Origanum vulgare Linn.; Photo by Christian Bauer

The herb known as common oregano (Origanum vulgare Linn.) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), a grouping of botanicals that are aromatic [...]]]> — BudsInTheNews is a VIEWER-PARTICIPANT WEBSITE.  Click on the link for information on what that means. This article, which is in process, is being prepared by Jerry Cates:

Origanum vulgare Linn.; Photo by Christian Bauer

The herb known as common oregano (Origanum vulgare Linn.) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), a grouping of botanicals that are aromatic in most, if not all, parts of their plant structures, i.e., the leaves, stems, roots, and seeds.

Besides oregano, mints include a variety of familiar culinary herbs such as basil, peppermint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram (often substituted for oregano), thyme, lavender, and perilla. The mint family also includes shrubs such as Stauton elsholtzia (Elsholtzia stauntonii), trees  such as teak (Tectona grandis), and a few vines. Many mints are easily cultivated, owing not only to their aromatic qualities but also their ease of cultivation, and often are propagated by stem cuttings, and are not only prized for culinary purposes but for decorative uses as well.

Mint leaves are decussate, or whorled (arranged oppositely, both with respect to each leaf pair as well as in successive pairs) on the stem. Many, but not all, mint stems exhibit a square cross section. Their flowers have five united petals and sepals, and are bilaterally symmetrical, typically bisexual, and verticillastrate.

Origanum vulgare is a complex herb with a long history of culinary usage, and a well-known safety profile. It is known to express, in its oils and aqueous extracts, over 21 important, individually identifiable compounds, many of which have been celebrated for centuries, by natives living within its natural range, for their medicinal properties. It, along with most of the other members of the Lamiaceae family, has been the subject of numerous scientific inquiries regarding the efficacy of its chemical constituents as — among the medicinal and health-maintinence faculties discovered long ago — antioxidants, fungicides and antibiotics.

Another role of these constituents involves their use, singly or in combomnation, as micro-cleansers and habitat modifiers, assisting mankind in our never-ending quest to improve the quality of our lives. Analyses of scientific studies relating to these topics is underway in conjunction with a series of experiments being conducted in the EntomoBiotics Inc. laboratory. Details will be presented here, in future expansions of the content of this article. A partial list of recent scientific papers on this subject is provided below.

References to Relevant Scientific Literature:

• Adams, Amber, et al. 2011. Anti-yeast activities of Origanum oil against human pathogenic yeasts. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 2011, 2, 103-107
• Ashrafi, Zaman, et al. 2011. In Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Methanol, Chloroform and Aqueous Extracts of Origanum vulgare and Their Comparative Analysis. International Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2011, 1, 257-261
• Benevides, Victor, et al. 2010. Effects of aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) on the preimplantational mouse embryo. Review of Peruvian Biology 17(3):381-384.
• Cervato, Giovanna. 2000. Antioxidant Properties of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Leaf Extracts. Journal of Food Biochemistry 24 (2000) 453-465.
• Cioroi, Maria. 2009. Study on total polyphenols and reducing power of aqueous extracts from selected Lamiaceae species. Journal of Agroalimentary Processes and Technologies 15(4):521-524
• Khan, Aslam, et al. 2011. Antiurolithic activity of Origanum vulgare is mediated through multiple pathways. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2011, 11:96.
• Kulišic. Tea, et al. 2006. Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Tea Infusions Prepared from Oregano, Thyme and Wild Thyme. Food Technol. Biotechnol. 44 (4) 485–492.
• Naima, Oukil, et al. 2011. Antioxidant activity and separation of phenolic compounds of Origanum glandulosum from north Algeria by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 10(17), pp. 3451-3454
• Nisha, M. C., et al. 2010. Comparative Studies on Antimicrobial Activity of Artemisia Sieversiana Ehrhart. Ex. Willd. and Origanum vulgare L. International Journal of PharmTech Research 2(2):1124-1127
• Sheibani, Vahid, et al. 2011. Evaluation of Origanum Vulgare L. ssp. Viridis Leaves Extract Effect on Discrimination Learning and LTP Induction in the CA1 Region of the Rat Hippocampus. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences 14(1):177-184.
• Sartoratto, Adilson, et al. 2004. Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils from Aromatic Plants Used in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology (2004) 35:275-280

jc

—————————————–

— BudsInTheNews is a VIEWER-PARTICIPANT WEBSITE.Questions? Corrections? Comments? BUG ME RIGHT NOW! Telephone  Jerry directly at 512-331-1111, or e-mail jerry.cates@budsinthenews.info. You may also register, log in, and leave a detailed comment in the space provided below.

Within the Aster family, several genre of perennial flowering plants are commonly known as thistles. Among these is the genus Cirsium, which contains those most accurately referred to as plume thistles.

The plume thistles are distinguished from other thistle genre by having feathered hairs attached to [...]]]>

Plume Thistle (Cirsium spp.); lateral view of inflorescence, Fern Bluff Park Round Rock Texas

Within the Aster family, several genre of perennial flowering plants are commonly known as thistles. Among these is the genus Cirsium, which contains those most accurately referred to as plume thistles.

The plume thistles are distinguished from other thistle genre by having feathered hairs attached to their cypselae (Greek kupsele = “hollow vessel”). The fruit of the Asteraceae, being derived from a compound inferior ovary with a single locule, is not technically an achene but a cypsela, and the feathered hairs of the plume thistle function much as those of the dandelion, to promote the biological dispersal of seed.

Plume thistles have effusive flower heads, and many are purple, rose, or pink, as in this specimen. The flower head is composed of a concentration of radially symmetrical disk flowers, perched at the terminus of a branch. The stems are erect, and the leaves are armed with numerous prickles that, as the plant matures, become more hardened with age

The word Cirsium has Greek origins (kirsos = “swollen vein”), and is a relic of the ancient use of thistles to treat vascular conditions.

The larvae of a number of Lepidopteran larvae feed on Cirsium thistles, and the seeds are favored by birds, particularly finches. On this basis alone the thistle should be considered an important botanical in our midst. But it figures mightily in human history as well.

Because one cannot provoke a thistle with impunity–i.e., wounding a thistle exacts punishment on the attacker–the thistle, much like the burr, became an early symbol of nobility among the Celts and the Swiss. Legends in both cultures relate tales of enemies who, barefooted, stepped upon a thistle while preparing an attack by night. The involuntary cry, thus produced, alerted the garrison, prevented an ambush, and saved the day.

Alas, to most modern Europeans and Americans, the thistle is no more than a weed…

—————————————–

This message was assembled and edited by Jerry Cates, Editor-in-chief, Budsinthenews.info. Questions? Corrections? Comments? BUG ME RIGHT NOW! Telephone 512-331-1111. E-mail jerry.cates@budsinthenews.info. Or register, log in, and leave a detailed comment in the space provided below.

The Purple Milkweed Vine (Matelea biflora) is rather common in its native habitat of the south central U.S. (Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico). However–because it is not showy–the species is more often missed than noticed by wildflower enthusiasts.

Indeed, most books on wildflowers omit mention of it. [...]]]>

Purple Milkweed Vine (Matelea biflora), Fern Bluff Park, Round Rock, Texas

The Purple Milkweed Vine (Matelea biflora) is rather common in its native habitat of the south central U.S. (Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico). However–because it is not showy–the species is more often missed than noticed by wildflower enthusiasts.

Indeed, most books on wildflowers omit mention of it. Out of a stack of popular books on wildflowers in Texas and North America, only Marshall Enquist, in his book “Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country” (published 1987), mentions it at all. Similarly, a search of the Internet via Yahoo!, on 28 March 2010, produced but 10 references to the species.

As a result, finding one of these plants on the trail will likely lead one to spend considerable time determining its identity, particularly if the dictum “Leave only footprints, take nothing but photos,” is followed. But that time is well spent, as it leads to the discovery of a neglected, but handsome plant. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder…

I found it in several locations at Fern Bluff Park, in Round Rock, Texas. To notice the flowers, it is necessary to look closely at the dark emanations that attach to the stems at the leaf axils.

Purple Milkweed Vine (Matelea biflora), two blossoms, Fern Bluff Park, Round Rock, TX

The woody rootstock of this plant provides the point from which the vines radiate outward. From the rootstock the vines proceed, either along the ground or arching tentatively into the air.  The vines themselves grow to about two feet in length, and no more. Thus they do not make much of a fuss for themselves, and hardly even merit–to the minds of many–the title of  “vine”.

Some report that all parts of the plant are poisonous, and that handling the vine can produce a form of contact dermatitis.

jc

—————————————–

This page was assembled and edited by Jerry Cates, Editor-in-chief, Budsinthenews.info. Questions? Corrections? Comments? BUG ME RIGHT NOW! Telephone 512-331-1111. E-mail jerry.cates@budsinthenews.info. Or register, log in, and leave a detailed comment in the space provided below.

Every walk I took in the Fern Bluff park in Round Rock, Texas, during 2007, began with parking on Park Valley Drive, next to the toddler playground. While on one of those walks, meandering between the curb and the playground, this pretty [...]]]>

Scarlet Pimpernel Inflorescence with Leaves, Stem, Bud; Fern Bluff Park, Round Rock, Texas

Every walk I took in the Fern Bluff park in Round Rock, Texas, during 2007, began with parking on Park Valley Drive, next to the toddler playground. While on one of those walks, meandering between the curb and the playground, this pretty orange flower caught my eye. The first one that came into view was so small it looked like a little fluff of rust-colored paper and I passed it by without a second glance. Before long, several more were spotted. They were not very obvious, but once the eye was keyed to look for them, they seemed to be all over.

Scarlet Pimpernel is the only species of Anagallis found in North America. It is common in Europe, and in England it typically blooms in August and later. There it is considered a weed, and is used by landscapers as an indicator of light soils in need of buttressing with humus and topping up.

The English have amassed as many as twelve common names for the plant, including Shepherd’s Weatherglass and Poor Man’s Weatherglass. These both derive from the flower’s reputation for closing before bad weather approaches. It is also called Shepherd’s Clock, because the petals supposedly open promptly at 8 A.M. and close promptly at 3 P.M. (see “The History and Folklore of North American Wildflowers”, by Timothy Coffey, 1993). Of course, that notion was put to the test on this walk, and passed. I found this very open flower, and a multitude of its brethren, fully unfurled in the brigt sunlight, past the 8th hour of the morn, but prior to the 3rd hour past noon. Pimpernel flowers remain open only in direct sunlight, and close when shaded.

This plant has a long history as a medicinal herb. For example, Pliny (the naturalist Pliny [pron. "plin-ney"] the Elder, born in the year 23, of the Current Era-died on Aug. 25, 79 C.E., while attempting a maritime rescue of a friend and his family from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius; Pliny’s full given name was Gaius Plinius Secundus) spoke of its value in liver complaints. Its generic name Anagallis was given by Dioscorides, and is thought by some to be derived from the Greek Anagelao, signifying ‘to laugh (aloud),’ because it supposedly removes the depression that liver dysfunctions produce. Another explanation for the generic name is that the Greek ana, which means “again”, combined with agallein, “to delight in”, is a reference to the constant opening and closing of the blossoms in response to changes in sunlight and weather.

Scarlet Pimpernel Blossom, Fern Bluff Park, Round Rock, Texas

Linda had written me concerning a snake in her yard, but because she could not supply a photo it was not possible to be very helpful to her. We discussed the fine art of photography, and she admitted to being an erstwhile photog of some [...]]]>

Mountain Pink Zeltnera beyrichii Linda C Southwest Austin 06162005 1249pm

Linda had written me concerning a snake in her yard, but because she could not supply a photo it was not possible to be very helpful to her. We discussed the fine art of photography, and she admitted to being an erstwhile photog of some repute:

Mountain Pink Zeltnera beyrichii indiv flowers 03 Linda C Southwest Austin 06162005 1249pm

I explained that this “work” is what drives me, and loving it makes every day a holiday. It was fun getting reacquainted with the gentian family of wildflowers (Linda’s umbrella flower hails from that family and her photo of that cluster of gentian flowers is the subject of this posting), as my work with snakes and spiders has kept me so occupied over the past few years that little time has been spent on the wildflowers (a passion that has led me to much study over the past twenty years).

That will change in 2010, as more time will again be devoted to these beauties (without, of course, neglecting the snakes or spiders in the process). It makes life much more worthwhile to study and photograph them. And methinks life should be, if anything at all, worthwhile. But I digress…

It happens that the flower cluster Linda photographed was most likely the mountain pink (Zeltnera beyrichii). I say “most likely” because there are many other members of the Gentianaceae in Texas besides Zeltnera beyrichii (the genus Zeltnera, alone, has at least 25 recognized species native to North America, Central America, and northern South America; it is not represented elsewhere in the world, but has close relatives in the genera Exaculum and Schenkia, natives of the Mediterranean and Australia), and distinguishing between them is not that easy from photographic evidence alone. Still, I feel fairly comfortable with this identification.

You may not know the mountain pink under the taxonomical moniker Zeltnera beyrichii. Until 2004 this flower was known as Centaurium beyrichii, but as with many species that are undergoing close molecular scrutiny today, its designation was modified based on a better understanding of the plant’s DNA. The mountain pink is often mistaken for blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium spp.), another radially symmetrical flower that occurs in clusters in central Texas. However, the genus Sisyrinchium is in the Iris family (Iridaceae), and though superficially resembling the gentians, iris flowers that are radially symmetrical (many irises are bilaterally symmetrical instead) are quite different when examined up close.

Mountain Pink (Zeltnera beyrichii) indiv flowers, photographed by Linda C., Southwest Austin, on 06.16.2005 1249pm

One of the easiest ways to distinguish them in the field is to count the petals. Gentians usually have but five petals per flower, while most radially symmetrical irises typically have six.  Another important difference is the structure of the leaves. In the gentians the leaves are short, and are borne on stems, arranged opposite one another (vs. alternately)along the stem. In the irises, the stems emerge from the base of the plant, and are long and narrow, like the leaves of a grass–which partially explains the common name, “blue-eyed grass.” Note, however, that blue-eyed grass is not a member of the grass family (Graminae).

Individual flowers in the Mountain Pink cluster are shown, as enlargements, in two separate photos.  The second of these shows, in addition to the opened flowers, a bud in its foreground.

Notice that the petals in each flower are arranged so that the bud in the foreground will show them twisted to the right (to find the edge of the petal, one must turn the bud to the right, so that, on encountering the edge, the petal to its right is the next petal in the whorl). It cannot be confirmed from these photos, but each petal has its own stamen and pistil, and the stamen is firmly attached to the petal; thus, if you pull a stamen off, the petal will come along for the ride.

The bud also demonstrates the superior ovary of the hypogynous flowers of the gentian family (hypogyny, in flowers, is a condition in which the calyx, corolla, and stamens are inserted on the receptacle, or axis, below, and free from, the ovary; thus the ovary is above, i.e., superior to, the axis). Note also the tiny leaves, arranged opposite one another on the stem of the plant.