Tuesday, February 15, 2011

This is Mary Russell's bulldog Bonnie.Lovely isn't she?
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Friday, February 04, 2011

February 3, 2011. Our wonderful group of sewing friends at Mary Russell's
home in Parma Road - a two-day sew-in and chat, as well as wonderful food.
From left are Liz Smith, Mary Russell, Jean, Gwen, Barbara Woodney
and Bonnie the bulldog.
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This series, in early February 2011, features many of the seeds and flowers
in our Parma garden right now.

This is Backousia citriodora, or Lemon Scented Myrtle, an Australian Native
that has medicinal properties as well as a lemon scent.

"It is astringent, antioxidant, antiseptic, expectorant, antiviral, antifungal
and calmative. It can be made as a tea for coughs, colds and other
respiratory ailments, sinus and stress. It contains vitamins A and C".
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Tuesday, February 01, 2011

NZ Christmas Tree, Metrosideros excelsa, after the scarlet-stamened
pin-cushioned flowers have fallen
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American Ash Fraxinus americana, White Ash, distinctive
ash seed pods or samaras. In autumn the leaves are gold with
a touch of mauve.
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Bay Tree, Sweet Bay, Laurus nobilis. The seeds turn glossy
black.Used for cooking and the leaves once crowned tiumphant
Roman heroes. Can survive brutal neglect.
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Chinese Tallow Tree, Sapium sebiferum (poisonous).
Flowers and petal-less 1cm fruiting capsules of 3 seeds
covered with a white vegetable wax.This is used for soap
and candle making in the Far East, but the tree is cultivated
for its flaming foliage here.
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Horse Chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum has tall candles
of white flowers in Spring. The fruit is inedible, except for
stock, and the timber is of no use. It is valued for its
aesthetic appeal.
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Liliodendron Tulipifera or Tulip Tree. In late winter, the
seed pods, which have remained long after the tree loses
its leaves, spread the seeds about the garden
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Crabapples ready for picking (before the parrots raid the tree),
Malus Sylvestris (I think, as there are a number of varieties).
This one has deep pink flowers.
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Pistacia Chinensis - Chinese Pistachio
has a bright red berries in autumn, and
the parrots, especially the King Parrots, love them
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Liquidambar styraciflua - the ubiquitous LiquidambarPosted by Picasa

Ornamental fruit on the Manchurian
Pear Pyrus Ussuriensis.
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Seed pods on the Canoe Birch, Betula Papyrifera, one of the larger birches.
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These berries on Japanese Elms, Zelkova Serrata, turn bright red in autumn
and are attractive to birds .
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