Book Review: Seeing Through the Smoke
Karen In his book, Seeing Through the Smoke, Dr. Peter Grinspoon, MD, explores the controversy concerning the use of cannabis; is it a low risk medicine or an insidiously addictive drug?…
Weeds and Their Control: English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English ivy is an evergreen climbing vine and a member of the Aralia family, Araliaceae, that also includes Fatsia and Schefflera . It is native to most of Europe and…
Plant Profile: California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum aka Zauschneria californica)
California fuchsia, also known as hummingbird flower and firechalice, is a semi evergreen subshrub and a member of the evening primrose family, Onagraceae, that also includes Gaura and Clarkia. It…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Palestinian Tumbleweed (Anastatica hierochuntica)
Also known as rose of Jericho, Maryam’s flower, flower of St. Mary, St. Mary’s flower, Mary’s flower, and white mustard flower, this annual herb is native to the deserts of…
Plant Profile: Golden Tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Known by several names including golden coreopsis, plains coreopsis, and calliopsis, this annual is native to much of the US especially the Great Plains and South where it grows in…
Book Review: Weed: Cannabis Culture in the Americas
Author Caitlin Donohue’s book, Weed: Cannabis Culture in the Americas, deals with the impact of cannabis on the lives of people from various periods of time and diverse countries in…
Weeds and Their Control: Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
Trumpet vine is a deciduous woody vine and a member of the Bignoniaceae family that also includes Catalpa and Jacaranda. It is native to eastern US and has naturalized in…
Plant Profile: Coralbells (Heuchera sanguinea)
Native to the cliffs,hills and alpine areas of Arizona and New Mexico, this evergreen herbaceous perennial is a member of the saxifrage family, Saxifagaceae, that also include tiarella, bergenia, and…
Plants for a Mary Garden: Christ’s Knee (Tigridia pavonia)
This tender perennial bulb is a native of semitropical to semi-alpine climates of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Hondurus. It is a member of the iris family, Iridaceae, that also…
Plant Profile: Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor)
Growing up to 90’ tall, this deciduous tree is native to moist areas in bottomlands and lowland such as riparian soils and the edges of swamps from Massachusetts to Wisconsin,…