to all our falling warriors

Loquat falling warrior feather                                               ©Greg Patch        

10/13

10/13 w/Pineapple Guava fruit                       11" x 14"                    mixed eco materials

mixed eco materials:

og wheat flour

earth pigments (ochres)

sea salt

water

earth pigments (ochres)

salvaged pine board

Pineapple Guava fruit
whey polyurethane

Duckweed Grid

Duckweed; family Lemnaceae

Duckweed Grid                                                           ©Greg Patch

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemnoideae;

Classifications created prior to the approximate end of the twentieth century tend to classify them as a separate family,Lemnaceae.

Duckweed is an important high-protein food source for waterfowl and also is eaten by humans in some parts of Southeast Asia. As it contains more protein than soybeans, it is sometimes cited as a significant potential food source.^[6] The tiny plants provide cover forfry of many aquatic species. The plants are used as shelter by pond water species such as bullfrogs and bluegills. They also provide shade and, although frequently confused with them, can reduce certain light-generated growths of photoautotrophic algae.

The plants can provide nitrate removal, if cropped, and the duckweeds are important in the process of bioremediation because they grow rapidly, absorbing excess mineral nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphates. For these reasons they are touted as water purifiers of untapped value.^[7]

The Swiss Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries, SANDEC, associated with the Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, asserts that as well as the food and agricultural values, duckweed also may be used forwaste water treatment to capture toxins and for odor control, and, that if a mat of duckweed is maintained during harvesting for removal of the toxins captured thereby, it prevents the development of algae and controls the breeding of mosquitoes.^[8] The same publication provides an extensive list of references for many duckweed-related topics.

These plants also may play a role in conservation of water because a cover of duckweed will reduce evaporation of water when compared to the rate of a similar size water body with a clear surface.

Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

There are many questions about this beautiful classic Southern plant...

"reformed fallen to ground Spanish Moss Tillandsia usneoides placed in green space"  ©Greg Patch

from http://www.ehow.com/list_6504160_uses-tillandsia-usneoides.html;

"Tillandsia usneoides--also called Spanish moss, long moss and graybeard--is an epiphytic plant. An epiphytic plant is one that hangs from the branches and trunks of a host plant but derives nutrients from the rain and air. It is not parasitic and requires its host for physical and mechanical support only. Tillandsia usneoides commonly grows on the bald cypress and southern live oak trees. The plant has been harvested for centuries and is used in numerous commercial applications--one of which was as stuffing for the seats of Ford Model T cars."
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_moss;

"The plant's specific name usneoides means "resembling Usnea", and it indeed closely resembles its namesake Usnea, also known as beard lichen, but in fact Spanish moss is not biologically related to either mosses or lichens. Instead, it is an angiosperm in the family Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) that grows hanging from tree branches in full sun or partial shade. Formerly this plant has been placed in the genera Anoplophytum,Caraguata, and Renealmia.^[2] Its natural range is from Virginia Beach, Virginia in thesoutheastern United States to Argentina, growing wherever the climate is warm enough and has a relatively high average humidity. It has been introduced to similar locations around the world, including Hawaii and Australia."

from Herbal Therapeutics David Winston, Herbalist AHG;

Usnea Usnea babata is a symbiotic life composed of an algae and a fungus. Medicinally Usnea is a powerful antibacterial agent inhibiting gram positive bacteria (Streotococcus, Staphyloccus, Pneumococcus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis). It is also an antifungal agent (ringworm, atheletes foot,) that kills trichomonas and candida. Usnea is an antispasmodic to the lung and large intestine. It is indicated for spastic colon, strep throat, bronchitis, pleuresy, pneumonia and cystitis."

Are their similarities beyond appearance?

what uses medicinally are there for Spanish Moss? 

For starters it is rich in calcium... 

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_moss

"Spanish moss is an epiphyte which absorbs nutrients (especially calcium) and water from the air and rainfall."

and also pollutants in industrial and vehicular areas that it has absorbed. We could line our highways with Spanish Moss farms. A medicinal from it would need to be grown securely away from these high pollutant areas.

In what form does Spanish Moss return these nutrients to Earth?

sun is out, air is clear and drying frames hold two baked art studies...

baked art studies

three stages since Sun...   pre oven where I've established color and line foundations. I've placed phasing sliced fruit of Guava Pineapple within in honoring the ripening fruit of this new to me edible.  

Each pair of photos are pre oven, after oven and after an application of a water based "PolyWhey" interior polyurethane on the top surface. By coating the top surface I capture the state of the piece and allow any remaining moisture to go out the bottom onto absorbing paper surface.

stage 1

stage 2

stage 3

...the inner and outer perfection of nature, 

 discover the power in alignment through...

process youme, honoring our oneness; 

layering of color and line 

has me. 

sense wholeness, 

with 

the 

enfolding

growth 

in 

process

...