Tag Archives: medicinal qualities

•

On a recent walk of the banks of the Gualala River I spotted a small, purple wildflower growing in the gravel bed. Its tiny blooms were orchid-like. Not knowing its name, I sent the photo to Peter Baye. I could almost hear his chortle when he wrote back with the identification. Vinegar-weed, he wrote, aka Turpentine weed. "Too bad you didn't smell it," he said, "the aroma of the leaves can give you whiplash, kind of like smelling salts." Well, I'm very glad I didn't smell it!  I think I'll just admire it from a distance.

It's a California native and its Latin name is Trichostema lanceolatum. Like many other CA native plants it has medicinal qualities. Native American peoples used it as a cold and fever remedy, for pain relief and...wait for it!...a flea repellent.

• 3 Comments

•

Leopard Lilies, Lilium pardalinum, are just about done with blooming. I have a group in my garden that is safe from our coastal Deer so Rick and I have been able to enjoy their exotic beauty for weeks. The Leopard Lilies in our forest were all eaten by Deer this year - only one actually bloomed, but only for a few days before it was eaten. These beauties are also called Tiger Lilies or Panther Lilies. As I have written here before, their roots have medicinal qualities. We just enjoy the brilliant splash of orange loveliness.

My best to you today! Jeanne Jackson

And here's what the one Lily that bloomed in the forest looked like:
http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/07/05/the-first-leopard-lily-has-bloomed-at-the-edge-of-quinliven-creek-an-exotic-beauty-on-the-mendonoma-coast/

• 4 Comments

•

One of my favorite wildflowers - the tropical-looking Leopard Lily, Lilium pardalinum - has bloomed on the forest floor. The splash of orange is so unexpected in the world of greens and browns. It is also called Tiger Lily or Panther Lily. Its roots have medicinal qualities but I'd just rather admire this rare beauty from afar.

• 2 Comments

•

I have long admired the delicate foliage of this lovely little plant blooming on the forest floor on our property in Anchor Bay but until this past week I didn't know the name of it. I sent a photo to Peter Baye and he let me know I had found an uncommon annual herb native to California - Sweet Bedstraw or Galium triflorum. It's another native plant that has medicinal qualities. An infusion of the plant has been used in the treatment of gallstones and kidney complaints. It's aromatic as it dries and is used as stuffing material in mattresses though it would take so many of these little plants that I don't see how that would be possible! It has tiny white flowers that are so small they are difficult to see. Sweet Bedstraw - another forest dweller for me to appreciate on my daily walks with Rick and Huckleberry.

• 5 Comments

•

Self Heal, Prunella vulgaris, is blooming in sunny spots on the Mendonoma Coast. There are several of these interesting wildflowers growing on our property in Anchor Bay. Last year Frank Drouillard took a very close up photo of one and was startled to see what looks like an alien face. It startled me too!

Self Heal has amazing qualities. First, its leaves are edible. They are mildly bitter greens. But its medicinal qualities set it apart from other wildflowers who might be considered "just pretty faces." It is an antiseptic and has an antibacterial effect. It's believed to be effective in cases of food poisoning. Native peoples used it to treat cuts and inflammation. It's a wonder plant!