Plants Archives - Page 3 of 4

09Apr 2017 by Vincent Summers 4 Comments

Jewelweed and Its Special Ingredient Lawsone – Poison Ivy Begone?

[caption id="attachment_17591" align="alignright" width="480"] Jewelweed - Image by Fritz Geller-Grimm CC by SA 2.5[/caption] Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)1 commonly grows in ditches along roadsides at the edges of moist forests. Lore has it that the sap of this plant rubbed onto poison ivy rash quickly alleviates the itching. Could there be a scientific basis for this popular notion? Perhaps. Let’s begin our consideration by discussing the active principle in both poison ivy and jewelweed. Poison Ivy and Urushiol Urushiol is not a single compound, but a mixture of similar compounds that have the generic chemical structure show in the image associated with this article. R represents an alkyl chain that typically contains 15 to 17 carbon atoms that contain varying numbers of double bonds. The greater the number of double…

06Apr 2017 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Does Pineapple Weed or Wild Chamomile Grow in Your Lawn?

Chemistry, Plants

[caption id="attachment_17548" align="alignright" width="440"] Mystery plant. Image S. Korte.[/caption] I take a measure of pride in being able to identify various tiny weeds in the spring of the year. Pointing them out to a car-group of friends, one of them adventured out on their own and brought back a tiny plant I felt sure I could make quick work of. But the little plant, with its almost lacy leaves and tiny egg-shaped yellow ‘flower’ mystified me completely. I sniffed it and detected a most unusual odor that nevertheless was not unpleasant. It resembled a cross between a tiny evergreen tree and an egg or pineapple. It was not a pineapple, but it was wild chamomile or the pineapple weed (Matricaria discoidea). Research cited below, by Daise Lopes & Paul P.…

01Apr 2017 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Dutchman’s Breeches – Flowering Jewels of Early Spring

Chemistry, Plants

[caption id="attachment_17508" align="alignright" width="440"] Dicentra cucullaria - Image own work Fritzflohrreynolds CCA-SA3.0 Unported[/caption] With a name reminiscent of trousers or undergarments, we wouldn’t expect Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) to be particularly beautiful. A cluster of these jewels caught my attention during a search for the elusive morel mushroom. Even though I’d never seen Dutchman’s Breeches before, I instantly recognized the treasure I’d found. It was a bit of a lucky guess, as Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis) is very similar. Why So Beautiful What makes Dutchman's Breeches so beautiful? Quite often, a plant possesses beauty a single component, whether the flower or the leaf, or even overall form. But for D. cucullaria, every component part of the plant is beautiful, even its rootstock as can be seen from this Missouri Department…

24Mar 2017 by Vincent Summers No Comments

Sulforaphane in Shepherd’s Purse: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial

Medicine, Plants

[caption id="attachment_16649" align="alignright" width="480"] The shepherd's purse or poor man's pepper.[/caption] In 2014, the Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology reported the results of a study on the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). The study spotlighted two compounds formed from the interaction of two other compounds found within the plant, glucoraphanin (a glucosinolate) and the enzyme myrosinase. When these two substances contact each other, they produce raphanin and sulforaphane. It is the sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanato-4-methylsulfinylbutane) that particularly displays the desired properties. Shepherd’s purse is not alone in producing this interesting substance. Others in the same family (Brassica) include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels’ sprouts, kale, and collard greens. The most common way glucoraphanin and myrosinase are brought together to produce our anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial is by chewing! [caption…

13Mar 2017 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Turpentine Pine Tree Resin Products: Why So Valuable?

Chemistry, Plants

[caption id="attachment_16454" align="alignright" width="380"] Pine resin. CCA 3.0 SA Unported Maksim.[/caption] Turpentine was once a very common household solvent. It seemed as if every household had a can in their garage. Turpentine is produced by distillation of pine tree resin. The solid remaining after distillation is called rosin. Doubtless the decreased household use of turpentine is because of an increase in water-based products such as paints, replacing oil-based equivalents. Petroleum based solvents have contributed to the decline. Solvent Only? Still, turpentine is more than just a useful solvent. It can be separated into fragments sometimes referred to as isolates. The primary isolate is pine oil, which is used, among other things, in household cleaners. Turpentine yields compounds that are useful in chemical synthesis. Chemicals readily available from nature that can…

09Mar 2017 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Bird’s Eye or Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica)

Medicine, Plants

Birdseye Speedwell, also known as Persian Speedwell (Veronica persica), is a little blue, unobtrusive yet attractive blue flower with a white center. It has darker blue parallel markings from the center to the tips of each petal. The reason these beautiful flowers tend to go unnoticed is their diminutive size. They grow as weeds in your lawn. Get Acquainted with Veronica There are descriptive details for the Speedwell provided on line—its structure, growth habits, even its eradication—but little is spoken of its proven usefulness or its chemistry. Legend (if you will) has it that the little blue-and-white flower is helpful in treating a plethora of ailments, but especially in relaxing tense muscles in the neck and shoulder area and in treating skin rashes. Rich in Glycosides [caption id="attachment_16381" align="alignright" width="230"]…

28Jan 2017 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

White Wheat Bread is Different from Ordinary White Bread

Food, Plants

[caption id="attachment_16014" align="alignright" width="480"] Wheat in the field.[/caption] In the bread section of the local grocery store you notice a moderately new product called white wheat bread. It’s not called just bread, or even white bread, but white wheat bread. Is it somehow different from ordinary white bread? If that is so, in what way is it different? Is it a cause for concern? White wheat bread is a form of whole wheat bread. How can that be? Let’s look at the structure of wheat. Wheat Berries [caption id="attachment_16017" align="alignright" width="228"] Wheat berry cross-section. - NIH Senior Health[/caption] The cereal grain wheat is classified as a berry, variety caryopsis. As an ear of corn does not include the husk, a single wheat berry is the entire grain minus the husk.…

18Sep 2016 by Vincent Summers 2 Comments

Guadeloupe or Creeping Cucumber – Weed or Food?

Food, Plants

Perhaps you enjoy cucumbers in your garden salad, or in some other form, say dill or sweet pickles? If so, you may be surprised that one form of cucumber—the Guadeloupe or creeping cucumber is not considered by most to be a food item at all, but a weed. This 'cucumber' predominates in the southeastern quadrant of the United States, although it is also found elsewhere in the world. The Guadeloupe or Creeping Cucumber Some would beg to differ as to its being inedible. While it remains obviously green (resembling a small watermelon) they readily consume the tiny fruit. However, as it darkens, turning black, they avoid it, considering the creeping cucumber an intense laxative. [caption id="attachment_15504" align="alignright" width="300"] Melothria pendula flower - CC-by-SA2.0 by Jacopo Werther[/caption] The creeping cucumber is…

21Aug 2016 by Vincent Summers 6 Comments

Tender, Delicious Scalloped White Bush Pan Patty Squash

Food, Plants

[caption id="attachment_20657" align="alignright" width="440"] 8-1/2" Squash - Photo July 2018.[/caption] In the Southeast United States, yellow crookneck, yellow straight-neck, butternut, acorn, and zucchini are prominently grown squashes. Less frequently seen is one squash that surpasses all other squashes. At least that is so for some of us. What squash? The tender, delicious, and considerably different scalloped white bush pan patty squash. Special? Bush Pan Patty Squash? The bush pan patty squash truly is different. It’s surpassingly tender if picked at the optimal time; almost all of the squash is eaten—none of it gets wasted. The optimal size is generally about 4-1/2 inches diameter. Cooked at that time, even the skin and seeds can be eaten. In fact, they contribute to the texture of the squash. However, I have eaten them…

27Jun 2016 by Vincent Summers 1 Comment

Discovering Dragon’s Arum in Nelson, Virginia

Biology, Plants

Nelson County, Virginia, is the place I call home. It’s a rather ordinary place that some might call backwoods. It is not known for its technology. Indeed, they got their first stoplight only a handful of years ago. Even that wasn’t truly necessary, but I suspect they put it up as representing their idea of progress. If there are any particular things the county might be known for, it is its history of making moonshine (now wines, hard ciders, and spirits) and its homegrown peaches. Little did I suspect one day I’d be introduced to Dragon’s Arum (Dracunculus vulgaris) for the first time in good ol’ Nelson County. You see, a car group consisting typically of four people including myself makes trips throughout the county to preach and offer free…