Month: November 2011

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Herbs & Plants

Dendrobium moniliforme

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Botanical Name : Dendrobium moniliforme
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Dendrobieae
Subtribe: Dendrobiinae
Genus: Dendrobium
Species: D. moniliforme
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asparagales

Synonym:
1.Callista japonica Kuntze 1891
2.Callista moniliformis (L.) Kuntze 1891
3.Dendrobium castum Bateman 1868
4.Dendrobium catenatum Lindley 1830
5.Dendrobium heishanense Hayata 1914
6.Dendrobium japonicum Lindley 1830
7.Dendrobium monile[Thunb.]Kraenzl 1910
8.Dendrobium nienkui Tso 1933
9.Dendrobium taiwanianum S.S.Ying 1978
10.Dendrobium yunnanense Finet 1907
11.Dendrobium zonatum Rolfe 1903
12.Epidendrum monile Thunberg 1799
13.Epidendrum moniliferum Panzer 1783
14.*Epidendrum moniliforme Linn. 1753
15.Dendrobium moniliforme ‘Benifuuki’
16.Limodorum monile (Thunb.) Thunb. 1794
17.Onychium japonicum Bl. 1848
18.Ormostema albiflora Raf. 1836

Common Names : Stone Orchid, Necklace-Shaped Dendrobium

Habitat : Plants are found in broad leaf forest growing on rocks in Korea and China to the west and Taiwan at elevations of 800 to 3000 meter.

Description:
Dendrobium moniliforme is a  deciduous plant and blooms from winter to summer with up to two flowers. Flowers are 3.75 cm wide and fragrant. Some leaves can be vereigated with white/cream to yellow to even striped with pink. Flower color varies from white/creams and yellows to green and reds, pinks, and purples. CLICK & SEE THE  PICTURES

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Plant grows in cool to warm temperatures with medium amounts of light. Keep plant moist and fertilize year round. Plants prefer the mix to dry out between watering. Grow in a well drain mix of sphagnum moss or medium fir bark.

Plant grows well mounted. Plants also grow well mounted on a ball of sphagnum moss and wrapeed in long fiber spahgnum moss like the traditional Japanese potting method used for Neofinetia and Sedirea japonica

Medicinal Uses:
It is used as anhydrotic for night-sweats, as an anodyne and sedative in arthritis, and as a peptic tonic for convalescents and weak patients. Also used to treats impotence.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://orchids.wikia.com/wiki/Dendrobium_moniliforme
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrobium_moniliforme
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_RST.htm

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Senna grandis

Botanical Name :Senna grandis
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Cassia
Species: C. grandis
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Fabales

Common Names ; :Pink Shower Tree,Stinking Toe,Carao in Spanish

Habitat :Native to Central America. The species is distributed from southern México, to Venezuela and Ecuador. It grows in forests and open fields at lower elevations, and is known to be planted as an ornamental.

Description:

Cassia grandis is a large tree with a dense, umbrella-shaped canopy and smooth pale gray bark. The leaves are large and each of them is composed of about 16 pairs of leaflets.

The leaflets have two-toned coloration with green above and maroon below. During the tree short leafless period, between March and April, the tree produces abundant flowers in long axillary racemes. Their display pastel shades of pink and orange, covering the entire crown, since the name Pink Shower. Each flower has five large, lavender sepals and five rounded, peach colored petals, three large stamens and a long, curved pistil. The petals are not uniform in shape and the uppermost petal has a yellow patch in the end.

Fruits are produce from the long pistils as they begin to expand. First, they are visible as green strings dangling below foliage, than as they reach full size and begin to mature, they turn brown and start drying, becoming woody. Each fruit is about 40cm long and cylindrical in shape. Inside they have compartments with papery walls containing flattened, round, tan-colored seeds and large quantities of thick, strong smelling and dark colored honey-like substance with an unpleasant smell. The fruits persist on the tree all year.

The tree’s leaves are pinnate and deciduous, with 10-20 pairs of leaflets of 3-5 cm (1-2 in). During the dry season, the tree sheds its old leaves, giving way to racemes of pastel pink flowers. The long, wood-like fruit capsules reach lengths of up to 50 cm (20 in) and have many seeds, which are separated by resinous membranes that taste somewhat like carob.It is easily grown from seed and can reach a height of over 50 feet. Can be used as an indoor container plant…

click to see the pictures….>.(01)....(1)……..(2).…….(3).……..(4)...

Medicinal Uses:
Dark juice of pod is taken as a tonic drink for anemia, tiredness, malaise—remove seeds from pods, strain juice and mix with 50% water or milk; drink 1 cup daily.  Juice of fresh leaves is applied to ringworm, fungus, or other skin problems.  For kidney complaints, water retention, backache, or biliousness, boil 3 small branches with leaves in 3 cups water for 10 minutes and drink in sips all day in place of water.  One half cup of fresh leaves infused in 3 cups water and consumed will serve as a diuretic and eliminate toxins from the body tissue.  An infusion of young leaves is used for diabetes.  For a mild laxative and blood tonic, boil ½ cup fresh leaves in 1 cup water for 2 minutes and drink.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia_grandis
http://www.especiesseeds.com/servlet/the-770/Senna-grandis–dsh–Tropical/Detail
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_RST.htm
http://green-24.de/forum/ftopic14492.html

http://ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=2433

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Ribes bracteosum

Botanical Name : Ribes bracteosum
Family: Grossulariaceae
Genus: Ribes
Species: R. bracteosum
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Saxifragales

Common Names:Stink Currant or Blue Currant

Habitat :Ribes bracteosum is  native to western coastal North America.  Alaska to Northwest California, primarily west of the Cascades. Grows in moist to wet places from low to subalpine elevations.

Description:
Ribes bracteosum is a deciduous shrub, without thorns, growing to 3 m tall. The leaves are 5-20 cm broad, palmately lobed with five to seven lobes. The flowers are produced in spring after the leaves emerge, on racemes 15-30 cm long of 20-40 flowers; each flower is 5-10 mm diameter, with five white or greenish-tinged petals. The fruit, born in clusters, is dark blue with a whitish bloom, edible but sometimes unpleasant.

click to see the pictures…..>...(01)....…(1).…….(2)..….(.3).….(4).…….(5)..…..

Cultivation:
Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality. Requires a sunny position. Hardy to about -20°c. Plants can harbour a stage of ‘white pine blister rust’, so they should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. The fruit is produced on long sprigs and is therefore easier to harvest. It is being used in modern breeding programmes for blackcurrants.

Propagation:
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification at 2 to 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Under normal storage conditions the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring of the following year Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 – 15cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year’s growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year’s growth, November to February in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors.
Edible Uses:
Fruit – raw or cooked. Not very palatable. The fruit can cause stomach upsets if eaten in large quantities. The fruit has a mild blackcurrant flavour, though it is not so juicy, has a mealy texture and a slight bitterness. It ripens in September and is acceptable in small quantities raw, it can also be used in pies, preserves etc and makes an excellent jam. It can be dried and stored for winter use. Native North American Indians considered the fruit to be constipating and so would eat it with oil. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter, it is produced on long racemes, making it much easier to harvest than most currants.

Medicinal Uses:
The fruits can be eaten in quantity as a laxative. An infusion of the stems has been given to children as a treatment for colds.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.wnps.org/plants/ribes_bracteosum.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribes_bracteosum
http://www.cwnp.org/photopgs/rdoc/ribracteosum.html
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_RST.htm

http://www.pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Ribes+bracteosum

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Rhus trilobata

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Botanical Name ; Rhus trilobata
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Rhus
Species: R. trilobata
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales

Common Names :Sourberry, Skunkbush,  Three-leaf sumac,  Trilobata Skunk Bush, Basketbush, Squawbush.

Habitat ;Rhus trilobata is native to the western half of Canada and the Western United States, from the Great Plains to California and south through Arizona extending into northern Mexico. It can be found from deserts to mountain peaks up to about 7,000 feet in elevation.

Rhus trilobata, Skunkbush sumac, grows in many types of plant communities, such as the grasslands east of the Rocky Mountains, mountainous shrubland, pine, juniper, and fir forests, wetlands, oak woodlands, and chaparral. The plant is destroyed above ground but rarely killed by wildfire, and will readily sprout back up in burned areas.

Description:
This Rhus species closely resembles other members of the genus that have leaves with three “leaflets” (“trifoliate” leaves). These include Rhus aromatica, native to eastern North America, and western Poison-oak. The shape of the leaflets and the habit of the shrub make this species, like some other Rhus, resemble small-leafed oaks (Quercus).
CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

The Rhus trilobata leaves have a very strong scent when crushed. The aroma is medicinal or bitter, disagreeable enough to some to have gained the plant the name skunkbush. The leaves are green when new and turn orange and brown in the fall. The twigs are fuzzy when new, and turn sleek with age. The flowers, borne on small catkins (“short shoots”), are white or light yellow. Edible fruit, the plant yields hairy and slightly sticky red berries which have an aroma similar to limes and a very sour taste. The acidity comes from tannic and gallic acids. The flowers are animal-pollinated and the seeds are dispersed by animals that eat the berries. The shrub also reproduces vegetatively, sending up sprouts several meters away and forming thickets.

Edible Uses:
The berries, although sour, are edible. They can be baked into bread or mixed into porridge or soup, or steeped to make a tea or tart beverage similar to lemonade.

Medicinal Uses:
The skunkbush sumac has historically been used for medicinal and other purposes. The bark has been chewed or brewed into a drink for cold symptoms, the berries eaten for gastrointestinal complaints and toothache, and the leaves and roots boiled and eaten for many complaints. The leaves have also been smoked.

Skunk bush was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes, who valued it especially for its astringent qualities and used it to treat a range of complaints. Bark: An infusion of the bark has been used as a douche after childbirth. The bark has been chewed, and the juice swallowed, as a treatment for colds and sore gums. Bark has also been used for: Cold remedy, in which the bark is chewed and the juice is swallowed; Oral aid, in which the bark is chewed;

Fruit: The fruit has been eaten as a treatment for stomach problems and grippe. The fruit has been chewed as a treatment for toothache and also used as a mouthwash. A decoction of the fruit has been used as a wash to prevent the hair falling out.  The dried berries have been ground into a powder and dusted onto smallpox pustules.  Veterinary aid.

Leaves: An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of head colds. A decoction of the leaves has been drunk to induce impotency as a method of contraception. A poultice of leaves has been used to treat itches. Leaves are a gastrointestinal aid, in which the leaves are boiled; Diuretic aid, in which the leaves are boiled.

Roots: A decoction of the root bark has been taken to facilitate easy delivery of the placenta. The roots have been used as a deodorant. The buds have been used on the body as a medicinal deodorant and perfume.  Tuberculosis Aid, in which the roots are consumed

Other Uses:
It is sometimes planted for erosion control and landscaping, and is a plant used for reclaiming barren land stripped by mining.The flexible branches were useful and sought after for twisting into basketry and rugs.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhus_trilobata
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_RST.htm

Skunkbush Sumac


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhus_trilobata_7.jpg

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Chimaphila maculata

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Botanical Name ; Chimaphila maculata
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Chimaphila
Species: C. maculata
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ericales

Common Names : Spotted Wintergreen,Striped wintergreen and Striped prince’s pine, Pipsissewa

Habitat :Chimaphila maculata is   native to eastern North America and Central America, from southern Quebec west to Illinois, and south to Florida and Panama.  It can be found in sandy habitats, well-drained upland forests, oak-pine woods, and similar mesic habitats. It is very tolerant of acidic soil.

Description:
Chimaphila maculata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a slow rate.It has has dark green, variegated leaves 2-7 cm in length, and 6-26 mm in width. The variegation of the leaves arises from the distinct white veins contrasted with the dark green of the leaf. The stems emerge from creeping rhizomes. The nearly round flowers, which appear in late July to early August, are found on top of tall stalks. They are white or pinkish and are insect pollinated. The flowers mature to small (6 to 8 mm in diameter) capsules baring the seeds of the plant, which are dispersed by the wind. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jun to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

Click to see the pictures…..>…….(01)..…(1).……(2)..…....(3).…….…………………………………………..

The evergreen leaves have a white stripe along the central vein, giving it one of its common names, Striped Wintergreen. This is not the best common name, since it leads to confusion with Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens. Chimaphila maculata is common throughout NC. Another species, C. umbellata, has all-green leaves and is found in a few counties in the central Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain.
Cultivation:
Requires a light moist but well-drained lime-free soil and shade from direct sunlight. This species is difficult to propagate and grow in cultivation, mainly because it has certain mycorrhizal associations in the wild and these are necessary if the plant is to thrive. It is best to use some soil collected from around an established plant when sowing seed or planting out into a new position. The plant has wide-spreading fibrous feeding roots and will often die or fail to increase in size if these are disturbed. The flowers are deliciously scented. Special Features: North American native.
Propagation:
Seed – very difficult to germinate, see the notes in cultivation details. It is best sown on moist sphagnum peat. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a shady position in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division. Rather difficult because the plant is very sensitive to root disturbance. It is best attempted in the spring as the plant comes into growth. Cuttings of softwood, June in a frame. Use some soil from around an established plant.

Edible Uses:  The leaves are used as a snack, being nibbled for their refreshing qualities. In Mexico the herb is used as a catalyst in the preparation of ‘tesguino’, an alcoholic beverage produced from sprouted maize.

Medicinal Uses:

The plant is analgesic, antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, rubefacient, stimulant and tonic. The plant has an antiseptic influence on the urinary system and is sometimes used in the treatment of cystitis. An infusion of the plant has been drunk in the treatment of rheumatism and colds. A poultice of the root has been used to treat pain whilst the plant has also been used as a wash on ulcers, scrofula and cancers. All parts of the plant can be used, though only the leaves are officinal. The plant is loaded with the biologically active compounds arbutin, sitosterol and ursolic acid. Arbutin hydrolyzes to the toxic urinary antiseptic hydroquinone.

Pipsissewa was an important herb among Native Americans, who used it for various problems, including rheumatism. It induced sweating. The Pennsylvania Dutch used it as a tonic and diuretic for kidney complaints and rheumatism. Internally used for urinary infections, prostates, urethritis, kidney stones, arthritis and rheumatism. It is mainly used in an infusion for urinary tract problems such as cystitis and urethritis. It has also been prescribed for more serious conditions such as gonorrhea and kidney stones. By increasing urine flow, it stimulates the removal of waste products from the body and is therefore of benefit in treating rheumatism and gout. It is also a lymphatic catalyst. The fresh leaves may be applied externally to rheumatic joints or muscles, as well as to blisters, sores and swellings. In tests on animals, pipsissewa leaves appear to lower blood sugar levels. Solvent in diluted alcohol, boiling water.

The leaves and fruit have been used to increase urine flow, as a tonic, and for treating diarrhea, syphilis, nervous disorders, and ulcers. The plant has an antiseptic influence on the urinary system and is sometimes used in the treatment of cystitis. An infusion of the plant has been drunk in the treatment of rheumatism and colds. A poultice of the root has been used to treat pain while the plant has also been used as a wash on ulcers, scrofula and cancers. All parts of the plant can be used, though only the leaves are officinal.

Other Uses:  The plants stoloniferous root system, and dwarf spreading habit make it a god ground cover, though it is a difficult plant to establish and grow well.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimaphila_maculata
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_RST.htm
http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/chma.html

http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_OPQ.htm

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Chimaphila+maculata

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