Category Archives: Ethnobotany
Haitian Horror
Experience the full text of Thomas Baurley’s classic 1989 research paper, now in a convenient PDF e-book. This edition presents Baurley’s in-depth study from Florida State University on zombies and zombification within Haitian Vodou, with focused discussion of Wade Davis’s primary research and the lasting impact of these stories and beliefs. Continue reading
Viking Face and Body Painting
Ritual Painting of Face and Bodies in Viking Culture by Thomas Baurley, 9/6/2017 It is a controversial and well-debated subject whether or not the Vikings painted their faces and bodies. The Vikings were certainly exposed to the practice from their … Continue reading
Spanish Moss: Tillandsia usneoides
Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia Common Names:Spanish Moss, Spanish-moss, Florida moss, long moss, graybeard, ghost hair, hanging air plant. Taxonomy:Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Angiosperms Class: Monocots Order: Poales. Family: Bromeliaceae. Genus: Tillandsia species: usneoides Localities:The plant is limited to the southeastern United … Continue reading
Beard Lichen (Usnea spp.)
. Beard lichen, Congaree National Park, Columbia, SC Name: Beard Lichen Common Names:Beard, Beard Lichen, Usnea, Old Man’s Beard, Beard Lichen, Tree’s Dandruff, Woman’s Long Hair, or Tree Moss. Ipts-aak (a.k.a. “limb moss”), Suts’wakt (Bella Coola in British Columbia), P’u7up (Nitinaht … Continue reading
Lichens
Beard lichen, Congaree National Park, Columbia, SC photo by Thomas Baurley, Technogypsie Photography (c) 2012. Name: Lichen Common Names: Lichen, beard, beard lichen, algae, fungus, Sunburn, Rock Hair, Yellow Candles, Golden Pine Lichen, Little Clouds, Oak Moss, Crab’s-eye, Coral Crust, … Continue reading
Polyporus spp. : Bracket or Shelf Fungi
Name: Bracket fungi, or shelf fungi Common Names: Bracket fungi, shelf fungi, conks, oysters, wood rot fungi, sulphur shelf, birch bracket, dryad’s saddle, artist’s conk, turkey tail. Taxonomy: Kingdom: Fungi. Phylum: Basidiomycota. Class: Agaricomycetes. Order: Polyporales. Family: Polyporaceae. Genus: Polyporus. … Continue reading
Common Sunflowers: Helianthus annuus
Wild sunflowers along roadside in New Mexico Sunflowers a.k.a. “Common Sunflower”, “Mirasol”, “Kansas Sunflower” Helianthus annuus Localitie: Located throughout the western and southern United States, Southern Canada, and Northern Mexico. They are native to meadows, roadsides, foothills, prairies, and dry … Continue reading
Eria javanica
Eria javanica in * Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011 Eria javanica: * The Javanese eria * widely distributed from India west to China and south through southeast Asia. Common Names: The Javanese Eria, Grace, Xiang Hua … Continue reading
Oak Tree: Quercus spp.
“Oak Tree” by Lester Scarbrough, Tree Leaves OraclePermission granted to post from history with Tree Leaves Oracle Oak Fagaceae (Beech family) Quercus spp. Names Description Lore Magical Uses Medicinal Uses Other Uses Q. alba ………….. White or Stave Oak Q. arkansana ….. Arkansas or Water … Continue reading
Pimelea spicata ~ Spiked Rice-flower
Pimelea spicata, Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia * – April 2011 Pimelea spicata: Spiked Rice-flower Common Names: Spiked Rice-flower, Pink Pimelea, Rice Flower. Taxonomy: Plantae; Angiosperms; Eudicots; Rosids; Malvales; Thymelaeaceae; Pimelea spicata. Location/Environment: The Pimelea prefers woodland habitats and can … Continue reading