Sunday, January 31, 2021

Travel Story--Along Mediterranean in northern Italy

›
 This is a post reminiscing. We aren't traveling to Europe for a while yet. One of the places I have not adequately explored is the Medi...
Sunday, January 24, 2021

The Contradictory Plant Known as Beefsteak Plant, Shiso, and Perilla Mint, Perilla frutescens

›
Thirty years ago in San Francisco, influenced by Asian cuisine, my husband and I frequently sprinkled powdered shiso on our food as a spice....
16 comments:
Sunday, January 17, 2021

Dye Plant--Annatto, Bixa orellana, the Lipstick Tree

›
Most dye plants are subtle. To get red from madder ( Rubia tinctoria ), the greatest red dye plant, you have to dig up the roots, cook them ...
5 comments:
Sunday, January 10, 2021

Travel Story--La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles, California

›
 Sometimes travel shows you unexpected wonders. I took a tour of art museums and gardens in the area of Los Angeles, California, in 2013. Th...
Sunday, January 3, 2021

Plant Story--the Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo

›
I was a tourist in Portugal and only caught the end of the guide's tale, "...strawberry tree."  Strawberry tree?! Strawberries...
Sunday, December 27, 2020

Plant Story--The Stately Colorado Blue Spruce

›
Colorado blue spruce ( Picea pungens , pine family Pinaceae) is native to the central and southern Rocky Mountains, in Idaho and Wyoming sou...
3 comments:
Sunday, December 20, 2020

Plant Story-- A Little Bit about Cranberries, Vaccinium species

›
Cranberries (usually Vaccinum macrocarpon,  heath family, Ericaceae) are a major crop. The tart red berries are usually made into cranberry ...