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Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #330 on: November 15, 2019, 09:22:16 AM »


HI

EUROPEAN SCORPIONS

Don't be alarmed you most probably will never see one unless you looking for one

Europe hosts a surprisingly high diversity of scorpions. At the moment, 76 valid species are reported from Europe  Scorpions are reported from France, Monaco, Spain, Portugal, Italy, San Marino, Malta, Switzerland, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Russia (North Caucasus), Ukraine (Crimea only), and the Balkan countries. In addition, an introduced colony of scorpions in southern England has been known since the 18th. century. Scorpion findings have also been reported from Germany, Holland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, but no data indicate that these countries host permanent populations (as England does). These scorpions have probably been accidental stowaways.
There are 2 main species of scorpions in Greece, Euscorpius Carpathicus and Mesobuthus Gibbosus

Mesobuthus gibbosus
This yellow to yellow-brown scorpion can reach 67-75 mm in length, and is distributed in eastern parts of Europe. It is reported from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (including many of the Greek islands), Macedonia, Turkey and Yugoslavia. M. gibbosus is found in several habitats. I have collected it in dry and hot wasteland without any vegetation, both in mountain areas and on the beach, only meters away from the sea. In addition, some papers reports of collecting sites located in forests. It seems that this species can be found in both humid areas and warm and dry areas. M. gibbosus is usually located under stones and other suitable objects on the ground. Even though this species has a very rural distribution,
Order:   Scorpiones
Family:   Buthidae
Genus:   Mesobuthus

The sting is very painful, but does not cause serious systemic effects. Like B. occitanus and M. cyprius, M. gibbosus is  not dangerous for healthy humans.

Euscorpius carpathicus
This species had previously 23 subspecies and had a very wide and diverse distribution in Europe. Systematic morphological and genetical analysis revealed the existence of several "hidden" species within the E. carpathicus species complex. In the last year, the following new species have been separated from E. carpathicus, and given species status: E. balearicus, E. hadzii, E. koschewnikowi, E. sicanus and E. tergestinus. The status of some populations in eastern Europe (Balkan, northern Greece) is also still unclear
 Adults are dark brown in overall coloration (legs and telson are yellow-orange) and no distinct patterns are present. The metasomal segments (tail segments) and pedipalps are somewhat stocky in appearance. Adult size vary in legths from 30 to 40 mm.
It is quite easy to identify the members of the "Euscorpius carpathicus species complex", but much trickier to identify the species within the complex.
habitats like gardens, in fields, in forests, in houses, in old walls etc., where the scorpions can be found under stones, bark, logs and in cracks and crevices in dead trees, stones and rocks etc
Family:   Euscorpiidae
Subfamily:   Euscorpiinae
Genus:   Euscorpius

The species range in colour from yellow-brown to dark brown. Many are brown with yellow legs and stinger. The largest is E. italicus at 5 cm (2 in), and the smallest is E. germanus at 1.5 cm (0.6 in). The venom of Euscorpius species is generally very weak, with effects similar to a mosquito bite. Some smaller specimens may not even be able to puncture the human skin with their stings.

Euscorpius flavicaudis
Euscorpius flavicaudis, or the European yellow-tailed scorpion, is a small black scorpion with yellow-brown legs and tail (metasoma). Adults measure about 35–45 mm (1.4–1.8 in) long. It is a fossorial scorpion with relatively large, strong claws (pedipalps) and a short, thin tail.
The native range of E. flavicaudis extends through Northwest Africa and Southern Europe, but it has also been accidentally introduced into the United Kingdom at Sheerness Dockyard on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. The introduction is thought to have taken place in the early 19th century via a shipment of Italian masonry. The resulting colony, numbering 10,000 to 15,000 individuals in 2013, is the northernmost population of scorpions known.
E. flavicaudis is an ambush predator, lying motionless at the entrance to its lair, but moving quickly to capture prey that wanders by. The main prey of E. flavicaudis are woodlice, although most small insects are taken. Cannibalism has been noted in colonies of E. flavicaudis. Thanks to their low metabolic rate these scorpions may go for long periods of time without food and subsist on as few as four or five woodlice per year.
Habitat
In warm temperate climates, this species can be found in built-up areas. In the UK, the scorpion occupies cracks and holes in walls where the mortar pointing has crumbled away.
Family:   Euscorpiidae
Genus:   Euscorpius
Species:   E. flavicaudis
Binomial name
Euscorpius flavicaudis

It is a mildly venomous scorpion, which rarely uses its stinger. Their sting is less painful than a bee sting to humans.










If you are stung by a scorpion:

Don't panic.
Wash the area gently with soap and water.
Put a cold compress (ice in a cloth) on the wound.
If you feel tingling in the extremities, or get blurry vision or rapid eye movement, or hyperactivity, go to a hospital regardless. There's no way of gauging the severity of the sting, or your reaction to it. Seek medical help, just in case.

Offline Eggy

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #331 on: November 15, 2019, 04:37:28 PM »
We've had a coupla of these little gems around the balcony. - Only tiddley and they fit in the palm of the hand. No damage done to us or them and they get put, with care, back into the garden.
Cheers
Neill

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #332 on: November 18, 2019, 12:04:36 PM »


HI

Gigante Beans

I have seen runner beans growing in Arillas near the Bardis hotel and behind the Kaloudis on some allotments near Irini but do not know if they are Lima beans they look the same


Phaseolus coccineus Also known as  multiflora bean,scarlet runner bean,butter bean, runner bean
 is a plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. Another common name is butter bean, which, however, can also refer to the lima bean,
The Butter Bean or Lima Bean is used in the Greek dish  Giant beans or Gigantes plaki These large white beans gigantes means "giant" in Greek are a classic ingredient in Greek cooking.
This species originated from the mountains of Central America. Most varieties have red flowers and multicolored seeds (though some have white flowers and white seeds), and they are often grown as ornamental plants. The vine can grow to 3 m (9 ft) or more in length
It differs from the common bean (P. vulgaris) in several respects: the cotyledons stay in the ground during germination, and the plant is a perennial vine with tuberous roots though it is usually treated as an annual.
The knife-shaped pods are normally green; however, there are very rare varieties bred by amateurs that have very unusual purple pods. An example of such a purple-podded runner bean is 'Aeron Purple Star' Runner beans have also been called "Oregon lima bean
In the US, in 1978, the scarlet runner was widely grown for its attractive flowers primarily as an ornamental plants
Lima bean is a domesticated species of economic and cultural importance worldwide, especially in Mexico. The species has two varieties. The wild variety is silvester and the domesticated one is lunatus.
 the lima bean has adapted to live in many different climates around the world.
They are not the same as a broad beans  but they are both beans - and in the same Family - the Fabaceae(sound familiar?). Favas are also known as broad beans (and a few other names) and are originally from the old world. ... The scientific name of the lima bean is Phaseolus lunatus. It is in the same genus as other common beans such as green beans
HABITAT
 grow best in warm climes where the temperature stays about 60-70° Fahrenheit throughout the growing season. Plant the seeds 2-4 weeks after the final spring frost, once the weather begins to warm. sunny dry position up poles or a fence trellis


Family:   Fabaceae
Genus:   Phaseolus
Species:   P. coccineus
Binomial name
Phaseolus coccineus


https://i.imgur.com/Zu8BoWZ.jpg


Like many beans, raw lima beans are toxic (containing e.g. phytohaemagglutinin) if not boiled for at least 10 minutes. However, canned beans can be eaten without having to be boiled first, as they are pre-cooked
The lima bean can contain anti-nutrients like phytic acids, saponin, oxalate, tannin, and trypsin inhibitors. These inhibit absorption of nutrients in animals and can cause damage to some organs. In addition to boiling, methods of roasting, pressure cooking, soaking, and germination can also reduce the antinutrients significantly.



Lima beans, like many other legumes, are a good source of dietary fiber, and a virtually fat-free source of high-quality protein.  cooking Lima bean is cultivated primarily for its immature and dry seeds, which in tropical Africa are usually eaten boiled, fried in oil or baked. In Nigeria they are also cooked with maize, rice or yam and used in making special kinds of soup and stew. The Yoruba people process the seeds into porridges, puddings and cakes. Immature green seeds, young pods and leaves are eaten as a vegetable,we eat runner beans




The high fiber content in lima beans prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after eating them due to the presence of those large amounts of absorption-slowing compounds in the beans, and the high soluble fiber content. Soluble fiber absorbs water in the stomach, forming a gel that slows down the absorption of the bean's carbohydrates. They can therefore help balance blood sugar levels while providing steady, slow-burning energy, which makes them a good choice for people with diabetes suffering with insulin resistance
The leaves and stems may be turned into hay or silage. Juice from the leaves is used in nasal instillations against headache and as eardrops against otitis in Senegal and DR Congo. In Nigeria the seeds are powdered and rubbed into small cuts on tumours and abscesses to promote suppuration. In traditional Asian medicine the seeds and leaves are valued for their astringent qualities and used as a diet against fever. Lima bean has been grown as a cover crop and for green manure.




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #333 on: November 19, 2019, 09:11:04 AM »


HI

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus  plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, a vine-like (scrambler and trailer) flowering plant originating in West Africa. It is cultivated for its fruit.
There are four basic types of watermelon: seedless, picnic, icebox, and yellow/orange fleshed
 Family:   Cucurbitaceae
Genus:   Citrullus
Species:   C. lanatus
A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet edible, fleshy fruit. This includes other common melons such as the Honeydew, Galia and even Cantaloupe. As part of the Citrullus genus the watermelon, watermelon is most closely related to it's cousin the Egusi or white-seed melon.

I will do the Honeydew and Cantaloupe next time

The watermelon is an annual that has a prostrate or climbing habit. Stems are up to 3 m long and new growth has yellow or brown hairs. Leaves are 60 to 200 mm long and 40 to 150 mm wide. These usually have three lobes which are themselves lobed or doubly lobed. Plants have both male and female flowers on 40-mm-long hairy stalks. These are yellow, and greenish on the back
The watermelon is a large annual plant with long, weak, trailing or climbing stems which are five-angled (five-sided) and up to 3 m (10 ft) long. Young growth is densely woolly with yellowish-brown hairs which disappear as the plant ages. The leaves are large, coarse, hairy pinnately-lobed and alternate; they get stiff and rough when old. The plant has branching tendrils. The white to yellow flowers grow singly in the leaf axils and the corolla is white or yellow inside and greenish-yellow on the outside. The flowers are unisexual, with male and female flowers occurring on the same plant (monoecious). The male flowers predominate at the beginning of the season; the female flowers, which develop later, have inferior ovaries. The styles are united into a single column. The large fruit is a kind of modified berry called a pepo with a thick rind (exocarp) and fleshy center (mesocarp and endocarp). Wild plants have fruits up to 20 cm (8 in) in diameter, while cultivated varieties may exceed 60 cm (24 in). The rind of the fruit is mid- to dark green and usually mottled or striped, and the flesh, containing numerous pips spread throughout the inside, can be red or pink (most commonly), orange, yellow, green or white
The watermelon is certainly the king of summer of all fruits in Greece and it is frequently served as a dessert in the Greek taverns. This amazing fruit revitalizes and detoxicates the body.
Habitat.
 The watermelon originates from the Kalahari Desert in Africa, but can be found in numerous areas around the world including all tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate areas. It is produced in 101 countries today, and makes up 6.8% of the world's area dedicated to vegetable productions.
Experts believe watermelon first developed in the Kalahari Desert region of Southern Africa. Archaeologists have found ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs that show the first watermelon harvest occurred at least 5,000 years ago.
Did you know that you can also eat watermelon rinds? It's true!
Although many people don't like their flavor, watermelon rinds are often cooked as a vegetable in China, which produces more watermelons than any other country in the world. The Chinese stir-fry, stew, and even pickle watermelon rinds.
The ancient Greek name for the watermelon was the pepon. Physicians, including Hippocrates and Dioscorides, praised its many healing properties. It was prescribed as a diuretic and as a way to treat children with heatstroke by placing the cool, wet rind on their heads.
Lycopene is a type of carotenoid that doesn't change into vitamin A. This potent antioxidant gives a red color to plant foods such as tomatoes and watermelon and is linked to many health benefits.

The heaviest watermelon weighs 159 kg (350.5 lb) and was grown by Chris Kent (USA) of Sevierville, Tennessee, USA, as verified by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth on 4 October 2013.




KNOWN


dessert,watermelon juice


Vitamin C,
Contains Compounds That May Help Prevent Cancer
May Improve Heart Health
May Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
 May Help Prevent Macular Degeneration
May Help Relieve Muscle Soreness
Is Good for Skin and Hair
Can Improve Digestion
Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds
Helps You Hydrate
Fiber
Around 175-200 calories of fresh watermelon gives you 3-4 grams of dietary fiber, which is a nice mix of soluble and insoluble fiber.
Is Good For Pregnant Women
Watermelon eases heartburn, a common condition during pregnancy. It also helps alleviate morning sickness. The minerals in the fruit can help prevent third-trimester muscle cramps.
Prevents Asthma
 Controls Blood Pressure
Improves Bone Health
Offers Kidney Support
Though watermelons could be good sources of potassium, the percentage is lower compared to most other foods. This is why it can be good for people suffering from chronic kidney disease, who need to stick to lower-potassium fruit options
Helps Treat Diabetes
What is the link between watermelon and diabetes? Although watermelon has a high glycemic index, it has a lower glycemic load (the value by which a particular food will raise an individual’s blood glucose levels), and hence is suitable for diabetics.
Can Promote Sexual Health
The amino acid citrulline in watermelon relaxes and dilates the blood vessels and might aid in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Citrulline is converted into arginine, which is a precursor for nitric oxide that helps in blood vessel dilation.
 Can Prevent Cell Damage
Watermelon, being rich in lycopene, protects the cells from damage associated with heart disease. Lycopene fights the free radicals and prevents cell damage
Prevents Heat Stroke
Given its high water content, watermelon is known to prevent hyperthermia
It has a lot of significance in Chinese medicine as well – watermelon is one of the few fruits that clears heat and relieves irritability and thirst. It also relieves heat exhaustion, for which the outermost layer of the rind is used
Promotes Healthy Gums
The vitamin C in watermelon can also kill the bacteria in the mouth that might otherwise lead to gum disease and other gum infections.
Boosts Energy Levels








Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #334 on: November 20, 2019, 09:22:25 AM »


I Wrote about Honeydew and Cantaloupe this morrning got to the end press preview to check but this DELETES your listing this has done this a few times now on diffrent listings in Walking around corfu

not happy

kev

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #335 on: November 21, 2019, 08:59:22 AM »


HI

Cantaloupe and Honeydew



A honeydew melon, also known as a honeymelon, is the fruit of one cultivar group of the muskmelon  Cucumis melo , in the gourd family [ Cucurbits] . The Inodorus group includes honeydew, crenshaw, casaba, winter, and other mixed melons.
Cantaloupe and Yellow Honeydew are mainly grown for the European market, but can be produced in any Mediterranean climatic region.
70 Different Cultivars Exist but Here are the Main Ones:
•   The most common is the cantaloupe or the so-called Melon Charentais – round with a sweet orange flesh.
•   The Persian melon resembles closely a cantaloupe, except it is slightly larger and the rind is greener. Its taste is very
 similar to its cousin.
•   The golden honeydew has a vibrant golden exterior and sweet taste.
•   The sharlyn is a sweet melon with a netted greenish-orange rind and white flesh that tastes like a cross between cantaloupe and honeydew.
•   The Casaba is a large melon with deep wrinkles at the stem end and is pale yellow when ripe. The flesh is white and sweet.
•   The Juan canary melon is bright-yellow like the canary bird and oblong in shape. It has white flesh tinged with pink.

A honeydew has a round to slightly oval shape, typically 15–22 cm (5.9–8.7 in) long. It generally ranges in weight from 1.8 to 3.6 kg (4.0 to 7.9 lb). The flesh is usually pale green in color, while the smooth peel ranges from greenish to yellow. Like most fruit, honeydew has seeds. The inner flesh is eaten, often for dessert, and honeydew is commonly found in supermarkets across the world alongside cantaloupe melons and watermelons. In California, honeydew is in season from August until October

The cantaloupe, rockmelon (Australia), sweet melon, or spanspek (South Africa) is a melon that is a variety of the muskmelon species (Cucumis melo) from the family Cucurbitaceae.
Cantaloupes range in weight from 0.5 to 5 kilograms (1 to 11 lb). Originally, cantaloupe referred only to the non-netted, orange-fleshed melons of Europe, but today may refer to any orange-fleshed melon of the C. melo species
Honeydew melon and cantaloupe are two members of the same species, Cucumis melo  ... They're similarly sweet, but honeydew melon has a smooth, light-colored rind and green flesh, while cantaloupe has a darker, netted rind and orange flesh

Because they’re the same species, cantaloupe and honeydew melon are noticeably similar. Nevertheless, they have distinct differences, Here are the similarities and differences between cantaloupe and honeydew melon.Honeydew melon and cantaloupe have comparable nutrient profiles,Honeydew melon has a smooth,Yellow and light-colored rind and green flesh, while cantaloupe has a darker and rough netted rind and orange flesh.

Honeydew Versus Cantaloupe: How to Tell the Difference

Honeydew is usually mistaken for cantaloupe at first glance, and vice versa. This is not surprising since both fruits are a type of muskmelon, and they are somewhat similar in shape. Despite their many similarities, there are several differences that you can look out for to easily tell these two melons apart.
One of the easiest ways is to check the color and texture of the rind. Honeydew has a smooth and waxy rind that comes in white, green, yellow and orange colors, while cantaloupe has a tough, reticulated rind that’s usually light brown or golden-hued
The appearance of these fruits’ flesh is also relatively different. Honeydew comes with a pale green, orange or white flesh,but cantaloupe has a peachy-orange one. In terms of flavor, both fruits have a distinct taste and are juicy when eaten ripe. However, honeydew tends to be sweeter than cantaloupe because it has a higher sugar content.
The size and weight of honeydew and cantaloupe are also a bit different. Honeydew has an average weight of 6 pounds and is usually larger than an average medium-sized cantaloupe, which weighs around 3 pounds.
Both of these fruits are a great source of nutrition, but honeydew contains a different set of vitamins and minerals compared to cantaloupe.
HABITAT
Requires a rich, well-drained moisture retentive soil and a warm, very sunny position. A frost-tender annual plant, the honeydew melon and Cantaloupe is widely cultivated in gardens and commercially, especially in warmer climates than Britain,






NONE


Organic HoneyDew beer Alcohol by volume: 5%,Honeydew shampoo, showergel, honeydew juice, honeydew jelly, honeydew jam cantaloupe basil jam cantaloupe salsa cantaloupe jam cantaloupe juice
mixed melons to eat salad Serve a chilled ginger cantaloupe soup as the first course at a summer luncheon
   Mix up a hydrating fruit salad with a variety of different delicious fruits.
   Make a cantaloupe and mint salad, perfect for a summer BBQ: “I scoop the cantaloupe into small cubes, chop up a couple tablespoons of fresh mint from my herb garden, and add a tablespoon of fresh, grated ginger. Squeeze lime juice onto the salad, toss, and enjoy!” Gargiulo says.
   Whip up a batch of bacon and cantaloupe bites for a sweet and savory appetizer.
   Prepare a sweet, spicy cantaloupe salsa to use as dip for whole grain tortilla chips or add a layer of flavor to tacos.





Honeydew melon contains several nutrients that are vital for repairing and maintaining strong bones, including folate, vitamin K and magnesium
Folate, also known as vitamin B9 and folacin, is one of the B vitamins. Manufactured folic acid, which is converted into folate by the body, is used as a dietary supplement and in food fortification as it is more stable during processing and storage.
A cantaloupe is bursting with nutrients: It's loaded with vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) as well as vitamin C, and is a good source of the mineral potassium. Another benefit is that the fruit's deep-orange flesh is full of flavor, but is low in calories
1.   Tons of inflammation-fighting antioxidants. In every serving of cantaloupe you get beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. (Try saying all of those three times fast.) Gargiulo notes that antioxidants are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, plus they ward off cancer-causing free radicals in the bod. Both beta-carotene (once converted to vitamin A) and zeaxanthin are thought to play key roles in eye health, including reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration.

2.   Immune-boosting vitamin C. Okay yes, oranges and mangoes have tons of vitamin C. But one cup of diced cantaloupe has 59 mg of the stuff (about 79 percent of your recommended daily value). That’s a bit more than you’d get from one small orange. Not too shabby, eh? Vitamin C plays key roles in your body’s healing process, protection against damage from free radicals, and absorption of iron. Gargiulo also says vitamin C may  boosting the immune system too, reducing recovery time when you catch a cold.

3.   Recovery-fueling potassium. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like bananas, good news: A cup of cubed cantaloupe has 427 mg of potassium, which is about 11 percent of your recommended daily value. The electrolyte helps maintain the delicate balance of intercellular fluids required for muscle contractions and a regular heartbeat—making it especially  important when you are physically active. The next time you finish an intense workout, consider popping a piece of cantaloupe to help boost your recovery.

4. Hydrating water: Cantaloupe’s high water content (just over 90 percent of the fruit is water!) helps hydrate your body—which helps your bod normalize temperature, lubricate joints, and protect the spinal cord. Gargiulo also says adequate hydration is important for healthy digestion and blood pressure levels. So drink (and eat!) up.
5. Gut-saving fiber: A high-fiber diet provides a range of health benefits, including lower levels of bad cholesterol and blood sugar, improved bowel function, healthy weight management, and, a reduced risk of mortality. Cantaloupe contains over five percent of your recommended daily fiber intake, so consider it less of a fix-all and more of a new fiber-rich food to add to your rotation.
6. Low(er) sugar and carb content: If you’ve ever tasted cantaloupe, you know that it’s super sweet—which is surprising in light of its (relatively) low sugar content. A one cup serving of cantaloupe contains just 13 grams of sugar and 13 grams of carbs. For this reason, Gargiulo signs off on cantaloupe (as well as watermelon and honeydew) fruits that are likely okay to consume in moderation on the ketogenic diet, as well as on other eating plans in which sensible intake of carbohydrates is key.











Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #336 on: November 23, 2019, 11:38:33 AM »


HI

I have been looking though my list of Greek plants and i thought i done this plant
You can see this amazing plant

Angel's trumpet

Brugmansia  is a genus of seven species of flowering plants in the family Solanaceae. They are woody trees or shrubs, with pendulous flowers, and have no spines on their fruit. Their large, fragrant flowers give them their common name of angel's trumpets, a name sometimes used for the closely related genus Datura. (Datura differ from Brugmansia in that they are herbaceous perennials, with erect or nodding, rather than pendulous, flowers - and usually spiny fruit).
Brugmansia species are amongst the most toxic of ornamental plants, containing tropane alkaloids of the type responsible also for the toxicity of the infamous deadly nightshade.All seven species are known only in cultivation or as escapes from cultivation, and no wild plants have ever been confirmed.
Family:   Solanaceae
Subfamily:   Solanoideae
Tribe:   Datureae
Genus:   Brugmansia
Pers.

HABITAT
 is native to the Andes Mountains of southern Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, western Bolivia, and northern Chile. As the hardiest of all Brugmansia species in regards to both cold and drought, they are often found in the drier valleys of the Andes, in areas with an annual rainfall of 400 to 1,400 mm.
Brugmansia are easily grown in a moist, fertile, well-drained soil, in sun to part shade, in frost-free climates. They begin to flower in mid to late spring in warm climates and continue into the fall (autumn), often continuing as late as early winter in warm conditions.

 All seven species are known only in cultivation or as escapes from cultivation, and no wild plants have ever been confirmed. They are therefore listed as Extinct in the Wild  they are popular ornamental plants and still exist wild outside their native range as introduced species. It is suspected that their extinction in the wild is due to the extinction of some animal which previously dispersed the seeds, with human cultivation having ensured the genus's continued survival.
Several hybrids and numerous cultivars have been developed for use as ornamental plants.
Bees,Butterflys, love this plant
I have tried to grow this plant looks good in the summer but winter they all ways die even in the greenhouse





Brugmansia, it's part of the Solanaceae family along with a plant called Deadly Nightshade which you probably have heard of. At least “Deadly Nightshade” gives you a clue about the danger of the plant, but “Angel's Trumpet” gives you no hint of any potential problems at all.
 if ingested, the plant is toxic to both humans and animals.
 The beauty of angel’s trumpet belies the extreme toxicity in every part of the plant (leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots).
 If the poison is ingested by humans or animals it can result in serious illness or death. Although every part is dangerous, the flowers and fruit-like seed pods pose the greatest risk in gardens because of the concentration of toxic compounds (be careful: curious children may find the flowers and seeds intriguing).
To minimize health risks while letting angel’s trumpet put on a spectacular show, plant it away from where children or pets play, near walkways, and high-traffic areas. Also, avoid cross-contamination with edible crops by planting it far from vegetable beds, fruit trees, and herb gardens.
All parts of Brugmansia are potentially poisonous, with the seeds and leaves being especially dangerous.Brugmansia are rich in scopolamine (hyoscine), hyoscyamine, and several other tropane alkaloids which can lead to anticholinergic toxidrome and delirium. Effects of ingestion can include paralysis of smooth muscles, confusion, tachycardia, dry mouth, constipation, tremors, migraine headaches, poor coordination, delusions, visual and auditory hallucinations, mydriasis, rapid onset cycloplegia, and death.
The hallucinogenic effects of Brugmansia were described in the journal Pathology as "terrifying rather than pleasurable".The author Christina Pratt, in An Encyclopedia of Shamanism, says that "Brugmansia induces a powerful trance with violent and unpleasant effects, sickening after effects, and at times temporary insanity". These hallucinations are often characterized by complete loss of awareness that one is hallucinating, disconnection from reality (psychosis), and amnesia of the episode, such as one example reported in Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience of a young man who amputated his own penis and tongue after drinking only 1 cup of Brugmansia tea.

In 1994 in Florida, 112 people were admitted to hospitals after ingesting Brugmansia, leading one municipality to prohibit the purchase, sale, or cultivation of Brugmansia plants. The concentrations of alkaloids in all parts of the plant differ markedly. They even vary with the seasons and the level of hydration, so it is nearly impossible to determine a safe level of alkaloid exposure.

Mixed with maize beer and tobacco leaves, it has been used to drug wives and slaves before they were buried alive with their dead lord. In the Northern Peruvian Andes, shamans (curanderos) traditionally used Brugmansia for initiation, divination and black magic rituals.

IF YOU HOLD THE FLOWER FOR A PHOTO WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER




Use in gardens,Landscape  Brugmansia species mostly ornamental plants, Large pot tubs



MEDICINAL USE: In Peru, the leaves of angel's trumpet bushes are used to treat tumors and to alleviate fevers. It has been suggested that the seeds were used as an anesthetic in pre-Columbian times, perhaps along with coca leaves
In modern medicine, important alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine, found in Brugmansia and other related members of Solanaceae, have proven medical value for their spasmolytic, anti-asthmatic, anticholinergic, narcotic and anesthetic properties, although many of these alkaloids, or their equivalents, are now artificially synthesized.[16]

Brugmansia have also traditionally been used in many South American indigenous cultures in medical preparations and as an entheogen in religious or spiritual ceremonies. Medicinally, they have mostly been used externally as part of a poultice, tincture, ointment, or where the leaves are directly applied transdermally to the skin. Traditional external uses have included the treating of aches and pains, dermatitis, orchitis, arthritis, rheumatism, headaches, infections, and as an anti-inflammatory. They have been used internally much more rarely due to the inherent dangers of ingestion. Internal uses, in highly diluted preparations, and often as a portion of a larger mix, have included treatments for stomach and muscle ailments, as a decongestant, to induce vomiting, to expel worms and parasites, and as a sedative.







Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #337 on: November 24, 2019, 11:21:46 AM »


HI
This plant looks the same as Brugmansia You can tell the difference after you have read this

Devil's trumpets

Datura Also known as  moonflower, jimsonweed, devil's weed, hell's bells thorn-apple.The Mexican common names Toloache and Tolguacha derive from the Nahuatl name Tolohuaxihuitl meaning "the plant with the nodding head" (in reference to the nodding seed capsules of Datura species belonging to section Dutra of the genus).
 A genus of nine species of poisonous Vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae.
All species of Datura are poisonous, especially their seeds and flowers which can cause respiratory depression, arrhythmias, hallucinations, psychosis, as well as death if taken internally.
Family:   Solanaceae
Subfamily:   Solanoideae
Tribe:   Datureae
Genus:   Datura
A group of South American species formerly placed in the genus Datura are now placed in the distinct genus Brugmansia[3] (Brugmansia differs from Datura in that it is woody, making shrubs or small trees, and it has pendulous flowers, rather than erect ones). Other related taxa include Hyoscyamus niger, Atropa belladonna, Mandragora officinarum, Physalis, and many more
Datura species are herbaceous, leafy annuals and short-lived perennials which can reach up to 2 m in height. The leaves are alternate, 10–20 cm long and 5–18 cm broad, with a lobed or toothed margin. The flowers are erect or spreading (not pendulous like those of Brugmansia), trumpet-shaped, 5–20 cm long and 4–12 cm broad at the mouth; colors vary from white to yellow, pink, and pale purple. The fruit is a spiny capsule 4–10 cm long and 2–6 cm broad, splitting open when ripe to release the numerous seeds. The seeds disperse freely over pastures,

HABITAT
The Datura sp. is heavily influenced by sunlight and justly thrives in a drier climate.  can be found in numerous areas including but not limited to pastures, barnyards, fields, waste ground, cultivated areas, roadsides, and railroads.

The Difference Between Brugmansia & Datura
Both Brugmansia & Datura are in the same family of Solanaceae.
Brugmansia grow into trees, produce brown wood and are perennial in warmer climates. 99% of their flowers point down and are usually called Angels Trumpet. They produce green bean like seed pods.
Datura are annual bushes (except in climates with no frost) and do not produce brown wood. Their stems and trunks are almost always green. Their flowers point up and are mistakenly called Angels Trumpet but are acutally Devils Trumpet. They produce round, spikey or bumpy seed pods that can literally explode when ripe throwing seeds all over the place if the pod is not well hydrated.
The sweet and distinctly erotic fragrance of this night-blooming plant is tainted with the strongly unpleasant smell of its deep green 6-inch leaves, which are sometimes used as an hallucinogen, or precisely, a potent deliriant.

Datura Record of this name in English dates back to 1662. Nathaniel Hawthorne refers to one type in The Scarlet Letter as apple-Peru. In Mexico, its common name is toloache.










It is an alkaloid containing plant that is entirely toxic. The active toxic constituents of the plant are atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine. It has been abused worldwide for hundreds of years because of its hallucinogenic properties.
There are literally thousands of stories from people who've completely lost their mind on only a few Datura seeds. Many can't remember what they've done for days at a time and the stuff is so poisonous it can kill you. Some people have even used it to kill themselves.
Still, do NOT do it, under ANY circumstances, it can be bad and you can die. Datura can NEVER be safely dosed, each plant varies highly and every year, people die. Do not eat it.



As a pot plant,use in Gardens as ornamental planting,Datura plants growing in colder zones will require you to move the plant indoors or just let it reseed and start new plants. Fertilize in spring with a light flowering plant food high in nitrogen and then follow with a formula higher in phosphorus to promote flowering.
The growing plant is said to protect neighbouring plants from insects Reports on the use of the plant as an insecticide vary from good control of aphids in crops in Namibia to no effects in Australia
The leaves yield a green dye that is used to dye cloth
The plant has been used to tattoo the gums, partly as a treatment of gingivitis or dental decay




The seeds of Datura are analgesic, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory and as such, they are used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal pain that results from worm infestation, toothache, and fever from inflammation. The juice of its fruit is applied to the scalp, to treat dandruff and falling hair.
Thorn apple is a bitter narcotic plant that relieves pain and encourages healing
 It has a long history of use as a herbal medicine, being especially well-known as a treatment for chest complaints, including asthma, cough, tuberculosis and bronchitis. It is a very poisonous plant, however, and is subject to legal restrictions in some countries It should be used with extreme caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since all parts of the plant are very poisonous and the difference between a medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small
 Excess doses cause giddiness, dry mouth, hallucinations and coma
The concentration of total alkaloids in the leaves is 0.2 - 0.5%; hyoscyamine is the major compound whilst the minor compounds include scopolamine, apoatropine, atropine, tropine, belladonnine and hyoscyamine N-oxide minor compounds; more than 70 alkaloids have been identified in the various parts of the plant

Hyoscyamine, atropine and scopolamine are anticholinergics, specifically antimuscarinics. They act by competitively and reversibly inhibiting the neuro-transmitter acetylcholine from binding to its muscarinic receptors, and this antagonism leads to sympathomimetic-like effects in the organs. They increase the heart rate, induce relaxation and motor inhibition in smooth muscles, decrease secretions, and induce dilation of the pupils of the eyes. Although hyoscyamine has a stronger activity than atropine or scopolamine, atropine is more commonly prepared and used. Although at low doses their action tends to be depressant and sedative, at high doses they cause substantial excitation: agitation, disorientation, exaggerated reflexes, hallucinations, delirium, mental confusion and insomnia
Hyoscyamine is used to provide symptomatic relief of various gastrointestinal disorders including spasms, peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, colic and inflammation of the bladder. It has also been used to relieve some heart problems, to reduce excess saliva production and control some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
Atropine dilates the pupils and is used in eye surgery
The leaves, flowering tops and seeds are anodyne, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic, narcotic and pectiral
 The seeds are the most active medicinally
 The plant is used internally in the treatment of asthma and Parkinson's disease
 An infusion of the leaves is drunk as a treatment for venereal disease
The leaves can be used as a very powerful mind-altering drug with sedative activities, they contain hyoscyamine and atropine
There are also traces of scopolamine, a potent cholinergic-blocking hallucinogen, which has been used to calm patients suffering from schizophrenia and similar conditions
The leaves have been smoked as an antispasmodic in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, asthma and other chest complaints, though this practice can be extremely dangerous
Externally, the plant is used as a poultice or wash in the treatment of fistulas, abscesses, wounds, swellings, burns, fungal infections, tumours and severe neuralgia
 The scalp is rubbed with the leaves or leaf sap in order to relieve headaches
The leaves should be harvested when the plant is in full flower, they are then dried for later use
The pounded fresh root and fresh leaves are soaked in water and the liquid is given in enema as an abortifacient
A hot poultice of leaves and roots is applied to goitre
The skin is washed with an infusion of roots and leaves as a treatment for ulcers
The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a bitter and acrid taste with a cooling and very poisonous potency Analgesic, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory, they are used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal pain due to worm infestation, toothache and fever from inflammations
The dried and ground leaves and seeds are eaten mixed with fat to treat ringworm
Pieces of the young fruit are sucked to relieve tonsillitis and sore throat
Pieces of the fruit are applied to abscesses and swollen glands The juice of the fruit is applied to the scalp to treat dandruff and is dropped in the ears to relieve earache




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #338 on: November 27, 2019, 08:47:30 AM »


HI

I was surprised to see this bird in Arillas i have seen this bird a few times now Along the stream/river running though Arillas

Kingfishers or Alcedinidae  are a family of small to medium-sized, brightly colored birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species found in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The family contains 114 species and is divided into three subfamilies and 19 genera. All kingfishers have large heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. Most species have bright plumage with only small differences between the sexes. Most species are tropical in distribution, and a slight majority are found only in forests. They consume a wide range of prey usually caught by swooping down from a perch. While kingfishers are usually thought to live near rivers and eat fish, many species live away from water and eat small invertebrates. Like other members of their order, they nest in cavities, usually tunnels dug into the natural or artificial banks in the ground. Some kingfishers nest in arboreal termite nests. A few species, principally insular forms, are threatened with extinction. In Britain, the word "kingfisher" normally refers to the common kingfisher.
Order:   Coraciiformes
Suborder:   Alcedines
Family:   Alcedinidae
Rafinesque, 1815
Subfamilies=Alcedininae,Halcyoninae,Cerylinae

A old wives tale What does it mean if you see a kingfisher?
It was considered a symbol of peace, promising prosperity and love. Watching this 'halcyon' bird dart across the river reminded me of the words of Gerard Manley Hopkins when he wrote of how kingfishers "catch fire" in the bright spring sunshine.

According to the ancient Greeks, kingfishers built their nests on a raft of fish bones and, having laid their eggs, they set the nest afloat on the Mediterranean sea and incubated the eggs for seven days before and after the winter solstice.
In order to facilitate this it was said the gods always made sure that the seas and winds were calmed during this period. The Greek name for Kingfisher is halcyon, leading to the term ‘halcyon days’ which was originally a reference to the calm and fine weather at this time in Greece. We now use the term to refer to fondly remembered times in our past.
The name halcyon itself comes from the Greek goddess, Alcyone who was married to Ceyx. According to legend the couple were happily married but made the mistake of calling each other Zeus and Hera, which angered the real god Zeus who in bad temper killed Ceyx by sinking his ship with a thunderbolt.

Habitat
In temperate regions, kingfishers inhabit clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers and lakes with well-vegetated banks. Kingfishers are often found in scrubs and bushes with overhanging branches close to shallow open water in which it hunts.
While they are often associated with rivers and lakes, over half the world's species are found in forests and forested streams. They also occupy a wide range of other habitats. The red-backed kingfisher of Australia lives in the driest deserts, although kingfishers are absent from other dry deserts like the Sahara.
Male kingfishers and female kingfishers are are almost identical except for an orange colouration with a black tip on the lower part of the females beak/mandibles.
The European Kingfisher or Common Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis, is widely distributed in Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is resident except in northern areas where the rivers freeze. It will then move to milder regions. In most of its European range it is the only kingfisher.

The largest kingfisher in the world is Australia’s laughing kookaburra. It weighs up to 500gm, or 15 times as much as our bird.
Many of the world’s kingfishers don’t eat fish and rarely go near water.
In many parts of northern and eastern Europe the kingfisher is migratory, some travelling up to 3,000km to their wintering grounds. Few British kingfishers ever move more than 250km, though freezing weather will prompt them to move to the coast.
In Victorian times, many kingfishers were shot and stuffed to put in glass cases, while their feathers were widely used by milliners to adorn hats.
Many young kingfishers die within days of fledging, their first dives leaving them waterlogged so they end up drowning.









Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #339 on: November 28, 2019, 09:24:04 AM »

HI
This animal we all have seen around Arillas or near by and played a very big part in world war 11 on most Greek islands

The Greek Goats

Types of Goats Live in Greece There are various types of goat breeds are available in Greece. Some of these breeds are popular for milk production and some are highly prized for their meat production. Usually the most prevalent types are generally prized either for their milk production, their meat or their hardiness in the face of harsh climates. However, here we are describing about the types of goats live in Greece.

Vlahiki Goats

The Vlahiki goat breed descended from the Capra Prisca or from the wild goats of the island. They are known as the only truly indigenous goat breed in Greece. They are small in size but very hardy. They are well suited to the country’s rocky and mountainous terrain with their short legs. Vlahiki goats have thick hair that protects them from harsh weather. They have relatively low milk and meat production compared to other goat breeds. They are mainly popular for their hardiness and the capability of managing themselves with the environment.

Karystos Goats
Karystos is a small sized hardy goat breed. They are both hardy in harsh climates and disease resistant. They are usually black in color and have short and smooth hair. They produce a lower volume of milk than many other goat breeds. But their milk is of a far superior quality. During the milking period, a Karystos goat produce around 16 to 21 gallons of milk. As they produce lower volume of milk, so they are often used for meat production rather than milk. But the high quality of their milk has led farmers to attempt breeding Karystos goats with higher production.

Kri-kri
The kri-kri (Capra aegagrus cretica), sometimes called the Cretan goat, Agrimi, or Cretan Ibex, is a feral goat inhabiting the Eastern Mediterranean, previously considered a subspecies of wild goat. The kri-kri is now found only on the island of Crete, Greece and three small islands just offshore (Dia, Thodorou and Agii Pantes).

The kri-kri has a light brownish coat with a darker band around its neck. It has two horns that sweep back from the head. In the wild they are shy and avoid humans, resting during the day. The animal can leap some distance or climb seemingly sheer cliffs.


Skopelos Goats
Skopelors goat is the heaviest among the all other Grecian goat breeds. They are considered as one of the most important goat breeds in Greece. They produce milk highly. Even they can produce milk highly with poor quality fodder. Milk of Skopelos goats contain around 5 percent of milk fat (such amount is relatively a high percentage for goat’s milk). For improving the genetic stock of other existing flocks of Greece, farmers often use the male Skopelos goats. This goat is commonly raised in Greece for milk, although they are also used for meat production.

Non-Native Goat Breeds
Many farmers of Greece choose to raise non-native goat breeds. Because the native Grecian goat breeds are relatively smaller in size and lower in milk production. Alpine and Saanen goats are particularly popular for their high milk and kid production.

The Shepherd's on the Greek islands during the war helped the Greek Resistance by passin notes from one side of the island to the other with out suspicion
The most famous was on Crete The Abduction of General Kreipe we have been to the place were it all happed.
Led by Ivan William Stanley "Billy" Moss MC
 was a British army officer in World War II,and later a successful writer, broadcaster, journalist and traveller. He served with the Coldstream Guards and the Special Operations Executive (SOE) and is best known for the Kidnap of General Kreipe. Working with the Greek  Resistance and goat shephards
They made a film called Ill Met by Moonlight The film which stars Dirk Bogarde and features Marius Goring, David Oxley, and Cyril Cusack,


The Abundance of Goats in Greece and the Therapeutic Qualities of Goat Milk. Greece comes first in Europe in the number of grazing goats, as approximately 4.5 million goats are bred in the country, amounting to 47.6 percent of milk-producing goats in the EU.

Tens of thousands of goats are destroying an entire Greek island
In Samothraki, Greece, goats outnumber humans 15-fold.Their constant grazing has led to dangerous levels of erosion. Two years ago, rains caused mudslides and destroyed roads and buildings.Environmental groups are attempting to come up with solutions for the problem, including a herding app.
Semi-wild, the goats roam across the island, which is roughly three times the size of Manhattan, and can be spotted on rooftops, in trees or on top of cars as they scour the landscape for anything to eat. Their unchecked overgrazing is causing crisis-level erosion.





They are raised for wool, milk, and meat in the U.S. Goats are also used to make gelatin, the man- ure is used for fertilizer, they are used for research models in biological studies, they are used to pull carts and for pack animals. 29. Goats are bovines and are closely related to cows and antelopes.
Use their skin and hide.
Clear land.
Produce soap Goat milk makes a wonderful, soft and mild soap that is often used by people with sensitive skin.
Use their dung as fuel. Plenty of people all over the world use goat dung to fuel fires. It may be out there for most of us in the first world, but consider it, especially if you're a hardcore self-sufficiency person.
They eat food scraps. Besides being great browsers, goats can clean up all your leftover food, significantly cutting down on garbage.
They're inexpensive to keep. Goats are not only useful, but they're also thrifty. Because they can browse and because they don't need an overly fancy shelter (just some really good fencing), goats can be a very economical animal for the small farm.
They make manure. Okay, any animal does, but goat manure is great for fertilizing your fields. An average goat produces over a ton of manure every year, and the feces are in pellet form, which makes them easy to handle. Goat manure is a good source of potassium, potash, and nitrogen, and possibly other minerals as well.
Easy to train and handle. Goats are social animals and they are easy to train. They're easy to handle, even by children. They're a good size compared to cows, and that size makes them easier to handle as well.







Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #340 on: November 29, 2019, 04:45:50 PM »


HI

Well i am doing this animal because it is a very interesting this animal lived on Corfu till the mid 90s

Golden Jackal

Canis Aures was the major terrestrial predator and carcass cleaner on Corfu island.
The golden jackal has become by far the most rare canid species in Greece  its population
has been declining during the last three or more decades. The jackal is the only medium-sized carnivore in Greece that
has suffered a rapid decline in its distribution and population numbers, and the exact causes for the species’ reduction in Greece are generally unknown. But as new buildings was put up  for tourism. they were Hunted,Trapped then killed, or Poisoned and some were hunted for the bounty.
 Till the early 1960s they used to be very common almost all over Corfu, but then they started declining and the few remaining animals of the 1980s, were not able to keep up for long and so they disappeared in the 1990s. They were mostly common in the lowlands of Corfu, in hilly terrain, in valleys, near wetlands and streams. They avoided the higher altitudes above 500-600m. Their interaction with human was varying, as many people were afraid of them during night-time, but their howling was an amusing attraction in some cases and even sometimes locals were provoking it. Small damage to livestock and crops was reported. Some were hunted for fur in the 1950s- and some were hunted for the bounty. The Greek Goverment put a ban on this as numbers was droping but this did not stop the farmers and the whole of Corfu can not be policed
Jackals have bad press report for attacking humans it has been known to atack a human but rere
The oldest golden jackal fossils found in Europe are from Delphi and Kitsos in Greece and are dated 7,000–6,500 years ago.
There are seven subspecies of the golden jackal.
 The golden jackal's coat can vary in color from a pale creamy yellow in summer to a dark tawny beige in winter.
The ancestor of the golden jackal is believed to be the extinct Arno river dog that lived in Mediterranean Europe 1.9 million years ago.
Golden jackals are the largest of the jackals, roughly the size of a small wolf. They stand about two feet tall and weigh up to 33 pounds, with males being larger than females. Just like the jackals you're looking at, they often have messy fur, a bushy tail, pointed ears, and a long snout.
They usually live singly or in pairs but are occasionally found in loose packs of related individuals where their behavior is highly synchronized. They are among the few mammalian species in which the male and female mate for life.
The wolf and jackal can interbreed and produce fertile hybrid offspring, which are sometimes known as huskals. Coyote–jackal hybrids have also been bred as pets by wolfdog enthusiasts. Dogs have been crossed with golden jackals.
HABITAT
The golden, or common, jackal lives in open savannas, deserts, and arid grasslands. Side-striped jackals are found in moist savannas, marshes, bushlands, and mountains. The black-backed — also called silver-backed — jackal lives primarily in savannas and woodlands. out of the way from humans

It is a big shame they have gone or have they

If you go to the web page below it shows you the decline from 1940 to 2010


https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328723727_The_presence_and_the_extinction_of_the_Golden_Jackal_Canis_aureus_from_the_Island_of_Corfu_northwestern_Greece








Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #341 on: December 03, 2019, 08:45:07 AM »


HI

You might have seen this bird around Arillas NO NEIL THE ONE WITH FEATHERS


Red-rumped swallow

Cecropis Daurica  Is a small passerine bird in the swallow family.
Red-rumped swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to the other aerial insectivores, such as the related swallows and the unrelated swifts  They have blue upperparts and dusky underparts. They resemble barn swallows, but are darker below and have pale or reddish rumps, face and neck collar. They lack a breast band, but have black undertails. They are fast fliers and they swoop on insects while airborne. They have broad but pointed wings. It breeds in open hilly country of temperate southern Europe and Asia from Portugal and Spain to Japan, India, Sri Lanka and tropical Africa. The Indian and African birds are resident, but European and other Asian birds are migratory. They winter in Africa or India and are vagrants to Christmas Island and northern Australia.
They do not normally form large breeding colonies, but are gregarious outside the breeding season. Many hundreds can be seen at a time on the plains of India.Red-rumped swallows build quarter-sphere nests with a tunnel entrance lined with mud collected in their beaks, and lay 3 to 6 eggs. They normally nest under cliff overhangs in their mountain homes, but will readily adapt to buildings such as mosques and bridges.
The red-rumped swallow breeds across southern Europe and Asia east to southern Siberia and Japan, These populations, along with Moroccan birds, are migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa or south Asia. There are resident races in Africa in a broad belt from West Africa east to Ethiopia and then south to Tanzania, and most Indian and Sri Lanka breeders are also year-round residents. The African and Asian subspecies may undertake local seasonal movements. This species is a regular vagrant outside its breeding range
These swallows are usually found over grassland where they hawk insects. They may sometimes take advantage of grass fires and grazing cattle that flush insects into the air
It is thought that the sequence "open-nest" to "closed nest" to "retort nest" represents the evolutionary development in the mud-building swallows, and individual species follow this order of construction. A retort builder like red-rumped swallow starts with an open cup, closes it, and then builds the entrance tunnel. It has been proposed that the development of closed nests reduced competition between males for copulations with the females. Since mating occurs inside the nest, the difficulty of access means other males are excluded. This reduction in competition permits the dense breeding colonies typical of the Delichon and Petrochelidon genera, but colonial breeding is not inevitable; most Cecropis species are solitary nesters
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the organisation responsible for assessing the conservation status of species. A species is assessed as subject to varying levels of threat if it has a small, fragmented or declining range, or if the total population is less than 10,000 mature individuals, or numbers have dropped by more than 10% in ten years or with a continuing decline generations. Red-rumped swallow has a huge range and a population numbered in millions. It is not known to be seriously declining in range or numbers, so it is classed as Least Concern.
The red-rumped swallow is extending its range northward in Europe, colonising France and Romania in recent decades. The European population is estimated as 100,000 to 430,000 breeding pairs or 300,000 to 1,290,000 individuals.




For Neil

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #342 on: December 04, 2019, 09:28:02 AM »


HI

Corfu Snowdrop

If you are lucky being in Arillas now you can see this plant in flower

Galanthus Known as snowdrops  the rare Corfu snowdrop can be seen from November onwards, at times even by the roadside.
 is a small genus of approximately 20 species of bulbous perennial herbaceous plants in the family Amaryllidaceae. The plants have two linear leaves and a single small white drooping bell shaped flower with six petal-like (petaloid) tepals in two circles (whorls). The smaller inner petals have green markings.
Most species flower in winter, before the vernal equinox (20 or 21 March in the Northern Hemisphere), but some flower in early spring and late autumn. Sometimes snowdrops are confused with the two related genera within the tribe Galantheae, snowflakes Leucojum and Acis.
Snowdrops have been known since the earliest times under various names, but were named Galanthus in 1753. As the number of recognised species increased, various attempts were made to divide the species into subgroups, usually on the basis of the pattern of the emerging leaves (vernation). In the era of molecular phylogenetics this characteristic has been shown to be unreliable and now seven molecularly-defined clades are recognised corresponding to the biogeographical distribution of species. New species continue to be discovered.
Galanthus reginae-olgae
 The epithet reginae-olgae means 'of Queen Olga'; Olga Constantinovna of Russia was then Queen of Greece. The species (or when divided into subspecies, its autonymous subspecies) has been treated as Galanthus nivalis subsp. reginae-olgae.Other regularly used synonyms include G. olgae and G. corcyrensis. The name Galanthus corcyrensis has been particularly used for plants that flower in the autumn with the leaves rather than before them.
Scientific name for the snowdrop is Galanthus nivalis. Name is coined from the Greek words "gala", which means milk, and "anthos" which means flower. Second part of the name, "nivalis", originates from Latin language and it means snow.

Family:   Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily:   Amaryllidoideae
Tribe:   Galantheae
Genus:   Galanthus

HABITAT
There are 20 different species of snowdrops that originate from Europe and Asia Minor. Snowdrops grow in the forests, grasslands, near the streams and roads. They can be often seen in gardens and parks. Snowdrops prefer well-drained, fertile soil and habitats that provide full or partial sunlight. Snowflakes are closely related with snowdrops. These two types of plants have similar flowers but they bloom at different seasons (snowflakes appear later in spring or even during the summer). Snowdrops are threatened because of the uncontrolled collecting of plants from the wild. Some species of snowdrops are listed as vulnerable or even endangered.

The world's most expensive snowdrop bulb, cultivated "by accident" by an elderly couple in Scotland, has sold for more than £700 for one bulb







The whole plant is poisonous but especially the bulbs. It contains two alkaloids, narcissine (lycorine) and galantamine as well as the glycoside scillaine (scillitoxin). Poisoning most often occurs when the bulbs are mistaken for onions. Initial symptoms are dizziness, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.


Gardens,Parks,For winter landscape

used in the treatment of traumatic injuries to the nervous system. Galanthus nivalis is also an emmenagogue, and as such it stimulates or increases menstrual flow and so can induce an abortion in the early stages of pregnancy.
The bulb of the snowdrop can help to slow down alzheimer's disease and it also helps against poliomyelitis and neuralgia.
Alzheimer's disease
Memory problems
Poliomyelitis
Trigeminal neuralgia
Nerve pain
Myasthenia
Menses forcing




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #343 on: December 08, 2019, 12:20:33 PM »


HI


You will see this plant all over Corfu and around Arillas


starflower

Borago officinalis  known as a starflower or Borage  is an annual herb in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has naturalized in many other locales.
Family:   Boraginaceae
Genus:   Borago
Species:   B. officinalis
Binomial name
Borago officinalis
HABITAT
Borage can grow wild in woodlands and pastures. It is also a cultivated herb that many people grow in their gardens.
 Borage has brilliant, blue flowers that are star-shaped with prominent black anthers forming a cone-like structure
Borage is a somewhat gangly plant, but because the star-shaped flowers are so vibrant, this isn’t really noticed. They’re brilliant blue, hanging in downward facing clusters. As the plant matures the stalks and leaves become covered with prickly fuzz.
Leaves: The leaves are broadly ovate and stalked and measure between 4 and 10 cm. in length. They are covered with whitish bristles that can feel rough-hairy.Height: Borage can grow up to 1 metre tall but tends to average at about 80 centimetres.
The leaves are edible and the plant is grown in gardens for that purpose in some parts of Europe.
The plant is also commercially cultivated for borage seed oil extracted from its seeds. The plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, some of which are hepatotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic
Traditionally borage was cultivated for culinary and medicinal uses, although today commercial cultivation is mainly as an oilseed. Borage is used as either a fresh vegetable or a dried herb. As a fresh vegetable, borage, with a cucumber-like taste, is often used in salads or as a garnish.[4] The flower has a sweet honey-like taste and is often used to decorate desserts and cocktails
Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides say that borage was the "Nepenthe" mentioned in Homer, which caused forgetfulness when mixed with wine.
Francis Bacon thought that borage had "an excellent spirit to repress the fuliginous vapour of dusky melancholie." John Gerard's Herball mentions an old verse concerning the plant: "Ego Borago, Gaudia semper ago (I, Borage, bring always joys)". He states that "Those of our time do use the flowers in salads to exhilerate and make the mind glad. There be also many things made of these used everywhere for the comfort of the heart, for the driving away of sorrow and increasing the joy of the mind. The leaves and flowers of Borage put into wine make men and women glad and merry and drive away all sadness, dullness and melancholy, as Dioscorides and Pliny affirm. Syrup made of the flowers of Borage comfort the heart, purge melancholy and quiet the frantic and lunatic person. The leaves eaten raw engender good blood, especially in those that have been lately sick
Borage is used in companion planting. It is said to protect or nurse legumes, spinach, brassicas, and even strawberries. It is also said to be a good companion plant to tomatoes because it confuses the mother moths of tomato hornworms or manduca looking for a place to lay their eggs. Claims that it improves tomato growth and makes them taste better but not been proved
yet





Borage plant parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver and lungs and possibly carcinogenic. ... Borage seed oil is generally well tolerated in adults; however, only products certified as pyrrolizidine alkaloid free should be used.IT IS SAFE IN SMALL AMOUNTS

Borage is a plant with blue flowers that was introduced to Britain by the Romans and grows wild in some areas. Its leaves, flowers and stalks are edible and taste a little like cucumber. Borage leaves are good in salads, yoghurt or cream cheese mixtures, or served with shellfish.
Borage tea,soup,oil,water This herb can be used in soups, salads, borage-lemonade, strawberry-borage cocktails, preserves, borage jelly, various sauces, cooked as a stand-alone vegetable, or used in desserts in the form of fresh or candied flowers, to name a few.
Leaves have been traditionally used to make a tea to rid the body of a fever. Although they can be cooked eating them raw is not recommended due to the ‘prickles’ it is best not to. Flowers are very tasty and can be tossed into salads or they can be crystallized to make a “candy.” The seeds are a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid; this oil helps to regulate the hormonal systems and lowers blood pressure. An edible blue dye can be obtained from the flowers; some people use it to colour vinegar however it turns pink on contact with acids.
Borage is a spring-sown crop grown to produce oil which is high in gamma-linolenic acid, an omega 6 fatty acid, explains Nigel Padbury of Technology Crops. ... There are many benefits to farmers growing borage, including blackgrass control and having a crop that is unaffected by slugs and pigeons.
Borage. is an amazing plant for bees.



Improving the function of the lungs in critically ill patients. There is some evidence that borage seed oil, when taken by mouth in combination with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), might reduce the number of days spent in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the length of time a breathing machine is needed by patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Borage seed oil is a nutritional supplement which is rich in essential fatty acids that can regulate the body's immune system and fight joint inflammation. The available evidence suggests that borage seed oil may improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Growth and development in premature infants.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is some evidence that taking borage seed oil in combination with conventional painkilling or anti-inflammatory medications might help decrease symptoms of RA after six weeks of treatment. The improvement appears to last for up to 24 weeks. Improvement is measured as a decrease in the number and severity of tender and swollen joints.
Itchy, red skin (eczema).
Borage Oil is a little-known secret for keeping your skin healthy.
A skin condition in infants called seborrheic dermatitis. There is some evidence that topical application of borage seed oil might be helpful for infantile seborrheic dermatitis, a condition that causes a red, itchy rash on the scalp. It seems to heal the condition within 1 to 3 weeks.
Borage flower and leaves are used for fever, cough, and depression. Borage is also used for a hormone problem called adrenal insufficiency, for "blood purification," to increase urine flow, to prevent inflammation of the lungs, as a sedative, and to promote sweating








Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #344 on: December 09, 2019, 09:29:32 AM »


HI

You may see this rodent on your walks


fat dormouse

Edible dormouse Glis glis  is a large dormouse and the only living species in the genus Glis, found in most of western Europe. Its name comes from the Romans, who ate them as a delicacy.
The edible dormouse is the largest of all dormice, being around 14 to 19 cm  in head-body length, plus an 11- to 13-cm-long tail. It normally weighs from 120 to 150 g  but may almost double in weight immediately prior to hibernation. It has a generally squirrel-like body, with small ears, short legs, and large feet. Its fur is grey to greyish-brown in colour over most of the body, while the underparts and the inner surface of legs are white to pale buff; the line of demarcation is rather well defined
Family:   Gliridae
Subfamily:   Glirinae
Genus:   Glis
Species:   G. glis
Binomial name
Glis glis
HABITAT
Edible dormice inhabit deciduous forests dominated by oak and beech, from sea level to the upper limits of such forests at 1,500 to 2,000 m . They prefer dense forests with rocky cliffs and caves, but may be found in maquis vegetation, orchards, and urban margins. They have frequently been reported from caves as deep as 400 m (1,300 ft), where they can shelter from predators.Population densities range from two to 22 individuals per hectare.
 Females inhabit only very small home ranges,  but males occupy much larger ranges of 0.8 to 7 ha
Edible dormice are primarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on berries, apples, and nuts. However, they are adaptable, and have also been reported to eat bark, leaves, flowers, invertebrates, and even eggs. Beech mast, which is rich in energy and protein, is an excellent source of food for young and lactating females. Some dormice are found to have hair and ectoparasite remains in their stomachs, but this is mainly due to accidental ingestion during grooming.
Edible dormice also consume large numbers of beech tree seeds. A single, large, seeding tree within the home range of a dormouse can produce enough resources to support the energy requirements of reproduction. The location and age of a beech tree helps dictate where a population of dormice live, since older trees produce more seeds
Edible dormice are nocturnal, spending the day in nests taken from birds, or located in hollow trees or similar shelter. They are good climbers, and spend most of their time in the trees, although they are relatively poor jumpers.
They are not generally social animals, although small groups of closely related adults have occasionally been reported.[17] Many edible dormice mothers form communal nesting areas where they care for their young together
Edible dormice are active during a six-month period and go into hibernation[13] from roughly October to May, depending on local climatic conditions. They are mostly active in the summer and are active on average 202 min in a 24-hour day, mostly at night.
The edible dormouse was farmed and eaten by the ancient Romans, the Gauls, and the Etruscans (usually as a snack), hence the word edible in its name. The Romans would catch dormice from the wild in autumn when they were fattest. The dormice were kept and raised either in large pits or (in less spacious urban surroundings) in terra cotta containers, the gliraria,something like contemporary hamster cages. They fed these captive dormice walnuts, chestnuts, and acorns for fattening. The dormice were served by either roasting them and dipping them in honey or stuffing them with a mixture of pork, pine nuts, and other flavorings. It was, however, very important to upper-class Romans that the dormice be separated from other products of the hunt, like the large game, for presentation purposes.

Wild edible dormice are still consumed in Slovenia, as well as in Croatia. In Slovenia they are considered a rare delicacy and dormouse trapping is a tradition. Slovenians use several methods of trapping. The first used were the hollow-tree trapping method and the flat-stone trapping method. By the 17th century, the peasant trappers had invented the first self-triggering traps, usually made of different kinds of wood. In the 19th century, traps made from iron and steel were introduced. The trappers used many different types of bait to entice the dormice, ranging from pieces of fruit to bacon soaked in brandy. During the prime season, trappers could catch between 200 and 400 dormice, depending largely on what kind of trap they were using. Seasonal dormice feasts were welcome protein supplements for the impoverished peasantry. The people of Slovenia did not just catch the dormice for their meat: use of dormice for food and fur and of dormouse fat as a medicament is documented there since the 13th century.






A notorious delicacy of the Roman Empire mentioned in Petronius’ Satyricon (served dipped in honey), the dormouse remains a traditional food in Slovenia—particularly in the southern regions of Dolenska, Bela Krajina, and Notranska. Dormouse hunting season lasts from late September until the first snow, and each hunt is a ritualized event that involves setting traps and staying up all night. (Part of the appeal of this practice is the companionship of lying in wait and keeping warm with fortifying spirits; but there is a mythical significance, too: Local legend has it that the devil himself is a shepherd of dormice, so killing the rodents may historically have been seen as a way of battling evil.)



 

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