Plant, Herb, and Tree Lore

Eustrephus latifolius: Wombat Berry

leafworks — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:32:21 +0000

Eustrephus latifolius in * Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011

Eustrephus latifolius:
* Wombat berry *

Common Names: Wombat berry

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae; Angiosperms; Monocots; Asparagales; Asparagaceae; Lomandroideae; Geitonosplesiaceae; Eustrephus latifolius.

Location/Environment:
Native to Malaysia, Eastern Australia (especially Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria), New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Pacific Islands. Common in sclerophyll dry or wet forests, woodlands, heaths, marginal rainforests, and gallery forests.

Description:
Coming from the Greek “Eustrephus” meaning “to twist” and describing its twining habit of the vines. Latifolius meaning having broad leaves. A monotypic genus of the Asparagaceae and Lomandroideae families it is a sole species that is an evergreen vine that vigorously twines and scrambles as ground cover. Vine gives sprout to lamina variable shaped elliiptic, lance-shaped, to linear leaves ranging from 3-10 cm in length and 3-35 mm in width. The veins of the leaves are equally distinct. The leaves in the Spring give blossom to 15 mm diameter pink, mauve, and/or white flowers with 1-2 cm diameter yellow-orange globose capsules with black seeds set in a white aril. The fruits remain on the plant for several months.

Cultivation:
Propagated best from fresh young seed.

Common Uses:

Culinary:
Fleshy roots are edible. Tubers are baked and eaten. They are notable to have an earthy sweet flavor.

Medicinal:

Folklore and Magic:

Mythology:

NOTE: This article is in constant state of research, updating, and evolution. If you have information to add, please submit to science@technogypsie.com

Bibliography/Recommended Reading:

Chase, M.W.; Reveal, J.L.; Fay, M.F. 2009 Botanical Journal of Linnean Society 161: “A subfamilial classification for the expanded asparagalean families Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae, and Xanthorrhoeaceae”; pages 132-136.

PlantNET: “Eustrephus latifolius”. Website referenced May 2012.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. “Eustrephus latifolius”. Website referenced May 2012.

* Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Photos from:

Australian National Botanical Gardens*
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Absolute Astronomy ~ Eustrephus; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; Absolute Astronomy; www.absoluteastronomy.com.
Australian National Botanical Gardens ~ Eustrephus latifolius; by unknown author; notes take from web site in 2011; ANBG: www.anbg.gov.au.
Australian Native Plants Society ~ Eustrephus latifolius; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; ANPSA; www.anpsa.org.au.
Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust ~ Eustrephus latifolius; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; RBGSYN: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.
Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia ~ Eustrephus latifolius; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Articles and Research papers are done at the Author’s expense. If you donate below, you’ll help contribute to the costs of the research that provided this article. Any Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?

Eucalyptus:

leafworks — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:58:56 +0000

Eucalyptus Tree, Pine River Island, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Eucalyptus

Myrtaceae

Common Names:

“Eucalypts”, “Gum Trees”, “mallees”, “mallet”, “marlock”, “Apple Box”,

Taphonomy/Taxonomy: Plantae; Angiosperms; Eudicots; Rosids; Myrtales; Myrtaceae; Eucalyptus.

Over 700 Species.
Eucalyptus amplifolia

Eucalyptus blakelyi

Eucalyptus dawsonii
.

Localities:

Native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. Might be native to the Archipelagos of the Philippines as well as Taiwan. With over 700 Species, 691 are found in Australia, and 15 of the species can be found outside of Australia, with only 9 species not local to Australia. Eucalyptus species are found cultivated in other parts of the world, especially in tropical/subtropical regions in the Americas, Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, the Middle East, China, and India.

Description:

One of the most dominant fast growing trees found in Australia, the Eucalypus is a diverse species of Myrtle Family trees and shrubs.Single stemmed with a crown forming a minor proportion of the tree height for the trees found in forests, and single stemmed with short branches above ground level for those in the woodlands. Those that are multi-stemmed from the ground level but rarely taller than 10 meter height are called “Mallees” and have crowns at the ends of the branchlets. Leaves are lanceolate shaped, alternate, petiolate, and waxy/glossy evergreen though some tropical species lose their leaves during termination of a dry season. The leaves are covered with oil glands. Mature trees have numerous full leafs and are towering giants offering patchy shade as the leaves droop downwards. Leaves of the seedlings are sometimes sessile, glaucous, and opposite. There are numerous differences between species. The flowers are very distinct for the Eucalyptus as well as its capsule/gumnut fruit. White, cream, pink/red, or yellow fluffy stamened flowers with no petals enclosed by a operculum cap composed of fused petals, sepals, or a combination. When the stamens expand, the operculum breaks off splitting from the cup-like flower base and is what gives to the naming of the tree. Fruis are cone-shaped, woody with valves at its ends that release the seeds. Full or Half Barks can range from smooth to textured, stringybarks, ironbarks, tessellated, boxed with short fibres, or ribbon barked with a satiny sheen as white, grey, green, copper, or cream colored. Dead bark can sometimes be retained in the lower half of the trunks/stems. Relating to the Gum Tree family as many species will release gummy sap where a break on a branch or the bark occurs. Its roots control sitting water, drainage, and irrigation. Some species of Eucalyptus are amongst the tallest trees in the world. The oils in the wood, bark, and leaves are highly flammable and can become explosive during forest fires.

Common Uses:
Commonly used for lumber, abstracting oil for cleaning, natural insecticide, for draining swamps, as windbreaks, erosion control, ornament, firewood, pulpwood, fencing, and controlling malaria. It is highly effective against mosquitoes. All parts of the tree is used to make dyes for silk and wool by processing the plant part with water forming a yellow through orange, green through tan, chocolate through deep rust red coloring. The Eucalyptus is an Excellent tree used to cut down on carbon dioxide as a Eucalyptus absorbs 300 kilograms a year. The entire tree is a cash crop for South Africa, Peru, and Timbuktu. Some pulpwood is used to make paper. The wood is often used to make the Australian aboriginee instrument called the Didgeridoo. They are also commonly planted for shade and ornamental uses.

Culinary Uses:
Eucalyptus oils are very toxic, but Eucalyptus is a primary food source for some marsupials such as the koalas and some possums. The flowers provide alot of nectar to birds, bats, possums, and insects but not utilized by humans for food except to produce high-quality mono-floral honey. Small amounts of the oil are used in sweets and cough drops.

Medicinal Uses:
Natural insecticide. The oil, while toxic in high quantities in lower levels is a very powerful natural disinfectant, cleaning, deodorizing, sweets, cough drops, toothpaste, and decongestants.

Magical Uses:

Folklore and History:
Surviving on this planet for over 50 million years, the Eucalyptus is a very ancient tree that is primarily found in Australia. “Eucalyptus” comes from the generic Greek words ευ (eu) which means “well” and καλυπτος (kalyptos) which means “covered” as “well covered” relating to the operculum of the calyx that conceals the tree’s flower. The tree has gained notable attention throughout the world by environmentalists, scientists, and watershed developers because they are fast growing sources of wood containing an oil that has industrial and commercial uses. Also with its ability to drain swamps for watershed issues, development, and the control of malaria. It was Sir Joseph Banks on Captain Cook’s 1770 expedition that introduced the Eucalyptus to the rest of the world. By Cook’s 1777 voyage, a crew mate named David Nelson collected some Eucalyptus samples from Southern Tasmania which was taken to the British Museum in London which led to its naming.

Cultivation:

Cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Planted often to control water, sitting water, swamps, ponds, and irrigation. Most Eucalyptus are not tolerant of frost (not much more than minus 3-5 degrees Celsius) even the Snow Gums (Eucalypus pauciflora) the hardiest can only withsand cold and frost to -20 degrees Celsius. They require a large amount of water from the soil so often planted in some places to lower the water table and reduce salination in the soil.

Eucalyptus Amplifolia: The Cabbage Gum

Eucalyptus blakelyi

Eucalyptus dawsonii

Researched and written by Thomas Baurley; Leaf McGowan; Technogypsie Research; et al.

Eucalyptus Tree, Pine River Island, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Eucalyptus

Redlands Indigiscapes
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Baurley, Thomas: Technogypsie.com ~ “Eucalyptus; 2011. www.technogypsie.com/science/.

Brooker & Kleinig: A Field Guide to Eucalypts, Volume 1.

EFloras.org: Flora of China. obtained in 2011 from website. www.efloras.org.

Encyclopedia of Life: eol.org ~ “Eucalyptus blakelyi; obtained in 2011 from website. www.eol.org.

Euclid: anbg.gov.au ~ “Eucalypts of Southern Australia; obtained in 2011 from website. http://anbg.gov.au.

Plant Net: Eucalink – A Web Guide to the Eucalypts ~ Eucalyptus blakelyi; obtained in 2011 from website. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Walker, Karen; Burrows, Geoff; McMahon, Lynne: Bidgee Bush – an Identification guide to common native plant species of the south western slopes of New South Wales”.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia ~ Eucalyptus blakelyi; obtained in 2011 from website. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Articles and Research papers are done at the Author’s expense. If you donate below, you’ll help contribute to the costs of the research that provided this article. Any Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?

Durabaculum imthurmil

leafworks — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:20:51 +0000

Duraboculum imthurmil in * Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011

Durabaculum imthurmil:

Common Names:

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae; Tracheobionta; Magnoliophyta; Liliopsida; Liliidae; Asparagales; Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Dendrobieae; Grastidiinae; Durabaculum imthurmil.

Location/Environment: These are often found in the Phillipines, Indonesia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuata, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, and Northeastern Queensland. They are most abundant in coastal and lowland areas, though at least one species of the Durabaculum can be found in the ranges of the tablelands to low and moderate altitudes. These are found growing on trees and rocks in moist humid and airy habitats like rainforests, open forests, woodlands, coastal scrubs, and mangroves. They are also found on the water or near the water’s edges in the lowland tropics, rainforests, and forests of mangroves as well as the dunes and coral reefs. They are also found in cooler area of mountains and alpine forests.

Description:Named after the Latin term “Dura” for “hard, firm, solid” and “baculum” for “staff” that most likely refers to the stem-like stalk of the plant, the Genus was named “Durabaculum”. A perennial evergreen, the Durabaculum are relatively atypical orchids and are sympodial with indiscernible rhizomes, elonged pseudobulbs. Durabaculums are within a genus of 52 different species that are glabrous. This independent species of the Durabaculum Genus is an epiphytes or lithophytes that has very short indiscernaible rhizomes that are anchored by its roots rising from its nodes at the base of its pseudobulb. The pseudobulb is hard, elongated, leafy, cylindrical, cane-like, stem that offshoots thick, fleshy, flat leaves without any channels or grooves, and are not much longer than they are wide with basally sheathing unequally notched leaves. The racemose arises from the upper nodes of the pseudobulb and inflorescenses. These give blossom to long lasting, relatively large, thick-textured, often scented flowers during the winter-spring and early summer. The perianth segments are often irregularly wavy or twisted with subsimilar sepals and the bases fused to the column foot. Blue-ish, yellow, or brown petals often with cream or mauve suffusions of the flower are often longer than the sepals, lasting for many days, and the labellum is stiffly attached to the apex of the column foot. They are most active during spring and summer months, while the rest of the year remains relatively quiescent. The name of the Genus comes from the Latin durus meaning hard, tough, and baculus which describes the pseudobulbs. Aerial growths can be present often arising from the apical nodes on the pseudobulbs. Penduncle/Pedicel is not elongated in the fruit, but has numerous light-colored winged seeds.

Cultivation: This plant breeds by pollination mainly by wasps and hornets, though the mirbelianum species is self-pollinating. It reproduces solely by seed which takes 4-6 months after pollination for the capsules to develop in a pendulous position.

Common Uses:

Culinary:

Medicinal:

Folklore and Magic:

Mythology:

NOTE: This article is in constant state of research, updating, and evolution. If you have information to add, please submit to science@technogypsie.com.

Photos from:

Australian National Botanical Gardens*
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Absolute Astronomy ~ Duraboculum imthurmil; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; Absolute Astronomy; www.absoluteastronomy.com.

Australian National Botanical Gardens ~ Duraboculum imthurmil; by unknown author; notes take from web site in 2011; ANBG: www.anbg.gov.au.

Australian Native Plants Society ~ Duraboculum imthurmil; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; ANPSA; www.anpsa.org.au.

Clements, M.A. and Jones, D.L. 2002 “Nomenclatural changes in the Dendrobieae” Orchidaceae. Australasian Regions. Orchadian 13 (11): 485-492.

Dockrill, A.W. 1969 “Australian Indigenous Orchids: Volume 1″. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Halstead Press: Sydney, Australia.

Jones, D.L; Clements, M.A. 2002 “Orchadian 13(11): Durabaculum – Dendrobium section”.

Keys Trin Org: Durabaculum. Website referenced March 2012. http://keys.trin.org.au:8080/key-server/data/08090a09-0d0e-410b-860c-020705070e0e/media/Html/genera/Durabaculum.htm.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust ~ Duraboculum imthurmil; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; RBGSYN: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia ~ Duraboculum imthurmil; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Articles and Research papers are done at the Author’s expense. If you donate below, you’ll help contribute to the costs of the research that provided this article. Any Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?

Eria javanica

leafworks — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 05:09:36 +0000

Eria javanica in * Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011

Eria javanica:
* The Javanese eria * widely distributed from India west to China and south through southeast Asia.

Common Names: The Javanese Eria, Grace, Xiang Hua Mao Lan

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae; Podochilaeae: Eria javanica.

Location/Environment: Local to southern China, Thailand, Laos, Myanamar, Sikkim, Northeastern India, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes, Moluccas, New Guinea, and the Philippines. Found in lowland forests on mangroves in swamp forests and lower montane laurel forests.

Description: One of the diverse Orchid species found in Australia. . It likes a hot to warm growing environment, and is a medium sized orchid ranging from ovoid to laterally compressed, pyriform, and basally sheathed pseudobulbs with 1-2 lanceolate, acuminate, petiolate leaves darker on the top side lighter on the lower, racemose infloresccen longer than the leaves, lanceolate bracts, erect to drooping upwards of two foot long hairy stalked subterminal giving blooming “Grace” flowers with upwards of fifty star like sweetly fragranced to roughly 1 to 1.5 inches (3.75 cm) from spring and summer blossoms.

Cultivation: – No Data Yet Found.

Common Uses:- No Data Yet Found.

Culinary: – No Data Yet Found.

Medicinal: – No Data Yet Found.

Folklore and Magic: – No Data Yet Found.

Mythology: – No Data Yet Found.

Photos from:

Australian National Botanical Gardens*
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Absolute Astronomy ~ Myrtaceae; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; Absolute Astronomy; www.absoluteastronomy.com.

Australian National Botanical Gardens ~ Eria javanica; by unknown author; notes take from web site in 2011; ANBG: www.anbg.gov.au.

Australian Native Plants Society ~ Eria javanica; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; ANPSA; www.anpsa.org.au.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust ~ Eria javanica; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; RBGSYN: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia ~ Eria javanica; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org.

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Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Articles and Research papers are done at the Author’s expense. If you donate below, you’ll help contribute to the costs of the research that provided this article. Any Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These articles are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this article and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?

Wax Jasmine: Jasminum simplicifolium

leafworks — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:09:46 +0000

Jasminum simplicifolium in * Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011

Jasminum simplicifolium: Jasmine

Common Names: Wax Jasmine, Simple Jasmine, Jasmine.

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae; Angiosperms; Eudicots; Asterids; Lamiales; Oleaceae; Jasmineae; Jasminum simplicifolium. Other species include Jasminum abyssinicum (Forest Jasmine), J. adenophyllum (Pinwheel or Princess Jasmine), J. angulare, J. auriculatum, J. dichotomum (Gold Coast Jasmine), J. didymum, J. grandiflorum (Spanish Jasmine / Royal Jasmine), and J. humile (Italian Yellow Jasmine) as the most prevalent. Others include but are not limied to J. lanceolarium, mesnyi Hance, multiflorum Hance, multipartitum Hochst, nervosum Lour, nudiflorum Lindl., odoratissimum L., offininale L., parkeri Dunn, polyanthum Franch., sambac, sinense Hemsl., urophyllum Hemsl. to name a few.

Location/Environment: Grows best in moist, well drained soils with full sun or partial shade. Native to warm temperate climates, tropical regions, especially within the Old World. Similiar species found throughout the Americas and Australia. The species fluminense and dichotomum is seen as a invasive species in Hawaii and Florida.

Description: A creeper, shrub, and/or vine, coming from the Olive family, Jasmine has over two hundred different species. The term “Jasminum” comes from the Arabic/Persian “Yasameen” meaning “gift from God”. It is revered as a botanical essence in some regions and as a weed in others. The green leaves of the plant are either deciduous (brown in fall) or evergreen (green year round) depending on the species and region they are found. Along the opposite pinnate or ternate dark green leaves in three pairs with an odd one and are pointed with terminals larger with a tapering point. These reside on the vine-like branches or woody stalks of the shrub, are delicate 5-8 cleft calyx white or yellow flowers with a cylindrical corolla-tube with a spreading limb blooming from June to October, that open between 6-8 pm evenings when temperatures lower exposing two stamens and a two-celled ovary, and close at first heat of the day. Jasmine officinale has oval, shiny leaves and tubular, waxy-white flowers. Each species has a variable differences. Yellow Jasmine or False Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) has the jasmine fragrance, but also contains toxic alkaloids that are extremely poisonous. Care needs to be taken not to harvest such flowers for internal consumption or use on skin. The vine or branches can grow upwards of twelve to twenty feet, with a feeble stem.

Cultivation: The plant is mainly cultivated for its flowers as a garden ornamental in the yard, or as a house plant.

Common Uses: Most popular for its scent, it is used in various perfumes, essential oils, incense, and fragrances. Flowers are cultivated for ornamental purposes in gardens and houses as well as for its cut flowers. Flowers are worn in women’s hair in many parts of Asia for decoration. The essential oil is an expensive process to make as a large amount of flowers is required to create a small amount of oil, and the fact the flowers have to be gathered at night, then run through labor intensive procedures for extraction. These essential oils are commonly made in Morocco, China, India, and Egypt. Also used to produce jasmone, benzyl acetate, linalool, linalyl acetate, and benzyl alcohol. Long slender pipestems are made from Jasmine wood in Catalonia and Turkey.

Culinary: Jasmine is used in syrup and as a tea. The tea, most commonly called “jasmine tea”, is made from the jasminum sambac flowers mixed into a base of green or oolong tea commonly brewed in China or as “Sanpin Cha” in Okinawa Japan. Blossoms are also poured onto green tea to make dragon pearl tea. The French make a jasmine syrup from the jasmine flower extracts and in the United States is mused to make jasmine marshmallows and scones. Contrary to popular thought, Jasmine flowers have nothing to do with jasmine rice, except sharing a similar scent.

Medicinal: J. officinale Jasmine flowers are used to regulate cramps, ease digestion, ease childbirth, IBS, and Hormone Balance, and good as a facial cream. Jasmine is an anodyne, aphrodisiac, aromatic, astringent, anti-cancer, emmenagogue, galactagogue, parturient, sedative, and uterine tonic. The oil, when mixed in a tonic, aids cold weak stomachs as well as digestion. It can also relieve uterine spasms and menstrual pain. Should not be used during pregnancy. Be careful with the particular species. Some species are poisonous and have been known to cause death, coma, dilated pupils, snoring respiration, cold and pale surfaces, slow and feeble pulses, violent convulsions, and rigidity of muscle around head and throat (most common in the Americas). Jasminum angustifolium has a bitter root when if ground and mixed with Acorus calamus makes a external application for ringworm. Jasminum nervosum is taken as a blood purifier. Jasminum floribundum is used mixed with kousso as a powerful anthelmintic to rid one of tapeworm while leaves and branches are added to fermented liquors to increase intoxication ability.

Folklore and Magic: Jasmine flowers are used as an aphrodisiac and to attract love, wealth, and dreams of prophecy. Commonly used as offerings to deities and nature spirits, Jasmine flowers are very common as sacred symbols in marriages and romances. Common for regular worship and to attract love when worn in hair as ornamentation. The plant represents “night magic” symbolizing mystery, love, psychic dreams, and enchantment. The vapors are used to uplift spirit, create a sensual aroma, and ease apathy, depression, menopausal disorders, and lack of confidence. It also has a profound effect on frigidity and impotence. It is believed to relieve the pain of childbirth, relaxing the mother, and thought to increase breast milk production. It also acts on male sexual organs – warming and strengthening them.

Mythology: The flower is a powerful symbol in many different cultures, especially in Syria as the symbol of Damascus which is otherwise known as the City of Jasmine. In Thailand, the jasmine flower symbolizes “the mother”. It is also the “national flower” in Indonesia, Tunisia, and utilized is many wedding ceremonies. It is also a national flower in Pakistan and the Phillippines. Very popular in Hawaii, it is weaved into leis. The Hindu also weave these flowers together into neck garlands for welcoming guests. As the double variety species is sacred to Vishnu, they are used as votive offerings in Hindu ceremonies. In India, it is believed that a princess fell hopelessly in love with the sun god Surya-Deva, who spurns her affection as he was unmoved by her beauty. She became devastated and took her own life. Her ashes were scattered and wherever they fell, out grew the jasmine flower, which due to her heart being broken by the sun God, refuse to open during the day so he can see, but rather at night when he cannot see her.

* Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Photos from:

Australian National Botanical Gardens*
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Absolute Astronomy ~ Jasminum; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; Absolute Astronomy; www.absoluteastronomy.com.

Australian National Botanical Gardens ~ Jasminum simplicifolium; by unknown author; notes take from web site in 2011; ANBG: www.anbg.gov.au.

Australian Native Plants Society ~ Jasminum simplicifolium; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; ANPSA; www.anpsa.org.au.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust ~ Jasminum simplicifolium; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; RBGSYN: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia ~ Jasminum simplicifolium; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Articles and Research papers are done at the Author’s expense. If you donate below, you’ll help contribute to the costs of the research that provided this article. Any Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?

Allocasuarina portuensis: Nielsen Park She-Oak

leafworks — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:46:00 +0000

Allocasuarina portuensis in * Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011

Allocasuarina portuensis

Common Names: The Nielsen Park She-Oak

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae; Angiosperms; Eudicots; Rosids; Fagales; Casuarinaceae; Allocasuarina portuensis.

Location/Environment: Originally found at Nielsen Park in Sydney, Australia within a tree forest atop sandstone based soils though its original range is unknown as it has been cleared. Fossils found show evidence of its existence back to the time of Gondwana.

Description:
The species is considered endangered and extremely rare by the EPBC Act found in in Sydney, Australia. It appears as a dioecious small slender tree or shrub that can achieve a height upwards of sixteen feet tall (5 meters), with green drooping branchlets ranging upwards of eleven inches in length (27 cm) which produces 1.2-1.5 (l) x .8-1 (w) cm male and female flowers born on separate shrubs with .2-1.5 cm long peduncles arising from the branchlets as a perched cone. Originally described and defined in 1989 by Lawrie Johnson relating to “portuensis” from the Latin meaning for “inhabiting a port” for it was originally found in Port Jackson. By differences of its male flowers, it resembles the A. rigida and distyla first being found a separate species in Nielsen Park sometime in 1986. As a species of the Allocasuarina genus which is endemic to southern Australia. All members of this Genus are called “She-Oaks” as they are notable for their long segmented branchlets that function as leaves that resemble pine needles that are actually flowering vs. what it resembles. These form into “spiny cones” about the size of an acorn with a conifer cone-like texture that are woody fruits. The tree is much less bushfire tolerant than the eucalypts.

Cultivation: The tree is rare and endangered as its original plants have died, but propogation and reintroduction has been successful since its discovery.

Common Uses: Trees from this Genus are often used by wood turners for its hard wood and rich texture for woodworking. Also a excellent firewood as when it burns it has very little ash leftover. The trees from this Genus is also often used to stabilize soils in erosion prone areas and sand dunes as well as an ornamental shrub.

Culinary: Currently Unknown.

Medicinal: Currently Unknown.

Folklore and Magic: Currently Unknown.

Mythology: Currently Unknown.

NOTE: This article is in constant state of research, updating, and evolution. If you have information to add, please submit to science@technogypsie.com

* Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Photos from:

Australian National Botanical Gardens*
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Absolute Astronomy ~ Allocasuarina portuensis; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; Absolute Astronomy; www.absoluteastronomy.com.

Australian Native Plants Society ~ Allocasuarina portuensis; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; ANPSA; www.anpsa.org.au.

PlantNET: NSW Flora Online. “Allocasuarina portuensis”. Website referenced January 2012.

Robinson, Les. “Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney”.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust ~ Allocasuarina portuensis; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; RBGSYN: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia ~ Allocasuarina portuensis; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Articles and Research papers are done at the Author’s expense. If you donate below, you’ll help contribute to the costs of the research that provided this article. Any Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?

Pimelea spicata: Spiked Rice-flower

leafworks — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:09:48 +0000

Pimelea spicata, Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011

Pimelea spicata: Spiked Rice-flower

Common Names: Spiked Rice-flower, Pink Pimelea, Rice Flower.

Taxonomy: Plantae; Angiosperms; Eudicots; Rosids; Malvales; Thymelaeaceae; Pimelea spicata.

Location/Environment: The Pimelea prefers woodland habitats and can range from partial shade to full sun throughout the New South Wales(where it is native). Prefers clay soils.

Description:
A National Rare Species, The Spiked Rice-flower is a endangered (schedule 1) small slender shrub ranging from erect to decumbent upwards of 50 centimeteres in height, with taproots that resemble carrots, extending into the earth upwards of 18 cm length and 24 mm diameter. These shrubs can live from 20-30 years old. Its leaves are small and elliptical growing upwards of 20 mm in length. They have small white or pale pink flowers (often tinged with pink) on spikes that blossom throughout the year, especially after rainfall notably in Spring. Each spike contains upwards of 20 flowers. They bear a one seeded green nut that is roughly 3 mm long. The fruits contain black seeds. It is named from the Greek “pimele” meaning “soft fat” that probably describes its oily seeds or fleshy cotyledons and the latin “spica” meaning “spike” describing its flowering in terminal spikes.

Cultivation:
Seeds are collected in June and stored in soil while dormant before planting. The plant can resprout from tap roots as some have been observed after fire. Keep away from invasive weeds that compete with it for resources, especially the bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides), bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.), St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), lantana (Lantana camara), African olive (Olea africana subsp. africana) and privet (Ligustrum lucidum). It is difficult to cultivate but not impossible. It is very difficult to germinate with the most success from cuttings, though propogating material is scarce.

Common Uses: Unknown.

Culinary: Unknown.

Medicinal: Unknown.

Folklore and Magic: Unknown.

Mythology: Unknown.

NOTE: This article is in constant state of research, updating, and evolution. If you have information to add, please submit to science@technogypsie.com

* Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Photos from:

Australian National Botanical Gardens*
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Absolute Astronomy ~ Pimelea spicata; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; Absolute Astronomy; www.absoluteastronomy.com.

Australian Native Plants Society ~ Pimelea spicata; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; ANPSA; www.anpsa.org.au.

National Parks of New South Wales ~ “Recovery Plans Draft for Pimelea spicata”.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust ~ Pimelea spicata; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; RBGSYN: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia ~ Pimelea spicata; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Articles and Research papers are done at the Author’s expense. If you donate below, you’ll help contribute to the costs of the research that provided this article. Any Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?

Acacia viscidula: Sticky Wattle

leafworks — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:04:10 +0000

Acacia viscidula in * National Botanical Gardens *
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011

Acacia viscidula: Sticky Wattle

Common Names: Sticky Wattle

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Plantae; Fabaceae, Mimosoideae; Acacia viscidula.

Location/Environment: The viscidula is found mainly on the Tablelands north from Tamworth and west to Mt. Kaputar National Park eastward to Tenterfield and principally in the Darling Downs of south-eastern Queensland as well as adjacently in New South Wales, extending inland in Queensland to the Injune area as well as New South Wales to the Coonabarabran areas. Most common in upland granitic derived soils in low woodlands or dry scherophyll forests and in heath within crevices of granite outcrops with Acacia and Eucalyptus species plentiful nearby.

Description:
The “sticky wattle” is named after its viscous sticky nature. A small erect tree or more properly classified as a spreading ornamental shrub, the viscidula grows to a height of approximately 1-5 meters (6-12 feet) tall and 4-6 feet wide. It is very fast growing. It has smooth grey to greyish brown bark; It has angular or flattened, ribbed, hairy, and usually puberulous resinous branches with linear incurved ascending phyllodes that are approximately 4-8 centimeters long and 1-3 millimeters wide. It is often described as curved-acute to mucronate or apiculate, usually innocuous, thin, puberulous, or glabrous with three to seven distant impressed resinous nerves and occasional anastomoses. It inflorescences simple with 1-2 per axil, giving to 2-6 mm long peduncles that are puberulous; and 4-5.5 mm diameter globular heads giving to 20-35 light to bright yellow golden flowers which flower between August and October. Its flowers are 4-5 merous with free to half united sepals. It has linear pods sometimes curved containing puberulous longitudinal oblong raised over glossy dark brown seeds that are approximately 4-7.5 centimeters long by 2.5-3 millimeters wide; aril is terminal.

Cultivation:
It is hardy surviving moderate frosts upwards of 25 degrees fahrenheit or minus 4 degrees celsius; requires well-drained soil for best growing success. It is ideal in light to full sun or partially shady conditions for fastest growth. It is drought tolerant once taken growth. To prepare the seeds, pour boiling water over the seeds and soak overnight, cover lightly with seed mix or washed river sand, drench seeds with a fungicide to prevent damping off. It can also be propogated from cuttings.

Common Uses: Ornamental shrub.

Culinary: ~ currently unknown.

Medicinal: ~ currently unknown.

Folklore and Magic: ~ currently unknown.

Mythology:~ currently unknown.

NOTE: This article is in constant state of research, updating, and evolution. If you have information to add, please submit to science@technogypsie.com

* Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Photos from:

Australian National Botanical Gardens*
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia *

Bibliography and Recommended Reading:

Absolute Astronomy ~ Acacia viscidula; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; Absolute Astronomy; www.absoluteastronomy.com.

Australian Native Plants Society ~ Acacia viscidula; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; ANPSA; www.anpsa.org.au.

Australia Plants ~ Acacia viscidula. Website referenced January 2012. http://www.australianplants.com.

Gardenology ~ Acacia viscidula. Website referenced January 2012. http://www.gardenology.org.

Plant Net ~ Acacia viscidula; website referenced January 2012. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust ~ Acacia viscidula; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; RBGSYN: www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia ~ Acacia viscidula; by unknown author; notes taken from web site in 2011; wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org.

World Wide Wattle ~ Viscidula; website referenced January 2012. http://www.worldwidewattle.com.

Yallaroo ~ Acacia viscidula; website referenced January 2012. http://www.yallaroo.com.au.

Photos are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission of authors Tom Baurley or Leaf McGowan. Photos can be purchased via Technogypsie.com at Technogypsie Photography Services for nominal use fees. Articles and Research papers are done at the Author’s expense. If you donate below, you’ll help contribute to the costs of the research that provided this article. Any Reviews can request a re-review if they do not like the current review or would like to have a another review done. If you are a business, performer, musician, band, venue, or entity that would like to be reviewed, you can also request one (however, travel costs, cost of service (i.e. meal or event ticket) and lodging may be required if area is out of reviewer’s base location at time of request).

These reviews are done by the writer at no payment unless it is a requested review and the costs for travel, service, and lodging was covered – in which case, expenditure reimbursement will not affect review rating or content. If you enjoy this review and want to see more, why not buy our reviewer a drink to motivate them to write more? or help cover the costs they went through to do this review?