.facebook.com/Viridissima where I'm staying form this solid rectangular in contrast and leading to the front of the larger solid rectangular of the woods behind. Viewed from the house the yard space is defined by the rectangular wooded borderline. Within it are the rectangular house, the Redbud to the East and two oblong or squircle gardens to the west of the house...

The Redbud is somewhere in between square and circle and none of this may have anything to do with why this Redbud has fascinated me since arriving here...

Redbud or Red Bud 

3 exerts from http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/dmna/cercis.html

"There are five to ten flowers in each cluster and these clusters are produced so thickly on the branches that the tree when in bloom is a mass of red and a conspicuous object even at a distance. The flowers have a pleasant, tart taste, and are said to have been used as pickles by the early French settlers."

"Cercis Canadensis contains neither alkaloid, nor crystalline glucosid that we could discover and the only constituent of marked characteristic was the tannin that gave the astringency. This tannin was extracted by alcohol and water, and freely by glycerine. It precipitated ferric salts, blue if in dilute solution, and immediately threw all traces of gelatine from solutions containing that body. Owing to the small size of the tree, it is probable that the bark will never be of sufficient abundance to compete in the market with oak and hemlock as a tanning agent, but the richness of the tannin commends it to consideration. Should the bark of this tree come into use as a medicinal agent, it must necessarily be as a vegetable astringent. Owing to the abundance of other well known astringents, however, that may act more kindly, at least being well understood, it is improbable that Cercis will be used in medicine to any extent."

"MEDICAL HISTORY AND PROPERTIES.—Cercis has never been used in medicine. The dispensatories do not honor it by a position, even Prof. King omiting it from the American Dispensatory. Neither Thomsonian nor Eclectic recognize it and Regular medicine bears no evidence of the existence of such a drug beyond a few brief notes, published by Dr. Wm. R. Smith, Sr. , [New Preparations, Geo. S. Davis, Detroit. Minn.. 1879, pp, 141, 251.] who states, "I have had over twenty years' experience in the use of Cercis Canadensis, and can, with confidence, recommend it to the profession. In all cases were an astringent [We wrote our paper on the chemistry of the drug before consulting this paper of Dr. Smith.] is indicated it will give satisfaction, and it has the advantage over all other articles of that class, that it can be given when the stomach is irritable, without increasing the trouble, making it very valuable in the treatment of the diarrhoeas peculiar to infancy. But it is in the treatment of chronic diarrhoea and dysentery that its curative action is most manifest. During the war I used it at the Post Hospital at Cairo, in the treatment of that scourge of the western army,—camp diarrhoea,—with extraordinary success." Dr. Smith mixed one fluid ounce of Cercis with three fluid ounces of aromatic syrup of rhubarb, and in chronic dysentery administered a teaspoonful every four hours. In chronic diarrhcea he administered the fluid extract of Cercis in teaspoonful doses after each discharge. He also employed Cercis in leucorrhoea and gleet."

"Redbud Cercis canadensis inner bark highly astringent. has been used with diarrhea and dysentery, also a folk remedy for cancer/leukemia. Flowers are edible and appear in early spring before leafing." - James Duke Medicinal Plants and Herbs of the Eastern/Central US

Mullein

mulleinfrom http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Verbascum+thapsus

"Verbascum thapsus - L.
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants.  Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Anodyne;  Antiseptic;  Astringent;  Demulcent;  Emollient;  Expectorant;  Homeopathy;  Narcotic;   Odontalgic;  Vulnerary. Great mullein is a commonly used domestic herbal remedy, valued for its efficacy in the treatment of pectoral complaints[4].  It acts by reducing the formation of mucus and stimulating the coughing up of phlegm, and is a specific treatment for  tracheitis and bronchitis[254]. The leaves and the flowers are anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic,  astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant and vulnerary[4, 7, 13, 21, 46, 53, 165, 222]. An infusion is taken  e (Thymus vulgaris)[254]. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is a good healer of wounds and is also applied to ulcers,  tumours and piles[4, 222, 254]. Any preparation made from the leaves needs to be carefully strained in order to remove the  small hairs which can be an irritant[7]. The plant is harvested when in flower and is dried for later use[238]. An infusion of  the flowers in olive oil is used as earache drops, or as a local application in the treatment of piles and other mucous  membrane inflammations[4, 222, 238]. This infusion is also strongly bactericidal[4]. A decoction of the roots is said to alleviate toothache and also relieve cramps  and convulsions[4]. The juice of the plant and powder made from the dried roots is said to quickly remove rough warts when  rubbed on them[4]. It is not thought to be so useful for smooth warts[4]. The seeds are slightly narcotic and also contain  saponins[4]. A poultice made from the seeds and leaves is used to draw out splinters[4]. A decoction of the seeds is used  to soothe chilblains and chapped skin[7]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves[4]. It is used in the treatment  of long-standing headaches accompanied with oppression of the ear[4]. Other Uses Dye;  Insecticide;  Insulation;  Lighting;  Tinder;  Wick. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers by boiling them in water[4]. When used with dilute sulphuric acid they produce a rather  permanent green dye, this becomes brown with the addition of alkalis[4, 13, 100, 168]. An infusion of the flowers is sometimes  used to dye the hair a golden colour[4, 200]. The flowering stems can be dipped in wax and used as torches[53, 106, 124]. The  down on the leaves and stems makes an excellent tinder when quite dry[4, 53, 115]. It is also used as an insulation in shoes to keep  the feet warm[4, 200] and to make wicks for candle[1, 4, 13, 100, 115, 124]. One report says that the leaves contain rotenone,  though it does not say in what quantity[222]. Rotenone is used as an insecticide[K]."

 Water bearer ring

Sun set 

we journey 

with last quarter

dark of Spring Equinox

 tomorrow

 light increasing

 inspiring

 ring

growth

ringWater

ring...

 egg carton foundation for the art (40 weeks in the compost) mid day

1:02 PM (Gregorian time) Vernal Equinox time as half way between Sunrise and Sunset

enJoy the Spring Equinox 2013 with creative Body, Mind and Spirit as One

young Fig leaves rising with the Vernal Equinox

Updated Herbs and Health links (scroll down right page column to link)
Green Blessings

HERBS & HEALTH

• American Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
• American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
• American Botanical Council
• American Herbal Pharmacopoeia
• American Herbal Products Association
• American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
• Ayurvedic Institute
• Bastyr University (Natural Health Education)
• Bitterroot Restoration Plant Food & Medicine Infomation
• Centre for Natural Healing / Donnie Yance
• East West School of Planetary Herbology w/Michael Tierra
• Foundations in Herbal Medicine Tieraona Low Dog , MD
• Henriette's Herbal Homepage
• Herb Research Foundation
• Herbal Educational Services
• Herbal Therapeutics with David Winston
• Herbalist & Homeopathist Matthew Wood
• Herbalist & Raw Food Chef Brigitte Mars
• Herbalist Christopher Hobbs
• Herbalist Corinna Wood
• Herbalist Howie Brounstein
• International College of Herbal Medicine
• Jim Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases
• Jonathan Treasure, Botanical Medicine & Cancer, Herb - Drug Interactions
• Joyful Belly Ayurveda / John Immel
• links Organic
• Macrobiotics / Kushi Institute
• Maderi Centre for Natural Healing w/Donald Yance
• Medical Advisors Journals
• Mycology w/Paul Stamets
• National Ayurvedic Medical Association
• National Center for Homeopathy
• Natural Health is Our DNA
• North American Institute of Medical Herbalism
• North American Institute of Medical Herbalism w/Paul Bergner
• Northeast School of Botanical Medicine with 7 Song
• Plant Spirit Healing with Pam Montgomery
• Plant Spirit Medicine with Eliot Cowen
• Plants For A Future
• PubMed; U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Remineralize the Earth
• Rosemary Gladstar, Sage Mountain Herbs & Earth Awareness
• Ryan Drum and Sea Vegetables
• Soil and Health Library
• Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
• The American Herbalists Guild (AHG)
• Tillotson Institute of Natural health
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• United Plant Savers
• Veterinary Botanical Medicine Association
• Weston A. Price Foundation Wise Traditions in Food, Farming & healing Arts
• Wise Woman Healing Ways w/Robin Rose Bennett
• Wise Woman Mentor Susun Weed

Flower Essence Remedies

Dr Edward Bach
http://www.bachcentre.com/

"This work of healing has been done, and published and given freely so that people like yourselves can help yourselves"

- Dr Edward Bach, 1936

for free downloads of "The Twelve Healers" and "Heal Thyself"; http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/download/index.htm


http://www.perelandra-ltd.com/
"Perelandra celebrates the power of the individual. Everything we offer is geared to the individual and his or her quest to live in environmentally friendly ways in three main areas: environment, health and soil-less gardens (i.e., business, home, special projects, the creative arts — all "gardens" that do not grow in soil).
Machaelle Wright,
Founder of Perelandra"

Mamey, Pouteria sapota

Mamey sapote Pouteria sapota

from http://www.fromthefarm.com/fruits/tropical-fruit/mamey-sapote-0#

Recently bought a Mamey fruit at our local co-op, Tidal Creek. 
It was intro for me and was so tasty that I planted the seed and rind, having most of the pulp in my belly, in an "organic" fruit growing medium w/perlite and vermiculite. I am, half like, mimicking the entire fruit falling from the tree and creating a nourishing environ for the seed to feed on in the ground through the germinating/sprouting process. 

http://www.redlandorganics.com/products_services.htm
Mamey has been grown in FL sine the 1880's in US Florida

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oaxaca,_Oaxaca#Food_and_drink
Oaxaca Mexico
..."Tlacolula and Ejutla an indigenous drink called 'tejate' is still prepared and sold in the local market. Known here as the drink of the gods, it is prepared with corn, cacao, cacao flower and the seed of the mamey fruit."
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouteria_sapota

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouteria_sapota

Nutrient value of raw mamey sapote fruit (3.5 oz or 100 g of fruit).¹

Constituent	Approximate value	Constituent	Approximate value	Constituent	Approximate value
Water content	62%	Carbohydrate	33.8 g	Phosphorus	28 mg
Calories	134 kcal	Total dietary fiber	2.6 g	Potassium	344 mg
Protein	2.1 g	Calcium	39 mg	Sodium	10 mg
Fat	0.6 mg	Iron	1.0 mg	Vit. C	20.0 mg
Cholesterol	0.0	Magnesium	30 mg	Vit. A	410 IU
1, Data taken from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2005. USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouteria_sapota

Pouteria sapota

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Abricó" redirects here. This may also refer to the apricot (Prunus armeniaca).

The mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) is a species of tree native to southern Mexico. Today, the tree is cultivated not only in Mexico, but also in Central America, theCaribbean, and South Florida for its fruit, which is commonly eaten in many Latin American countries. Mamey sapote is a large and highly ornamental evergreen tree that can reach a height of 15 to 45 meters (60 to 140 feet) at maturity. Like most fruit trees, it is mainly propagated by grafting, which ensures the new plant has the same characteristics as the parent, especially its fruit. It is also considerably faster than growing trees by seed. The fruit is about 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10 inches) long and 8 to 12 cm (3 to 5 inches) wide and has orange flesh.

The fruit is eaten raw or made into milkshakes, smoothies, ice cream and fruit bars. Some consider the fruit to be an aphrodisiac.^{[citation needed]} Some beauty products use oil pressed from the seed^[1], otherwise known as sapayul oil^[2].

The brown skin has a texture somewhat between sandpaper and the fuzz on a peach. The fruit's texture is creamy and soft. A mamey sapote is ripe when the flesh is pink when a fleck of the skin is removed. The flesh should give slightly, as with a ripe kiwifruit.

The mamey sapote is related to other sapotes such as sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), abiu(P. caimito) and canistel (P. campechiana), but unrelated to the black sapote (Diospyros digyna) and white sapote (Casimiroa edulis). It should not be confused with the mammee apple (Mammea americana).

Mammea americana

It has different names depending on the country: mamey, zapote colorado (Costa Rica), and zapote rojo (South America), among others.

Mamey sapote
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Sapotaceae
Genus:	Pouteria
Species:	P. sapota
Binomial name
Pouteria sapota (Jacq.) H. E. Moore & Stearn

[edit]See also

• Sapodilla

[edit]References

1. ^ Chadwick, Molly (11 January 2011). "Emerald Forest® Botanical Hair Care With Rainforest Sapayul Committes to More Natural Products With Introduction of Paraben Free Shampoos And Conditioners - Yahoo! News" (in English) (HTML). Encinitas, CA: PRWEB. Retrieved 25 August 2011. "Sapayul oil comes from the seeds of Sapote, a fruit indigenous to the Central American rainforests and an ancient Mayan secret for beautiful, soft, and shiny hair."
2. ^ Anita, Grant (14 December 2006). "Organic Sapote Seed Oil (inci: Pouteria Sapota, Zapote, Mamey Sapote, Zapayul, Sapayul)" (in English) (HTML). anitagrant.com's photostream. Flickr. Retrieved 25 August 2011. "Organic Sapote Seed Oil (inci: Pouteria Sapota, Zapote, Mamey Sapote, Zapayul, Sapayul)"

[edit]External Links

• TradeWinds Fruit: Mamey Sapote
• New Crop Resource Online Program: Sapote                                

this 4" x 6 1/2" untitled landscape was done with heated Stockmar beeswax & natural pigment on reconstituted brown paper grocery bag with inclusion of Chamomile Matricaria recutita flowers from the tiered herb garden I designed & installed at the then Crystal Ledge property in Voorheesville, NY in 1991.

the cradled backing for panel support is Phragmites spp. I foraged locally in Bethlehem, NY 

 with signature & date visable..

sitting with the Cape Fear River, its grasses and reeds

Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa          mixed materials         29" x 26" x 1"

materials;
earth pigments
Monstera deliciosa rind platelets (posts 7/19, 7/22-23, 7/31)
cardboard w/taping box
butcher block paper
wheat/water
salt and pepper

on the studio floor

Monstera diliciosa

Monstera diliciosa for breakfast shake and will see about using this pentagonally plated rind for a place in work to come ....

ripening Monstera deliciosa...

Monstera deliciosa

wanting not to get on the green banana band wagon I placed my 

Monstera deliciosa in a blue glass, stalk end up, to ripen. ©Greg Patch

Monstera deliciosa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Monstera deliciosa is a creeping vine native to tropical rainforests of southern Mexico south toColombia.^[1] It has been introduced to many tropical areas, and has become a mildly invasive species in Hawaii.

Common names include Ceriman, Swiss Cheese Plant (or just Cheese Plant), Fruit Salad Plant,Monster fruit, Monsterio Delicio, Monstereo, Mexican Breadfruit, Monstera, split-leaf philodendron,Locust and Wild Honey, Windowleaf, Delicious Monster, Balazo and Penglai Banana^[2].

This member of the Arum family is an epiphyte with aerial roots, able to grow up to 20 m (65 feet) high with large, leathery, glossy, heart-shaped leaves 25–90 cm (9 to 35 inches) long by 25–75 cm broad. Young plants have leaves that are smaller and entire with no lobes or holes, but soon produce lobed and holed leaves.^[3]

Wild seedlings grow towards the darkest area they can find until they find a tree trunk, then start to grow up towards the light, creeping up the tree.^[4]

Contents   [hide]  1 Cultivation 2 Fruit 3 Other uses 4 References 5 External links

Monstera deliciosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Alismatales
Family:	Araceae
Subfamily:	Monsteroideae
Tribe:	Monstereae
Genus:	Monstera
Species:	M. deliciosa
Binomial name
Monstera deliciosa Liebm.

[edit]Cultivation

The plant is commonly grown for interior decoration in public buildings and as a houseplant. It grows best between the temperatures of 20 °C and 30 °C (68°F and 86°F) and requires high humidity and shade. Growth ceases below 10 °C (50°F) and it is killed by frost. In the coastal zones of Sicily, especially in the Palermo area, where it is called "Zampa di leone" ("Lion's paw"), it is often cultivated outdoors. In ideal conditions it flowers about three years after it is planted. Flowering is rare when grown indoors. The plant can be propagated by taking cuttings of a mature plant or by air layering.

[edit]Fruit

The fruit is up to 25 cm long and 3–4 cm diameter, looking like a green ear of maize covered with hexagonal scales.

Fruits of plants of the Araceae (Arum family) often contain Raphides and Trichosclereids – needle like structures of calcium oxalate.

The fruit may be ripened by cutting it when the first scales begin to lift up and it begins to exude a pungent odor. It is wrapped in a paper bag and set aside until the scales begin popping off. The scales are then brushed off or fall away to reveal the edible flesh underneath. The flesh, which is similar to pineapple in texture, can be cut away from the core and eaten. It has a fruity taste similar to jackfruit and pineapple. The unripe green fruits can irritate the throat and the latex of the leaves and vines can create rashes in the skin, because both contain potassium oxalate: that's the reason why the fruits have to be consumed when the scales lift up.^[5]

[edit]Other uses

The aerial roots have been used as ropes in Peru, and to make baskets in Mexico.^[4]

In Mexico, a leaf or root infusion is drunk daily to relieve arthritis.^[4]

In Martinique the root is used to make a remedy for snakebite.^[4]

In Colombia it is used as a decorative plant.^[6]

• 

  Monstera fruit
 
• 

  Monstera fruit (unripe)
 
• 

  Monstera flower
 
• 

  Leaf
 
• 

  Leaf and flower
• 

  Growing fruit

[edit]References

1. ^ "Monstera deliciosa". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2006-02-22. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
2. ^ Bartholomew, Terese Tse, et. al. (eds.). The Charming Cicada Studio: Masterworks by Chao Shao-an. Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 1997. p40.
3. ^ http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/ceriman.html Fruits of warm climates pp. 15–17 (1987) access date 2010-07-09
4. ^ ^a b c d Online reference to Monstera deliciosa^{[dead link]}
5. ^ "Plantas silvestres alimenticias fe uso tradicional en las comunidades de Pacurita, San José de Purre y Guayabal". Reuna.unalmed.edu.co. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
6. ^ "Balazo - Monstera deliciosa Liebm – Banco de Objetos de Aprendizaje y de Información" (in (Spanish)). Aprendeenlinea.udea.edu.co. Retrieved 2012-01-30.

[edit]External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Monstera deliciosa

Wikispecies has information related to: Tribu Monstereae

• Monstera deliciosa