Come Tiptoe Through the Wine-cups with Me!

Caterpillar on Indian Paint Brush,
Spring Creek,
Thank you, Mr. C for holding that flower up for
the photo!

Good morning, All!  My, my, my, we have been busier than long-tailed cats in a rocking chair factory!  Now that Farmer's Market has started, there are products to be made, herbs to be gathered, we are still planting stuff,  and all the critters are always needing some kind of attention.  Here lately, we have been living on Nachos and Wild Greens Salad, there just has not been time to cook!  And to top it all off, I have started teaching herb classes on the farm.  Yikes!  But, honestly, I love every busy minute!


We did take off a day last week to go to the Spring Creek Park Preserve at Garland.  Wow!  The wildflowers were pretty much in full glory!  Blooms and Butterflies everywhere!  If you have never been, I would suggest  finding some time to make the trip.  It was really easy to find.  If you live east of Garland, you will take I-30 West to the President George Bush Turnpike (toll road), then you will exit toward N Garland/Holford Rd., then turn left on Holford Rd...turn left....then turn right.....you have arrived at the Preserve!




These are some of the beauties that Mr. C, Cousin Sandra, her daughter-in-law, Jackie and I saw!

Wine-cup

Wine-Cup Callirhoe involucrata


Wine-Cup, which is also known as Poppy Mallow, is pollinated mainly by bees seeking nectar and pollen.  To the Lakota this plant is known as pezhuta nantiaziliz, meaning "smoke treatment medicine"-the smoke from a dried, smoldering root was inhaled for relief from a head cold.  The Osage and other tribes prepared the sweet, starchy root in various ways as a food source.  Wildflowers of Texas by G. Ajilvsgi

Primrose
There were 2 types of Primrose blooming.
This is Missouri Primrose, I believe.

Missouri Primrose Oenothera macrocarpa


The Evening Primrose is prized by herbalists for it's medicinal qualities, but I could not find any information about the Missouri Primrose being either medicinal or edible.  If anyone has a reliable source that states that Missouri Primrose is medicinal or edible, I would love to check it out!  The sphinx moth relies on the Missouri primrose as an important food source.  The moth, in turn pollinates the flowers on the one night they bloom.  The flowers also attract hummingbirds who use the early morning  or late afternoon blossoms as a source of nectar.  Butterflies and bees also flock to the blooms.  Does not appeal to deer. (this info is from gardenguides.com)

I believe the purple flower is
Mealy Sage Salvia farinacea

Mealy Sage Salvia farinacea


This is another plant that I have not been able to find any information on whether it is edible or the medicinal qualities.  If you know something I don't let me know!  But, for now use this plant as a beautiful ornamental.  We have this growing in one of our gardens.  Looks especially beautiful in an arrangement with Artemisia.





Skullcap Scutellaria

From L to R....
Skullcap, Sensitive Brier and not sure what
the little yellow flowers are......

Beautiful and quite prolific.  Skullcap was traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of nervous conditions including epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, delirium tremens, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilizers and neuralgia.  And infusion of the plant has been used to promote suppressed menstruation, it should not be given to pregnant women since it can induce miscarriage.  This plant should be used with caution since in excess it causes giddiness, stupor, confusion and twitching.

Okay, this is where we get into some iffy territory with the medicinal herbs.  There are over 350 species of Skullcap and they all are used in different ways.  So, remember to research your plants thoroughly before using them and/or buy them from a reputable source!

Sensitive Brier......Other common names for this plant include CATCLAW, in reference to the prickly characteristic of the plant, and SHAME-BOY, referring to the sensitive foliage that closes when touched.  The fruit of the sensitive brier is a long, slender, rounded pod densely covered with prickles; it is attractive when used in dried arrangements. Wildflowers of Texas by G. Ajilvsgi

We have a fun herb class coming up in May!  Learn how to make your own herbal insect repellents!  You can call....903-866-3606 or email me for more information....stdragonfly@yahoo.com.  Or see the post titled Lady Lavender and A Beastie Be Gone Class.


My friend, Ann, is a Master Naturalist that lives out at Holly Lake, Texas...you might want to check out her blog.  http://thejardinencantado.blogspot.com/    

Well, a lovely garden club is coming for a visit tomorrow morning!  Need to get busy and get them some herbal tea made so it can be chilling and make a few snacks.  Until next week, herbally yours, Susan

"Women are vain.  They think they look better in hats--if they have any sense."

94 year old Louisa Hagood

What a lovely hat pin!
And I do agree with Ms. Hagood!
I tend to be vain and I love
wearing my hat!