Tag Archives: Vegetation

Spear Thistle

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Spear Thistle

Spear thistles are not used as weapons… but can hurt!

  • Spear thistles are a biennial or annual thistle plant native to Europe, Asia and Northern Africa.
  • Spear thistles have the scientific name Cirsium vulgare and they are from the family Asteraceae, the family of asters, sunflowers and daisies.
  • ‘Spear thistles’ are also known as ‘bull thistles’, ‘black thistles’,  ‘scotch thistles’  ‘Fuller’s thistles’, ‘swamp thistles’ and ‘common thistles’ among others.
  • Spear thistles grow to be 1 to 1.5 metres (3.3 to 5 feet) in height, with flower stems at the end of the branches, and look similar to the well known Scotch thistle or cotton thistle, although they are a different species of plant and have the scientific name Onopordum acanthium.
  • Spear thistles have flower heads that are bristle like and are coloured pink to purple, and the plant has green, sharp spiny leaves.

Spear Thistle, Green, Purple, Pink, Flower, Dead, Green, Ten Random Facts, Australia, Plant, Weed, Spiky, Prickly,

  • Spear thistles are classified as a noxious and an environmental weed in some countries, and is a particular problem in Australia, parts of the United States and the United Kingdom.
  • Spear thistles typically grow in sunny open areas, such as paddocks and fields.
  • Spear thistle stems, flowers, roots, and seeds can be eaten and the stems and leaves can be peeled and then steamed or boiled.
  • Spear thistles flower during spring to autumn, but only in their second year of growth.
  • Spear thistle plants have been used medicinally and parts of the plant can be made into paper.
Bibliography:
Bull Thistle, 2014, King Country, http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/bull-thistle.aspx
Cirsium vulgare, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirsium_vulgare

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Poppy Seed

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Poppy Seed

Do not eat your poppy seed bagel before a drug test.

  • Poppy seeds are small seeds of Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy, used primarily in cooking.
  • Poppy seeds are a kidney shape, and have a length of around 1 millimetre.
  • Poppy seeds have been historically used in medicine and there have been superstitions associated with the seeds, like turning oneself invisible.
  • A gram of poppy seeds is approximately 3,300 seeds, and an ounce of the seeds is approximately 93,500 seeds.
  • In 2011, Turkey was the leader in poppy seed production, with 45,077 tonnes (49,689 tons) in 2011, of the world production of 106,419 tonnes (117,307 tons).

Poppy seeds, many, lots, black, grey, white, bowl, Ten Random Facts, whole spice

  • Poppy seeds are used as a paste, oil, thickener, spice and decoration, particularly in baked items, although they are used in other dishes.
  • Consumption of poppy seeds can cause drug tests to be false positive due to the content of opium alkaloids, that are also present in the illegal drug opium.
  • Selling, eating or holding poppy seeds in some countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Singapore, will result in punishments or arrests.
  • Poppy seeds have a flavour of nuts and are typically blue-black in colour, although white or grey poppy seeds are sometimes used.
  • Poppy seeds are a good source of manganese and calcium, and rarely cause allergies among people.
Bibliography:
Poppy seed, 2010, Olde Thompson, http://www.oldethompson.com/spice-details.aspx?SpiceID=27
Poppy seed, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy_seed

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Golden Rain Tree

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Golden Rain Tree

Golden rain trees are like gold.

  • Golden rain trees are ornamental flowering trees that are deciduous and useful for shade.
  • The scientific name of a golden rain tree is ‘Koelreuteria paniculata’ and it comes from the Sapindaceae family, the family of soapberries.
  • Golden rain trees are native to Korea and China and typically grow to be 7 to 12 metres (23 to 40 feet) in height.
  • ‘Golden rain tree’ is also known as a ‘china tree’, the ‘pride of India’, and ‘varnish tree’.
  • Golden rain trees have small, yellow coloured,  four petalled blossoms, that bloom in summer or autumn, which can cause golden carpets below the tree when they drop.

Golden Rain Tree, Plant, house, leaves, large, red, Australia, Ten Random Facts

  • Golden rain trees have coral or brown coloured paper-like pods that contain multiple dark coloured seeds, and ferny leaves that change colour at different stages.
  • Golden rain trees are grown decoratively in many countries, but in Florida and neighbouring states of the United States, the trees are invasive.
  • Golden rain trees grow best in sunny areas and can withstand droughts.
  • Golden rain tree seeds and leaves can be eaten, roasted or cooked respectively, although they are not commonly consumed.
  • Golden rain trees can be a source of yellow and black dye, and the seeds are sometimes used as a bead in jewellery making.
Bibliography:
Koelreuteria paniculata, 2012, Plants for a Future, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Koelreuteria+paniculata
Koelreuteria paniculata, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koelreuteria_paniculata
Koelreuteria paniculata, n.d, Missouri Botanical Garden, http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a550

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Vanilla Extract

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Vanilla Extract

Do you use pure or imitation vanilla extract.

  • Vanilla extract is a flavouring mixture that largely contains vanillin, which generally comes from the vanilla bean that grows on an orchid plant called Vanilla planifolia.
  • Pure vanilla extract is made be steeping 100 grams of vanilla beans in a litre of water mixed with 35% alcohol, (for each gallon of liquid, 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans) and the final liquid is usually purchased in a small bottle.
  • Vanilla extract is the most frequently used type of vanilla flavouring and is typically dark brown in colour, and pure vanilla extract has a more distinct smell and flavour than the more bitter imitations.
  • ‘Vanilla extract’ is also known as ‘vanilla essence’ and unnatural or synthetic vanilla flavouring extract or essence is known as ‘imitation’ vanilla.
  • Some people are allergic to vanilla extract and can develop migraines from it due to its vanillin content.

Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Essence, Queens, pure, Ten Random Facts, Flavour, Lid

  • Vanilla extract is popularly used in flavouring baked wheat products, sweets and desserts, particularly custard and ice cream.
  • Vanilla extract can be expensive, particularly when typhoons hit the main producing countries, causing significant losses.
  • The main producer of vanilla extract is Africa’s Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean, although the plant is native to Mexico.
  • Vanilla extract may vaporise when heated as a liquid, due to its alcohol content, and will generally result in the loss of some vanilla flavour.
  • Vanilla extract was first developed as a commercial liquid product in the 1847s in the United States by an American chemist Joseph Burnett, after a request from a customer.
Bibliography:
History of Vanilla, n.d, Plain Vanilla, http://www.indepthinfo.com/vanilla/history.shtml
Martinez C, What is the Origin of Vanilla Extract, n.d, http://www.ehow.com/info_12012268_origin-vanilla-extract.html
Vanilla, 2014, Joy of Baking, http://www.joyofbaking.com/Vanilla.html
Vanilla Extract, 2014, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_extract

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Green Amaranth

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Green Amaranth

Green amaranths: a weed here or a food there.

  • Green amaranth is an annual herb that is generally believed to be native to tropical America.
  • Green amaranth comes from the family Amaranthaceae, the family of amaranths.
  • Green amaranths have the scientific name ‘Amaranthus viridis’, and ‘amaranthus’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘everlasting’ or ‘unfading’  and ‘viridis’ is Latin for green’.
  • ‘Green amaranths’ are also known as ‘slender amaranths’, ‘green pigweed’, and ‘Prince of Wales feathers’.
  • Green amaranths grow to be 0.3 to 1 metre (1 to 3 feet) in height, and green and yellow dye can be made from the plant.

Green amaranth, plant, flower, red, leaves, weed, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Green amaranths have green notched leaves and tiny flowers that grow in clusters on spikes, and the flowers are a green or brown to pink colour.
  • Green amaranth fruits are small and round and do not open to release the small black seed they contain.
  • Green amaranths flower mainly during warm, summer months, however flowers can be seen throughout the year, depending on the region it is grown in.
  • Green amaranths are significant weeds in many countries, growing in gardens, cracks, disturbed areas, and in fields.
  • Green amaranths are eaten in Greece, India and Africa, as a leafy vegetable, and are also used medicinally for a variety of purposes.

 

Bibliography:
Amaranthus Viridus, n.d, Some Magnetic Island Plants, http://www.somemagneticislandplants.com.au/index.php/plants/42-amaranthus-viridis
Green Amaranth, n.d, Herbiguide, http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_Green_Amaranth.htm
Jansen P, Amaranthus viridus L., 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, http://database.prota.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dllAC=QBE_QUERY&BU=http%3A%2F%2Fdatabase.prota.org%2Fsearch.htm&TN=PROTAB~1&QB0=AND&QF0=Species+Code&QI0=Amaranthus+viridis&RF=Webdisplay

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White Poplar

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White Poplar

White poplars are very popular.

  • White poplars are deciduous trees from the poplar species and are native to central Europe and Asia.
  • White poplars were originally known as ‘abeles’ and are also known as ‘silverleaf poplars’ and ‘silver poplars’.
  • The scientific name for white poplars is ‘Populus alba’ and is from the family Salicaceae, the family of willows.
  • White poplars are quick growing trees and grow best in sunny areas and in moist soil.
  • White poplars grow to be a height of 16 to 27 metres (52.5 to 88.6 feet) and have leaves that are green on the top side, and are white and furry underneath, making it an eye-catching tree.

White poplar, plant, tree, Australia, Drive, Road, Park, Grass, Ten Random Facts

  • White poplars have greenish, greyish and whitish trunks that can have a notable pattern of dark coloured diamonds, although as the tree ages, the trunk can be quite rough and dark coloured.
  • White poplar flowers are up to 8 cm (3 inch) long cylindrical clusters known as ‘catkins’, with the female flowers being a yellow green colour, and the males are grey boasting a red stigma, and each tree only grows one gender of flower.
  • White poplars have been introduced into North America, South Africa and Australia, and in some states and countries have become invasive.
  • White poplar bark contains a chemical called salicylate, that can be used in aspirin medicine, and the bark can have yellow die extracted from it.
  • The inner bark and leaves of white poplars can be eaten, either made into a flour for bread or eaten raw, but they are not commonly used.

 

Bibliography:
Populus Alba – L, 2012, Plants for a Future, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Populus+alba
Populus Alba, 2013, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populus_alba

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