The Many Faces Of Cranesbill Geraniums

Cranesbill Geranium

Cranesbill Geranium

Cranesbill Geranium

Cranesbill Geranium

Cranesbill Geranium 
(Geranium sanguineum), comes in colors ranging from pinks, blues and vivid purples to subdued whites. Species in the Geranium genus have a distinctive mechanism for seed dispersal. This consists of a beak-like column which springs open when ripe and casts the seeds some distance. The common name ‘cranesbill’ comes from the shape of the unsprung column, which in some species is long and looks like the bill of a crane.

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In The Garden

Trixie in the garden. Gotta love her smile.

Comfrey flowers in bloom.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) has the folk name of Knitbone and it does that very well! The high allantoin content of the leaf infusion supports cell proliferation in the healing process of bones. Drinking comfrey infusion keeps my bones strong and flexible. It strengthens digestion and elimination, keeps lungs and respiratory tract healthy, and It keeps the face wrinkle-free and skin and scalp supple. Comfrey contains special proteins needed for the formation of short-term memory cells. Comfrey leaves are not only rich in proteins, they are a great source of folic acid, many vitamins, and every mineral and trace mineral we need for a strong immune system, a calm nervous system, and a happy hormone system.

Comfrey leaves are of much value as an external remedy, both in the form of fomentations, for sprains, swellings and bruises, and as a poultice, to severe cuts, to promote suppuration of boils and abscesses, and gangrenous and ill-conditioned ulcers. It’s useful for uterine and other internal hemorrhages and for the healing of wounds. It is useful in any kind of inflammatory swelling. Internally, the leaves can be taken in the form of an infusion, 1 oz. of the leaves to 1 pint of boiling water. Comfrey is infallible as a remedy for both external and internal wounds bruises, and ulcers, for phlegm, for spitting of blood, ruptures, hemorrhoids, etc. For ulcers of the stomach and liver. 

Comfrey ointment heals wounds, cuts, burns, bruises, itches, and most skin problems.

The young leaves are eaten as a good green vegetable. 

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THANKS FOR YOUR VISITS, FAVS AND COMMENTS. AS ALWAYS, APPRECIATED VERY MUCH!

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On The Farm

Weather Vane
This photo was awarded Capture My Vermont, Photo of the Day for June 29, 2017.

Stormy Sunday

While strawberry picking at Adam's Farm, a storm rolled in, giving us a good soaking and a photo opportunity.

Chickens Checking Me Out. I think they were hoping it was time for a snack.

This photo was Awarded

Photo of the Day, on Capture My Vermont, for November 29, 2017.

MY PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THROUGH ELISECREATIONS.ARTFIRE.COM

THANKS FOR YOUR VISITS, FAVS AND COMMENTS. AS ALWAYS, APPRECIATED VERY MUCH!

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY ELISE T. MARKS. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS IMAGE ON WEBSITES, BLOGS OR ANY OTHER MEDIA WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT WRITTEN PERMISSION.

Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons 

are woody plants in the heath family (Ericaceae), either evergreen or deciduous, and found mainly in Asia, although it is also widespread throughout the Southern Highlands of the Appalachian Mountains of North America. It is the national flower of Nepal. Most species have brightly colored flowers which bloom from late winter through to early summer.

Rhododendrons

After a spring rain

People Enjoying The Rhododendrons Blooming 

At The Waterfront Boardwalk in Burlington, Vt.

Beautiful Girls And Rhododendrons

THANKS FOR YOUR VISITS, FAVS AND COMMENTS. AS ALWAYS, APPRECIATED VERY MUCH!

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY ELISE T. MARKS. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS IMAGE ON WEBSITES, BLOGS OR ANY OTHER MEDIA WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT WRITTEN PERMISSION.

Fungal Love

 This is Ustulina deusta also known as Kretzschmaria deusta - ‘Brittle Cinder’. I found it in the woods in Bolton, Vermont. 

This is a Pearl Oyster mushroom I grew on a log and it was delicious.

MY PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THROUGH ELISECREATIONS.ARTFIRE.COM

THANKS FOR YOUR VISITS, FAVS AND COMMENTS. AS ALWAYS, APPRECIATED VERY MUCH!

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY ELISE T. MARKS. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS IMAGE ON WEBSITES, BLOGS OR ANY OTHER MEDIA WITHOUT MY EXPLICIT WRITTEN PERMISSION.

Sustainable Harvesting

Foraging is a bit tricky, with over-harvesting and careless practices threatening the ecology of the plants and land. But when done properly, foraging provides the gatherer with plants full of nutrients and medicinal qualities, and one can take steps to make sure the environment is protected and nurtured.

Please commit to the Wildcrafter’s Sustainability Pledge:

• Weigh the impact you have on the land before harvesting.
• Harvest only healthy plants and fungi that are not contaminated by roadways, railroad tracks, industrial and agricultural runoff, urban areas, sewage zones, oil spills, and places heavily sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, etc.
• Never harvest more than 30 percent of what grows in an area, preferably only 10 percent. (Wherever possible, it is best to leave at least 1/7 of the plant so that it may continue to live.)
• Never harvest more than I can process.
• Process the harvest as soon as possible after it has been picked.
• Know how to make accurate plant identification to ensure the safety, health, and wellness of those who are consuming this harvest.
• Leave more than I take.
• Respect the environment that provides us with these gifts.
• Never harvest rare or endangered species (for example: American Ginseng, goldenseal, and Wild Echinacea). Here is the full United Plant Savers list of wild medicinal plants which are currently most sensitive to the impact of human activities:

“At Risk” List

• American Ginseng - Panax quinquefolius
• Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis
• Black Cohosh - Actaea racemosa L.
• Blue Cohosh - Caulophyllum thalictroides
• Echinacea - Echinacea spp.
• Eyebright - Euphrasia spp.
• False Unicorn Root - Chamaelirium luteum
• Goldenseal - Hydrastis canadensis
• Lady’s Slipper Orchid - Cypripedium spp.
• Lomatium - Lomatium dissectum
• Osha - Ligusticum porteri, L. spp.
• Peyote - Lophophora williamsii
• Sandalwood - Santalum spp. (Hawaii only)
• Slippery Elm - Ulmus rubra Sundew - Drosera spp.
• Trillium, Beth Root -Trillium spp.
• True Unicorn - Aletris farinosa
• Venus’ Fly Trap - Dionaea muscipula
• Virginina Snakeroot - Aristolochia serpentaria
• Wild Yam - Dioscorea villosa,D. spp.

“To Watch” List 

• Arnica - Arnica spp.
• Butterfly Weed - Asclepias tuberosa
• Cascara Sagrada - Frangula purshiana (Rhamnus)
• Chaparro - Casatela emoryi
• Elephant Tree - Bursera microphylla
• Gentian - Gentiana spp.
• Goldthread - Coptis spp.
• Kava Kava - Piper methysticum (Hawaii only)
• Lobelia - Lobelia spp.
• Maidenhair Fern - Adiantum pendatum
• Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum
• Oregon Grape - Mahonia spp.
• Partridge Berry - Mitchella repens
• Pink Root - Spigelia marilandica
• Pipsissewa - Chimaphila umbellata
• Ramps - Allium tricoccum (recently added)
• Spikenard - Aralia racemosa, A. californica
• Stone Root - Collinsonia canadensis
• Stream Orchid - Epipactis gigantea
• Turkey Corn - Dicentra canadensis
• White Sage - Salvia apiana
• Wild Indigo - Baptisia tinctoria
• Yerba Mansa - Anemopsis californica

NOTE- Forage Only When Necessary: Do Not over harvest wild foods. Foraging is fun, but remember that as a human, you have the ability to source your food in your natural environment - wildlife does not. If you must forage for food or herbs for an ailment, only harvest 5% -10% of what you see of any plant or patch you find, so it has a good chance to keep growing and come back next year. Remember that other lives depend on it. 

Wild Vines

 

Wild Vines

If you know what these pink flowers are, please tell me. Wild grape vines, with tiny grapes forming, above what looks like wild honeysuckle, but I'm not sure.