Kristine

Forest Garden Design Strategy

Yves shares how he creates designs for forest gardens in this excerpt from his Conservation Corner interview in the Winter edition of Botanical Anthology.  This herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the winter season, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here.  0. Before ever …

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Tulipán (Spathodea campanulata)

Tulipán, also known as African tulip tree or Llama del Bosque, is in the Bignoniaceae family and is native to the tropical dry forests of Africa. It is cultivated extensively throughout the tropics and is well-loved for its showy reddish-orange flowers. In Guatemala, it is grown as shade trees on coffee plantations.  Tulipán has a …

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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 cuniculus), the disease is severe and often fatal. Infected rabbits have a mortality rate of about 90-95% (Ross & Sanders, 1977) to 99% (Hudson et al., 1955). However, in its natural host, a type of …

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Noni (Morinda citrifolia)

Morinda citrifolia is a small tree in the Rubiaceae, or coffee family. It is commonly called noni, Indian mulberry, or cheese fruit. It is native to the South Pacific. Today, noni is cultivated throughout the tropics and is grown commercially in Latin America, Florida, and the West Indies.  Noni produces edible fruits with thin green …

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Persian Lilac (Melia azedarach)

Persian Lilac is a small to medium sized tree in the Meliaceae family. It is a close relative of neem (Azadirachta indica).  M. azedarach is native to the subtropical and tropical regions of Asia and parts of Australia. It has now naturalized in many other parts of the world including regions of South America, Africa, the …

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Useful Ornamental Plants of Vilcabamba

While ornamental plants are appreciated for their beauty, most of these plants have numerous practical applications too. These plants are grown abundantly, yet are rarely utilized. In this post, I’ll be highlighting five very common decorative plants that you’ll see growing in and around Vilcabamba, Ecuador and discussing various ways they are used.   Jacaranda …

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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 common issue I’ve dealt with is rabbit mites, also known as sarcoptic mange, or Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi.  Sarcoptes scabiei is a mite that burrows deep into the epidermis of its host causing severe itching, …

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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 to many kinds of chili peppers). It is cultivated mainly in the high Andes, but is also grown in some parts of Gutatemala and in Southern Mexico, where it is called manzano.  Rocoto produces beautiful red …

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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 refers to an herbal tea — an infusion of flowers & aromatic herbs. It is a traditional drink in the Southern part of the country, particularly in the Loja province, where it’s common to find …

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