"Don't wish me happiness I don't expect to be happy all the time....It's gotten beyond that somehow. Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor. I will need them all." Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Wednesday 25 March 2015

The sign part two

Let's just say that if you haven't read The sign part one than you are reading the ending first. The plant growing outside my gate along my fence and the back lane is petasites palmatus. It's common name is butterbur, palmate coltsfoot and their are probably other's. It is a member of the composite family - that's the same family that aster's and sunflower's belong to. At lower altitudes on the BC coast it is a native woodland plant. Native Americans used the herb specifically to treat respiratory issues. There was a study done in Japan in the 1970's that concluded the plant should not be used for internal purposes. However there is some dispute with the study. One being that only the blossoms were tested the other parts - the leaves and roots were not. My next door neighbour, Mrs. B told me years ago that she used it regularly from time to time. At that time she was gathering her plant material from the plants along my fence. I don't have respiratory issues so I am not familiar with using it. I think the plant is very decorative and that it would look good at the back of a wildflower bed as it grows about 3 or 4 feet high. The friendly hand shaped leaves are attached to a sturdy stalk that doesn't fall over. As the thick stem emerges from the earth it begins to flower. It's amazing really. How is it that it blooms first before the leaves appear? This plant has undampened enthusiasm for spring and since it is such an early bloomer it provides for the bees while everything else needs a caffeine dose of spring sunshine to wake up. Maybe one day I will get around to that wildflower bed. And I really need to put it right outside my gate.

Sent from my iPhone

12 comments:

  1. I am always intrigued by the way plants were used to heal before "real" medicine came around. I am sure that it must have offered up some kind of relief to those who took it or they would've stopped using it. ;)

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    1. In the future I am going to share some of the wild crafting I do. Thanks for commenting.

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  2. Well, I am glad you finally got THAT issue resolved. lol I'd hate to have your arrested for growing noxious plants....lol....It is amazing how that blooms right away like that. I have never seen it around here. xo Diana

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    1. Lol. The plant police can save themselves a trip. There is a 1 800 number a person can call to report hogweed but so far I haven't seen them.

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  3. I love wildflowers. In Colorado we sewed a wild grass/wildflower mix in our yard and it was beautiful. I hope you do develop a wildflower bed. It will be wonderful. xo ~ Nancy

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    1. Thank you for your encouraging words. What I have gained from this experience is the clear visualization of what this space - outside my gate could look like.

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  4. I'm really glad that your identification of the plant turned out to be one that is so helpful and healing! What a blessing! I think it would look great in the back of a wildflower bed... and I would add herbs and other things too - sounds like a fun project! I look forward to hearing about your wild crafting that you mentioned in an earlier response :)

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    1. Thank you. I'm starting to think about what other plants I want out there.

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  5. It's a LOVELY plant Ronda! Wildness at it's prettiest! Enjoy another day of creativity in your pleasant home! Anita

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    1. Thank you. Wild vegetation has much to teach us.

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  6. Hi,
    Thank you for sharing the rest of the information.
    I think designing a wild flower bed would be a super idea. I love how the plant helps the bee population. We have a real problem with not having enough bees here in Wisconsin.
    Carla

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    1. Thank you for your encouraging words. The bee populations here in BC are having a hard time too.

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