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Myxomatosis in Rabbits
Myxomatosis is a highly contagious viral disease, caused by the myxoma virus, that affects rabbits worldwide. Among European domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus...
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Noni (Morinda citrifolia)
Kristine
/ June 12, 2022
Morinda citrifolia is a small tree in the Rubiaceae, or coffee family. It is commonly called noni, Indian mulberry, or...
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Persian Lilac (Melia azedarach)
Kristine
/ May 31, 2022
Persian Lilac is a small to medium sized tree in the Meliaceae family. It is a close relative of neem...
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Useful Ornamental Plants of Vilcabamba
Kristine
/ March 28, 2022
While ornamental plants are appreciated for their beauty, most of these plants have numerous practical applications too. These plants are...
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White Sapote (Casimiroa edulis)
Kristine
/ February 25, 2022
We’re at the end of white sapote season here in southern Ecuador. The last of the many fruits I’ve purchased...
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Treating Mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) Infestations in Rabbits
In the five years I’ve been keeping rabbits, I’ve seen a variety of health complications arise, but certainly the most...
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Ají (Capsicum pubescens)
Capsicum pubescens is commonly known as rocoto, tree chile, or ají (a less specific name that is used to refer...
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Horchata: A Traditional Ecuadorian Drink
Many people are familiar with Mexican horchata, a creamy, rice based drink. Ecuadorian horchata, however, is very different. In Ecuador, horchata...
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Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza)
Kristine
/ July 31, 2021
Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) is an Apiaceae family plant, also commonly known as Peruvian parsnip, apio criollo, zanahoria blanca, or white...
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Granadilla (Passiflora ligularis)
Passiflora ligularis, commonly known as granadilla, is a Passion flower species that grows prolifically in our mountainside gardens and in...
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Edible & Medicinal Plants of Olón, Ecuador
Kristine
/ March 7, 2021
One of my favorite things about exploring a new place is getting to know the plants that grow there and...
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Naranjilla (Solanum quitoense)
Kristine
/ February 16, 2021
One of our favorite Andean fruits to grow is naranjilla (Solanum quitoense). Also known as lulo, naranjilla is a Solanaceae...
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A Year on the Mountain — Looking Back at 2020
Here we are at the beginning of a new year. So much of 2020 was strange & unsettling, but life...
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Achiote (Bixa orellana)
Kristine
/ December 28, 2020
Achiote, also commonly known as annatto, bija, or urucum, is a lovely evergreen shrub in the Bixaceae family that is...
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The Basics of Rabbit Care
We’ve had rabbits around the homestead for over 4 years now. For the most part, raising rabbits been something that...
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The Power of Wild Plants
Yves
/ October 21, 2020
Not long ago, Kristine posted about a cool edible native, Yacón. This is the first of a long series about...
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Yacón (Smallanthus sonchifolia)
Kristine
/ September 27, 2020
Traditional Andean food crops are hardy to the local climate and quite often thrive without much maintenance in our mountainside...
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Reforestation Isn’t Just Planting Trees
Yves
/ September 2, 2020
Planting trees is great, but when it comes to reforestation, we should take into account the complexities of forest ecosystems....
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Essential Equines
Yves
/ June 1, 2020
Last post, I focused on goats as a great example of how herbivores can regenerate the land, through holistic management...
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Goats — Destroying the Landscape or Healing It
Yves
/ April 27, 2020
When I hear vegans argue against raising animals, I tend to agree with them, for the most part. Modern techniques...
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