Wildflower ID - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

06/19/2007 03:47:36 PM · #1

Would anyone maybe know what that name of this flower is?

They are short, they were growing close to water, surrounded by daisies and clover.

bdenny

Sony DSC-H5

06/19/2007 04:08:41 PM · #2

UF has a big flower garden at the Ag school. Don't know if they'd grow in the heat down here (FL), but I'll run by after work and check. Got a pic with my phone to reference :)

cryingdragon

Canon EOS-10D

06/19/2007 04:09:57 PM · #3

I'm going to guess that it's Heather, but I might be wrong.

Message edited by author 2007-06-19 16:10:49.

06/19/2007 04:10:02 PM · #4

Originally posted by bdenny:

UF has a big flower garden at the Ag school. Don't know if they'd grow in the heat down here (FL), but I'll run by after work and check. Got a pic with my phone to reference :)

Thanks! :)

bod

06/19/2007 04:11:52 PM · #5

'Cos I'm really sad and have a bunch of wildflower bookmarks ...
Heal-all (Prunella vulgaris)
Prunella vulgaris
or something very similar.

06/19/2007 04:12:17 PM · #6

Originally posted by cryingdragon:

I'm going to guess that it's Heather, but I might be wrong.

Hmmmm. I didn't think it's heather. This is a short plant, and the leaves are different.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

06/19/2007 04:15:32 PM · #7

Originally posted by bod:

'Cos I'm really sad and have a bunch of wildflower bookmarks ...
Heal-all (Prunella vulgaris)
Prunella vulgaris
or something very similar.

Yes, I think this is it! THANKS!
Mint family. The sample picture in my book looks pink, not purple, but the description/pictures in your links are right on.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

06/19/2007 04:16:27 PM · #8

I think

bodis right also!

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

06/19/2007 04:25:42 PM · #9

definitally in the mint family, but not sure which species. BOD is correct or within genius.

bod

06/19/2007 04:29:22 PM · #10

Originally posted by vtruan:

definitally in the mint family, but not sure which species. BOD is correct or within genius.

I think you misspelled "a" ; )

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

06/19/2007 04:31:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by bod:

Originally posted by vtruan:
definitally in the mint family, but not sure which species. BOD is correct or within genius.

I think you misspelled "a" ; )

Also, that is not genius, altho he may appear so for identifying the 'Genus'.

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/19/2007 04:31:34 PM · #12

Self heal, as said. Or Bugleweed. Used as a healing herb. If, for instance, you are "bitten" by a mosquito and the bite itches, get a self heal flower and gently rub it on the bite. Within minutes, the itch will go. Bugleweed was also used, in olden times, to treat thyroid problems. The essential ingredient in Prunella (the latin name) tends to prevent the histamine reaction and stop the body's immune system kicking in. It inhibits immune system reaction. Just in case you were interested.

06/19/2007 04:32:04 PM · #13

Originally posted by bod:

Originally posted by vtruan:
definitally in the mint family, but not sure which species. BOD is correct or within genius.

I think you misspelled "a" ; )

But maybe it made you less sad to be called a "genius" :)

06/19/2007 04:33:55 PM · #14

It been a long day writing several environment assessmets. So, my typing has been off all day. Stand correcteded...I think :)

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

06/19/2007 04:35:05 PM · #15

Originally posted by pineapple:

Thanks! I was just reading in my plants book ("Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia and the Inland Northwest") that it is considered a healing plant, that the Nlaka'pmx used it as a tonic. It also reads, "Tests on the plant's extracts have not revealed any biochemical basis for the claims of healing." Weird. Sometimes you don't know what to think.

bod

06/19/2007 04:36:11 PM · #16

Originally posted by pineapple:

Spookily enough I've recently been diagnosed with an under-active thyroid, due to my immune system attacking it.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

06/19/2007 04:42:34 PM · #17

What a great post by Ursula! Who would think that a simple plant ID would lead here.

This is the beauty of plants, some we consider as weeds, could save our lives or aid ailments. People say we have all these modern drugs, but more and more we are reverting to the herbalist and witch plants. Most 'Witches' were in fact, healers using herbs and common plants to cure everyday illnesses. If it hadn't been for the witch hunts in Europe and US, I think we would have been using natural remedies instead of chemical copies that create more problem than they cure!

06/19/2007 05:00:18 PM · #18

:)

Yeah. When I was a little girl, I sometimes got to visit my grandmother. She'd go for walks and collect leaves and so on for her teas. She knew the names of many plants and which ones you could use for what. I don't have that knowledge - I wish I did.

06/19/2007 05:20:17 PM · #19

There are a number of books out on wild plants that can be used for medicine and healing. I have several.

06/19/2007 05:28:39 PM · #20

Originally posted by vtruan:

There are a number of books out on wild plants that can be used for medicine and healing. I have several.

Would you post (or send me) some links to titles?

06/20/2007 09:21:48 AM · #21

ursula,

Here is a site that lists a number of good books and reviews. They maybe cheeper on Amazon or other book sites, but this is a great list.

Let me know if you need others. Van

one site

fencekicker

Panasonic DMC-FZ5

06/20/2007 09:49:29 AM · #22

Just be careful when you try out plants. There are some plants that look a whole lot like other plants. The one plant might be edible/beneficial, but the other look-alike might be a deadly poison. A good example of this is the Water Hemlock. It is very poisonous and it looks a whole lot like several other edible plants one of which is wild celery. Most books will have notes about poisonous plants that look similar. Start off trying only plants whose identity you are certain of. Its best to have someone along who has experience. When you do taste a plant, take only a little bite first and see if you have any strange/unusual mouth sensations before consuming more. Remember, no matter how good the plant may taste, use moderation in all things... a meal of only birch bark might digest a wee bit differently than the normal lunch. Also, some plants need to be boiled and rinsed before consuming. A good edible/medicinal plant guide will provide such instructions. And, edible/medicinal doesn't always mean palatable. But you also will be surprised at the yummy/healthy foods you have growing in your yard that you always thought of as weeds. Knowing what plants are edible/benificial/toxic is a useful skill to have. Its also quite fun to venture out into the forests with a friend or two to sample plants and return with a wild salad or new vegetable to serve to your families at dinnertime.

Hmm... now that I'm thinking about all this, I'm suddenly in the mood for some iced sumac berry tea. :) Hmm.... wonder what sumac berry wine would taste like?

06/20/2007 12:40:42 PM · #23

Originally posted by vtruan:

ursula,

Here is a site that lists a number of good books and reviews. They maybe cheeper on Amazon or other book sites, but this is a great list.

Let me know if you need others. Van

one site

Thank you!