Sasha's Flower Garden

Rangiora or Bushman’s friend (Brachyglottis repanda) is a shrub belonging to the family Asteraceae. Description It is a small, bushy tree or large shrub, endemic to New Zealand. It grows to a height of 5-7 meters. The leaves are large with a hairy underside with smooth surface, is known as “Bushman’s toilet paper” (“Bushman’s toilet paper”). Although it has a single vernacular English, Māori is known with different names, as Kōuaha, Pukapuka, Pukariao, Puke-Rangiora, Rangiora, Raurākau, Raurēkau, Whārangi or Whārangi-tawhito. There is also a city in South Island Rangiora call. Properties The Maori used the plant for a number of medicinal uses. Leaves used for wounds and ulcerated sores, and gum for bad breath is poisonous but only if swallowed. Directions: From the bark and leaf tips are obtains kouaha, aromatic resin that is chewed to try to elimin... read more

The myrtle as food In the Mediterranean kitchens leaves and berries of the myrtle are occasionally used as a spice (such as in marinades), but also several liqueurs are produced from it. Branches of myrtle were also the flavor of wine. Also to produce the names of the myrtle derived mortadella in earlier times myrtle were used. Used primarily in the Sardinian and Corsican cuisine to flavor of wild game birds, wild boar, sausages and Provencal bouillabaisse. Here, the myrtle is also processed into jam. In Sardinia, there is also the Mirto: a liqueur made from the berries of the myrtle (Mirto rosso) or from their flowers (Mirto Bianco), who is popular as a digestive. A similar liqueur called in Corsica Myrtenfrüchten Myrtéi. Further use The perfume is the essential oil of myrtle as “angel water” known. Occasionally, even the wood of the myrtle use. It is hard, easy to process and is used for woodturning, ... read more

Mimosa verrucosa, Jurema Branca (“White Juema”) or Jurema De Oieras is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family. It is a shrub or small tree native to Brazil (Bahia, Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte). It has “near threatened” conservation status as a result of human induced deforestation in arid to semi-arid regions of Brazil. The tree grows to about 2.5 to 5 m tall and has blossoms that are pink cylindrical spikes. The blossom filaments are pink and the anthers are cream colored. Mimosa verrucosa has been proven to be a very important provider of pollen for Apis mellifera, the European honey bee. Medicinal uses The wood of the tree is used for making charcoal, firewood and wooden stakes. The bark is used for medicine. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimosa_verrucosa See Also: Sending flowers, ... read more