Author Topic: Walking around corfu  (Read 342792 times)

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Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #315 on: October 28, 2019, 08:56:36 AM »


HI

Pokeweeds

I have not seen these plants in Arillas. Reading some books and the good old inter net these plants are on Corfu

Phytolacca Other known names are  pokebush, pokeberry,poke sallet, inkberry and ombú. [ombu we will talk next post]  is a genus of perennial,shrubs and trees native to North America, South America and East Asia.
The generic name is derived from the Greek word φυτόν (phyton), meaning "plant," and the Latin word lacca, a red dye. The genus comprises about 25 to 35 species  growing from 1 to 25 m (3.3 to 82.0 ft) tall.
They have alternate simple leaves, pointed at the end, with entire or crinkled margins; the leaves can be either deciduous or evergreen. The stems are green, pink or red. The flowers are greenish-white to pink, produced in long racemes at the ends of the stems. They develop into globose berries 4–12 mm diameter, green at first, ripening dark purple to black.
HABITAT
Pokeweed grows best in open woods, damp thickets, around clearings and along roadsides. It grows well in sun or shade, reaching heights of up to 3 to 10 feet, and can readily survive periodic fire events due to its well developed root structure. In fact, older plants have a taproot over a foot long and 4 to 6 inches thick, allowing some plants to persist after canopy closure in maturing forests. Pokeweed is a toxic plant.
All parts of the pokeweed plant, especially the root, are poisonous. Severe poisoning has been reported from drinking tea brewed from pokeweed root and pokeweed leaves. ... Don't touch pokeweed with your bare hands. Chemicals in the plant can pass though the skin and affect the blood.
So a plant with flowers, lots of munchable leaves for caterpillars, and abundant fall berries is worth my time. This gangly, strange-looking character is pokeweed. ... But pokeweed is a native American plant, and the berries are a source of high-quality nutrition for birds.  pokeweed is an invasive species. This plant grows in the uk




     


Pokeberries are found in grape-like clusters on tall perennials with purple-red stems. Eating several berries can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Adults have eaten the roots, mistaking them for medicinal plants. Serious gastrointestinal problems have occurred, including bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and low blood pressure.



The berries are a favorite food among birds, which helps to spread the seeds From a bird's point of view, fall is a season of seeds and berries. One very popular source of berries is a large and gangly native plant known as pokeweed. ... At least 30 different birds feed on the berries. They include mourning doves, bluebirds, robins, mockingbirds, and cedar waxwings, all of which commonly eat fruit.
Each pokeberry gulped down by a hungry bird contains 10 seeds which remain unscathed as they pass through a bird's digestive system. The seed coat is so hard that pokeberry seeds can remain viable for 40 years. Pokeweed is a host plant for the stunning giant leopard moth. A red ink and a dye are obtained from the fruit. A beautiful colour, though it is not very permanent. It makes a good body paint, washing off easily when no longer required, though the slightly toxic nature of the berries should be remembered. The rootstock is rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute. Cut the root into small pieces and simmer it in boiling water to obtain the soap. The plant is currently (1980) being evaluated for its snail-killing properties.




Medicinal use of Pokeweed: Pokeweed has a long history of medicinal use, being employed traditionally in the treatment of diseases related to a compromised immune system. The plant has an interesting chemistry and it is currently (1995) being investigated as a potential anti-AIDS drug. It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division. These compounds are toxic to many disease-causing organisms, including the water snails that cause schistosomiasis. All parts of the plant are toxic, an excess causing diarrhoea and vomiting. This remedy should be used with caution and preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women. The root is alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, cathartic, expectorant, hypnotic, narcotic and purgative. The dried root is used as an anodyne and anti-inflammatory. The root is taken internally in the treatment of auto-immune diseases (especially rheumatoid arthritis), tonsillitis, mumps, glandular fever and other complaints involving swollen glands, chronic catarrh, bronchitis etc. The fresh root is used as a poultice on bruises, rheumatic pains etc, whilst a wash made from the roots is applied to swellings and sprains. The root is best harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use. The fruit has a similar but milder action to the roots.The juice is used in the treatment of cancer, haemorrhoids and tremors. A poultice made from the fruit is applied to sore breasts. A tea made from the fruit is used in the treatment of rheumatism, dysentery etc. The plant has an unusually high potassium content and the ashes, which contain over 45% caustic potash, have been used as a salve for ulcers and cancerous growths. The leaves are cathartic, emetic and expectorant. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root. Its main action is on the throat, breast, muscular tissues and the joints.
  It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division. ... The root is alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, cathartic, expectorant, hypnotic, narcotic and purgative. The dried root is used as an anodyne and anti-inflammatory.





Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #316 on: October 29, 2019, 12:03:22 PM »


HI

OMBU

Phytolacca dioica Known as Ombu is a massive evergreen tree native to the Pampa of South America.
 was imported into  Europe after the mid 18th century, It has an umbrella-like canopy that spreads to a diameter of 12 to 15 meters and a height of 12 to 18 meters  up to 30m in circumference!
Because it is derived from herbaceous ancestors, its trunk consists of anomalous secondary thickening rather than true wood. As a result, the ombú grows fast but its wood is soft and spongy enough to be cut with a knife.
This tree is categorized in the same genus as the North American pokeweed. The species is also cultivated in Southern California as a shade tree. Ombú has been declared as a minor invasive species  in South Africa, where it is widely planted.
 Since the sap is poisonous, the ombú is not grazed by cattle and is immune to locusts and other pests. For similar reasons, the leaves are sometimes used as a laxative or purgative. It is a symbol of Uruguay and Argentina, and of gaucho culture,
Phytolacca dioica is used in Europe as an ornamental plant in parks and road trees.
It is native to Argentina grasslands and its water storing trunk is fire resistant to protect itself from the grass fires that occur naturally, and also to store water supply for the dry season.
In Israel, the ombu is in demand for city parks, due to the shade they provide. For example, they were planted about twenty years ago in Moshav Sitriya. Ombus are good for planting next to benches, and children can climb its wide branches while their parents enjoy the tree's shade. The roots go down deep, so when planting, sewage pipes and underground electric cables must be taken into account.  The tree is covered with dark, glossy, green leaves. It has greenish-white flowers that grow in long clusters. These clusters droop from the weight of the crimson, ripe berries that develop from these flowers.

Phytolacca dioica It is hardy to zone (UK) 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs you can grow this tree in a large pot in the uk it will not grow large it will stop growing it will be happy. Bring in over winter or cover with a plant fleece you can get from your  local nursery
The United Kingdom lies in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 through 9 with some variations across regions and seasons. It enjoys a temperate maritime climate characterized by cool winters and warm summers.
HABITAT
Woodland, Garden, Dappled Shade,Grasslands,Parks,


Family:   Phytolaccaceae
Genus:   Phytolacca
Species:   P. dioica




     
 
 
 

The leaves are poisonous. They are said to be alright to eat when young, the toxins developing as they grow older. Other parts of the plant, including the fruit, are poisonous. Can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Adults have eaten the roots, mistaking them for medicinal plants. Serious gastrointestinal problems have occurred, including bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and low blood pressure.



Very good for starting a Bonsai
Young leaves and shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[183]. The leaves should not be eaten raw and only the young leaves should be used since they become toxic with age. The fruits are made into jellies or jams and are also used as a red colouring for food A red ink is obtained from the fruit.
And the tree canopy gives shelter in sun and rain



It is the same as the Pokeweed    has a long history of medicinal use, being employed traditionally in the treatment of diseases related to a compromised immune system. The plant has an interesting chemistry and it is currently (1995) being investigated as a potential anti-AIDS drug. It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division. These compounds are toxic to many disease-causing organisms, including the water snails that cause schistosomiasis. All parts of the plant are toxic, an excess causing diarrhoea and vomiting. This remedy should be used with caution and preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women. The root is alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, cathartic, expectorant, hypnotic, narcotic and purgative. The dried root is used as an anodyne and anti-inflammatory. The root is taken internally in the treatment of auto-immune diseases (especially rheumatoid arthritis), tonsillitis, mumps, glandular fever and other complaints involving swollen glands, chronic catarrh, bronchitis etc. The fresh root is used as a poultice on bruises, rheumatic pains etc, whilst a wash made from the roots is applied to swellings and sprains. The root is best harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use. The fruit has a similar but milder action to the roots.The juice is used in the treatment of cancer, haemorrhoids and tremors. A poultice made from the fruit is applied to sore breasts. A tea made from the fruit is used in the treatment of rheumatism, dysentery etc. The plant has an unusually high potassium content and the ashes, which contain over 45% caustic potash, have been used as a salve for ulcers and cancerous growths. The leaves are cathartic, emetic and expectorant. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh root. Its main action is on the throat, breast, muscular tissues and the joints.
  It contains potent anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral proteins and substances that affect cell division. ... The root is alterative, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, cathartic, expectorant, hypnotic, narcotic and purgative. The dried root is used as an anodyne and anti-inflammatory.

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #317 on: October 30, 2019, 09:09:24 AM »

Hi
I meant to say the last post about OMBU can be seen at Kassiopi estate http://kassiopiaestate.com/gardens.html


Mediterranean smilax

You can see this plant on your walks

Smilax Is a species of flowering vine in the greenbriar family. common names common smilax, rough bindweed, sarsaparille,
 is a genus of about 300–350 species,
Family:   Smilacaceae
Genus:   Smilax
Species:   S. aspera
Smilax aspera is a perennial, evergreen climber with a flexible and delicate stem, with sharp thorns The climbing stem is 1–4 metres  The leaves are 8–10 centimetres  tough and leathery, heart-shaped, with toothed and spiny margins. The underside of the leaves are provided with spines.
 The flowers, very fragrant, are small, yellowish or greenish, gathered in axillary racemes. The flowering period in Mediterranean regions extends from September to November. The fruits are globose berries, gathered in clusters, which ripen in Autumn. They are initially red, later turn black. They have a diameter of 8–10 millimetres  and contain one to three tiny and round seeds. They're insipid and unpalatable to humans, but they are a source of nourishment for many species of birds.Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
The plant is widespread in Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia), Mediterranean Europe (Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, France, Portugal, Spain), temperate Asia Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and tropical Asia India, Bhutan, Nepal. It is also naturalized in other regions

HABITAT
 Thrives in Mediterranean forests and shrublands, wasteland sunny,shade,close to the sea,river banks and ravines,
 Although we do not eat the fruits, other plant parts, including the rhizomes (horizontal underground stems), of many Smilax species are edible.
The plant is often grown as an impenetrable hedge in the tropics

MYTHOLOGY & HISTORY:
* The word 'smilax' comes from the Greek name for 'poison'. According to Dioscorides, it was considered an antidote to poison, and if the berries were crushed into a drink and given to a new-born child, ‘he shall be hurt by no poisonous medicine’. 'Aspera' comes from the Latin word for  'rough', possibly referring to the toughness of its branches, or to the presence of many small prickles that make the plant cling to clothes and other plants, giving it a rough sensation.
* There are different versions about Smilax in Greek mythology, but all involve a relationship between the beautiful nymph Smilax with a Spartan boy, Krokos, loved by the god Hermes. After the unhappy love affair Hermes metamorphosed him into the saffron crocus. Aphrodite transformed the tragic nymph into the Smilax, to grow nearby, so that they could be together for eternity.








   

UNKNOW  NONE ?


Young shoots - raw or cooked as a vegetable
 They can be cooked and used as an asparagus substitute. The tendrils are also eaten
The plant is an ingredient of soft drinks this probably refers to the root
 Berries are delicious raw or cooked into a jam or jelly. ... Roots were also ground and used in Sarsaparilla or as an addition to flavor root beer. Additionally, they were also used to thicken soups, sauces and stews.
In the American “Old West,” sarsaparilla was the most popular drink of the cowboys.
The plant is often grown as an impenetrable hedge in the tropics
A red dye is obtained from the ripe tendrils
wild life birds



Root has extensive medicinal uses. As the traditional medicine, it is used to treat leprosy, tumors, cancer, psoriasis and rheumatism. It is also used as tonic for anemia and skin diseases. It is reported to have anti-inflammatory, testosterogenic, aphrodisiac and progesterogenic effects.
The ripe fruits are squeezed and applied to the skin in the treatment of scabies





Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #318 on: October 31, 2019, 09:13:44 AM »


HI

Annual Honesty


Lunaria annua , is a species of flowering plant native to the Balkans and south west Asia, and naturalized throughout the temperate world.
This plant is an annual or biennial growing to 90 cm tall X  30 cm broad, with large, coarse, pointed oval leaves with marked serrations. The leaves are hairy, the lower ones long-stalked, the upper ones stalkless.In spring and summer it bears terminal racemes of white or violet flowers, followed by showy, light brown, translucent, disc-shaped seedpods (silicles) the skin of which falls off to release the seeds, revealing a central membrane which is white with a silvery sheen, 3–8 cm (1–3 in) in diameter; they persist on the plant through winter. These pods are much used in floral arrangements.
The Latin name lunaria means "moon-shaped"   In South East Asia, it is called the "money plant" and in the United States it is commonly known as "silver dollars"  In Denmark it is known as judaspenge and in Dutch-speaking countries as judaspenning (both meaning "coins of Judas"), an allusion to the story of Judas Iscariot and the thirty pieces of silver he was paid for betraying Christ.
This plant is easy to grow from seed and tends to naturalize. It is usually grown as a biennial, being sown one year to flower the next. It is suitable for cultivation in a shady or dappled area, or in a wildflower garden, and the flowers and dried seedpods are often seen in flower arrangements. Numerous varieties and cultivars are available, of which the white-flowered L. annua var. albiflora and the variegated white L. alba var. albiflora 'Alba Variegata' have won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Family:   Brassicaceae
Genus:   Lunaria
Species:   L. annua
HABITAT
 Dappled shade and can often be seen growing on the edges of woodland,Wasteland,Grassland,
Lunaria annua originates in Central and Southern Europe but has spread far beyond its native range and is now naturalised across many temperate regions. Lunaria are easy to grow and require little to no attention. They can be grown in almost any soils
Lunaria annua 'Corfu Blue' An unusual Honesty with wonderful 4 petalled purpley-blue flowers on purple stems, followed by purple flushed papery silvered seed heads. At its best in the Spring garden for a huge hit of Spring colour and nectar for the insects. It then goes on to flower sporadically throughout the year.


 


NONE

But i have found this on the inter net
The leaves, bark and seeds are poisonous. The seeds are particularly toxic for children and can cause shortness of breath, cyanosis (when the skin gets a blue tint because there's not enough oxygen in the blood), weakness and light-headedness. Every part of these shrubs, including the seeds, is poisonous.

I have looked in my books and found nothing about poison it is safe BUT I WOULD NOT EAT IT BE SAFE


Seed - cooked. A pungent flavour, they are used as a mustard substitute. The pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mild bitter mustard
Unripe raw seed add a mustard-like flavours in salads.
Root - raw. Used before the plant produces flowers
Plant in gardens,parks,landscape
Lunaria annua is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, butterflies​/​moths and other pollinators. It nectar-pollen-rich-flowers and is a caterpilar food plant.



NONE



Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #319 on: November 01, 2019, 08:49:33 AM »


HI

Mediterranean buckthorn.

Rhamnus alaternus  Is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family other name  Italian buckthorn
Is an evergreen shrub 1–5 metres tall  The stems have reddish bark and pubescent young branches, rounded and compact foliage with alternating leaves, 2–6 centimetres The small fragrant flowers are gathered in a short axillary yellow-green raceme. The flowering period extends from February to April. Fruits are obovoidal red-brownish drupes of about 3–4 millimetres Native to southern Europe   France, Portugal, Spain, Albania, Italy, Greece and Ukraine
Rhamnus is a genus of about 110 accepted species of shrubs or small trees, commonly known as buckthorns,
Family:   Rhamnaceae
Genus:   Rhamnus
Species:   R. alaternus
HABITAT
generally grows in areas with a Mediterranean-type climate (summer drought and intermittent winter rain), particularly coastal areas and bare rock. It can also grow beside streams, on forest margins, islands, and shrublands  from sea level up to 700 m above sea level.
This species is cultivated as an ornamental garden shrub, valued for its glossy evergreen leaves and red berries. The variegated cultivar 'Argenteovariegata' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit
This species reproduces mainly by seed, however plants will re-shoot vigorously from the base whenever they are damaged.
The seeds are often spread by fruit-eating (i.e. frugivorous) birds, especially blackbirds, and other animals. However, they may also be spread in dumped garden waste.



   

 


The seeds and leaves are mildly poisonous for humans and most other animals,
Rhamnus alaternus can be toxic when used in an abusive way beside its strong antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of renal failure and rhabdomyolysis which is possibly associated with a chronic consumption of Rhamnus alaternus roots.


alaternus makes a beautiful hedge, privacy screen or windbreak, and you can either place the plants in a straight line or stagger them for a slightly more natural look. The glossy foliage is decorative in itself, but as noted, it makes a beautiful backdrop for perennials, flowers or deciduous shrubs with showy blooms.
Also use in parks,gardens,landscape,
Good for wildlife Birds – Buckthorn is a starvation food for birds. They eat buckthorn berries only when food sources are low, especially in late winter. Buckthorn berries cause diarrhea and weakens birds. The blue stains on houses and sidewalks are the result of droppings from birds eating buckthorn berries.




The plant is used in folk medicine in many Mediterranean countries, as it has anti-oxidant virtues and is also considered to be antibacterial, antidiabetic, astringent, digestive, diuretic, hypotensive and laxative. It is used for controlling blood pressure and in the treatment of hepatic and dermatological complications
An infusion of the leaves is used as an astringent gargle.
Rhamnus alaternus can be toxic when used in an abusive way
A decoction of the leaves and branches has been used in the treatment of conditions such as arterial hypertension; as a preventative of conditions such as arteriosclerosis and thromboembolisms; and to alleviate dental or periodontal pains.
The branches and leaves are also rich in tannins and therefore astringent; In popular medicine they have been used in the form of gargles to treat inflammations, especially of the mouth and throat





Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #320 on: November 03, 2019, 11:44:00 AM »



HI

1 Narrow-leaved Mock Privet

2 green olive tree

You may have past these two plants thinking they are young Olive trees on your walks or just a shrub the plants look the same


Phillyrea  is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae, native to the Mediterranean region,

1 Narrow-leaved Mock Privet is Phillyrea Angustifolia,  It is a compact evergreen shrub that rarely grows over 3 meters in height and 2.5 meters in width.  related to Ligustrum, Olea and Osmanthus.[Privet,Olive,Devilwood]  The flowers are small, greenish-white, produced in short clusters. The fruit is a drupe containing a single seed.
HABITAT
 It most commonly grows in dry areas in coastal maquis shrubland with Pinus or Quercus woodland and in mixed deciduous shrub forest.


2 Green olive tree is Phillyrea latifolia  is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m[tree]  at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone (UK) 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. This is the jewel in the Architectural Plants Panoply of Trees. Not only shapely in the extreme but tough as old boots it is  A good coastal plant but not right by the sea.
HABITAT
is that of mild and sunny climates where it grows up to an altitude of 800 m. In Italy it is present in all regions except in the Valle d'Aosta and Piedmont and more common in the Center-South.
The term Phillyrea comes from the Greek φῐλΰρα philýra, the name used by Dioscorides to designate the lime tree and later by Theophrastus referred to a species of the genus Phillyrea.

Both plants can be used for topiary










NONE  but some say Edible Parts: fruit UNKNOWN leave alone


Bears pruning well and can be grown as a hedge,and topiary tolerating maritime exposure though it is fairly slow growing. Any trimming is best carried out in the spring. Wood - fine grained. Used in turner. An excellent charcoal is obtained from the stem
Gardens,Parks,Landscapes,
Both plants when in flower very scented
The berries for birds


Diuretic, emmenagogue. Also used as a mouthwash






Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #321 on: November 04, 2019, 09:12:27 AM »


HI

shrubby hare's-ear

You can see this plant around Arillas wasteland and The Kassiopi Estate


Bupleurum fruticosum Is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. It is endemic to the Mediterranean region.
Around 150 species, is one of the largest genera of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae).
 Is an evergreen shrub to 2m tall, with simple, obovate, blue-green leaves and clusters of tiny yellow flowers in summer and early autumn.
Family:   Apiaceae
Genus:   Bupleurum
Species:   B. fruticosum
HABITAT
 It lives in sunny hills, walls and rocky places., drought-tolerant Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat light woodland or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
 It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by wasps. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Fabulous Foliage, Foliage, Long Blooming, Low Maintenance, Winter Interest, Year-round Interest
Native to Southern Europe, this rounded, medium-sized shrub makes a subtle but extraordinary background plant. It is particularly useful in dry shade, exposed coastal conditions or as a filler plant and provides a long-lasting cool presence.
You can grow this plant in the uk







NONE

Wildlife: Bees, Beneficial Insects, Deer Resistant, Pollinators  Ground Cover; Hedge;  Beds and Borders,Year-round Interest
BUPLEURUM FRUCTICOSUM ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OIL,



Bupleurum is used for respiratory infections, including the flu (influenza), swine flu, the common cold, bronchitis, and pneumonia; and symptoms of these infections, including fever and cough. Some people use bupleurum for digestion problems including indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation.
Traditionally the root is used to regulate the metabolism, for the treatment of fever, pain and inflammation associated with influenza and the common cold
Bupleuri extracts have been used for improvement and protection against chronic hepatitis,






Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #322 on: November 05, 2019, 09:20:35 AM »


HI

lentisk

We have done PISTACIA VERA so i will do this one that grows on Corfu as well
 Greek: μαστίχα mastíkha

Pistacia lentiscus  is a dioecious evergreen shrub or small tree of the genus Pistacia, growing up to 4 m (13 ft) tall which is cultivated for its aromatic resin, mainly on the Greek island of Chios
 With a strong smell of resin, growing in dry and rocky areas in Mediterranean Europe. It resists heavy frosts and grows on all types of soils, and can grow well in limestone areas and even in salty or saline environments, making it more abundant near the sea. It is also found in woodlands, dehesas (almost deforested pasture areas),
The leaves are alternate, leathery, and compound paripinnate  with five or six pairs of deep-green leaflets. It presents very small flowers, the male with five stamens, the female trifid style. The fruit is a drupe, first red and then black when ripe, about 4 mm in diameter.
Pistacia lentiscus is native throughout the Mediterranean region, from Morocco and the Iberian peninsula in the west through southern France and Turkey to Iraq and Iran in the east. It is also native to the Canary Islands.
The aromatic, ivory-coloured resin, also known as mastic  is harvested as a spice from the cultivated mastic trees grown in the south of the Greek island of Chios in the Aegean Sea, where it is also known by the name "Chios tears".Originally liquid, it is hardened, when the weather turns cold, into drops or patties of hard, brittle, translucent resin. When chewed, the resin softens and becomes a bright white and opaque gum.
Mastic resin is a relatively expensive kind of spice  has been used principally as a chewing gum for at least 2,400 years.
The flavour can be described as a strong, slightly smoky, resiny aroma and can be an acquired taste.
Family:   Anacardiaceae
Genus:   Pistacia
Species:   P. lentiscus

Mastic is known to have been popular in Roman times when children chewed it, and in medieval times, it was highly prized for the Sultan's harem both as a breath freshener and for cosmetics. It was the Sultan's privilege to chew mastic, and it was considered to have healing properties. The spice's use was widened when Chios became part of the Ottoman Empire, and it remains popular in North Africa and the Near East.
Apart from its medicinal properties and cosmetic and culinary uses, mastic gum is also used in the production of high-grade varnish.
The mastic tree has been introduced into Mexico as an ornamental plant, where it is very prized and fully naturalized.




NONE


Culinary use Mastic gum is principally used either as a flavouring or for its gum properties,
As a spice it continues to be used in Greece to flavour spirits and liqueurs
Also used in cakes, pastries, spoon sweets, and desserts. Sometimes it is even used in making cheese
 In Lebanon and Egypt, the spice is used to flavour many dishes, ranging from soups to meats to desserts,
while in Morocco, smoke from the resin is used to flavour water. In Turkey, mastic is used as a flavor of Turkish delight. Recently, a mastic-flavoured fizzy drink has also been launched, called "Mast".
Mastic resin is a key ingredient in Greek festival breads, for example, the sweet bread tsoureki and the traditional New Year's vasilopita. Furthermore, mastic is also essential to myron, the holy oil used for chrismation by the Orthodox Churches
pistacia lentiscus essential oil
pistacia lentiscus cosmetics
pistacia lentiscus ornamental=Tree or Shrub in Parks,Gardens,In Landscaping,
Bonsai,Carvings,



restore digestive function and has been used for over 3000 years to relieve abdominal symptoms.  has been used as a health food for many years. It has also been used to prevent dental carries, heal mouth ulcers and other gum problems andreduce cholesterol and treat skin ulcers.stomach and intestinal ulcers, breathing problems, muscle aches, and bacterial and fungal infections. It is also used to improve blood circulation.. Chewing the resin releases substances that freshen the breath and tighten the gums.
Ease symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease
helps promote overall liver health
treat symptoms of allergic asthma
help prevent prostate cancer
help prevent colon cancer





Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #323 on: November 06, 2019, 09:26:06 AM »


HI
Tree Germander

Teucrium fruticans Other common name is  shrubby germander  is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to the western and central Mediterranean. Growing to 1 m tall by 4 m wide, it is a spreading evergreen shrub with arching velvety white shoots, glossy aromatic leaves and pale blue flowers in summer.
It is hardy in milder areas, where temperatures do not fall below −5 °C (23 °F). It prefers the shelter of a wall, in full sun There are hundreds of species, including herbs, shrubs or subshrubs. They are found all over the world but are most common in Mediterranean climates.
Family:   Lamiaceae
Genus:   Teucrium
Species:   T. fruticans
HABITAT
Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum' Upright silver foliaged evergreen shrub with wonderful azure blue flowers most of the summer. Good for sunny dry areas where they combine nicely with other drought tolerant plants such as lavenders, rock roses, Phlomis, etc. Also from rocky slopes
Teucriums are bee favorites. Deer resistant.
Teucrium species are rich in essential oils. Some (notably Teucrium fruticans) are valued as ornamental plants and as a pollen source, and some species have culinary and/or medical value.

Teucrium tatjanae seed fossils are known from the Oligocene, Miocene and Pliocene of western Siberia, Miocene and Pliocene of central and southern Russia and Miocene of Lusatia. The fossil seeds are similar to seeds of the extant Teucrium orientale.Teucrium pripiatense seed fossils have been described from the Pliocene Borsoni Formation in the Rhön Mountains of cental Germany.
Teucrium chamaedrys, Teucrium cossonii a native of the Balearics, Teucrium flavum, Teucrium fruticans, Teucrium hircanicum a native of the Caucasus and Iran, Teucrium marum from the western Mediterranean; much loved and often destroyed by cats but doing very well in total drought







poisonous if ingested.
Germander is UNSAFE. France has banned its sale. Canada does not allow germander to be included in products that are taken by mouth. However, the US still allows germander to be used in small amounts as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages.

The safety concern is that germander has caused several cases of liver disease (hepatitis) and death.




Suitable for coastal plantings,Gardens,Parks,Landscaping, hedges,Fragrant, The plant has been a staple of knot gardens,Knot gardens were first established in England in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. A knot garden is a garden of very formal design in a square frame, consisting of a variety of aromatic plants and culinary herbs including germander, marjoram, thyme, southernwood, lemon balm, hyssop, costmary, acanthus, mallow, chamomile, rosemary, Calendula, Viola and Santolina.  low border, hedge or screen, moon garden, rock garden, banks, year round interest




Germander is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take germander for treating gallbladder conditions, fever, stomachaches, and mild diarrhea; as a digestive aid, germ-killer, and “rinse for gout;” and to help with weight loss.


Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #324 on: November 07, 2019, 09:02:21 AM »


HI

Moon Trefoil

You will see this plant up by the Akrotiri

Medicago arborea  Common names include moon trefoil, shrub medick, alfalfa arborea, and tree medick. It is found throughout Europe and especially in the Mediterranean basin,
It is a flowering plant species in the pea and bean family Fabaceae.106 species from the Fabaceae family
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus:   Medicago
Species:   M. arborea
The shrub is 1–4 metres high and wide and is pale yellow in colour. Its stems are erect and terete while its stipules are triangular and are 5–8 millimetres
Stipules are small, paired appendages at the base of the petiole. Right: A compound leaf in which the blade is divided into leaflets.
 It is the only member of the genus Medicago which is used as an ornamental. M. arborea is sometimes misidentified as Cytisus, which it resembles.
HABITAT
The Medicago arborea is a typical species of the Mediterranean areas. Its habitat is that of areas characterized by heat, even torrid, where it grows well on sandy and also rocky, calcareous and dry soils, from the plain up to 300 m. It is a species that tolerates the lack of water very well.Waste ground Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;[ South Wall uk.]
Requires a warm position in full sun, succeeding in dry or well-drained moist soils. Best grown against a wall in the colder areas of the country. Tolerant of wind and salt spray, it grows well in maritime gardens. Plants are not hardy in the colder areas of Britain, they tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c when fully dormant, though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. They do not succeed in the open at Kew, though they grow well against a wall. The flowers have a vanilla or sweet pea scent. Any pruning should consist of cutting out dead wood in the spring. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

NATIVE RANGE
Albania, the Balaeric Islands, Crete, Greece, Spain, Andorra,Italy,Sardinia, Sicily,Malta,France,Monaco,Channel Island,  Portugal,Turkey
You can see the flower from March to mid  summer
Species that was introduced in Malta after year 1492 and spreads to form established, non-invasive populations. It may become become invasive





UNKNOWN NONE

Leaves - raw or cooked. This plant was supplied to Plants for a Future in early 1994 from a person in Greece who said that it was often used in salads there. Young shoots, when the plant is growing vigorously, have a slightly sweet, grass-like flavour but a rather chewy texture. Older leaves, and younger leaves if the plant is not growing vigorously, have a distinct bitterness and are rather unpleasant.

NONE Known

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #325 on: November 08, 2019, 09:23:10 AM »


HI

Mediterranean hackberry

I know you can see this tree at The Kassiopi Estate and at the Rou Estate you can have a look around

The kassiopi Estate = http://kassiopiaestate.com/

 The Rou Estate = http://www.louisajones.fr/sites/default/files/Country%20Life,%20Rou%20Estate,%20Corfu,%202011.pdf

https://www.simpsontravel.com/the-rou-estate-guide

Celtis australis  known as the European nettle tree, Mediterranean hackberry, lote tree, or honeyberry, is a deciduous tree native to southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. The tree was introduced to England in 1796.
The largest genus, Celtis, includes about 60 species distributed in the temperate and tropical zones.1, 2 Among these species are Celtis australis L. and Celtis occidentalis L. which are commonly cultivated in the Egyptian gardens for shade purposes.
Family:   Cannabaceae
Genus:   Celtis
Species:   C. australis
The tree can grow to 25 m in height, though 10 m is more common in cooler climates. The bark is smooth and grey, almost elephantine.
The alternate leaves are narrow and sharp-toothed, rugose above and tomentose below, 5–15 cm long and dark grey/green throughout the year, fading to a pale yellow before falling in autumn
The apetalous wind-pollinated flowers are perfect (:hermaphrodite, having both male and female organs), small and green, either singly or in small clusters.
The fruit is a small, dark-purple berry-like drupe, 1 cm wide, hanging in short clusters, and are extremely popular with birds and other wildlife.
HABITAT
The species is fast growing and it is found in woods, meadows and on riverbanks and cliffs.Parks.and sandy places.
Celtis australis is a large tree and can live up to 1,000 years in its native range Flowers March-may

 In Australia, European hackberry invades woodland, urban areas, river margins and pine plantations.
 Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils. The trees have deep spreading roots and are very drought resistant once established. This species requires mild winters if it is to succeed. Trees prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normally experienced in Britain, they often do not fully ripen their wood when growing in this country and they are then very subject to die-back in winter. A hardier form, from seed collected in the Caucasus, is in cultivation in Britain. The fruit and the seed are sometimes sold in local markets in the Balkans. This plant is said to be the lotus fruit of the ancients. It is mentioned in the story of Odysseus returning from Troy and the story relates that if a person should eat the fruit they will never leave that area. Coppices well. A good shade tree. Trees can be very long-lived, Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.
Celtis australis is supposed to have been the Lotus of the ancients, whose fruit Herodotus, Dioscorides, and Theophrastus describe as sweet, pleasant, and wholesome. Homer has Ulysses refer to the "Lotus-eaters" and the "lotus" in Odyssey, Book IX. The fruit and its effects are described in Tennyson's poem The Lotos-Eaters.





NONE



It is often planted as an ornamental as it is long-living and resistant to air pollution. The fruit of this tree is sweet and edible, and can be eaten raw or cooked.
 A fatty oil is obtained from the seed.
The Wood can be used for carving
 The wood is very tough, pliable, durable and widely used by turners; the flexible thin shoots are used as walking sticks.
 A yellow dye is obtained from the bark.
Macking  handles for Agricultural and Horticulture implements.




The leaves and fruit are astringent, lenitive and stomachic. Decoction of both leaves and fruit is used in the treatment of amenorrhoea, heavy menstrual and inter-menstrual bleeding and colic. The decoction can also be used to astringe the mucous membranes in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and peptic ulcers.
 Young leaves of Celtis australis from Northern Italy were found to contain the highest amounts of phenolics
Phenolics are aromatic benzene ring compounds with one or more hydroxyl groups produced by plants mainly for protection against stress. The functions of phenolic compounds in plant physiology and interactions with biotic and abiotic environments are difficult to overestimate.

Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #326 on: November 11, 2019, 02:36:06 PM »


HI

If you are  on your walks and see a london plane tree [Platanus × acerifolia] with a branch on the floor or hanging down well i will tell you

Massaria disease Splanchnonema platani  is a fungus in the genus Splanchnonema. It was formerly known under the name Massaria platani. The anamorph of the fungus is known as Macrodiplodiopsis desmazieresii. The fungus has caused serious damage to plane trees across Europe.
The disease, commonly known as Massaria disease, infects branches of plane trees.
The fungus has usually been considered to be a weak parasite causing only minor damage such as twig dieback in warmer Mediterranean climates. However, in the 21st century it has been found associated with branch death and rapid decay within other parts of Europe, most notably Germany and Austria, the Netherlands, and parts of France. Damage caused by this fungus has been reported in the southern United States. The first formal identification of the disease in the United Kingdom came in March 2011.
The disease seems to be specific to the London plane, the Oriental plane and the Occidental plane. The disease causes large lesions on the upper sides of branches associated with branch drop.
Family:   Pleomassariaceae
Genus:   Splanchnonema
Species:   S. platani
 It was found in living plane trees in London in 2009 and Bristol more recently.

General Massaria Symptoms:

A strip of dead bark starting at the branch collar and stretching along the top of the branch. The width of the dead strip varies but nearly always tapers to a distinct point.
On smaller diameter branches (100 to 150 mm), death can occur within a year; these are normally obvious from the ground due to young twigs, seed clusters and sometimes ‘droughted’ leaves still being visible on the dead branch. Dead flaking bark is also often present, rapidly exposing the orange coloured sapwood.
Larger diameter branches may not exhibit any symptoms and the dead strip of bark is mainly on the upper side of the branch which makes it difficult to identify from the ground.
It is most frequent on shaded lower order branches which are in the mid to lower canopy level.
Symptoms are seen affecting mature trees over 40 years of age
 
Significant increase from 2015 to 2016 which was consistent across London; possibly due to a warm winter and dry summer in London.
2012 had fewer occurrences of Massaria during the wet summer

Some plane trees are cut down depending how far it has got into the tree

S. platani has been rife in Germany and Holland for some years

 There is no ‘disease-resistant’ option for the London plane.  The existing trees will have to be treated or lost and treatment, by injection and bark applications, is possible.


We had a big branch come down on to a new Mercedes at Onslow Sq south kensington the car came to it's end of life








Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #327 on: November 12, 2019, 09:16:36 AM »


HI

Devilwood

Osmanthus Is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae (Olive Family). Most of the species are native to eastern Asia, China, Japan, Korea, Indochina, the Himalayas. Also known as Sweet Olive,Tea tree,
 Fragrant Olive, sweet olive or sweet tea,
Osmanthus range in size from shrubs to small trees, 2–12 m tall.  leaves are opposite, evergreen, and simple, with an entire, serrated or coarsely toothed margin. The flowers are produced in spring, summer or autumn, each flower being about 1 cm long, white, with a four-lobed tubular-based corolla ('petals'). The flowers grow in small panicles, and in several species have a strong fragrance. The fruit is a small (10–15 mm), hard-skinned dark blue to purple drupe containing a single seed.
Family:   Oleaceae
Tribe:   Oleeae
Subtribe:   Oleinae
Genus:   Osmanthus
Osmanthus are popular shrubs in parks and gardens throughout the warm temperate zone. Several hybrids and cultivars have been developed.
The most popular is Osmanthus x burkwoodii i have one in my garden the fragrance lovley
Possibly the most popular variety, this elegant, rounded, evergreen shrub has glossy, dark green leaves which are finely toothed at the edges. In mid to late spring it produces clusters of highly-scented, jasmine-like flowers. Osmanthus x burkwoodii has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
HABITAT
Tolerate: Drought, Soil Chalk, Clay, Sand, Loam Bloom Time: April Bloom White  Full sun to part shade
pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral North-facing or East-facing or South-facing or West-facing






NONE


Sweet olive, or sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans), produces an edible fruit. Its leaves, used to perfume tea, cosmetics,   https://www.erbolario.gr/el/768-osmanthus

https://www.livestrong.com/article/275855-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-osmanthus-tea/
Parks,Gardens,Landscaping-shopping malls osmanthus burkwoodii topiary
An essential oil is obtained from the flowers. Used as a flavouring. The flowers are used as an insect repellent for clothes.



Osmanthus fragrans has a long history of use in herbal medicine, and is used in perfumery and as a flavouring. The flowers are used to make a scented jam and tea (hence its common name, tea olive), and in traditional herbal medicine a decoction of the stem bark is used to treat boils and carbuncles.
The flowers are antitussive. They are used in cosmetics for the hair and skin, but are mostly used to flavour other medicines. A decoction of the stem bark is used in the treatment of boils, carbuncles etc. A past made from the stem or bark is used in the treatment of boils, carbuncles, whoping cough and retinitis. A decoction of the lateral roots is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea, rheumatism, bruises etc.






Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #328 on: November 13, 2019, 12:07:05 PM »


HI

This plant you may have seen or smell it at night

lady of the night

Cestrum nocturnum Known as night-blooming jessamine, night-blooming jasmine, night-blooming cestrum, and raatrani  is a species of Cestrum in the plant family Solanaceae (the potato family). It is native to the West Indies, but naturalized in South Asia and over europe and over the world
Cestrum nocturnum is an evergreen woody shrub growing to 4 m (13 ft) tall. The leaves are simple, narrow lanceolate, broad, smooth and glossy,with an entire margin
 The flowers are greenish-white, with a slender tubular corolla  when open at night, and are produced in cymose inflorescences. A powerful, sweet perfume is released at night. The fruit is a berry  either marfil white or the color of an aubergine. There is also a variety with yellowish flowers. There are mixed reports regarding the toxicity of foliage and fruit
HABITAT
Moist and wet forests and open areas, often forming dense, impenetrable thickets dry sunny
 (Cestrum nocturnum) is aptly named because its white-yellow, tubular flowers bloom at night; the flowers close during the day. soil that is light and sandy with a neutral pH of 6.6 to 7.5, and hardy to hardiness
Cestrum nocturnum goes by lots of English names such as Night Blooming Jasmine, Queen of the Night, Night Jessamine, Lady of the Night and Bastard Jasmine. Despite all the references to Jasmine, Jasmine is something else entirely, in the Olive Family not the Nightshade. I've settled on the name Lady of the Night just because that's the mood you get in when you smell it.
Night-blooming jasmines flower up to four times per year, after which, they produce white berries full of seeds.
If grown as a houseplant, chances are that the flowers will never pollinate, unless you do it by hand with an artist's brush or similar tool. Cestrum nocturnum is self-pollinating and does not need another plant for cross-pollination. Common pollinators include bats and moths.
All Cestrum nocturnum plants flower at the same time. If yours is in flower, you can be sure that every other one in the neighborhood is in flower at the same time.
Family:   Solanaceae
Genus:   Cestrum
Species:   C. nocturnum
Binomial name
Cestrum nocturnum




All parts of the plant are poisonous. The toxic principles are solanine-type glyco-alkaloids and atropine-like alkaloids. The symptoms are headache, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, muscular spasms and nervousness, high temperature, salivation and sweating,, especially the fruit, and can cause elevated temperature, rapid pulse, excess salivation and gastritis. paralysis and coma


It is also used as a ornamental hedge plant  do attract insects and other rodents who feed on the insects.
Cestrum nocturnum can be grown in cooler climates as a house or conservatory plant.




The medicinal properties of night blooming jasmine include antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-convulsant, anti-HIV and larvicidal activities.
 Flowers alcohol extract contains cytotoxic steroids.
The volatile oil is known to be mosquito-repellent and hence C. nocturnum is used to prevent malaria in several African Nations
An extract of the plant is used as an antispasmodic and as a treatment for epilepsy
Various studies have been carried out on the medicinal virtues of the plant. One study isolated two new flavonoid glycosides and seven steroidal saponins. The study reports cytotoxic activities of the compounds against human oral squamous cell carcinoma and normal human gingival fibroblasts
Decoctions of the dried leaves were not effective against pharmacologically induced convulsions, but repeated administration reduced the amplitude of epileptic spikes in both primary and secondary foci. Results suggest the plant possesses analgesic activity through a peripheral mechanism Both aqueous and methanol extracts of the plant have shown bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and various other bacteria
In laboratory tests, extracts of the plant were shown to inhibit tumour growth and prolong the lifetime in a dose-dependent manner




Offline kevin-beverly

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Re: Walking around corfu
« Reply #329 on: November 14, 2019, 09:35:53 AM »



Hi

Mantis

If you look very carefully on trees shrubs you might see this  insect


GREEN AND WHITE MANTIS Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 430 genera in 15 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats.
Mantises have large, triangular heads with a beak-like snout and mandibles. They have two bulbous compound eyes, three small simple eyes, and a pair of antennae. The articulation of the neck is also remarkably flexible; some species of mantis can rotate their heads nearly 180°
On Corfu you can find both the white mantis and the green mantis. The mantis has a very frightening way of making sex. It seems that the male mantis cannot ejaculate as long as it still has its head on. So the female has to cut it off to complete the act! Well it sounds like a horror story, but to tell you the truth, I can think of worse ways to die
 The name mantodea is formed from the Ancient Greek words μάντις (mantis) meaning "prophet",
Colour depends on their habitat; those found in grass are usually green while those in bushes are usually browner.

Sphodromantis viridis Green mantis
Kingdom:   Animalia
Phylum:   Arthropoda
Class:   Insecta
Order:   Mantodea
Family:   Mantidae
Genus:   Sphodromantis
Species:   S. viridis
Binomial name
Sphodromantis viridis


Hymenopus coronatus White mantis
Kingdom:   Animalia
Phylum:   Arthropoda
Class:   Insecta
Order:   Mantodea
Family:   Hymenopodidae
Genus:   Hymenopus
Species:   H. coronatus
Binomial name
Hymenopus coronatus


 They are related to cockroaches and grasshoppers. They feed on any insect including their own kind that they can catch with their forelegs, which are equipped with a row of hooked spines making escape almost impossible. Because of their cannibalistic nature they are solitary and are usually found motionless in undergrowth awaiting their prey. The male mantis has 8 segments on its abdomen whilst the female has 6. The female is stouter and also has a tube like ovipositor with which she lays hundreds of eggs in what is called an Ootheca. Once the young hatch they resemble ants, they moult or shed their exoskeleton numerous times during growth and after the final moult they have developed their wings. If attacked they expose their brightly coloured wings to give the impression of greater size.

HABITAT
The Praying Mantis is found in many differing habitats. They are generally located in the warmer regions, particularly tropical and subtropical latitudes. Most species live in the tropical rainforest, although others can be found in deserts, grasslands and meadowlands.
The earliest mantis fossils are about 135 million years old, from Siberia.
Sphodromantis viridis Despite its scientific name (viridis is Latin for green) this insect ranges in color from bright green to dull brown. Females can reach 10 cm (3.9 in) in length. Sexual dimorphism is typical of mantises; the male is much smaller.

Hymenopus coronatus
Doesn't it's name give it away? With it's pointed eyes and petal like shapes on it's walking legs, resembling flowers is what it does best.
Colours vary during their life cycle. When newly hatched from the Ootheca (mantis egg), they are a strange bright red and black colour (a bit like Aliens). After the first shed, they tend to be a pinkish colour which lightens as they become mature. The adult females are mainly white with some brown markings and they have a green haze over the wings. The females measure roughly 60mm, where as the males are very small measuring only 30mm in size. This is half the size of a female!!! Males again are white with more brown markings but they do not have the green haze over the wings.



 



So keep an eye open when walking though Arillas and take photos of this lovely insects


 

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