The Big, Bad Book of Botany

by Michael Largo

  Snails and slugs tend to eat the leaves voraciously though they are not black-eyed Susans’ worst adversary. Deer and rabbits love to eat the whole plant. Luckily, since they produce such an abundance of seeds, black-eyed Susan’s population does not suffer for its many predators. It is probably the most widespread of all American wildflowers, a testament to its resilience and survival techniques.

  Black-eyed Susan also has many uses to humans. Its roots provide a soothing wash for sores and swelling, and the Ojibwa tribe found it effective in treating snakebites and colds, as well as for the ridding of intestinal worms. The Menominee and Potawatomi people used the juice from the roots as drops to treat earaches. And many Native Americans put the vivid yellow florets to use as a dye to color rugs.

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  In the 1800s it was popular to bestow a symbolic quality to flowers, and lists of a plant’s symbolism appeared in various farmers’ almanacs. The black-eyed Susan was given the attribute of “justice,” perhaps because it appeared to bloom without prejudice in all sorts of terrains. Maryland voted to name the black-eyed Susan its state flower in 1918.

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  Xylem and phloem, put simply, are the tubelike structures in vascular plants that disperse water, nutrients, and sugars. Water and nutrients from the soil must be pulled up by the xylem, allowing the leaves to produce sugar, which can travel down via phloem to keep the roots healthy. Although it’s not a steadfast rule in the botanical world, you can think of xylem as the upward ladder and phloem as the downward chute.

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  BLEEDING HEART

  Dicentra

  Love Tester

  Bleeding heart, or Dicentra, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family of Fumariaceae, which consists of 8 different species. It gets its name from its heart-shaped flower, each of whose petals looks like a scarlet drop of blood dangling downward. The name bleeding heart usually refers to Dicentra spectabilis, but Dicentra itself has many species, including Dicentra eximia and Dicentra formosa. The leaves have a fernlike look. Bleeding heart is a native of Asia and North America, but it grows anywhere with favorable heat conditions and good soil, from either a seed or stem cuttings. It’s usually one of the most beautiful—and quirky—plants found in any garden.

  Bleeding heart grows best in a soil that drains water well. However, the soil should be watered daily during summers, and in winters sparingly enough to avoid overmoist soil. It tends to grow well in partial to fully shaded areas—direct sunlight will wither it. The bloom period is during spring and early summer. The flower remains in full bloom for many weeks.

  Bleeding hearts grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet and may spread horizontally to 2½ feet across. It is important to keep the plant away from intense sun—they cannot grow to full potential in too much heat. The leaves of the plant may also develop leaf spots or dark blemishes, though this is easily solved by pruning the affected leaf.

  Medicinal Use

  The Pacific variety of the bleeding heart plant has known medicinal uses. It can help allay pain and aches from sprains if added to a hot compress.

  As an herbal remedy, roots of the bleeding heart, particularly if harvested in summer, reportedly reduce anxiety and induce calmness. People in India make a tincture for asthma by placing the roots in a jar filled with alcohol for about six weeks. Some Native American tribes used the herb in tea to cure abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even bee stings.

  Amateurs should proceed with caution, since the roots can be poisonous if not collected and combined properly. Parts of the plant often cause skin irritation, so it’s best to look but not touch this beautiful plant.

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  She Loves Me Not

  The heart shape of the flowers is so clearly defined that romantic legends and folklore about its origin abound. The most prevalent tale goes like this: Once a young man pursued a maiden, but she shunned his repeated advances. He bore gift after gift to persuade her to change her mind, but she refused to return his love. Alas, the hopeless young lover pulled out his dagger and stabbed himself in the heart. Where his body fell, the first bleeding heart flower bloomed. Another legend says the plant can tell you if your love truly has feelings for you—supposedly, if you step on a bleeding heart and red juice comes out, then you have true love. If white fluid comes from the crushed flower, then your lover’s intentions are false.

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  Decorative Use

  Bleeding heart is usually used as a bordering plant that when grown in clusters serves as a fence or to mark a perimeter and adds color in doing so. It can be planted as an indoor potted plant as well. It comes in varieties of red, white, and pink shades depending on the Clerodendrum species. The dangling red “blood drop” is most stunning on the white flowers.

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  BLUE ALGAE

  Cyanobacteria

  Plant or Beast?

  Algae, the glutinous, rootless, bloblike greenish mass we see in lakes, is actually a member of the plant kingdom. As science advanced, though, we discovered that some of the organisms we thought were algae were not plants at all, despite their green color and apparent use of chlorophyll and photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria, popularly known as “blue-green algae,” is one of the oldest forms of bacteria that still exists on earth. It has been around for 3.5 billion years—yes, billion! Cyanobacteria, though microscopic in nature, are visible to the naked eye, as they commonly form clusters or colonies, particularly on the edges of warm lakes, streams, and canals, and at the shores of the ocean, or any body of water receiving enough light for production of food.

  Cyanobacteria, therefore, are aquatic microorganisms that are photosynthetic in nature—but they are not technically plants! In fact, they could be an example of a prehistoric link between plant and animal. Although a kind of bacteria, their similarity to the plant has allowed them to retain the name “blue-green algae.” Having perfected their method of survival despite eons of countless climatic shifts, these amazing plantlike creatures could reveal much of our planet’s history.

  Cyanobacteria are mostly bluish green in color, but in salty lakes may appear red or brown. All forms are gooey, smooth, and slippery, and soft to touch.

  What’s the Harm?

  Not all species of blue-green algae are poisonous, but some may contain nerve and liver toxins that pose serious health risks to humans and sometimes even to other plants. People who swim in lakes and ponds with a higher concentration of toxic blue-green algae can fall ill; there have been cases where nerve or liver damage manifests after prolonged exposure to Cyanobacteria-rich water. Those infected will quickly endure stomachaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rashes.

  Oxygen Machine

  Like plants, Cyanobacteria also contain chlorophyll, a pigment that traps sunlight for photosynthesis, which means this bacteria is autotrophic. Chloroplast organelles within any plant contain chlorophyll, and are themselves like a kind of cyanobacterium. Hence we believe they played a pivotal role in making plants green. Considered to be the first photosynthesizers on earth, Cyanobacteria were likely instrumental in the rise of the multicellular life form that would follow their arrival—plants.

  Cyanobacteria perform the crucial function of converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, such as nitrates that enrich soils. These nutrients, vital to most plants, are absorbed by the roots and then utilized by the plant body. All plants contain this bacterium and its chloroplasts, having eons ago forged a symbiotic relationship to enable photosynthesis. Anaerobic bacteria existed prior to this, but they couldn’t produce oxygen. Without this monumental bacterium, Cyanobacteria, the earth would not have enough oxygen to sustain life as we know it. To observe this organism’s terrestrial cousin, look at lichen, the mat-like plant growing on trees or rocks, and at other fungi.

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  Bacteria Bloom

  In places where conditions are favorable for Cyanobacteria, such as the shores of warm lakes, it can enjoy explosive growth. Th
e phenomenon of their mass, clumping congregation is referred to as a “bloom,” even though no flowers are produced. As a result, the clear water turns cloudy and opaque, like large cauldrons of pea soup. Cyanobacteria tend to die off within a week or two, causing the bloom to disappear. But if the ideal conditions remain static, more blooms, or new blue-green algae, will form in quick succession, replacing the previous colonies.

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  Edible?

  A kind of Cyanobacteria called Spirulina is a high source of protein and is an important food source for many people.

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  BLUE BELL

  Hyacinthoides non-scripta

  Endangered Beauty

  The beautiful blue bell spreads out over large landscapes, adding a panoramic splendor to hills and fields. The way its flowers seem to look down toward the earth, it seems almost as if it is admiring its own work, like Narcissus unable to turn away from his own reflection.

  Hyacinthoides non-scripta, known as blue bell, grows in large numbers in the United Kingdom and a few other areas in Europe. Britain supposedly has more than 50 percent of the world’s blue bell population. Three other species are related to the common blue bell, growing mostly in Spain and Portugal and in certain parts of North Africa. Long ago, before England split off as an island, the cold, glacier-covered northern regions nearly wiped the species out; however, the blue bell somehow managed to migrate southward and survive eons of freezing temperatures. After the glacier retreated, and the formation of the English Channel separated Britain from the rest of Europe, blue bells once again made their way back up to the beloved English countryside.

  The common blue bell is now considered an indigenous species in Britain. The plant is protected—it’s actually illegal to uproot blue bell bulbs. However, after centuries of cultivation, numerous hybrid varieties (many crossed with other species from Spain) have begun to pose a natural threat to the original, indigenous species. They grow quicker and are more aggressive, spreading out in huge numbers and overpowering the native blue bell; thus there is mounting concern the plant could go extinct.

  The blue bell grows in spring, during the month of April. Blue bells try to accumulate as much sunlight as they can before the oak trees grow leaves, since the dense cover of the large trees allows little light to filter through. Blue bells in such areas display a necessary growth spurt, reaching full height in as little as a month. Because of the plant’s beauty, some people have seen to it that outsized oaks are cut down periodically in order to increase the blue bell population. The growth of blue bells generally indicates the historical presence of oak trees in the area, even if none remain today. Blue bells are popular in home gardens. The plant relies on insects for pollination, which it attracts with its sweet nectar. The plant is perennial, and new growth sprouts from dormant bulbs; or it can reproduce from seeds.

  The bulb is poisonous, containing as many as fifteen biologically active compounds, so animals know not to eat it. As for its benefits, its bulbs are filled with starch and used as an adhesive. In recent studies, the plant’s compounds have shown promise in combatting certain cancers and HIV. It is also used as a local medicine for the treatment for leukorrhea.

  Even if the blue bell seems entranced by its own beauty—like Narcissus, who was so in love with his own image he died staring at his reflection in a pool of water—the blue bell’s extinction would be a greater loss, not only for its beauty, but for its vast and still untapped potential to fight disease.

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  A few legends surround the blue bell. For example, it’s said that if a child walks into a forest of blue bells and plucks a bloom, the child will never be seen again. Even during the Middle Ages, people marveled its beauty and created superstitions to discourage unwanted plucking of these pretty flowers.

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  The blue bell grows better in areas with high numbers of oak trees. This is due to the falling of oak tree leaves, which give the soil an acidic quality. To survive the lowered pH, the plant formed a symbiotic relationship with fungi growing on the oaks’ roots; these are the Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which aid in the nutrient cycling of the soil.

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  BLISTER BUSH

  Notobubon galbanum

  Tag, You’re Scorched

  Who’d have thought a plant in the same family as carrot and dill could be so dangerous? The aptly named blister bush is a perennial shrub that originated in Africa, growing in areas of high to middle altitudes with temperate climates. It can survive on only a bit of moisture as well as in cold climates—the plant thrives on winter showers—though the temperature must not go below freezing. Its leaves look similar to celery or parsley, but do not be fooled; they are certainly not edible. Blister bush has yellow flowers, which yield winged, flat seeds. The flowers grow from a huge, rounded, globe-shaped cluster called a green umbel, which can be 3 feet or more wide.

  True to its name, the plant can cause blisters and irritation to the skin. Blister bush wields a soup of biochemicals, including bergapten, psoralen, xanthotoxin, and imperatorin. If skin comes in contact with or even close to this toxic concoction, what look like wounds and open rashes appear within one to two days. These chemicals interact with the skin and literally combust when exposed to sunlight. This mixture uses ultraviolet rays as a type of catalyst, which in science is referred to as phototoxicity. Phototoxicity takes place when chemicals use light’s photons or energy to cause changes in molecules. You might not even immediately know you encountered the plant, especially if it happened close to nightfall. But as the days pass and you spend more time in the sun, the blister bush’s irritants will manifest with a vengeance, and you’ll think you’ve been hit by a plague.

  However, despite this nasty defense mechanism, blister bush offers some gifts and a number of beneficial medicinal properties. People in rural areas of Africa use the plant in a solution (inserted in the rectum or taken by mouth) to dissolve kidney stones or to heal bladder problems. Some cures call for boiling the bush and making the patient inhale the fumes. As a traditional remedy, blister bush has found use in preventing miscarriage, suppressing menses, and in assuring retained placenta is fully dissolved after a woman gives birth. Some pharmaceutical companies are experimenting with the plant’s potential use as a diuretic, and still others have used it (in combination with other medicines) to treat rheumatism—proving this tough, prickly warrior has more to offer than meets the eye.

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  Antidote? Not So Much . . .

  The best way to limit rashes is washing off the area with soap and water immediately. If no water is at hand, apply suntan lotion if available. If irritation appears, rubbing alcohol will help dehydrate the blisters. But don’t pop them to rid them of their water; it’s best to leave them alone. The blisters will eventually wilt and heal after a couple of days, though they sometimes leave a scar.

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  BROCCOLI

  Brassica oleracea

  Born to Be Food

  All parts of the broccoli plant are edible. Small and green with a large flower head, Brassica oleracea belongs to the cabbage family. It is native to Italy. However, the bunches we see banded together in supermarkets did not occur this way in nature. The Etruscans, a civilization that thrived in Italy around 800 B.C., were masters of horticultural engineering. They experimented with a variety of wild cabbage plants, eventually “inventing” the broccoli plant we know today. An instant hit, it remained a staple of the Italian diet for years thereafter. When introduced in the late 1600s throughout Europe, it even went by the name Italian asparagus. It wasn’t until the 1920s that broccoli really took hold in the United States.

  Rich in phytonutrients, broccoli can be boiled, steamed, roasted, or eaten raw. A cool season crop, it is similar to cauliflower, although it belongs to a different cultivar group of the same species. Broccoli leaves, stalks, and flowers all contain lots of health-promoting properties—it is rich in vitamin
C, in addition to vitamins A, B6, and E, calcium, zinc, selenium, magnesium, chlorine, folate, and other antioxidants that protect against cancer and stroke risks.

  Superfood

  The more we learn of broccoli, the more scientists and nutrition experts sing its many praises. If you can’t seem to get past the distinctive taste, consider this long list of benefits: Broccoli promotes eye health, since it is packed with fat-soluble vitamin A and has the ability to prevent cataracts, blindness, and other age-related macular degeneration of the eyes. Its vitamin C content has a powerful antioxidant that empowers the immune system and protects cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Its wealth of zinc acts as a cofactor in its numerous defensive actions against bacterial and viral attacks. Its rich store of iron promotes oxygenation, which will help you in the formation of hemoglobin. It also has benefits related to pregnancy and healthy babies since it is rich in folate. Folic acid in pregnant women helps in fetal brain development and prevents neural tube defects. Broccoli also contains sulforaphane, which enhances cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health. It is rich in potassium, which in turn helps in the prevention of hypertension. Broccoli protects skin from sun damage and the carcinogenic effects of ultraviolet rays. Its sulforaphane content boosts the liver. Its calcium and phosphorus package strengthens the bones, especially for women prone to bone loss and osteoporosis. It is a powerhouse of phytonutrients, which detoxify the cells and cleanse the toxins, cancer-causing carcinogens, and free-radical residues. It is perfect for weight loss since its fiber content lowers the levels of fat-causing cholesterol in the blood. Its magical phytochemical nutrients play a very important role in protection against cancer by boosting the detoxification enzymes of the body, which in turn promotes apoptosis of leukemia and melanoma cancer cells. It contains indoles, which are compounds that prevent breast cancer.