Author Topic: Walking around corfu  (Read 342608 times)

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Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #435 on: April 27, 2020, 10:39:04 AM »


HI

sweet chestnut

Castanea sativa Also known as sweet chestnut or just chestnut tree,
The tree is to be distinguished from the horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum, to which it is only distantly related. The horse chestnut bears superficially similar seeds (conkers), which are not palatable to humans.
 is a species of tree in the family Fagaceae, native to Southern Europe and Asia Minor, and widely cultivated throughout the temperate world. A substantial, long-lived deciduous tree, it produces an edible seed, the chestnut, which has been used in cooking since ancient times.
 Other common names include "Spanish chestnut", "Portuguese chestnut" and "marron" (French for "chestnut"). The Latin sativa means "cultivated by humans". Some selected varieties are smaller and more compact in growth yielding earlier in life with different ripening time: the Marigoule, the Marisol and the Maraval.
Family:   Fagaceae
Genus:   Castanea
Species:   C. sativa
Binomial name
Castanea sativa
Castanea sativa attains a height of 20–35 m (66–115 ft) with a trunk often 2 m (7 ft) in diameter. The bark often has a net-shaped (retiform) pattern with deep furrows or fissures running spirally in both directions up the trunk. The trunk is mostly straight with branching starting at low heights. Sweet chestnut trees live to an age of 500 to 600 years. In cultivation they may even grow as old as 1000 years or more. Their large genetic diversity and different cultivars are exploited for uses such as flour, boiling, roasting, drying, sweets or wood. The oblong-lanceolate, boldly toothed leaves are 16–28 cm (6–11 in) long and 5–9 cm (2–4 in) broad.
Chestnuts belong to the family Fagaceae, which also includes oaks and beeches. The four main species groups are commonly known as American, European, Chinese, and Japanese chestnuts.
HABITAT
Trees of the sweet chestnut grow in Greece from an altitude of 400 to 1000 meters. Some are somewhere entirely on their own, others live together in woods. They can be up to 35 meters high and their roots spread extensively and deeply into the earth.
The tree requires a mild climate and adequate moisture for good growth and a good nut harvest. Its year-growth (but not the rest of the tree) is sensitive to late spring and early autumn frosts, and is intolerant of lime. Under forest conditions, it will tolerate moderate shade well. It can live to more than 2,000 years of age in natural conditions, see the poetically-named "hundred-horse chestnut" in eastern Sicily for example.
The species is widely distributed throughout Europe, where in 2004 C. sativa was grown on 2.25 million hectares of forest, of which 1.78 million hectares were mainly cultivated for wood and 0.43 million hectares for fruit production. Italy, France, southern Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Greece are countries with a strong sweet chestnut tradition, with trees cultivated intensively in coppices and orchards. Countries like England, Croatia, Turkey and Georgia only have a partially developed sweet chestnut tradition due to geography or history. Nevertheless, centuries-old specimens may be found in Great Britain today. Examples can be seen particularly in the London Boroughs of Islington and Camden. In other European ountries, C. sativa has only been introduced recently, for example in Slovakia or the Netherlands
HISTORY
The sweet chestnut was introduced into Europe from Sardis, in Asia Minor; the fruit was then called the Sardian nut. It has been a staple food in southern Europe, Turkey, and southwestern and eastern Asia for millennia, largely replacing cereals where these would not grow well, if at all, in mountainous Mediterranean areas. Evidence of its cultivation by man is found since around 2000 BC. Alexander the Great and the Romans planted chestnut trees across Europe while on their various campaigns.
A Greek army is said to have survived their retreat from Asia Minor in 401–399 BC thanks to their stores of chestnuts. Ancient Greeks, such as Dioscorides and Galen, wrote of chestnuts to comment on their medicinal properties—and of the flatulence induced by eating too much of it. To the early Christians, chestnuts symbolized chastity. Until the introduction of the potato,








None known   Fresh chestnuts must always be cooked before use and are never eaten raw, owing to their tannic acid content. You need to remove the chestnuts from their skins by either boiling or roasting them. ... Once cooked, peel off the tough shell and the papery thin skin underneath.


The raw nuts, though edible, have a skin which is astringent and unpleasant to eat when still moist; after drying for a time the thin skin loses its astringency but is still better removed to reach the white fruit underneath. Cooking dry in an oven or fire normally helps remove this skin. Chestnuts are traditionally roasted in their tough brown husks after removing the spiny cupules in which they grow on the tree, the husks being peeled off and discarded and the hot chestnuts dipped in salt before eating them. Roast chestnuts are traditionally sold in streets, markets and fairs by street vendors with mobile or static braziers.
The skin of raw peeled chestnuts can be relatively easily removed by quickly blanching the nuts after scoring them by a cross slit at the tufted end.Once cooked, chestnuts acquire a sweet flavour and a floury texture similar to the sweet potato. The cooked nuts can be used for stuffing poultry, as a vegetable or in nut roasts. They can also be used in confections, puddings, desserts and cakes. They are used for flour, bread making, a cereal substitute, coffee substitute, a thickener in soups and other cookery uses, as well as for fattening stock. A sugar can be extracted from them. The Corsican variety of polenta (called pulenta) is made with sweet chestnut flour. A local variety of Corsican beer also uses chestnuts. The product is sold as a sweetened paste mixed with vanilla, crème de marrons [fr], sweetened or unsweetened as chestnut purée or purée de marron, and candied chestnuts as marrons glacés. In Switzerland, it is often served as Vermicelles.
Roman soldiers were given chestnut porridge before going into battle




Although more commonly thought of as a food crop, sweet chestnut leaves and bark are a good source of tannins and these have an astringent action useful in the treatment of bleeding, diarrhoea etc. The leaves and bark are anti-inflammatory, astringent, expectorant and tonic. They are harvested in June or July and can be used fresh or dried. An infusion has been used in the treatment of fevers and ague, but are mainly employed for their efficacy in treating convulsive coughs such as whooping cough and in other irritable conditions of the respiratory system. The leaves can also be used in the treatment of rheumatism, to ease lower back pains and to relieve stiff muscles and joints. A decoction is a useful gargle for treating sore throats. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are "Extreme mental anguish", Hopelessness" and "Despair".






Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #436 on: April 28, 2020, 10:47:25 AM »


Hi

It's nearly the time for early holiday makers to make the trip to Corfu and to Arillas we have been luck to visit in May to Arillas.
Very green all over after the winter rain and wild flowers popping up trees with blossom you can smell the freshness early morning of the different plants coming to flower ready fo another hot season
If you been lucky to see the fire flles flashing away all night [NO NOT NEIL]

After you meal at night you walk back to you apartment you can hear the frogs croaking what a noise
Marsh Frog: - (Rana ridibunda)
Balkan Marsh Frog: - (Rana balcanica)
and in the morning walking down the road you can see thousands of baby frogs all over the road
It is a big shame no holiday makers will not be there this year always next year

kev

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #437 on: April 29, 2020, 11:16:37 AM »


HI

I did not know this plant grows on Corfu

https://ioniansummer.com/corfu-nature-and-wildlife/the-fruits-of-corfu/

Vanilla Tree

Vanilla planifolia
 
Is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily obtained from pods of the Mexican species, flat-leaved vanilla (V. planifolia). The word vanilla, derived from vainilla, the diminutive of the Spanish word vaina (vaina itself meaning a sheath or a pod), is translated simply as "little pod". Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people cultivated the vine of the vanilla orchid, called tlīlxochitl by the Aztecs.  It was first scientifically named in 1808.
True vanilla has a fragrance and flavor unmatched by cheaper extracts and is the product of an orchid pod or fruit. There are 100 species of vanilla orchid, a vine which can get up to 300 feet in length. Vanilla planifola is the scientific name for this flavoring that originated in Mexico.
Family:   Orchidaceae
Subfamily:   Vanilloideae
Genus:   Vanilla
Species:   V. planifolia
Binomial name
Vanilla planifolia
It’s the second most expensive spice after saffron as its production is so labour-intensive.

Vanilla planifolia is a vine not a tree and can grow up to 30m
Like many orchids, the vanilla bean orchid is an epiphyte and lives on a host tree without drawing nutrients from it. The vine clambers up to the treetops in a zigzag fashion, exhibiting long succulent lance-shaped leaves. Each blooming branch will bear one to two dozen creamy blooms, for a total of several hundred flowers on a mature vine.
This genus of vine-like plants has a monopodial climbing habitus. They can form long thin stems with a length of more than 35 m, with alternate leaves spread along their length. The short, oblong, dark green leaves of Vanilla are thick and leathery, even fleshy in some species. But there are also a significant number of species that have their leaves reduced to scales or have become nearly or totally leafless and appear to use their green climbing stems for photosynthesis. Long and strong aerial roots grow from each node.
 The flowers are quite large and attractive with white, green, greenish yellow or cream colors The racemose inflorescence's short-lived flowers arise successively on short peduncles from the leaf axils or scales. There may be up to 100 flowers on a single raceme, but usually no less than 20.
Blooming occurs only when the flowers are fully grown. Each flower opens up in the morning and closes late in the afternoon on the same day, never to reopen. If pollination has not occurred meanwhile, it will be shed. The flowers are self-fertile, but need pollinators to perform this task. The flowers are presumed to be pollinated by stingless bees (e.g. Melipona) and certain hummingbirds, which visit the flowers primarily for nectar. Hand pollination is the most reliable method in commercially grown vanilla. Vanilla plantations require trees for the orchids to climb and anchor by its roots.
The fruit is termed "vanilla bean", though true beans are fabaceaen eudicots not at all closely related to orchids. Rather, the vanilla fruit is technically an elongate, fleshy and later dehiscent capsule 10–20 cm long. It ripens gradually for 8 to 9 months after flowering, eventually turning black in color and giving off a strong aroma. Each pod contains thousands of minute seeds, and both the pods and seeds within are used to create vanilla flavoring. Vanilla beans are harvested by hand from commercial orchards.

Can I Grow Vanilla Orchid?
The home grower can certainly cultivate a vanilla orchid. The easiest way to raise an orchid is to use a greenhouse or room with carefully controlled heat and light. Unfortunately, even the best care often does not result in the pods, which are the source of the vanilla flavor. The glossy green vine will still add an attractive accent to your home.
HABITAT
Grows wild
Vanilla grows best about 2,000 feet above sea level, in a moist, tropical climate, with temperatures hovering near 80 degrees Fahrenheit
The origins of Vanilla planifolia have been traced back to Southeast Mexico and Guatemala, but today it can be found growing within 20 degrees north or south of the equator across the world.
Harvesting
If pollination is successful, your three-year-old vanilla orchid will produce green bean-like pods from October through March. Good quality pods should be at least six inches long. The curing process is labor-intensive and involves sweating and drying, which contributes to the premium price of vanilla beans sold in markets. Every day for six weeks, you must wrap the beans in a blanket at night to facilitate moisture condensation on the pods. During the day, place the beans on trays in the sun, or under a heat lamp indoors. Following this sweating process, you should dry the now brown and shriveled pods in a dark, dry place for an additional three months. You can store the cured beans in an airtight container indefinitely.








NONE Vanilla bean is actually an orchid, and you can deep fry dendrobuim flowers. So, they aren't poisonous,


The fruits or their extract are used as a spice, e.g. in the flavouring of chocolate, biscuits, confectionery and ice-cream.
The maximum permitted level of vanilla extract in food is 1%. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice (after saffron), so it is not surprising that the synthetic substitute vanillin has taken the place of vanilla in the perfume industry and is also widely used in the food industry. Poorer quality vanilla is used to aromatize tobacco in Java. In the United States and Western Europe vanilla is one of the major flavourings in ice-cream and high-quality confectionery and foodstuffs.
Shampoo
Soap
Flavour alcohol etc
In foods and beverages, vanilla is a well-known flavoring, but it is also added to foods to reduce the amount of sugar needed for sweetening. Some people add vanilla to food to help stop tooth decay.



People take vanilla to treat intestinal gas and fever. They also use it to increase sexual desire (as an aphrodisiac).
1 It’s good for your heart
research has shown that vanilla can reduce cholesterol levels. This is very important for those who are at high risk of heart attacks and strokes, with lower cholesterol helping to prevent inflammation of the arteries and blood clots.

2 It has healing properties
 vanilla is rich in antioxidants, which can help prevent the breakdown of cells and tissues in the body and stimulate the body’s natural regrowth. Due to its antibacterial nature, it also serves to boost your immune system and lower stress on the body, making it much easier to recover from injury or illness.

3 It’s great for your hair
If you suffer with split-ends or hair loss, vanilla used as an essential oil can strengthen the hair and induce blood flow to the scalp promoting hair growth.

4 It can reduce acne
with its antibacterial properties, vanilla can help to fight breakouts and if used regularly, reduce scars as well as brighten the complexion.

5 It can help with anxiety
the strong aroma of vanilla is known to have a direct impact on the nerves that induce calm and relieve stress, particularly when used as part of an aromatherapy treatment.

6 It promotes healthy digestion
drinking vanilla herbal tea has long been a popular natural remedy that instantly soothes gut inflammation, and helps with other digestion problems like cramping, stomach-ache and diarrhoea.

7 It can help to ease respiratory conditions
that’s right! When you’re battling with a cough, cold or respiratory infection, using vanilla extract mixed with a little warm water can help to coat the throat and provide an anaesthetic effect, whilst the antibacterial properties help to reduce inflammation and irritation.

8 It can aid weight loss
vanilla can support your weight loss goals due to its natural appetite-suppressing qualities and because the extract of this plant can also help lower cholesterol, it can assist your body and metabolism to run more efficiently.








Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #438 on: May 03, 2020, 12:22:01 PM »


HI

THE GREEK BASIL

I have done this plant before but not much about the plant so here is more

Ocimum Basilicum  Is a culinary herb of the family Lamiaceae (mints).
 It is a tender plant, and is used in cuisines worldwide. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell.
There are many varieties of basil, as well as several related species or hybrids also called basil. The type used commonly as a flavor is typically called sweet basil (or Genovese basil), as opposed to Thai basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflora), lemon basil (O. × citriodorum), and holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). While most common varieties of basil are treated as annuals, some are perennial in warm, tropical climates, including holy basil and a cultivar known as "African blue basil".
The Greek Basil is a tiny leaved Basil with an excellent flavour. Very decorative in windowsill pots.
The basil we get in England the leaves are much bigger i will show later
Family:   Lamiaceae
Genus:   Ocimum
Species:   O. basilicum
Binomial name
Ocimum basilicum
HABITAT
Sheltered, warm and sunny edge of fieds hedges, hedge banks, grassland, waste ground,. but has now become globalized due to human cultivation.This plant reaches maturity in 60-90 days. Be sure to harvest all you need for use and storage before allowing flowers to develop. Greek basil stores well for later use.

Greek basil is one of the smallest varieties growing to only 8 inches tall. It has a compact form with small pointed leaves. Greek basil is often used to spice up salads or in soups or meat dishes. A sprig of Greek basil can also make an excellent garnish.

Basil, known as Vasilikos or βασιλικός in Greek, is one of those plants that grow abundantly in Greece, yet it isn’t necessarily the preferred herb to use when cooking. However, this all depends on the region of Greece. Those parts of Greece that have a distinct, Italian influence, such as on the island of Corfu, tend to use the herb more often. However, this all differs depending on the family. It has a naturally affinity for tomatoes, so cooks throughout Greece tend to reach for it whenever tomato sauce or paste is involved in a dish.
Basil grows wild throughout Greece and is a native plant of the Mediterranean. It is also cultivated in the country and sold in both fresh and dried forms in markets throughout Greece. It’s an easy plant to grow at home so many families have basil in their gardens or growing in pots.

Interesting Facts About Basil
Many people in Greece don’t eat basil because of its association with a religious event known as the “Elevation of the Cross.” Although there are no set religious-related rules against eating this herb, many Greeks haven’t developed the flavor for eating it. According to the story, Empress Helene in 326 A.D. is said to have found the original cross that Jesus was crucified on. When she found it, basil was growing in the earth in the shape of a cross. She named the plant “Vasiliki”, or basil, which means, “of the king.” She realized that the cross she found was Jesus’s because when a sick woman kissed it, she was made well.

Basil is an annual, or sometimes perennial, herb used for its leaves. Depending on the variety, plants can reach between 30 cm (0.98 ft) and 150 cm (4.9 ft). Its leaves are richly green and ovate, but otherwise come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes depending on cultivar. Leaf sizes range from 3 cm (1.2 in) to 11 cm (4.3 in) long, and between 1 cm (0.39 in) and 6 cm (2.4 in) wide. Basil grows a thick, central taproot. Its flowers are small and white, and grow from a central inflorescence that emerges from the central stem atop the plant
The various basils have such different scents because the herb has a number of different essential oils in different proportions for various cultivars. The essential oil from European basil contains high concentrations of linalool and methyl chavicol (estragole), in a ratio of about 3:1. Other constituents include: 1,8-cineole, eugenol, and myrcene, among others. The clove scent of sweet basil is derived from eugenol. The aroma profile of basil includes 1,8-cineole and methyl eugenol

There are many rituals and beliefs associated with basil. The French sometimes call basil "l'herbe royale" ("royal herb"), while Jewish folklore suggests it adds strength while fasting. In Portugal, dwarf bush basil is traditionally presented in a pot, together with a poem and a paper carnation, to a sweetheart, on the religious holidays of Saint John and Saint Anthony. However, basil represented hatred in ancient Greece, and European lore sometimes claims that basil is a symbol of Satan.

Holy basil, also called tulsi, is highly revered in Hinduism.

Basil has religious significance in the Greek Orthodox Church, where it is used to sprinkle holy water. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Serbian Orthodox Church, Macedonian Orthodox Church and Romanian Orthodox Church use basil (Bulgarian and Macedonian: босилек; Romanian: busuioc, Serbian: босиљак) to prepare holy water and pots of basil are often placed below church altars.

In Europe, basil is placed in the hands of the dead to ensure a safe journey. In India, they place it in the mouth of the dying to ensure they reach God. The ancient Egyptians and ancient Greeks believed it would open the gates of heaven for a person passing on.





NONE

Greek basil is the favorite in sauces for tomato dishes, Italian food and other recipes.
Used in raised beds for disabled such as blind for sented garden
In a garden near the path brush past and release the sent
Grow in pots,tubs, etc at home on a window sill



In folk medicine practices, such as those of Ayurveda or traditional Chinese medicine, basil is thought to have therapeutic properties
 Basil is used for stomach spasms, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, kidney conditions, fluid retention, head colds, warts, and worm infections. It is also used to treat snake and insect bites.
. Good For Digestion According to the book , 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing, basil can facilitate optimal digestion. "Basil fortifies the digestive and nervous system and can be a good remedy for headaches and insomnia," notes the book. The eugenol present in the leaves ensures anti-inflammatory action in the digestive tract. Basil helps balance acid within the body and restores the body's proper pH level

Anti-inflammatory
Basil and its strong anti-inflammatory properties can prove to be a cure to a variety of diseases and disorders. The powerful essential oils, including eugenol, citronellol and linalool, help lower inflammation through their enzyme inhibiting properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of basil may help lower risk of heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions. Consumption of basil could also soothe fever, headache, sore throat, cold, cough, flu.

Skin Benefits
Basil's powerful oil helps cleanse the skin from within. The excellent skin cleanser is perfect for those with oily skin. It also helps remove dirt and impurities that clog pores. Make a paste of basil leaves, sandalwood paste and rose water. Apply the paste on your face and let it sit for 20 minutes. Was it off with cold water. The strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of basil would help prevent formation of acne.

Fights Depression
Basil's essential oil may help manage depression and anxiety too. The herb is believed to stimulate neurotransmitters that regulate the hormones responsible for inducing happiness and energy. Basil is considered as a powerful adaptogen or an anti-stress agent. Its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties help manage stress too

Diabetes Management
Consumption of basil could result in slow release of sugar in the blood, which is very essential for diabetics. The herb has very low glycemic load. The essential oil present in basil also helps cut down triglyceride and cholesterol levels, which is a persistent risk factor amongst diabetics.

Supports Liver Function and Helps Detoxify the Body
Basil's strong detox properties may do wonders for your liver health. Liver is a very essential organ for the body as it plays a crucial role in metabolism. Basil may help prevent fat build-up in the liver and keep your liver healthy.

Heals An Upset Tummy
The essential volatile oil of basil has been seen as a traditional remedy to treat a variety of tummy problems in addition to indigestion. Consuming basil could help reduce bloating and water retention. It can even stimulate loss of appetite and could cure acid reflux as well.

Promote healthy gut
Basil also helps restore the body's natural pH levels and feeds healthy bacteria within the gut microflora. A healthy gut flora increases immunity and promotes healthy digestion.



Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #439 on: May 04, 2020, 10:24:03 AM »


HI

I have grown this plant in London and just read this plant is on Corfu



pineapple guava

Acca sellowiana  Acca (formerly Feijoa) is a genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Myrtaceae, first described as a genus in 1856. It is native to South America. Acca sellowiana is cultivated for its edible fruits, known as feijoas or pineapple guavas.
Feijoa sellowiana Berg is from the genus which the German botanist, Ernst Berger, named after João da Silva Feijó, a Portuguese naturalist, and the specific name honors Friedrich Sellow, a German who first collected specimens of feijoa in southern Brazil. It has been nicknamed "pineapple guava", "Brazilian guava", "fig guava" or "guavasteen" among different countries.
 It is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree and for its fruit. Common names include feijoa pineapple guava and guavasteen, although it is not a true guava. It is an evergreen, perennial shrub or small tree, 1–7 metres (3.3–23.0 ft) in height.
Acca are evergreen shrubs with simple, rounded leaves and fleshy white and pink flowers and is an evergreen shrub with grey-green leaves densely white-felted on the underside. In summer, flowers with four red petals, white on the outside, appear in the leaf axils; occasionally produces edible, red-flushed green fruit
HABITAT
Wall-side Borders City & Courtyard Gardens Coastal Mediterranean Climate Plants Grow in light, well-drained soil in full sun in a sheltered site woodland
It is a warm-temperate to subtropical plant that also will grow in the tropics, but requires at least 50 hours of winter chilling to fruit, and is frost-tolerant. When grown from seed, feijoas are noted for slow growth during their first year or two, and young plants, though cold tolerant, can be sensitive to high wind.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this species has been cultivated as far north as western Scotland, but under such conditions it does not fruit every year, as winter temperatures below approximately −9 °C (16 °F) kill the flower buds. Summer temperatures above 90 °F (32 °C) may also have an adverse effect upon fruit set. Feijoas are somewhat tolerant of drought and salt in soils, though fruit production can be adversely affected. Tolerant to partial shade, regular watering is essential while fruit is maturing.
Family:   Myrtaceae
Genus:   Acca
Species:   A. sellowiana
Binomial name
Acca sellowiana
Feijoa Sellowiana or Pineapple Guava has one of the most exotic flowers you will find that is hardy enough to grow in our UK climate. It is drought tolerant once established, but a lack of water will cause fruit to drop off. ... The plant does not require extra watering unless grown in dry climates.
The fruit, known as feijoa maturing in autumn, is green, ellipsoid, and about the size of a chicken egg. It has a sweet, aromatic flavour, which tastes like pineapple, apple and mint. The flesh is juicy and is divided into a clear, gelatinous seed pulp and a firmer, slightly granular, opaque flesh nearer the skin. The fruit falls to the ground when ripe and at its fullest flavour, but it may be picked from the tree prior to falling to prevent bruising.

The fruit pulp resembles the closely related guava, having a gritty texture. The feijoa pulp is used in some natural cosmetic products as an exfoliant. Feijoa fruit has a distinctive, potent smell that resembles that of a fine perfume. The aroma is due to the ester methyl benzoate and related compounds that exist in the fruit






NONE
Feijoas skin and all. Some cultivars of feijoa may be theoretically perfect fruits, in the sense that every part is edible. ... Most people assume that feijoas must be peeled; and in fact, in fruits grown from seed, the skin is usually too sour to eat with pleasure.



A feijoa may be used as an interesting addition to a fruit smoothie and may be used to make wine or cider and feijoa-infused vodka. The flavour is aromatic, strong and complex, inviting comparison with guava, strawberry, pineapple, and often containing a faint wintergreen-like aftertaste. It also is possible to buy feijoa yogurt, fruit drinks, jam, ice cream, and such in New Zealand. It also may be cooked and used in dishes where one would use stewed fruit. It is a popular ingredient in chutney. The very strong, complex flavour can make using feijoas, in combination with other fruits or vegetables, a creative and complex undertaking.
Use as a Hedge
 It is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree and for its fruit. in parks small gardens and landscape



If you need more reasons to try feijoas, they make a great snack because they are low in calories and fat. They are filled with antioxidant-rich vitamin C, as well as B vitamins, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Feijoas also have plenty of great minerals in them too including calcium and magnesium










Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #440 on: May 05, 2020, 04:37:29 PM »



HI

Carpobrotus

Carpobrotus, commonly known as pigface, ice plant, sour fig, and Hottentot fig, is a genus of ground-creeping plants with succulent leaves and large daisy-like flowers. The name refers to the edible fruits. It comes from the Ancient Greek karpos "fruit" and brotos "edible"
The genus includes some 12 to 20 accepted species. Most are endemic to South Africa, but there are at least four Australian species and one South American.


Carpobrotus chiefly inhabits sandy coastal habitats in mild Mediterranean climates, and can be also found inland in sandy to marshy places. In general, they prefer open sandy spaces where their wiry, long roots with shorter side branches form dense underground network, which extends much further than above-ground prostrate branches. Plants thrive well in gardens, but can easily escape to other suitable places. They easily form wide-area ground covers over a sandy soil, which easily suppresses indigenous sand dune vegetation when Carpobrotus is introduced to a non-native area.

Medicinal and nutritional value
Carpobrotus leaf juice can be used as a mild astringent. Applied to the skin, it is a popular emergency treatment for jellyfish and similar stings.When mixed with water it can be used to treat diarrhea and stomach cramps. It can also be used as a gargle for sore throat, laryngitis, and mild bacterial infections of the mouth. It can also be used externally, much like aloe vera, for wounds, mosquito bites and sunburn. It is also used to treat skin conditions. It was a remedy for tuberculosis mixed with honey and olive oil. The fruit has been used as a laxative.

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #441 on: May 05, 2020, 04:43:35 PM »


Hi
I do not know why this has happened

Kev

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #442 on: May 06, 2020, 12:51:54 PM »


HI

Common Rue

Ruta graveolens  known as rue, common rue or herb-of-grace, is a species of Ruta grown as an ornamental plant and herb. It is native to the Balkan Peninsula. It is now grown throughout the world in gardens, especially for its bluish leaves, and sometimes for its tolerance of hot and dry soil conditions. It is also cultivated as a medicinal herb, as a condiment, and to a lesser extent as an insect repellent.
Family:   Rutaceae
Genus:   Ruta
Species:   R. graveolens
Binomial name
Ruta graveolens
Rue has Grey/Blue leaves yellow flower grows Evergreen - intensely glaucous leaves to 15cm (6in) long with numerous lobes.
Yellow - dull yellow.
Height - 60cm (24in)
Spread - 75cm (30in)

HABITAT
Succeeds in any soil but is hardier in a poor dry soil Prefers an open sunny position and partially shaded sheltered dry position but succeeds in full sun  Prefers a well-drained or rocky soil Likes some lime in the soil Established plants are drought tolerant
Hardy to about -10°c, possibly to lower temperatures when it is grown in a dry soil

HISTORY
In the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off plague and as a defense against witches. The native peoples of North America made extensive use of rue, as did the Aztecs and Mayas It is a symbol of sorrow and repentance, sometimes called the 'Herb of Grace
In the ancient Roman world, the naturalists Pedanius Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder recommended that rue be combined with the poisonous shrub oleander to be drunk as an antidote to poisonous snake bites.
 The Catholic Church also used a branch of rue to sprinkle holy water on its followers during this time known as the "herb of grace."

Rue has a culinary use, but since it is bitter and gastric discomfort may be experienced by some individuals, it is used sparingly. Although used more extensively in former times, it is not a herb that is typically found in modern cuisine. Today it is largely unknown to the general public and most chefs, and unavailable in grocery stores. It is a component of berbere, the characteristic Ethiopian spice mixture, and as such is encountered in Ethiopian cuisine. Also in Ethiopia, fresh rue is dipped in coffee before drinking it.







RUE PHYTOPHOTODEMATITIS




Toxicity. Rue extracts are mutagenic and hepatotoxic. Large doses can cause violent gastric pain, vomiting, systemic complications, and death. Exposure to common rue, or herbal preparations derived from it, can cause severe phytophotodermatitis which results in burn-like blisters on the skin.



insect repellent. In foods and beverages, rue and its oil are used as flavoring.
Gardens ornamental plant, Pot
Cosmetic
Rue plant oils have a distinct, strong odor. These oils are extracted from the leaves, and are used in a range of cosmetics, fragrance products and soaps. Rue plants are also used to make a red dye.




The tops of fresh rue shoots are gathered before the plant flowers, and are used fresh or dry as a home remedy. Rue is valued for its flavonoids, particularly rutin, which strengthens blood vessels. Because of these flavonoids, rue has been used to strengthen the eyes, as an anthelmintic to treat parasitic worms, and as an antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, expectorant, hemostatic and stimulant. It is also used to induce vomiting and relieve gas. In large doses, however, rue can be toxic, and it should never be used by women who are pregnant or nursing. To treat coughs and stomach issues such as flatulence, it is given as an infusion. The juice of the rue plant has also been used to treat earaches.
]Rue is sometimes applied directly to the skin to treat arthritis, dislocations, sprains, injuries of the bone, swollen skin, earaches, toothaches, headaches, tumors, and warts;




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #443 on: May 12, 2020, 11:44:17 AM »


HI

You may see this plant around Arillas or near by

Tuberose

Agave amica  Formerly known as Polianthes tuberosa, the tuberose, is a perennial plant in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae, extracts of which are used as a note in perfumery. Now widely grown as an ornamental plant, the species was originally native to Mexico.
Agave is a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of the Americas, although some Agave species are also native to tropical areas of South America. The genus Agave (from the Ancient Greek αγαυή, agauê) is primarily known ... Some Agave species are known by the common name "century plant".
Tuberoses can be grown outdoors in hardiness zones 8-10, where they will survive in-ground if the temperatures do not drop any lower than 20° .
The common name derives from the Latin tuberosa through French tubéreuse, meaning swollen or tuberous in reference to its root system.
The tuberose is herbaceous, growing from underground tubers or tuberous roots. It produces offsets. The leaves are a dull green and about 1–1.5 ft (30–50 cm) long and up to 0.5 in (13 mm) wide at the base. They are slightly succulent. The inflorescence is a spike, reaching up to 3 ft (1 m) high, with pure white waxy flowers. The flowers are tubular, with a tube up to 2.5 in (6 cm) long, separating into six flaring segments (tepals) at the end, and are strongly fragrant. There are six stamens, inserted into the tube of the flower, and a three-part stigma.
The double-flowered cultivar 'The Pearl' has broader and darker leaves, and shorter flower spikes, usually reaching only 1.5–2 ft (50–60 cm). Orange-flowered forms of the species have been reported
Family:   Asparagaceae
Subfamily:   Agavoideae
Genus:   Agave
Species:   A. amica
Binomial name
Agave amica
HABITAT
Tuberose is a fragrant flower native to Mexico that grows best in cool tropical regions. It's best to plant it in the early spring after the last frost. It can grow indoors or outdoors, as long as it gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day.
Also along the mediterranean Greece Malta  around 32 species from the Asparagaceae Widely naturalized, mainly near the coasts Good Drainage
Introduced in Albania, the Azores, the Balaeric Islands, Corse, Crete, France (incl. Monaco and Channel Islands but excluding Corse), Greece, Spain (incl. Andorra but excl. the Balaerics), Italy (excl. Sicily and Sardignia), ex-Jugoslavia, Portugal, Sardinia, Sicily and/or Malta
Cultivars / Varieties: You may see
'Marginata' Miniature variegated
'Mexican Single' Single Form
'The Pearl' Double flowers
HISTORY
The overwhelming fragrance of the tuberose has been distilled for use in perfumery since the 17th century, when the flower was first transported to Europe. French Queen Marie Antoinette used a perfume called Sillage de la Reine, also called Parfum de Trianon, containing tuberose, orange blossom, sandalwood, jasmine, iris and cedar. It remains a popular floral note for perfumes, either in stand-alone Tuberose fragrances or mixed floral scents, but it generally must be used in moderation because the essence is overpowering and can become sickly to the wearer









Toxicity. Agave has a toxic sap that immediately causes pain and burning upon contact with skin. Typically the skin will also turn red and may begin to develop blisters soon after exposure to agave. ... If ingested, the saponin in the agave plant can have serious consequences including kidney and liver damage.


Landscape Location:Container,Patio,Small Space
Landscape Theme:Cutting Garden,Pollinator Garden,Rock Garden
Design Feature:Accent,Mass Planting,Small groups
Extracts used to make perfume. Wildlife Value: Nectar from flowers attract hummingbirds and moths.
 Essential Oils
Juice from the core of the plant is used to produce agave nectar - a sweetener often used in food and drinks as a substitute for sugar or honey. Fibres can be extracted from the leaves of this plant and used for rope, matting and coarse cloth.



Tuberose essential oil and absolute is an antidepressant that provides calming relief in stressful situations. It is a hypnotic and sedative oil that can help relieve restlessness, nervousness, and physical tension.




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #444 on: May 19, 2020, 10:59:29 AM »


HI

Knapweeds

Centaurea All so known as  centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" (common knapweed). The Plectocephalus group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. "Cornflower" is used for a few species, but that term more often specifically means either C. cyanus (the annual cornflower) or Centaurea montana (the perennial cornflower). The common name "centaury" is sometimes used, although this also refers to the unrelated plant genus Centaurium.
 is a genus of between 350 and 600 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich. In the western United States, yellow starthistles are an invasive species. Around the year 1850, seeds from the plant had arrived to the state of California. It is believed that those seeds came from South America.
Family:   Asteraceae
Subfamily:   Carduoideae
Tribe:   Cynareae
Subtribe:   Centaureinae
Genus:   Centaurea
L.
Type species
Centaurea centaurium
HABITAT
Grow in upright clumps up to 12-36 in. tall (30-90 cm) and spread 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm). Prefer full sun or light shade and enjoy average, medium, well-drained soils.
It originates from Europe, but it can be found in many countries around the world today (it is especially common and widespread in North America and Australia). Tolerates various types of soil. It can grow exposed to full sun or in the partial shade . Many species, in particular those inhabiting more arid regions, have a long and strong taproot.

Centaurea cyanus is native to temperate Europe, but is widely naturalized outside its native range. It has been present in the British Isles as an archaeophyte (ancient introduction) since the Iron Age. In the United Kingdom it has declined from 264 sites to just 3 sites in the last 50 years. In reaction to this, the conservation charity Plantlife named it as one of 101 species it would actively work to bring 'back from the brink'. In Ireland, Centaurea cyanus is recorded in arable fields as very rare and almost extinct, while in the north-east of Ireland it was abundant before the 1930s.
Knapweeds are robust weedy plants. Their leaves, spiny in some species, are usually deeply divided into elongated lobes at least in the plants' lower part, becoming entire towards the top. The "flowers" (actually pseudanthium inflorescences) are diverse in colour, ranging from intense blues, reds and yellows to any mixture of these and lighter shades towards white.
The common knapweed (Centaurea nigra)  for example is plentiful in the grasslands meadows
Although the genus may be considered by a quite significant number of relatively informed individuals to have an overall negative impact on human interests, particularly agricultural interests, the situation is not straightforward enough to simply declare the genus, or, at least, its most aggressively-spreading species, altogether negative. For instance, due to their moderate to high nectar production, which can occur over a comparatively long duration, many species of Centaurea are popular food sources for insects that may otherwise attack certain crops







NONE    may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family



Gardens, Bees, flies, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.


An infusion can be used in the treatment of dropsy, constipation, or as a mouthwash for ulcers and bleeding gums. This infusion is also taken as a bitter tonic and stimulant, improving the digestion and possibly supporting the liver as well as improving resistance to infections. and as an eye bath for conjunctivitis
Stronger infusions of the flower buds have been used to treat urinary tract infections, as the properties of the plant include antibiotic and antiseptic qualities.
Taken internally as a tea, the flowers can also impart their antibiotic and antioxidant properties as a preventative for warding off illnesses like the common cold.
The natural tannin found in the plant helps to bind proteins, which makes its use as a wound treatment particularly effective. It can assist in stopping bleeding in open wounds and bleeding gums.





Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #445 on: May 20, 2020, 10:42:12 AM »


HI

chaste tree

Vitex agnus-castus Known across the Mediterranean region as  vitex, chaste tree, chasteberry, Abraham's balm, lilac chastetree, or monk's pepper,
A native of the Mediterranean region. It is one of the few temperate-zone species of Vitex, which is on the whole a genus of tropical and sub-tropical flowering plants. Theophrastus mentioned the shrub several times, as agnos (άγνος) in Enquiry into Plants. It has been long believed to be an anaphrodisiac – leading to its name as chaste tree – but its effectiveness for such action remains unproven.
Vitex is a cross-pollinating plant, but its self-pollination has been recorded.
Family:   Lamiaceae
Genus:   Vitex
Species:   V. agnus-castus
Binomial name
Vitex agnus-castus
HABITAT
Chaste tree is an aromatic, ornamental, and deciduous shrub native to the arid and semi arid Mediterranean and Western Asia, and widely cultivated in the warm temperate regions and subtropics.  It thrives on the banks of rivers and in coastal areas, forming dense thickets.
Chaste tree is a 3 to 5 metre high bush or tree with four-edged, light brown, branches which in the initial stages are covered with a fine down.  Its 5 to 7 lobed, palmate leaves are crosswise-opposite. It forms small violet, blue, pink, or white flowers in dense, apical flower heads. The small dark brown fruits are four seeded, pitted berries. The whole plant has a peppery aroma and flavour. It is interesting to note that the bush comes into flower and produces fruit just after   midsummer when there is a shortage of nutrition; its late flowering and pleasant smell make it popular as a decorative plant.
Agnus castus flowers from August to September.

Vitex, its name in Pliny the Elder, is derived from the Latin vieo, meaning to weave or to tie up, a reference to the use of Vitex agnus-castus in basketry. Its macaronic specific name repeats "chaste" in both Greek and Latin; the small tree was considered to be sacred to the virginal goddess Hestia/Vesta. The most common names are chaste tree, vitex, and monk's pepper.

HISTORY
Vitex agnus-castus has enjoyed a high cult esteem since olden times. When the women of Athens took part in the 8-day Thesmophoria – a fertility festival honouring the goddess Demeter – they  decorated themselves with the plant's flowers and placed its leaves on their beds to preserve their chastity. In medieval cloisters, the fruit from the bush were used as a substitute for pepper as the German name ‘Monchspfeffer’ (Monk’s Pepper) implies in order to suppress carnal desire (= anaphrodisiac), The monks scattered Agnus castus chaff in their sleeping quarters. The custom of strewing Agnus castus flowers on the paths leading to the cloisters for novices is still carried out to this day in Italy.

As a medication, chaste tree was once used in cases of injuries, abdominal complaints, dropsy, hypochondria, and hepatic dropsy, and as an emmenagogue, carminative, and galactagogue. The plant's name resulted from a series of misinterpretations.  Theophrastus and Dioscorides called the bush ágonos, the ’a‘ negating ‘gonos’ which means progeny, therefore ’infertile‘. In the course of time, this word became agnós, meaning ’holy, pure, chaste‘. Pliny used the Latin word for chastity, ’castitas‘, to describe the plant. ‘Agnós‘ was in turn misinterpreted as the Latin agnus, meaning ‘lamb‘, which resulted in the plant becoming   known as ’chaste lamb‘. The Latin term vitex comes from vitilium, meaning ’basketwork‘. The tough, hard branches are still used for wicker fences.

Reproduction

This plant can also be reproduced vegetatively. One possibility is to use 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long piece of the ripening wood with buds in July or August and another is to cut the ripe wood in November and then let it root in a coldframe. Also in vitro reproduction with spike of the shoots or node explants is possible.
Harvest
The flowering and ripening processes do not happen simultaneously, enabling harvesting of both fresh fruits and seeds over a long span of time. The fruits tend to fall from the plant as they ripen, getting lost in the soil. Thus, there is no optimal fixed harvest time. Consequently, to avoid yield loss, unripe fruits need to be harvested. This early harvesting has no effect on quality. Overall it is said that harvesting the fruits by hand is the most convenient solution





UNKOWN  =  Don't use vitex agnus-castus if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Hormone-sensitive conditions such as endometriosis; uterine fibroids; or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries: Vitex agnus-castus can affect hormones and might affect estrogen levels.



Parks, Gardens,  aromatic, ornamental,
Essential oils have been found in the fruits and in the leaves. The oil of leaves, unripe and ripe fruits differ in compounds. 50 compounds were identified in the oil of unripe fruits, 51 compounds in the oil of ripe fruits and 46 compounds in the oil of the leaves.
 1,8-cineole and sabinene are the main monoterpene components and beta-caryophyllene is the major sesquiterpene compound found in the fruits of Vitex agnus-castus. There are some slight differences between fruits from white flowering plants and such from violet flowering ones. The oil of fruits of white flowering plants have a higher amount of monoterpene constituents. The leaves mainly contain 1,8-cineole, trans-beta-farnesene, alpha-pinene, trans-beta-caryophyllene, and terpinen-4-ol. The oil, particularly from white flowering plants, is under preliminary research for its potential antibacterial effects.



The fruit and seed are used to make medicine. Vitex agnus-castus is used for conditions related to the menstrual cycle such as breast pain (mastalgia), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and more severe PMS symptoms (premenstrual dysphoric disorder or PMDD).
Researchers believe that vitex works by decreasing levels of the hormone prolactin. This helps rebalance other hormones, including estrogen and progesterone — thus reducing PMS symptoms. In one study, women with PMS took Vitex agnus-castus during three consecutive menstrual cycles.
Some studies show vitex is great for hair growth, others say it causes hair loss.
Fertility problems – thanks to its effect on prolactin, agnus castus could improve female fertility, particularly in women who have a shortened second-half of their menstrual cycle. Several studies have found that agnus castus can rebalance hormones and lengthen menstrual cycles, regulate periods and even lead to successful pregnancies
Vitex agnus-castus is also taken by mouth to increase the flow of urine in men, for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and for reducing sexual desire. Historians say that monks chewed chaste tree parts to make it easier to maintain their celibacy.
Breast pain (mastalgia). Taking vitex agnus-castus daily seems to relieve pain in women who experience breast pain during the menstrual cycle.
During moments of fragility, draw strength from Vitex Berry's incredibly supportive properties by diluting with a carrier oil and applying topically to the wrists and insides of the elbows.
Vitex essential oil has a unique aroma emitting a complex collage of sweetness, mint and camphor. ... This healthy essential oil is extracted from berries and leaves of the Chaste tree which grows in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. The aerial parts, leaves and berries are steam distilled.





Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #446 on: May 22, 2020, 11:00:31 AM »

HI

Cape honeysuckle

You may have seen this plant around i know i have but i can not remeber the  location

Tecoma capensis Better known as Cape honeysuckle,  Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true honeysuckle.
Is a species of flowering plant in the family Bignoniaceae, native to southern Africa.
Tecoma is a genus of 10 species of shrubs or small trees in the trumpet vine family, Bignoniaceae. Twelve species are from the Americas, while the other two species are African. The American species range from the extreme southern United States through Central America and the Antilles south through Andean South America to northern Argentina. The generic name is derived from the Nahuatl word tecomaxochitl, which was applied by the indigenous peoples of Mexico to plants with tubular flowers. Trumpetbush is a common name for plants in this genus.
An erect, scrambling shrub, it grows to 2–3 m (7–10 ft) in height and a similar width. Normally evergreen, it may lose its leaves in colder climates. In certain habitats it may scramble, meaning that it shoots out long growth tips which lean on the stems and branches of other plants, as well as boulders, trellises, fences and walls; this can lead to the plant appearing untidy. The leaves are up to 15 cm (6 in) long. They are opposite, slightly serrated, green to dark-green, and pinnate with 5 to 9 oblong leaflets.
The flowers are tubular, narrow, about 7.5 cm (3 in) long, and are produced at different times throughout the year. They are grouped in 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long terminal clusters. The flower colour ranges from orange to orange-red to apricot.

Family:   Bignoniaceae
Genus:   Tecoma
Species:   T. capensis
Binomial name Tecoma capensis(Thunb.) Lindl.
Synonyms
Bignonia capensis Thunb.
Ducoudraea capensis Bureau
Gelseminum capense (Lindl.) Kuntze
Tecoma petersii Klotzsch
Tecomaria capensis (Thunb.) Spach
Tecomaria krebsii Klotzsch
Tecomaria petersii Klotzsch

HABITAT
Tecoma capensis thrives in wet or dry areas and prefers a well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5\"
Forest margins but more commonly along drainage lines in dense woodland. Grows well in moist
areas and in dry scrub and woodland  Fairly tolerant of salt-laden winds, it can be grown near the coast
The cape honeysuckle is a wonderful hedging plant with good regrowth ability after pruning and normally dense and colourful foliage over a long time. It protects the surrounding soil from erosion, whilst its leaf litter improves soil fertility as it decomposes.
Tecoma capensis is an evergreen shrub or tree with a roundish crown - sometimes it develops a more or less climbing habit. It can grow from 0.5 - 10 metres tall
The flowers are a rich source of sugar for bees
The species occurs naturally in South Africa, Eswatini and southern Mozambique. It is cultivated in other areas of the world, such as in South-east Asia, Hawaii and California. Mediterranean, It can be considered invasive in remote islands such as the Azores (as seen at the island of São Miguel, near Ponta Garça).
Tecoma capensis is an excellent plant to use in a wildlife
can be grown in a container and taken indoors through the winter months. To keep this shrub clean and tidy, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new growth and flowers. The application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the growth and flowering.
Tecoma capensis has been in cultivation for many years and is often used for hedging, as it is a scrambling shrub. It can be propagated from cuttings or by removing rooted suckers during the active growth phase.
It can be planted in semi-shade to full sun. Tolerating temperatures down to 5 °C (41 °F), it can be grown in mild temperate areas with the protection of a warm wall.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.






NONE Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction


The flowers are a rich source of sugar for bees, Used for hedging,The wood is used for fue,To cover  boulders, trellises, fences and walls uses and is a popular ornamental plant in eco-gardens.  for screening and decorative purposes,
Specifications: Attracts ButterfliesBirdsBirds - Insect Eaters Birds -Nesting Sites - CreepersBirds - Nesting Sites Farmers also plant it along fences as additional grazing for stock.



The powdered bark is used in the treatment of fevers, pneumonia and stomach troubles
The powdered bark is rubbed on bleeding gums to promote blood clotting
used for fevers, pain, sleeplessness, chest ailments, diarrhoea, dysentery, and stomach pains




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #447 on: May 26, 2020, 05:20:32 PM »


HI

Peppercorn tree

Schinus molle Also known around the wold as (Peruvian pepper, also known as American pepper, Peruvian peppertree, escobilla, false pepper, molle del Peru, pepper tree, peppercorn tree, California pepper tree, pirul (in Mexican Spanish site) Peruvian mastic, Anacahuita and pepperina)  is an evergreen tree that grows to 15 meters (50 feet). It is native to the Peruvian Andes. The bright pink fruits of Schinus molle are often sold as "pink peppercorns" although S. molle is unrelated to true pepper (Piper nigrum). The word molle in Schinus molle comes from mulli, the Quechua word for the tree. The tree is host to the pepper-tree moth, Bombycomorpha bifascia.
Schinus molle is native to the arid zone of northern South America and Peru's Andean deserts, and goes to central Argentina and central Chile and in Europe Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Gambia, Greece, Hawaii, India, Iraq, Israel  Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mediterranean, Mexico, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru*, Portugal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Tanzania, Tasmania, Uganda, Uruguay, Turkey, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Schinus molle is a quick growing evergreen tree that grows up to 15 meters (50 feet) tall and wide. It is the largest of all Schinus species and potentially the longest lived.  The tree's pinnately compound leaves measure 8–25 cm long × 4–9 cm wide and are made up of 19-41 alternate leaflets. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants (dioecious). Flowers are small, white and borne profusely in panicles at the ends of the drooping branches. The fruit are 5–7 mm diameter round drupes with woody seeds that turn from green to red, pink or purplish, carried in dense clusters of hundreds of berries that can be present year round. The rough grayish bark is twisted and drips sap. The bark, leaves and berries are aromatic when crushed.
 It has, however, become widely naturalized around the world where it has been planted, known for its strong wood used for saddles. It was part of the Spanish colonies' supply sources for saddles; as an ornamental and for spice production. S. molle is a drought-tolerant, long-lived, hardy evergreen species that has become a serious invasive weed internationally.
In South Africa, for example, S. molle has invaded savanna and grasslands and become naturalized along drainage lines and roadsides in semi-desert. It is also invasive throughout much of Australia in a range of habitats from grasslands to dry open forest and coastal areas, as well as railway sidings and abandoned farms. In the United States, either S. molle or its close relative Schinus terebinthifolius is particularly invasive in Florida and Hawaii, and can also be found crowding out native vegetation in southern Arizona, southern California, Texas, Louisiana and Puerto Rico.
Family:   Anacardiaceae
Genus:   Schinus
Species:   S. molle
Binomial name
Schinus molle
HABITAT
Grasslands to dry open forest and coastal areas it is found as a bush in dry lands but reaches tree size in dry river beds with accessible underground water
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall.

HISTORY
The Inca used the sweet outer part of ripe fruit to make a drink. Berries were rubbed carefully to avoid mixing with the bitter inner parts, the mix strained and then left for a few days to produce a drink. It was also boiled down for syrup or mixed with maize to make nourishing gruel.
There is also significant archaeological evidence that the fruits of S. molle were used extensively in the central Andes around 550-1000 AD for producing chicha, a fermented alcoholic beverage
The generic name is derived from the Greek word for Pistacia lentiscus, Σχίνος (schinos), which it resembles.[6] There has been considerable historic confusion as to the correct gender of the genus name; as of 2015 this has been resolved with the determination that the correct gender of Schinus is feminine (rather than masculine), and adjectival names within the genus must be spelled accordingly
Over time there has been a fair amount of reclassification within this genus and earlier names may incorrectly continue to be used by those unaware of changes, including in some cases government departments and even textbooks. The name Schinus areira remains widespread, in Australia (the peppercorn tree) in particular, but this is now considered to be a variety of Schinus molle (var. areira).
Although not related to commercial pepper (Piper nigrum) the pink/red berries are sold as pink peppercorns and often blended with commercial pepper.
Extracts of S. molle have been used as a flavor in drinks and syrups






The fruit and leaves are, however, potentially poisonous to poultry, pigs and possibly calves. Records also exist of young children who have experienced vomiting and diarrhea after eating the fruit Presently Schinus molle lacks generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status with the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Ornamental tree in parks and small gardens The leaves are also used for the natural dyeing of textiles in the Andean region
Pink Pepper Essential Oil (Schinus Molle) The aroma of Pink Pepper Essential Oil is dry, warm-spicy and fresh, with hints of Angelica and Juniper-like notes. It can be used as a substitute for Black Pepper in perfumery.
Pink peppercorns are used in recipes where black pepper could overwhelm more delicate flavors



In traditional medicine, S. molle was used in treating a variety of wounds and infections due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It has also been used as an antidepressant and diuretic, and for toothache, rheumatism and menstrual disorders with recent studies in mice providing possible support for its antidepressant effects. It has also been speculated that S. molle's insecticidal properties make it a good candidate for use as an alternative to synthetic chemicals in pest control.
Fresh green leaves in bunches are used shamanically in Mesoamerican traditional ceremonies for cleansings and blessings.
Schinus molle is used in folk medicine as an analgesic, antifungal, antitumoral, antispasmodic, diuretic, topical antiseptic, and to treat hypertension, wounds, bacterial infections and asthma




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #448 on: June 03, 2020, 10:18:32 AM »


HI

You may have seen this plant around in Arillas or around Corfu in someones garden

Chinese lantern

Physalis alkekengi  As we know this plant as (bladder cherry, Chinese lantern, Japanese lantern, strawberry groundcherry, or winter cherry)  It grows naturally in the regions covering Southern Europe to South Asia and Northeast Asia. It is a perennial herbaceous plant growing to 40–60 cm tall, with spirally arranged leaves 6–12 cm long and 4–9 cm broad. The flowers are white, with a five-lobed corolla 10–15 mm across, with an inflated basal calyx which matures into the papery orange fruit covering, 4–5 cm long and broad.
This plant  is a distant relative of the new world P. peruviana (Cape gooseberry). This species is native to Asia unlike the rest of Physalis that is native to the Americas. It is easily identifiable by the large, bright orange to red papery covering over its fruit, which resembles paper lanterns.
It is a popular ornamental plant, widely cultivated in temperate regions of the world, and very hardy to below −20 °C (−4 °F)
can be invasive with its wide-spreading root system sending up new shoots some distance from where it was originally planted. In various places around the world, it has escaped from cultivation.
Physalis alkekengi seed fossils are known from Miocene of Siberia, Pliocene of Europe and Pleistocene of Germany. Pollen grains of Physalis alkekengi have been found in early Pleistocene sediments in Ludham east of Wroxham, East Anglia England.

HABITAT
Hedgerows and by damp paths, from the plains to the lower slopes of mountains and gardens as a ornamental plant
Semi shade or no shade soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline Light woodland

Family:   Solanaceae
Genus:   Physalis
Species:   P. alkekengi
Binomial name
Physalis alkekengi

In Japan, its bright and lantern-like fruiting calyces form a traditional part of the Bon Festival as offerings intended to help guide the souls of the dead. A market devoted to it - hōzuki-ichi - is held every year on the 9th and 10th of July near the ancient Buddhist temple of Sensō-ji in Asakusa.








All parts of the plant, except the ripe fruit, are poisonous


Gardens To stop it be invasive put it in a large pot or tub
Not all Physalis species bear edible fruit. ... The fruit can be used like the tomato. Once extracted from its husk, it can be eaten raw and used in salads. Some varieties are added to desserts, used as flavoring, made into fruit preserves, or dried and used like raisins.Fruit - raw or cooked


The plant has a long history of herbal use, and an interesting chemistry, but it is seldom used in modern practice
The dried fruit of P. alkekengi is called the golden flower in the Unani system of medicine, and used as a diuretic, antiseptic, liver corrective, and sedative
The fresh leaves have been used externally to make soothing poultices in the treatment of skin inflammations. The seed is used to promote early labour. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fruit. It is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder disorders.






Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #449 on: June 08, 2020, 10:57:46 AM »


HI

Meadowsweets

Spiraea japonica Also known as Japanese spirea or  Korean spiraea
genus of nearly 100 species of flowering shrubs in the rose family (Rosaceae). Native to the north temperate zone, many spirea species are commonly cultivated for their pleasing growth habit and attractive flower clusters.
Genus name comes from the Greek word speira meaning wreath in reference to the showy flower clusters seen on most shrubs in the genus.
Spiraea japonica is a deciduous, perennial shrub native to Japan, China, and Korea. Southwest China is the center for biodiversity of the species. It is naturalized throughout much of the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest areas of the United States, and parts of Canada and Europe and mediterranean countries , including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain,Greece temperate Asia and Mongolia.
Spiraea plants are hardy, deciduous-leaved shrubs. The leaves are simple and usually short stalked, and are arranged in a spiralling, alternate fashion. In most species, the leaves are lanceolate (narrowly oval) and about 2.5 to 10 centimetres (0.98 to 3.94 in) long. The leaf margins are usually toothed, occasionally cut or lobed, and rarely smooth. Stipules are absent.
The many small flowers of Spiraea shrubs are clustered together in inflorescences, usually in dense panicles, umbrella-like corymbs, or grape-like clusters. The radial symmetry of each flower is five fold, with the flowers usually bisexual, rarely unisexual. The flowers have five sepals and five white, pink, or reddish petals that are usually longer than the sepals. Each flower has many (15 to 60) stamens. The fruit is an aggregate of follicles.
Family:   Rosaceae
Subfamily:   Amygdaloideae
Tribe:   Spiraeeae
Genus:   Spiraea
L.
Species
About 80-100,

HABITAT
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Prefers rich, moist loams. Remove faded flower clusters as practicable (light shearing is an option) to encourage additional bloom. Flowers on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring if needed. Plants can be aggressive self-seeders, and have escaped gardens and naturalized in many areas of the world
A common habitat for S. japonica in general seems to be in riparian areas, bogs, or other wetland habitats. It is found growing along streams, rivers, forest edges, roadsides, successional fields,






NONE  Nor are they edible, and it can be expected that, when eaten in quantity, they may cause stomach upset with possible vomiting.

Attracts: Butterflies Use: Hedge,ornamental shrub Gardens Parks

None


 

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