Author Topic: Walking around corfu  (Read 341957 times)

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Offline turkeyfoot

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #570 on: August 07, 2021, 06:31:20 PM »
Hi
You got in before eggy lol
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than  to speak up and remove all doubt.

Offline Eggy

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #571 on: August 07, 2021, 08:17:32 PM »
Not alert enough to "cut the mustard" there.
Negg

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #572 on: August 16, 2021, 09:38:56 AM »


HI

WE saw loads of Carpenter Bees this summer in Arillas

Carpenter Bee

Xylocopa violacea  Are species in the genus Xylocopa of the subfamily Xylocopinae. The genus includes some 500 bees in 31 subgenera. The common name "carpenter bee" derives from their nesting behavior; nearly all species burrow into hard plant material such as dead wood or bamboo. The main exceptions are species in the subgenus Proxylocopa; they dig nesting tunnels in suitable soil.
Xylocopa means 'wood-worker' in Greek and illustrates what the female carpenter bee does – she bores holes in dead wood to deposit her eggs.
The French entomologist Pierre André Latreille described the genus in 1802. He derived the name from the Ancient Greek xylokopos/ξυλοκὀπος "wood-cutter".
 Male carpenter bees are completely harmless. Like other bees and wasps, only the females have stingers.
Like most members of the genus Xylocopa, it makes its nests in dead wood. It is not particularly aggressive, and will attack only if forced to.

Zooming around from place to place, chasing off other insects, or other male carpenter bee intruders is the main objective of the male carpenter bee. ... The hovering action around humans, or even pets, of the male carpenter bee is his effort to flex his muscle and to investigate the dangers of his surroundings.
Carpenter Bee Lifecycle
Carpenter bees emerge from hibernation in the spring, around April or May. They overwinter as adults in wood within abandoned nest tunnels.
By late spring or early summer, you may see them hovering around as they search for mates and suitable nesting sites. After mating, the fertilized females excavate tunnels in wood.
As with some other solitary bees, the female constructs the nest alone. She lays her eggs within a series of small cells, each supplied with a ball of pollen on which the larvae feed. The larvae emerge as adults in late summer, and hibernate until the following year.
In several species, the females live alongside their own daughters or sisters, creating a small social group.

Kingdom:   Animalia
Phylum:   Arthropoda
Class:   Insecta
Order:   Hymenoptera
Family:   Apidae
Subfamily:   Xylocopinae
Tribe:   Xylocopini
Genus:   Xylocopa
Latreille, 1802
Type species
Xylocopa violacea

Natural predators
Woodpeckers eat carpenter bees, as do various species of birds, such as shrikes and bee-eaters as well as some mammals such as ratels. Other predators include large mantises and predatory flies, particularly large robber-flies of the family Asilidae. Woodpeckers are attracted to the noise of the bee larvae and drill holes along the tunnels to feed on them.

Apart from outright predators, parasitoidal species of bee flies (e.g. Xenox) lay eggs in the entrance to the bee’s nest and the fly maggots live off the bee larvae.

Carpenter bees are great pollinators, and are generalists, meaning that they will visit a large number of flowering plants (depending on what flora is available) to gather nectar and pollen.
They are similar in size and shape to bumble bees - and indeed, some species are frequently mistaken for Bombus.
Their large, furry bodies are superb for pollination, as pollen is trapped on their hairy bodies, and is easily transferred from flower to flower.
The crops pollinated by carpenter bees include passion fruit, Brazil nuts and cotton.  Like bumble bees, carpenter bees are also used in greenhouses to pollinate tomatoes - this is practiced in Australia.

The Fear Of Bees is called Apiphobia For some people, bees are the stuff of nightmares. Most of us are fearful of something, but some fears prevent us from living a normal life. An example of such a limiting fear is apiphobia.
The word ‘apiphobia’ is derived from the Latin and Greek words, ‘api’ and ‘phobos,’ which mean ‘bees’ and ‘deep dread,’ respectively. It’s used to describe the fear of bees, which is sometimes irrational.










Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #573 on: August 19, 2021, 12:10:12 PM »


HI

If you wonder what is the big tree behind the Tria Adelphia Apartments and around Arillas

Hoop pine

Araucaria cunninghamii Other less commonly used names include colonial pine, Queensland pine, Dorrigo pine, Moreton Bay pine and Richmond River pine.The scientific name honours the botanist and explorer Allan Cunningham, who collected the first specimens in the 1820s.
The leaves on young trees are awl-shaped, 1–2 cm long, about 2 mm thick at the base, and scale-like, incurved, 1–2 cm long and 4 mm broad on mature trees. The cones are ovoid, 8–10 cm long and 6–8 cm diameter, and take about 18 months to mature. They disintegrate at maturity to release the nut-like edible seeds.
Australia: Coastal tropical and subtropical rainforests from northern Queensland to Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, at 0-1000 m elevation (Silba 1986, Newbury ). Variety papuana occurs in the Arfak Mountains of western New Guinea.
This is a Evergreen
Zone 10 (cold hardiness limit between -1°C and +4.4°C)
Australia's National Register of Big Trees (2020) currently assigns championship to a tree 193 cm dbh and 37 m tall (2017 measurement), located in Bowraville, New South Wales. This also has the largest known girth. Although no longer in a forest, it is a remnant, presumably from natural regeneration. The tallest specimen is also in a forest remnant; 44 m tall (2009), it grows in the Bunya Mountains. Trees growing in a seasonal tropical climate in north Queensland produce latewood during cooler and drier periods. Vascular cambium growth rates fluctuate, and slow-growing trees temporarily have inactive cambium around parts of the trunk so no growth ring is formed"

Family:   Araucariaceae
Genus:   Araucaria
Section:   A. sect. Eutacta
Species:   A. cunninghamii
Binomial name
Araucaria cunninghamii

HABITAT
Dry Full Sun Partial Shade Soil Loam, Sand Aspect North-facing or South-facing is an adaptable tree that is capable of growing on a variety of soils provided the annual rainfall exceeds 30 inches. As a result, A. cunninghamii occurs in rainforests and rainforest edges along the east coast of Australia from the Macleay River in New South Wales up as far north as Cape York Peninsula and extending into PNG.
Araucaria cunninghamii is a symmetrical, cone-shaped tree that grows up to 60 m in height and gets its common name from the outer layer of bark which forms scale-like horizontal hoops. The branches are whorled and the leaves are very fine and pointy. It is a slow-growing plant that can live for up to 450 years. Because of its adaptability to a variety of conditions A. cunninghamii is an established commercial plantation tree throughout south-east Queensland.
Male and female cones of Araucaria cunninghamii are usually on the same tree, with male cones forming a dense cluster of cylindrical spikes. Trees are usually 22–27 years old before producing male (pollen) cones, although precocious pollen cone production has been observed in six-year-old individuals. Female (seed) cones are round and occur near the top of the tree; they have been observed on individuals as young as six years old but the more usual age of first seed cone production is around 10–12 years. Seeds are released with the cone scale on disintegration of the ripe female cones, which tends to occur from November to February. The female cones are brown when mature and about 8–10 cm in diameter. The position of these cones near the top of the tree enables the seeds to be dispersed by winds strong enough to displace them a viable distance from their parent.
The wood is a high quality timber that is particularly important to the plywood industry and also used for furniture, veneer, joinery, panelling, particle board, flooring and boats. Most natural stands in Australia and Papua New Guinea have been depleted by logging. It is now mainly found on timber plantations; however, the species continues to thrive in protected areas, including Lamington National Park where at least one walking track is named after it.

Aboriginal Australians used the resin as cement

Propagation is generally from seed but the use of cuttings is also possible. Seedlings should be transferred to tubes or pots after 12 months for further growth and may be planted once they reach two years old. Regular watering is essential for the first two years in the ground and a native plant potting mix can also be useful in aiding the early stages of development. Once properly established the tree is fairly resilient and will often continue to grow slowly provided it gets enough moisture. Cuttings may also be used but this method is less common and relatively unsuccessful. If cuttings are used they must be taken from upright growing shoots toward the tops of the tree.

The plantations in Queensland have been subject to damage by a native rat species, Rattus tunneyi, which digs to the roots of a semi-mature tree and kills it, the animal was declared a pest for this reason. The vulnerability of A. cunninghamii plantations to pest losses has caused some of them to be replaced by A. hunsteinii which suffers less in plantation.Unspecified Microlepidoptera are significant pests of the pine cones of both.

Biological control
Cryptolaemus montrouzieri is a coccinellid predator of mealybug and soft scale insect parasites of A. cunninghamii, and has several characteristics that make it a good biocontrol for use in plantations. Although they are less interested in other trees - by many multiples - C. montrouzieri does hunt the same pests in custard apple and citrus plantations

May be susceptible to honey fungus

HISTORY
historic times it was an important source of timber for masts and spars of sailing ships. Here is a relevant historical account: "The Spitfire having sprung her topmast, some of the party landed at Magnetical Island for the purpose of cutting a pine spar on the morning of the 17th September... The formation of this island also is granitic, immense boulders of this rock lining the shores and being piled on the summits and strewed over the slopes of the hills in wild confusion. Lofty pines spring out of the crevices of the rocks, giving considerable beauty to the scenery. The timber of this pine is rather heavy, but tough, and with a beautiful grain, qualities which recommend it for house and boat building, furniture, &c. It appears most nearly allied to the Araucaria Cookei" (the Moreton Bay Courier, December 15, 1860).






NONE BUT Allergies/Toxicity: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, wood in the Araucaria genus has been reported to cause skin irritation. Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust.

Use in Parks, Landscape,Plantation grown trees are regularly harvested for lumber, though the wood is seldom imported to North America. Expect prices to be higher than comparable domestic softwoods.
The wood is a high quality timber that is particularly important to the plywood industry and also used for furniture, veneer, joinery, panelling, particle board, flooring and boats.framing lumber, interior trim, sash and door stock
 In Brazil the timber is made into plywood and is also considered suitable for pulp and paper products.
Seed - raw or cooked. The seeds are around 15mm long and 6 - 7mm wide


The bark exudes a resin when cut. This resin can be dissolved in alcohol to treat kidney ailments





Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #574 on: August 27, 2021, 10:06:07 AM »


HI
Most of us have seen this bird swooping down at a swimming pool

common house martin

Delichon urbicum Is the common house martin   Other commons names are northern house martin,house martin,  is a migratory passerine bird of the swallow family which breeds in Europe, north Africa and across the Palearctic; and winters in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical Asia. It feeds on insects which are caught in flight, and it migrates to climates where flying insects are plentiful.
 It has a blue head and upperparts, white rump and pure white underparts, and is found in both open country and near human habitation. It is similar in appearance to the two other martin species of the genus Delichon, which are both endemic to eastern and southern Asia. It has two accepted subspecies.

The bird's mud nest is usually sited below the eaves of buildings. They are summer migrants and spend their winters in Africa.

The common house martin is a migrant which moves on a broad-front (i.e. European birds are not funnelled through the short sea crossings used by large soaring birds, but cross the Mediterranean and Sahara). While migrating they feed in the air on insects, and they usually travel in daylight.

When they have a nest, house martins sleep in it, but it's still not known whether they sleep on the wing for the rest of the year. Up to 11 house martins have been found to sleep in a single nest – both adult birds and their first and second brood of young.
House martins usually arrive back on Corfu in March,April and fully back in May
A house martin nest is made up of around 1000 lumps of clay and weighs about 500g. It is most often lined with white feathers brought in by the male bird. On average it takes about three weeks for a house martin to construct a nest.
House martins generally prefer to reuse old nests than to start a new one from scratch. And they nest communally so houses with house martins usually have a number of nests.
Their diet consists almost entirely of small flying insects and spiders, the plankton of the air. If you hate mosquitoes, love house martins.
The female lays four or five eggs that take two to three weeks to hatch. The chicks then spend up to five weeks in the nest before they are ready to take to the wing. Look out for house martins in late summer congregating on house roofs or whirling about meadows in large numbers ready for the long migration.
House martins face a number of threats, some natural but most man-made. Their nests are sometime predated by other birds, they are hunted by hobbies, a fast, migratory bird of prey. But the biggest threats come from us – some people still knock the nests off their houses though it’s illegal. And agricultural changes have reduced the number of insects so there’s less food for the birds.

When sitting by the pool you see the birds swooping down well they are feeding  a hotspot as house martins prey on flying insects. They hoover up midges, mayflies, damselflies and dragonflies as they swoop over the water.

How to identify swifts, swallows, sand martins and house martins
Have you spotted some beautiful silhouettes darting and diving in the summer sky? Swifts, swallows, house martins and sand martins are all summer visitors to the UK. While the swift spends most of its time soaring high in the sky, the swallow or 'barn swallow' might be seen perching on a wire, or roosting in a reedbed. Here are our top tips to work out what you might have spotted!
How to identify swifts, swallows, sand martins and house martins
Have you spotted some beautiful silhouettes darting and diving in the summer sky? Swifts, swallows, house martins and sand martins are all summer visitors to the UK. While the swift spends most of its time soaring high in the sky, the swallow or 'barn swallow' might be seen perching on a wire, or roosting in a reedbed. Here are our top tips to work out what you might have spotted!
Swallows are the most popular birds in Greece. Their arrival every year from warmer climates marks the beginning of Spring. “These birds,” Bakaloudis says, “fly up to 350 kilometers (217 miles) a day, with anticyclones favoring them on their journey as they lift them higher up in the sky.”

How to identify swallows
The swallow is a glossy, dark blue-black above and creamy-white below, with a dark red forehead and throat, bordered by a blue-black band across the top of the breast. The red can be difficult to make out from a distance, when the whole head may just appear dark. It has a very long, deeply forked tail. As their full name of barn swallow suggests, they're often seen around farmland and small villages, where they nest in outbuildings. Swallows often perch up on wires in small numbers, or in larger groups as they prepare to migrate. When they aren't breeding, they can roost in huge numbers in reedbeds. They have a chattering call that often gives them away before you see them.

Key features to look for are the long forked tail, pale underside and dark-looking throat and face.

How to identify swifts
The swift is dark brown all over, often appearing black against the sky, with a small, pale patch on its throat. They're larger than swallows and martins, with long curving wings that make them look a bit like a boomerang when in the air. Swifts are very sociable and can often be spotted in groups wheeling over roofs and calling to each other with high-pitched screams. Unlike swallows and martins, swifts are almost never seen perching. They spend most of their lives flying – even sleeping, eating and drinking on the wing – only ever landing to nest.

Key features to tell a swift from a swallow or martin are the dark underside (swallows and martins have pale bellies), the proportionately longer wings and the screaming call.

How to identify house martins
The house martin is glossy black above, completely white below, and has a white rump and a short, forked tail. As its name suggests, the house martin can be spotted around our towns and villages, where they build mud cup nests beneath the eaves of houses. They can often be seen visiting puddles to collect the mud they use to build their impressive nests.

Key features to look for are the white rump and the all-white underparts, with no dark band across the breast.

How to identify sand martins
Our smallest member of the swallow family, the sand martin is brown above and white below, with a brown band across its breast and a short, forked tail. House martins and swallows are both glossy blue-black above and don’t have the chest band. Sand martins nest in burrows, usually dug into sandy banks. They nest in colonies, with many pairs nesting close together at suitable sites. They're often seen over water, and many wetland nature reserves have built special nesting banks to give them a home.

Key features to look for are the all-brown upperparts and the dark band across the breast, separating the white throat from the white belly.


                                           

   






Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #575 on: September 07, 2021, 09:35:29 AM »


HI
I found this fruit just looking on the Kassiopi Garden estate

Common medlar

Mespilus germanica Other common names are the medlar or common medlar England it historically had a number of vulgar nicknames, such as open-arse and monkey's bottom, due to the appearance of its large calyx.
it got introduced to Greece around 200 BC
 is a large shrub or small tree in the rose family Rosaceae. The fruit of this tree is also called the medlar. The fruit has been cultivated since Roman times, and is unusual in being available in winter, and in being eaten when bletted. It is eaten raw and in a range of dishes.

Family:   Rosaceae
Genus:   Mespilus
Species:   M. germanica
Binomial name
Mespilus germanica
Group: Fruit
Flowering time: Late spring and early summer
Height and spread: 6m x 8m (20ft x 25ft)
Aspect: Full sun to light shade
Hardiness: Hardy
Difficulty to grow: Easy

In spite of the specific Germanic epithet, the common loquat is originated, according to recent studies, of the Caucasian area, but also with early diffusion nuclei in Iran, in Turkey up to Greece. Today it is a plant widespread throughout Europe as a spontaneous plant in broad-leaved woods or as a rinselvatichita in uncultivated areas.
Medlars are ornamental, flowering trees with pretty blossom, good autumn colour and fruits which are edible, although not to everyone’s taste. Their fruit is tart if eaten raw, but makes pleasantly flavoured jellies or can be used in desserts. Left to soften the fruit mellows and is a traditional, if unusual, treat.
Until recently, Mespilus germanica was the only known species of medlar. However, in 1990, a new species was discovered in North America, now named Mespilus canescens. The loquat, Eriobotrya japonica, is more distantly related to the medlar than genera such as Crataegus, Amelanchier, Peraphyllum, and Malacomeles, but was once thought to be closely related, and is still sometimes called the 'Japanese medlar'.
 The leaves are dark green and elliptic, 8–15 centimetres (3.1–5.9 in) long and 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in) wide. The leaves are densely hairy (pubescent) below, and turn red in autumn before falling. It is found across southern Europe where it is generally rare. It is reported to be naturalized in some woods in southeast England, but is found in few gardens.


HABITAT
Mespilus germanica requires warm summers and mild winters and prefers sunny, dry locations and slightly acidic soil.
 Generally, it is shorter and more shrub-like than tree-like. With a lifespan of 30–50 years, the medlar tree is rather short-lived.
Woodland edge and hedgerows  in a sunny, fairly sheltered location.
 Tolerates a wide range of climates, and also may fruit in some cooler climes due to the fact that the bloom time is comparatively late (May – June) so the blossom is rarely damaged by frost.
  Medlar is a slow-growing and small tree typically growing to 6m tall in a fairly compact
 Being low maintenance and drought tolerant make Medlar very easy plants to incorporate into different polycultures. They can be considered for the upper canopy, lower canopy or shrub layer


HISTORY
Mespilus germanica is a plant with a long history. It is known to have been around for over 3000 years and the fruit was commonly eaten from Roman through to Medieval times when it was quite popular.
There are several references to Medlar in literature – mentioned by everyone from Shakespeare, Chaucer to D.H. Lawrence, although often less than favourably, probably due to the fact that the fruit must be bletted before eating, leading to negative connotations around the idea of rotting but also due to its shape. Apparently for nearly a millennium, the fruit was referred to as “open-arse , an obvious reference to the appearance of its large calyx.  Since then Medlars have declined in popularity, and these days they are generally more unusually found when compared to other fruits which were taken into cultivation, like apple and plums, and they are certainly far less common than imports like fig or persimmon.

Medlars are ready to pick in late October or early November when they are about 2.5-5cm (1-2in) across. At this stage they are not fully ripe.

You can leave fruit on the tree well into autumn to develop flavour provided there is no danger of frosts. Pick in dry conditions when the stalk parts easily from the tree.

Storage until ripe
The fruits are unpalatable immediately after picking, but can be used to pleasantly flavoured jellies, can be used in desserts and for wine-making. To be eaten raw they must be stored before using.
If you are picking them and they feel hard then they need to be stored and made edible through bletting.  We usually place the fruits on a windowsill, or in a wooden fruit bowl and find that they soften within a couple of weeks. If you’re picking the fruit soft then it should be fine to eat immediately.


Ideally briefly dip the stalks in a saturated salt solution to prevent rotting. Store fruit eye downwards and not touching in trays in a cool, dark, frost-free place. Use when the fruit is ‘bletted’, that is, the flesh softens and turns brown, but not rotten. This will usually take about two or three weeks.

 The flowers are attractive to many insect pollinators, as well as bees, and the fruit provides a valuable food source for birds, particularly as the fruits ripen in the early winter when there is often not much other fruit around.


 


NONE

If you are picking them and they feel hard then they need to be stored and made edible through bletting.  We usually place the fruits on a windowsill, or in a wooden fruit bowl and find that they soften within a couple of weeks. If you’re picking the fruit soft then it should be fine to eat immediately.
Gardens, Parks,Landscape, ornamental, flowering trees with pretty blossom, Jellies or jams or bake them with white wine, a little dark sugar and vanilla bean. Then purée them and serve with panna cotta or cream,Make Wine,
Used in all types of desserts.
 The wood of the Medlar tree is ideal for turning as it it hard, fine grained and a beautiful colour. Can be used to make walking sticks and vases and is virtually unbreakable.
Animal Fodder – Pigs and sheep reportedly graze and enjoy the leaves, while the fruits provide decent forage for wildlife in the early winter. Pigs enjoy the fruits as do rabbits.
Hedging / Windbreak – There are some reports of Medlars growing wild in hedges, although this is likely due to seed spread from birds who have eaten the fruits of cultivated varieties.  Although not a plant you typically associate as a hedging plant, Medlars can be quite shrub-like in their form, and since they are fairly wind tolerant, they may well be great candidates for a windbreak or hedge. As forementioned, it’s worth noting that strong winds (in particular cold spring winds) can damage the flowers and reduce insects ability to pollinate and will therefore affect the amount of fruit production.
Bee Fodder – Bees are very fond of Medlar flowers. The nectar arises from a yellowish circle at the base of the blossoms and attracts a large variety of bee species including honeybees and bumblebees.




Some reported medicinal benefits are that the fruit is a natural laxative, yet  also found that it has a reputation for helping with diarrhea. This conflict of action may be dependent on which stage of ripeness the fruit in consumed at.  The fruit also may help heal or eliminate oral abscesses. Seeds contain the toxic hydrocyanic acid and so caution should be taken.
, diarrhea treatment, diuretic, elimination of oral abscess, elimination of stomach bloating, elimination of throat abscess, fattening, fever disposal, handle of knives and tools, hematopoietic, internal hemorrhage treatment,
Forms hemoglobin
Iron helps in forming hemoglobin. Iron is a vital part of hemoglobin which provides the shade of dark red to the blood and helps to transport oxygen to the cells of body. Extra hemoglobin is essential for the human beings as we lose blood through both internal and external injuries. During menstruation, women lose blood each month due to which they are high chances of suffering from anemia

Function of muscles
Iron is essential for the maintenance of muscle health. Iron is found in the tissues of muscles and supply oxygen that is essential for the muscle contraction. Without iron, muscle loses the elasticity and tone. Muscle weakness is the symptoms of anemia.

Brain health
Iron helps in the brain development. Iron assist in the oxygen supply and about 20% of the blood oxygen is used by the brain. Iron is associated with the brain function and its health. The adequate amount of blood in the brain can enhance the activity of cognition and formation of new neural pathways that helps to prevent the cognitive ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The ample amounts of iron and the brain oxygenation are vital.

Prevent Restless leg syndrome
The deficiency of iron is the main cause for restless leg syndrome. The research shows that it is related with iron. The low presence of iron in the blood leads to this condition. The adequate intake of supplements of iron in adequate amounts could treat this condition. It is associated with muscle spasms which is the symptoms of iron deficiency.

Carries oxygen
The benefit of iron is that it carries oxygen and transfers to the body cells. It is an essential function of iron. Oxygen is essential for each organ in order to perform the daily functions.

Regulates body temperature
Iron helps to regulate the temperature of the body. It regulates according to the body’s absorption capacity. It stabilizes the body temperature which means that functions of metabolism and enzymatic functions occur in the efficient and optimal temperatures and environments

Treats anemia
Iron helps to treat anemia which is caused due to the deficiency of iron in the body. Iron helps to prevent these diseases which have affected the number of people in the world. It has become the common problem in this planet.

Chronic ailments
Iron helps to cure the chronic ailments such as renal failure anemia and chronic ailments of excretory and intestinal system. It is not required by the blood. Iron is essential for the functioning of various processes of the systems in the body.

Anemia
Iron helps to cure anemia in women during menstruation and pregnancy. The lost blood cells must be replaced which is possible with the adequate consumption of iron.

Reduce fatigue
Iron helps to eliminate chronic fatigue which is occurred in women and men. The deficiency could cause fatigue which is vital for the hemoglobin. The daily intake of foods rich in iron helps to make one healthy, fit, energetic both externally and internally.

Mental performance
The adequate intake of iron targets on the energy and concentration which helps to enhance the mental and cognitive performance. It helps to raise the blood flow to the brain due to the activity of iron’s red blood cells.

Cures insomnia
Iron helps to treat insomnia and enhance the sleep quality and habits with the regulation of circadian rhythms. The proper count of red blood cells could lead to the low fluctuation of blood pressure those results in sleeping problems

Traditional uses

The pulp is used in traditional medicine as laxative.
The leaves and seeds are believed to possess an astringent and lithontripic properties respectively.
In Iran, Medlar is used to treat diseases such as high blood pressure, heart rate and heart tonic.
The extract of leaves is used to treat throat and mouth infection.
Fruit possess a relaxant and purgative properties which is helpful for diarrhea.
The seed helps to expel bladder stone.
Medlar fruit helps to treat constipation and eliminates bladder and kidney of stones.
This plant helps to eliminate oral abscess, stomach bloating, throat abscess, fever disposal, fattening, internal hemorrhage, strengthen skin, nerves and treats intestinal inflammation.
The tea made from leaves of Medlar is used to treat kidney stones.
In Iran, the bark, fruit, flowers and leaves are used to treat diarrhea, throat abscesses and fever.
The bark of a Medlar tree possesses anti-inflammatory properties.



Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #576 on: September 12, 2021, 11:14:03 AM »

HI

On your walks look out for this plant

California lilacs

Ceanothus  A genus of about 50–60 species of nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Common names for members of this genus are buckbrush, California lilac, soap bush, or just ceanothus."Ceonothus" comes from a Greek word meaning "spiny plant",Ancient Greek: κεάνωθος (keanōthos), which was applied by Theophrastus (371–287 BC) to an Old World plant believed to be Cirsium arvense.
The genus is native to North America with the highest diversity on the western coast
 Most are shrubs 0.5–3 metres (1.6–9.8 ft) tall, but C. arboreus and C. thyrsiflorus, both native to California, can be small multi-trunked trees up to 6–7 metres (20–23 ft) tall.
The majority of the species are evergreen, but the handful of species adapted to cold winters are deciduous. The leaves are opposite or alternate (depending on species), small (typically 1–5 cm long), simple, and mostly with serrated margins.
Plants in this genus are widely distributed and can be found on dry, sunny hillsides from coastal scrub lands to open forest clearings, from near sea level to 9,000 feet (2,700 m) in elevation.
 which is noted for its Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers; and
precipitation—rain or snow—
 ceanothus
adapted to soils with minimal organic matter and low fertility—another characteristic
typical of Mediterranean climates.

Family:   Rhamnaceae
Genus:   Ceanothus
HABITAT
Full Sun, Partial Sun, open forest,waste ground,drought-tolerant,Road side,can stand frost

 There are also a number of hybrids developed by European breeders.
A major difference between the temperate-climate species and the Mediterranean-climate species is that the latter are
evergreen. Woody branches are covered with leaves from three inches long and half as wide, to tiny rounded leaves no
bigger than the head of an eraser.

Ceanothus is very good for wildlife attracting bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Evergreen Ceanothus range in colour for both foliage and flowers. The flower colour crosses the blue tones from blues (deep blue, powder blue, violet blue) to lilacs and lavender purple. There is even a white flowering evergreen variety 'Snow Showers' that produces small flurries of pure white flowers.

Growth habit you can get climbing,Cushion,Mound,Erect,Wide spreading,Compact,Arching,,Prostrate








NONE  has no toxic effects reported.

Parks Landscape Small Gardens Pots make in to a Standard Hedge good for wildlife


New Jersey Tea wasn’t always called that. It was Red Root Tea until the Boston Tea Party. With no tea from China via England colonists turned to other sources of “tea.” Two natives became substitutes, a particular goldenrod and Red Root. Since Red Root was abundant in New Jersey the name stuck.
The plant is used internally in the treatment of bronchial complaints including asthma and whooping cough, dysentery, sore throats, tonsillitis, haemorrhoids etc. A decoction of the bark is used as a skin wash for cancer and venereal sores.
 The roots and root bark of New Jersey tea was used extensively by the North American Indians to treat fevers and problems of the mucous membranes such as catarrh and sore throats. Current day usage of the roots concentrates on their astringent, expectorant and antispasmodic actions and they are employed in the treatment of complaints such as asthma, bronchitis and coughs. The roots and root-bark are antispasmodic, antisyphilitic, strongly astringent (they contain 8% tannin), expectorant, haemostatic and sedative. They have a stimulatory effect on the lymphatic system, whilst an alkaloid in the roots is mildly hypotensive. The plant is used internally in the treatment of bronchial complaints including asthma and whooping cough, dysentery, sore throats, tonsillitis, haemorrhoids etc. A decoction of the bark is used as a skin wash for cancer and venereal sores. The powdered bark has been used to dust the sores. The roots are unearthed and partially harvested in the autumn or spring when their red colour is at its deepest. They are dried for later use.


Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #577 on: September 14, 2021, 11:01:41 AM »


HI

silverweeds

Potentilla Is a genus containing over 300 Common names cinquefoils,  five fingers,  Some species are called tormentils, barren strawberries, Potentillas are generally found throughout the northern continents of the world (holarctic), though some occur in montane biomes of the New Guinea Highlands.  They are in the rose family, Rosaceae,
Typical cinquefoils look most similar to strawberries, but differ in usually having dry, inedible fruit (hence the name "barren strawberry" for some species). Many cinquefoil species have palmate leaves. Some species have just three leaflets, while others have 15 or more leaflets arranged pinnately. The flowers are usually yellow, but may be white, pinkish or red. The accessory fruits are usually dry but may be fleshy and strawberry-like, while the actual seeds – each one technically a single fruit – are tiny nuts.

Family:   Rosaceae
Subfamily:   Rosoideae
Tribe:   Potentilleae
Subtribe:   Potentillinae
Genus:   Potentilla
L.
Type species
Potentilla reptans
L.
Species
About 300–500

HABITAT
Potentillas are generally found throughout the northern continents of the world  found growing in mountain or meadow and Drought Tolerant habitats. There are 300 - 500 species, including shrubs and perennials, with a small percentage being annual or biennial.
Acid, alkaline, neutral; sand, chalk or loam – as long as the site isn't waterlogged, potentilla will grow well in any moist, free-draining soil. The plant will thrive in partial shade, but for the best show of flowers, choose a spot in full sun.
Potentillas are long-lasting shrubs and will live for fifteen years or more. Sizes vary from 25cm / 10in to 2m / 6ft high.

Among the Rosaceae, cinquefoils are close relatives of avens (genus Geum) and roses (Rosa), and even closer relatives of agrimonies (Agrimonia). Yet more closely related to Potentilla are lady's mantles (Alchemilla) and strawberries (Fragaria). Dryas is not as closely related as long believed.
Analysis of internal transcribed spacer DNA sequence data has yielded valuable information on cinquefoil relationships, supporting previous hypotheses about their relationships, but also resulting in a number of changes to the circumscription of Potentilla
Estimates of the number of valid species in this large genus depend on the circumscription used, and they recently vary from "over 300" to 400 to 500 to "several hundred".
In heraldry, the cinquefoil emblem or potentilla signified strength, power, honor, and loyalty.
 In the Old World it is found in
southeastern England; from Scandinavia to Switzerland;
central Spain, Italy and Greece; Hungary and central Russia; and northern Asia, Turkistan, to Lake Baikal and
Kamchatka

Grown for their usually 5-petalled saucer to cup-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink or red, or white. Flowers are produced from spring to autumn.











NONE= Some guides say that they are poisonous but that's false, a bellyache maybe if you eat too many. Believe it or not, this little fellow is an exotic invasive in many areas. It's believed to have originated in China and Japan and the tropical Asian region of India and Southeast Asia
 you can safely grow Potentilla species around dogs and cats as well as horses.




Gardens,parks,pot,tubs,groundcover to stop weeds germinating,
young shoots and leaves of cinquefoil are edible in salads or cooked as a pot herb. ... Cinquefoil contains large amounts of tannins so that an infusion made from the root can be used as an astringent for cleansing and soothing the skin.



The flower and leaf are used to make medicine. People take potentilla as a tea for diarrhea. Women take it for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and for mildly painful menstrual periods. Potentilla is sometimes applied directly to the affected area for soreness and swelling (inflammation) of the mouth and throat.
Gastrointestinal Issues
As a powerful astringent substance, creeping cinquefoil can ease discomfort associated with diarrhea and other intestinal issues, namely by tightening the blood vessels and causing muscles to contract. While this isn’t a permanent solution, it can help in the short-term.

Inflammation
One of the most popular uses for Potentilla reptans, both in history and at present, is as an anti-inflammatory substance. You can either use the honey extracted near the base of the stem or create a decoction of the leaves and stems to produce a topical solution for inflammation of the body and joints. When ingested, this anti-inflammatory quality can reduce irritation in other parts of the body, thereby increasing organ function.

Immune System
The quality explained above also makes it a very effective remedy for fevers, and by breaking a fever, the body is better able to heal itself, as the immune system can begin to eliminate the bacteria or virus. This is an ancient use of Potentilla reptans that is still relied on today.

Analgesic Properties
If you are suffering from any sort of toothache or other discomfort in your mouth, you can gargle with the water from a Potentilla reptans decoction and the analgesic quality of the herb will relieve the pain. This is also an effective way to prevent bacterial infections in the mouth, or gingivitis, as there are certain antibacterial effects of the herb as well.

Sciatic Nerve Pain
The anti-inflammatory properties of this herb also extend to nerve pain and the problems of arthritis. This has made it a popular remedy for elderly populations in recent years.

Skin Health
If you are suffering from boils, sores, or wounds, applying a Potentilla reptans salve on the skin can quickly improve the appearance of the spot and promote rapid healing. The tannins contained in Potentilla reptans promote antioxidant activity and blood flow to heal these wounds and protect against infection. If you have age marks or wrinkles, the tannins can also help tighten the skin and improve appearance, due to the astringent nature of the herb.

Anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictive properties









Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #578 on: September 25, 2021, 11:18:29 AM »


HI
Some of you may have seen this animal some may have head people talk about them. Why is he talking about this animal it lives in the sea Most of us walk along the beach feet in water

Sea Hedgehogs, Sand Dollars and Sea Biscuits. Sea Urchins

Echinus esculentus Is the European edible sea urchin or common sea urchin, is a species of marine invertebrate in the Echinidae family. It is found in coastal areas of western Europe down to a depth of 1,200 m (3,900 ft).  About 950 species live on the seabed, inhabiting all oceans and depth zones from 30cm to 5,000 metres. Their hard shells (tests) are round and spiny, usually from 3 to 10 cm (1 to 4 in) across. Sea urchins move slowly, crawling with their tube feet, and sometimes pushing themselves with their spines. They feed primarily on algae but also eat slow-moving or sessile animals. Their predators include sea otters, starfish,wrasses, wolf eels, triggerfish, and humans.

Kingdom:   Animalia
Phylum:   Echinodermata
Class:   Echinoidea
Order:   Camarodonta
Family:   Echinidae
Genus:   Echinus
Species:   E. esculentus
Binomial name
Echinus esculentus

HABITAT
Rocky ocean floor and coral reefs jetties piers
Sea urchins reproduce by sending clouds of eggs and sperm into the water. Millions of larvae are formed, but only a handful make it back to the shoreline to grow into adults.

A new study has concluded that the red sea urchin, a small spiny invertebrate that lives in shallow coastal waters, is among the longest living animals on Earth - they can live to be 100 years old, and some may reach 200 years or more in good health with few signs of age.

Sea urchins lack eyes, but can see with their tentacle-like tube feet instead, previous research has indicated. ... Now, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have tested their vision in a new study, and shown that while sea urchins have fairly low resolution vision -- it is good enough to fulfil their basic needs.
Their mouth is located on the underside of their body, while any wastes are excreted through the anus at the top of the animal. Sea urchins mainly congregate in colder, offshore waters, but sometimes travel into shallower waters looking for food.

Urchin is a symbol for fertility. It is the virgin beauty, associated with flowers, the organs of land. Sea Urchins are the organs of the sea. It is symbolic for rare youth.

Sea urchins are from a different layer of rock than most of the other fossils of Charmouth. They originate from the Gault and Upper Greensand which is around 100 million years old.

The only parts of the urchin that are edible are the gonads, the reproductive organs that are so highly prized on the plate. The texture of sea urchin is creamy and custardy in the beginning of the season and grows firmer and more granular as the roe develops in preparation for spawning.

I have seen adults and children on Arillas from South to North beachs have been stung I have i tell you it hurts

Sea urchin stings cause immediate pain. Their spines cause puncture wounds on the skin, which appear blue-back like a bruise. The puncture wounds can become infected if not treated immediately. The affected area may become tender, red, and swollen.

Multiple deep puncture wounds require immediate medical attention because they can be life-threatening, resulting in respiratory failure and death. The symptoms of sea urchin sting are: Most sea urchin stings do not kill you. However, they can result in serious complications if left untreated. Some people may develop an allergic reaction,

If you're stung by a sea urchin, immediately remove any part of the sea urchin that's embedded within your body. Use tweezers to remove the large spines. You can use a razor to gently scrape out the pedicellariae. Once you do this, wash the affected area with soap and water.

The most common way to enjoy sea urchin is by eating it raw, similarly to how one would enjoy oysters or sushi. ... Sea urchin should taste like the ocean, but it should never taste fishy. If it does, it's likely gone bad. The only edible part of a sea urchin is its gonads.

https://cctalents.com/yummy/sea-urchins-the-delicacy-of-the-greek-sea-2/
HISTORY FOLKLORE
A folk tradition in Denmark and southern England imagined sea urchin fossils to be thunderbolts, able to ward off harm by lightning or by witchcraft, as an apotropaic symbol. Another version supposed they were petrified eggs of snakes, able to protect against heart and liver disease, poisons, and injury in battle, and accordingly they were carried as amulets. These were, according to the legend, created by magic from foam made by the snakes at midsummer





Sea urchins are primitive animals, but they boast a powerful defense mechanism. Their stings can be extremely painful and may cause extensive damage to the skin, tissue, and even bone. ... The injury can be painful and may cause an infection but rarely does lasting harm.

Some species of sea urchins, such as the slate pencil urchin (Eucidaris tribuloides), are commonly sold in aquarium stores. Some species are effective at controlling filamentous algae, and they make good additions to an invertebrate tank
As food Best served raw and as fresh as possible, the most highly revered part of the sea urchin is its reproductive organs,
Sea urchins are a vital part of our environment because they feed on dead organisms and help to recycle materials into usable energy for other organisms. It is dangerous if populations of echinoderms increases or decreases too drastically in an ecosystem; if a balance is not achieved the entire ecosystem can collapse.




The purple sea urchin could help develop cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer, scientists at the University of St Andrews have discovered.
Sea urchin is rich in protein and dietary fiber, minerals (such as zinc) and Beta Carotene, which it gets from its kelp diet. It is also high in Vitamins C and A, which are usually found in dark leafy greens and winter squash. Like many fatty fish such as salmon, sea urchin is high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Scientists have long used sea urchins to study fertilization and early development in humans. "The series of steps that happen after an egg is fertilized by a sperm


Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #579 on: September 30, 2021, 12:21:14 PM »


HI

kiss-me-quick

Centranthus ruber other common names are red valerian fox's brush devil's beard Jupiter's beard,
comes from the Mediterranean area: the Azores, southern Europe and North Africa. It is a native in parts of Albania, Algeria, The Azores, Balearic islands, Corsica, France, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Sicily, Spain, Tunisia, European Turkey and the former Yugoslavia. It has been introduced into many other countries, including New Zealand, parts of the United States (including California and by the Puget Sound in Washington) and in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In South Africa it is classed as an invasive plant, and may not be owned, imported into South Africa, grown, moved, sold, given as a gift or dumped in a waterway.
Can be a popular garden plant grown for its ornamental flowers.

Family:   Caprifoliaceae
Genus:   Centranthus
Species:   C. ruber
Binomial name
Centranthus ruber
(L.) DC.
Synonyms
Centranthus latifolius Dufr.
Centranthus marinus Gray
Centranthus maritimus DC.
Centranthus maritimus Gray
Centranthus sibthorpii Heldr. & Sart. ex Boiss.
Centranthus velenovskyi Vandas
Kentranthus ruber (L.) Druce
Valeriana florida Salisb.
Valeriana hortensis Garsault nom. inval.
Valeriana rubra L.

Centranthus ruber may frequently be seen growing in old walls
It grows as a perennial plant, usually as a subshrub though it can take any form from a herbaceous plant to a shrub depending on conditions; the plants are usually woody at the base. The leaves are generally 5–8 cm in length. Their form changes from the bottom to the top of the plant, the lower leaves being petiolate while the upper leaves are sessile. The leaves grow in opposite pairs and are oval or lanceolate in shape. The plant flowers profusely, and though the individual flowers are small (no more than 2 mm), the inflorescences are large and showy. The flowers are small in rounded clusters each with 5 fused petals and a spur. The most typical color is a brick red or purplish red, but colors include deep crimson, pale pink, and lavender. Centranthus ruber 'Albus' (about 10% of individuals) has white blooms. Flowering takes place in early summer and, in cool summer areas, continues sporadically throughout the summer and into fall. The cultivar 'coccineus' is especially long-blooming. The blooms have a strong and somewhat rank scent. They are pollinated by both bees and butterflies and the plant is noted for attracting insects.

 Type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 1.50 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Leaf: Fragrant
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Erosion

HABITAT
Waste land, rocks, old walls,, bridges and other vertical  railway embankments and coastal paths and on some reservoir dam walls

Genus name comes from the Greek words kentron meaning a spur and anthos meaning a flower for the spurred flower.

HISTORY
In the British Isles Red Valerian is a neophyte and was being grown as a garden plant by 1597. It was first recorded in the wild in Cambridgeshire in 1763 and is now thoroughly naturalised in lowland areas. It is frequently found in well drained, disturbed areas such as sea cliffs, limestone rock outcrops and pavements, rocky waste ground, in quarries, on railway banks, on old walls and on buildings. In most of England and Ireland Red Valerian grows inland as well as on the coast, but in Scotland it is more of a coastal plant. There are records as far north as Shetland. The plant is given a hardiness rating of H5 by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15C to -10C). I have fond memories of Red Valerian growing on south-facing cliffs on the Isle of Wight, in shingle at Dungeness (Kent) and Shingle Street (Suffolk) and, as a child, on the North Wales coast.
There are about twelve species of Centranthus and they form part of the Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family).




NONE

Young leaves - raw or cooked as greens. Exceedingly good, either in salads or cooked as a vegetable[4]. This differs from our own experience, whilst the leaves can be added to salads they are rather bitter and rather less than desirable. Root - cooked. Used in soups. Wild life


Has no known medicinal uses,




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #580 on: October 06, 2021, 10:06:57 AM »


HI

Quince

Cydonia oblonga It is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae (which also contains apples and pears, among other fruits). It is a tree that bears a deciduous pome fruit, similar in appearance to a pear, and is bright golden-yellow when mature. The raw fruit is a source of food. The tree has been grown by landscape architects for its attractive pale pink blossoms and other ornamental qualities. It is native to Iran, Turkey, and Greece and the Crimean Peninsula. The fruit has a strong aroma and is astringent in the raw state but makes an excellent preserve and is often used to give flavour and sharpness to stewed or baked apples.

Flowering quince, (genus Chaenomeles), genus of three species of flowering plants in the rose family (Rosaceae),
Flowering quince is cultivated primarily as an ornamental for its showy flowers, though its astringent applelike fruit can be used in preserves and liqueurs and holds some potential as an alternate fruit crop. The members of the genus are related to traditional quince (Cydonia oblonga) and Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis).
All three species of flowering quince are spiny deciduous shrubs that bear simple alternately arranged leaves with serrated (toothed) margins. Blooming in late winter or early spring, the flowers have five petals and can be up to 4.5 cm (1.8 inches) in diameter. The fruit is a pome.
Cydonia oblonga a tree grows 5 to 8 metres (16 to 26 feet) high and 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) wide. The fruit is 70 to 120 mm (3 to 4+1⁄2 in)
The immature fruit is green with dense grey-white fine hair, most of which rubs off before maturity in late autumn when the fruit changes colour to yellow with hard, strongly perfumed flesh.
The flowers, produced in spring after the leaves, are white or pink, 50 mm (2 in) across, with five petals.

Family:   Rosaceae
Subfamily:   Amygdaloideae
Tribe:   Maleae
Subtribe:   Malinae
Genus:   Cydonia
Mill.
Species:   C. oblonga
Binomial name
Cydonia oblonga

HABITAT
 Native to rocky slopes and woodland margins Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. Quince is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub which adapts to many soils
In Europe, quinces are commonly grown in central and southern areas where the summers are sufficiently hot for the fruit to fully ripen. They are not grown in large amounts; typically one or two quince trees are grown in a mixed orchard with several apples and other fruit trees.
 It requires a period with temperatures under 7 degrees C in order for the pale pink flowers to properly bloom in May. The hard fruit is ready to pick in October.

HISTORY
The tree was first recorded in Britain in 1275 when four were planted at the Tower of London by Edward I.

Jewish mythology, it was the original apple of Eden, the serpent tempting Eve with the fruit.

The name of the first common Greek quince variety is kydonion melon, which means the apple from Kydonia. Kydonia was the principal Minoan city in the west of Crete and quince may have been indigenous to it.  The kydonion melon is mentioned in Greek poetry of 6th century BC. Strouthion melon, the second very known variety, appeared in the 4th century.
The Greeks dedicated the quince to Aphrodite. The godess was often represented with the golden apple of Esperides in her right hand, the fruit with which she was awarded by Paris. This legendary fuit, was in fact a quince. So, it is not accidental that the quince was regarded as symbol of Love and Fertility. Plutarch mentions the ancient wedding custom of a quince eating by the bride and the bridegroom, a custom that intended to insure fertility.
. The island of Cos produced a famous quince extract.
In past, quince was on the top of the list of fruits, because of its high natural pectin content. Byzantines  regardered it as a digestible fruit and kept on making a wine from quinces that was already mentioned in texts of 1st AD. The kydonaton, a thick quince jelly, was the serious Byzantine contribution to the quince’s subject. The name (and the preparation) of this popular preserve was probably the ancestor of French cotignac or condoignac, a high appreciated jelly of 16th and 17th century. This delicacy was considered as a gift for kings, since it was made with honey of fine quality, good wine and spices.
Until the end of 1960s, a meal or a visit ended with a spoon- sweet called peltes*. Although it had its origin in Byzantine kydonaton, the name  bears witness to the long Ottoman domination of Greece.

Quince fruit has also been linked with Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, and in 594BC Solon, the chief magistrate in Athens, declared it an officialy wedding food. In Edward Lear's 1871 poem 'The Owl and the Pussycat', they 'dined on mince and slices of quince', the author following this age-old tradition.










NONE The seeds contain nitriles, which are common in the seeds of the rose family. In the stomach, enzymes or stomach acid or both cause some of the nitriles to be hydrolysed and produce hydrogen cyanide, which is a volatile gas. The seeds are only toxic if eaten in large quantities.


Parks Gardens Landscape
When grown in warm temperate or tropical climates, the fruit can become soft and juicy and is suitable for eating raw. In cooler climates such as Britain, however, it remains hard and astringent and needs to be cooked before being eaten. It is used in jellies, preserves, Jam, marmalade, and pudding




MATILOOK® is an active ingredient obtained by hydroglycerinated extraction of quince leaves (Cydonia oblonga) and titrated with astringent molecules. It was created to revitalize the appearance of oily skin by refining the skin texture and limiting skin shine.
Quinces contain fiber and several essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to almost any diet.
Contain potent antioxidants
Quince is a plant. The seed is used as medicine. People take quince as a powder, extract, or tea for digestive disorders including stomach and intestinal pain (gastrointestinal inflammation), as well as diarrhea. Quince is also used for cough.
Swollen and painful joints, when applied to the skin.
Eye discomfort, when applied as a lotion.


Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #581 on: October 31, 2021, 12:40:45 PM »


HI
This tree i have seen on my travels in Corfu town and near by Arillas i did not know what the tree was after a long research i can tell you about this tree

Jacaranda mimosifolia

Jacaranda mimosifolia The same as Common name  is a genus of 49 species of flowering plants in the family Bignoniaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
 Jacaranda mimosifolia is quite common in Paraguay, Southern California, Florida, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Italy,Europe, Portugal, Spain (particularly in Málaga) and Zambia and has been introduced to most tropical and subtropical regions to the extent that it has entered popular culture. It has been planted widely in Asia, with trees visible in many parts of Nepal, Pakistan and India.
The generic name is also used as the common name.

The tree grows quickly—adding up to 10 feet a year in the first few years of its life—and most of the blooming occurs in late spring to early summer (though in warmer areas, the tree can flower at any time). That being said, only mature jacaranda trees have flowers.
Grow outside in summer or in a greenhouse or conservatory. Not being hardy, the winter minimum night temperature needs to be at least 5°C (40°F). They will lose their leaves at this temperatures, but it is best to let them become dormant. Warm conditions with low light levels would encourage legginess.

Kingdom:   Plantae
Clade:   Tracheophytes
Clade:   Angiosperms
Clade:   Eudicots
Clade:   Asterids
Order:   Lamiales
Family:   Bignoniaceae
Tribe:   Jacarandeae
Genus:      Jacaranda
Juss.
Type species
Jacaranda caerulea

The name is of South American (more specifically Tupi-Guarani) origin, meaning fragrant. The word jacaranda was described in A supplement to Mr. Chambers's Cyclopædia, 1st ed., (1753) as "a name given by some authors to the tree the wood of which is the log-wood, used in dyeing and in medicine" and as being of Tupi-Guarani origin, by way of Portuguese. Although not consistent with the Guarani source,

The species are shrubs to large trees ranging in size from 20 to 30 m (66 to 98 ft) tall. The leaves are bipinnate in most species, pinnate or simple in a few species. The flowers are produced in conspicuous large panicles, each flower with a five-lobed blue to purple-blue corolla; a few species have white flowers. The fruit is an oblong to oval flattened capsule containing numerous slender seeds. The genus differs from other genera in the Bignoniaceae in having a staminode that is longer than the stamens, tricolpate pollen, and a chromosome number of 18.

 
HABITAT
can grow in bushland, grassland, wooded ravines and riverbanks. The spreading growth habit and the dense foliage shade out native plants and prevent their regeneration. thrive in tropical and warm, drought-resistant temperate and sheltered areas. But established plants can tolerate and be grown in cooler areas which get light frost, however will be slower-growing, smaller and won't bloom as well. Plant in rich, well-drained soil that has protection from winds, especially while young.
Jacaranda Trees delicate fern like leaves purple flowers very popular in most parts of Spain
For about 8 weeks the tree covers itself with showy trumpet-shaped flowers that are about 1.5 inches wide and arranged in panicles (pyramid shaped clusters) that grow at the tips of branches.

Jacarandas have a vigorous root system You'll have to be careful where you plant your jacaranda tree. While also considering space, be careful not to plant it near drains, pipes, water lines and paths, as they have a vigorous root system and can cause fungal problems if dug or mowed out.

By specifying it, could be said that Jacaranda mimosifolia is being exploited:

As a tree of particular interest planted alone
By planting in sidewalks of wide width
By group planting in gardens and landscapes
As a tree of xeroscapes
In coastal areas – if it is protected from aerosol salts
In urban plantings, because it tolerate the extremely harsh environment of cities – as shown in Athens for example, the heroic era of photochemical smog and the associated air pollutants of the atmosphere

The fruit of the jacaranda tree is a dry round brown pod that is one to three inches wide and typically develops in late summer. To harvest the seeds for replanting, pick the seed pods directly from the tree when they are dry (pods that have fallen to the ground may not contain seeds).








NONE ?

Street tree, Parks, Gardens, Landscape,ideal trees for bonsai,  fuel and source of timber.
Jacaranda wood is indeed fine for burning and will work for kindling.


leaves and bark are used to ease neuralgia and varicose veins.qualities that treat leukemia. Hot Jacaranda leaf baths treat wounds and skin infections and the tree also helps in the treatment of acne.
Infusions of the flowers are used to treat amoebic dysentery
 is used to treat hepatitis.
Hot Jacaranda leaf baths treat wounds and skin infections.
 helps in the treatment of acne.
Teaspoon of juice obtained from the leaves of Jacaranda mimosifolia cures health problems associated with venereal diseases.
Infusion can be used internally for relief from syphilitic sores.
Volatile oil obtained from Jacaranda leaves and bark has been found to be effective in the treatment of buboes.
It has been used as a natural remedy for treating bacterial infections, gonorrhea, syphilis and leukemia.






Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #582 on: November 08, 2021, 02:25:56 PM »


HI

DILL

Anethum graveolens Other common names are American Dill, Aneth, Aneth Odorant, Anethi Fructus, Anethi Herba, Anethum graveolens, Anethum sowa, Dill Herb, Dill Oil, Dill Weed, Dillweed, Dilly, Eneldo, European Dill, Faux Anis, Fenouil Bâtard, Fenouil Puant, Huile d'Aneth, Indian Dill, Madhura, Peucedanum graveolens, Satahva, Shatpushpa, Sotapa, Sowa.
 Botanically known as Anethum graveolens, dill belongs to the same family as parsley and celery, though it is the sole species of its genus. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and western Asia. The word. It dates back in writing to about 3000 B.C. when it earned a mention in Egyptian medical texts.
 Is an annual herb Dill is grown widely in Eurasia, where its leaves and seeds are used as a herb or spice for flavouring food.
Dill grows up to 40–60 cm (16–24 in), with slender hollow stems and alternate, finely divided, softly delicate leaves 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long. The ultimate leaf divisions are 1–2 mm broad, slightly broader than the similar leaves of fennel, which are threadlike, less than 1 mm broad, but harder in texture. The flowers are white to yellow, in small umbels 2–9 cm diameter. The seeds are 4–5 mm long and 1 mm  thick, and straight to slightly curved with a longitudinally ridged surface

Family:   Apiaceae
Subfamily:   Apioideae
Tribe:   Apieae
Genus:   Anethum
L.
Species:   A. graveolens
Binomial name
Anethum graveolens

HABITAT
 is naturalized in many parts of the northern US and Europe. Dill does best in full sun, with well drained soil and adequate water. It may bolt quickly to flower during a prolonged dry spell.
waste ground,Roadsides,
You can grow dill at any time when the temperature is around 50 – 80 F (10 – 27 C). In colder climates, it is grown in spring, summer, and up to fall in warm temperate zones. But if you live in tropics, grow dill in fall and winter.

HISTORY
Dill weed naturally brings to mind pickles. No wonder since Americans consume more than 2.5 billion pounds of them each year, with kosher dills being the favored variety. In Europe and Asia, dill has long been a staple herb, strongly associated with seafood in the Nordic countries. Eastern European immigrants to the New World brought many traditional recipes incorporating dill.
The thin, feathery green leaves become the aromatic herb called dill weed (or dillweed), and the oval flat seeds the more pungent spice referred to as dill seed. Dill is easy to grow at home in the garden or in containers. (If you grow your own, be aware that the mature seeds are toxic to birds.) Once the edible white or yellow flowers appear, the plant stops producing the leafy fronds. But you can add the flowers to pickle jars for a visual surprise or use them to garnish a salad. And if you want to harvest dill seed, you need to encourage the flower growth.
In the 1st century Rome, dill weed was considered a good luck symbol. Ancient Egyptians used it to ward off witches and as an aphrodisiac. To the Greeks, dill signified wealth. Many cultures cultivated it for medicinal qualities, particularly its ability to soothe an ailing stomach. It's even mentioned in the Bible. Puritans and Quakers gave their children dill seeds to chew on while at church as an appetite suppressant. Modern wisdom gives dill seed credit as a breath freshener and anti-bacterial, plus it's believed to stimulate milk production in breastfeeding women and alleviate colic.
It was also later found in the Greek city of Samos, around the 7th century BC, and mentioned in the writings of Theophrastus (371–287 BC).
The Greek culture. Dill scented oil was burned in Greek homes, and the plant’s essential oil was used to make some of their wine. Dioscorides, a Greek doctor and surgeon, wrote that scorched dill seeds were used to aid with healing

Tiis plant looks like Anise=Pimpinella anisum which i have done
If you see this just rub your hand in the leaves then can smell





NONE    All Parts of Dill Are Edible
Chop the stems and usher them to the opposite side of the board. ... It's true that the leaves constitute the part of dill that teems with the most flavor, and so they are best suited for your grandest recipes as well as for garnishes. ONLY THE SEED BIRDS CAN NOT EAT



Pot,Tubs,Gardens, Use it as a garnish for soups or roasted vegetables. Sprinkle it on top of cold cucumber salads. Use it in potato salads or on baked or roasted potatoes. Stir it into yogurt-based dips like tzatziki.
Use it to add flavor to fish, lamb, or egg dishes.
Use fresh dill in spreads and sauces, like a smoked mackerel pâté, a compound butter, or a sour cream slather. Dill is a classic with fish, egg dishes, and potatoes, and it works with comforting foods like soups and rice, too.



Dill is a calming, antispasmodic oil that can help soothe indigestion. To use, dilute dill in a ratio of 1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil, blend thoroughly, and massage the mixture onto a baby's skin.
Dill is used to treat several conditions, including flatulence, gastritis, enteritis, diarrhea, stomach pain, hemorrhoids, hiccups, headaches, heartache, coughs, wounds, liver disease, gallbladder disease, female diseases, kidney stones, eye problems, insomnia, blood detoxification, and insect bites.

May Aid Insomnia
The essential oils found in herbs may have peculiar and powerful properties. They are considered to have ancient medicinal properties that might be simultaneously stimulating, sedative, and hypnotic. The essential oils in dill are no exception. The flavonoids and vitamin-B complex present in its essential oils may activate the secretion of certain enzymes and hormones which are considered to have calming and hypnotic effects, thereby helping some people get a good night’s sleep.

Might Help Maintain Bone Health
The calcium content of dill means that it may contribute to adequate levels of calcium in the body, which in turn might help against the important element in protecting you from bone loss and the loss of bone mineral density. Osteoporosis affects millions of people each year, and calcium, along with other essential minerals, is a key component in the proper growth and development of bones and the repair of injured bones as well.

May Improve Oral Health
Dill seeds and leaves may act as good mouth and breath fresheners. Apart from that, the essential oils in it are germicidal, antioxidant, and disinfectant in nature. Due to these properties, they might help alleviate oral microbial infections and their antioxidants minimize the damage caused by free radicals to gums and teeth as well.

May Help Treat Respiratory Disorder
Kaempferol and certain other components of flavonoids and monoterpenes in the essential oils of dill might be anti-congestive and antihistaminic in nature. They are thought to help clear congestion in the respiratory system due to histamines, allergies or coughs.

May Stimulate Menstruation
The flavonoids in the essential oil of dill are stimulating and have emmenagogue properties, which are thought in folk medicine to stimulate the secretion of certain hormones that might help maintain proper menstrual cycles in women.

May Relieve Arthritis Pain
Dill has long been known as an anti-inflammatory herb, meaning that it might help reduce inflammation and the associated pain of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Dill has been used since ancient times for precisely this reason.

May Diminish Diarrhea
Diarrhea is mainly caused by two things; indigestion and microbial action. In terms of indigestion, dill may be quite helpful, as it has very good digestive properties. Secondly, the herb may also help due to the monoterpenes and flavonoids present in its essential oils, which are germicidal or bactericidal in nature. They might help relieve diarrhea by inhibiting microbial infections that try to attack the body.

May Help Calm Hiccups
Hiccups occur for various reasons, but primarily due to trapped gas and its repeated upward movement through the food pipe. The second cause is due to certain allergies, hypersensitivity, hyperactivity, and nervous malfunctioning. Dill may help in these situations. As a carminative, it might help the expulsion of gases and also reduce gas formation; while as a sedative, dill is thought to help calm down hiccups due to allergies, hyperactivity, or nervous disorders.

May Boost Immunity
Dill has long been associated with antimicrobial activity. Therefore, frequent use of this herb in meals may help reduce the incidence of a number of microbial infections throughout the body, as well as infections that may result in open wounds or small cuts on the skin.

May Help Prevent Excess Gas
As a well-known carminative, dill may help prevent the embarrassing condition of extreme flatulence. It is not only an uncomfortable condition to experience in public, but if gas continues to build up, it can actually be a dangerous situation where it presses on the delicate organs of the chest cavity. A carminative may help force the gas downward through the digestive tract and allow it to leave the body in a safe way.

May Help Manage Diabetes
Dill has long been associated with diabetes and the management of insulin levels. Despite the fact that research is somewhat limited in this area, particularly on human subjects, studies have indicated that it may help reduce the fluctuations of serum lipids and insulin levels in corticosteroid-induced diabetes. One study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research stated that laboratory rats that had corticosteroid-induced type 2 diabetes may have showed a decrease in serum glucose and insulin levels when they were given dill extract for 22 days.

Other Benefits
Dill is a relaxant, and it increases strength and urination to help in the removal of toxins, excess salts, and water from the body. Furthermore, it is a carminative (helps remove excess gas), antispasmodic (prevents cramps), and an antiflatulent substance. It may have anti-cancer potential, as well, but further studies are needed to explore this claim.


Offline DronnyDave

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #583 on: November 10, 2021, 01:38:21 AM »
Hi Kevin,

We stayed at the Kaloudis this year, early October. At the side of the pool is a small tree which bears a dark red/brown fruit. About the size of a large cherry, texture of an apple, the skin was quite tough. Tried tasting a couple but wouldn't say they were particularly nice. Pretty sure they were ripe as they had started to fall off the tree. There is the same but smaller tree outside the older building behind Gratzela.
Do you have an idea of what they are.

Offline Truth

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #584 on: November 10, 2021, 08:25:22 AM »
You're a braver man than me Dave trying them...... they might have neen the most poisonous fruit on the planet 🤣
You lived to tell the tale though mate 🙂
Wolverhampton Wanderers, pride of The Midlands......


 

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