Book Review: Micromonsters in the Garden
Karen Meyers Did you know that one gram of soil may harbor up to 10 billion microorganisms of possibly thousands of different species? It’s a scary thought especially considering that many of…
Common Diseases of Corn and Their Control: Gray Leaf Spot
Gray leaf spot is one of two common foliar fungal diseases of corn. It is caused by either Cercospora zeae-maydis or Cercospora zeina and appears as grey rectangular, brown to…
Plant Profile: Oregon Manroot (Marah oreganus aka Echinocystis oregana)
Karen Also known as coastal manroot and western wild cucumber, this perennial trailing or climbing vine is native to the streams, washes, and open areas from Canada to northern California west…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Stone Pine (Pinus pinea aka Apinus pinea)
Also known as umbrella pine and parasol pine, this coniferous evergreen tree is native to the Mediterranean region including southern Europe, Israel, Lebanon and Syria. It is a member of…
Plant Profile: Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans aka Rhus radicans)
Poison ivy is a woody perennial shrub or climbing vine native to eastern, and mid-western United States where it grows well in shaded areas and is especially common along the…
Book Review: The Botanical Bible
If you are interested in plants or just appreciate their beauty or usefulness, The Botanical Bible is sure to appeal. Written by Sonya Patel Ellis, writer, editor, and artist who…
Common Diseases of Cucumber and Their Control: Bacterial Wilt
Caused by the bacterium, Erwinia tracheiphila, bacterial wilt affects cucumber and cantaloupe severely, squash and pumpkin less so, and watermelon rarely. The first symptom is the wilting of leaves during…
Plant Profile: Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix aka Rhus vernix)
Also called swamp-sumac and thunderwood, this deciduous woody shrub or small tree is native to the wooded swamps, bogs and other moist soils of eastern United States and extreme southeast…
Plants of Ancient Pompeii: Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Native to Iran and Iraq, the pomegranate is a deciduous tree or shrub and a member of the loostrife family, Lythraceae, that also includes crepe myrtle, henna, and Cuphea. It…
Plant Profile: Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Also called rum cherry, and mountain black cherry, this deciduous tree is native to eastern North America, Pacific Northwest, Mexico, and Central America. It is a member of the rose…