Navy Beans, Phaseolus vulgaris

Navy Bean Fun Facts (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Dual Identity:
Navy beans are a type of common bean, also known as Phaseolus vulgaris. This species includes many other bean varieties like kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans!

Naval History:
Their name comes from their historical significance as a staple food in the United States Navy during the 19th century. They were a perfect choice for long voyages due to their affordability, long shelf life, and versatility.
Tiny Titans of Nutrition:
Don't let their small size fool you! Navy beans are packed with nutrients including protein, fiber, folate, iron, and potassium.
Shape Shifters:
Navy beans are small, oval-shaped, and white in color. But before they're dried, they're actually green and found in pods on vining plants.
Flavor Powerhouse:
While mild on their own, navy beans absorb the flavors they are cooked with beautifully. This makes them perfect for soups, stews, dips, and even baked beans!

Red Horse-chestnut, Aesculus x carnea

Origin and lineage:
A hybrid:
The red horse-chestnut (Aesculus x carnea) is not a naturally occurring species but a man-made hybrid between the red buckeye (A. pavia) and the common horse-chestnut (A. hippocastanum).
Uncertain beginnings:
The exact origin of the cross is unknown, but it's believed to have happened in Germany sometime before 1820.

Appearance and growth:
Medium-sized beauty:
It reaches a mature height of around 40 feet with a similar spread, making it a good choice for larger gardens and parks.
Striking flowers:
The most notable feature is its showy flower clusters. Unlike the common horse-chestnut's white blooms, the red horse-chestnut boasts rose-red, cone-shaped flower clusters that appear in May, adding a vibrant pop of color in spring.
Lush foliage:
The tree has dark green, palmate leaves (resembling an open hand) that turn a beautiful yellow in fall.

Other characteristics:
Adaptable to conditions:
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It's also tolerant of urban pollution.
Fast grower:
The red horse-chestnut grows at a medium rate, reaching maturity in a reasonable timeframe.
Moderate lifespan:
With proper care, these trees can live for 60 years or more.
Potential downside:
The spiky fruit can be messy when it falls, requiring occasional cleanup.

Additional notes:
Not to be confused with the horse chestnut:
While they share a similar name, the red horse-chestnut is a distinct hybrid with different flower colors and some variations in growth habit.
Toxic to animals:
It's important to note that, like other horse-chestnut varieties, the red horse-chestnut's seeds and fruits are toxic to animals, so keep them out of reach of pets.

Angelica, Angelica archangelica

It is a biennial plant, meaning it completes its life cycle in two years. In the first year, it produces a rosette of leaves. In the second year, it produces a flower stalk and then dies.

It is a member of the Apiaceae family, which also includes carrots, parsley, and celery.

It is native to northern Europe and Asia, but it is now grown in many parts of the world.

The plant can grow up to 6 feet tall.

The leaves are large and compound, and they have a serrated edge.

The flowers are white or greenish-white, and they are arranged in clusters called umbels.

The roots and stems of the plant are edible, and they have a sweet, musky flavor. The stems are candied and used as a food decoration, and the roots are used to make tea, liqueurs, and medicines.

Warning:

Like several other species in Apiaceae, its appearance is similar to several poisonous species. Do not consume Angelica archangelica unless you have positively identified it.

In herbal medicine, Angelica is known for its digestive benefits and ability to help with respiratory issues. It has also been used to treat colds, coughs, and indigestion. The plant contains essential oils that give it a unique flavor profile that is often described as aromatic and slightly sweet.

In addition to its medicinal uses, Angelica is commonly used in culinary dishes. The stems of the plant can be candied or used in desserts for their sweet flavor. The seeds are also used as a spice in some cuisines.

Angelica archangelica has a long history of use in traditional medicine and continues to be valued for its unique taste and potential health benefits. Whether enjoyed in herbal remedies or culinary creations, Angelica remains a fascinating botanical specimen with much to offer.

loquat, Eriobotrya japonica

Loquat, scientifically known as Eriobotrya japonica, is a fruit-bearing tree native to China but also widely cultivated in Japan and other parts of the world. Commonly referred to as Japanese plum, the loquat tree produces deliciously sweet and tangy fruits that are not only flavorful but also packed with health benefits.

The fruits of the loquat tree resemble a mix between an apricot and a mango, with a unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other fruits. Rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants, loquats are known for their immune-boosting properties and ability to promote healthy skin.

In addition to being a tasty snack on its own, loquats can be used in various culinary creations such as jams, jellies, desserts, and even savory dishes. The versatility of this fruit makes it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.

The loquat tree itself is an attractive evergreen plant with large leaves that add ornamental value to gardens and landscapes. With proper care and maintenance, these trees can thrive in temperate climates and provide bountiful harvests of delicious fruits seasonally.

Whether enjoyed fresh off the tree or incorporated into your favorite recipes, loquats are a delightful fruit that offers both flavor diversity and nutritional benefits. Consider adding this exotic gem to your garden or shopping list for a taste of something truly special.

The Nutritional Value of Loquats and How They Support Your Health

Loquats are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients that can benefit your health in various ways. These small, orange fruits are rich in vitamins A and C, which are known for their immune-boosting properties. Additionally, loquats contain antioxidants like polyphenols and carotenoids that help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

The high fiber content in loquats can aid digestion and promote gut health. Fiber also helps regulate blood sugar levels and can contribute to a feeling of fullness, which may support weight management efforts.

Moreover, loquats provide minerals such as potassium and manganese, which are important for maintaining healthy blood pressure and supporting overall metabolic functions in the body.

Incorporating loquats into your diet can be a tasty way to enhance your overall well-being. Whether enjoyed fresh as a snack or added to salads or desserts, these fruits offer a flavorful way to boost your nutrient intake and support your health goals.

Kentucky yellowwood, Cladrastis kentukea

Cladrastis kentukea, commonly known as the Kentucky yellowwood or American yellowwood, is a deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States. Its natural habitat spans from western North Carolina to eastern Oklahoma and from southern Missouri and Indiana down to central Alabama. This tree is notable for its smooth gray bark, broad and rounded crown, and its compound pinnate leaves that can reach 20–30 cm in length with 5-11 leaflets. During the fall, the foliage turns a stunning mix of yellow, gold, and orange, making it an attractive addition to landscapes.

Kentucky yellowwood is cherished for its wisteria-like racemes of fragrant white flowers that bloom in early summer, typically every second or third year, adding a spectacular display to gardens. The tree produces pods containing 2-6 seeds as its fruit. It's a medium-sized tree, usually reaching 10–15 meters in height, but it can grow up to 27 meters under exceptional circumstances.

This tree is widely appreciated as an ornamental plant due to its attractive flowers and overall appearance. However, it's important to note that the trunk may divide near the ground into multiple branches, which could make it prone to limb breakage. Proper pruning is essential to maintain good branch angles and prevent potential damage over time.

The wood of Cladrastis kentukea is yellow to pale brown and is used in small amounts for specialist furniture, gunstocks, and decorative woodturning. The tree's heartwood, which turns yellow when freshly cut, gave rise to its common name "yellowwood." It's also recognized for its ecological benefits, supporting and attracting bees and butterflies, and has received recognition from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Society of Municipal Arborists for its ornamental value​​​​.

Oleander, Nerium oleander

Nerium oleander, commonly known as oleander, is a versatile shrub or small tree that is widely cultivated in temperate and subtropical regions around the world. Its popularity in landscaping comes from its beautiful and showy flowers, which can range in color from white and pink to red, and its ability to thrive in a variety of challenging conditions.

Oleanders are known for their rapid growth, reaching heights between 6.5 and 19.5 feet and spreading 6 to 10 feet wide, making them suitable for use as screening plants or in the back of borders. The plant has shiny, stout green stems, linear-lanceolate leaves that are 4 to 7 inches long and less than an inch wide, and terminal clusters of 5-petaled flowers that are 1 to 1.5 inches in size​​.

This plant is native to Europe and Asia and is considered an evergreen, maintaining its foliage year-round. It's particularly noted for its tolerance to various conditions, including drought, heat, salty air, and urban pollution. However, oleanders are not frost-tolerant and can suffer damage in colder temperatures​​.

Despite its beauty, it's important to be aware of the plant's toxicity. All parts of the Nerium oleander plant are poisonous if ingested, with potential effects ranging from nausea and vomiting to more severe symptoms such as irregular heart rhythm. Even the sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis upon prolonged contact​​.

Culturally, Nerium oleander prefers full sun to partial shade and does best in soils with good drainage. It's winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10 and can be grown in containers in colder climates, provided it is brought indoors or protected during the winter months. The plant requires low maintenance, making it a favorable choice for many gardeners​​.

In landscaping, oleander can be utilized in various applications such as hedges, screens, foundation plantings, and borders, thanks to its abundant and fragrant flowers and robust nature. It's available in several cultivars, including 'Hardy Pink', which is more cold-tolerant, and 'Petite Pink', a dwarf form with light pink flowers​​​​.

Pasqueflower, Pulsatilla vulgaris

Pasqueflower, known scientifically as Pulsatilla vulgaris, is a captivating species of flowering plant that belongs to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It has a rich history and is often found in calcareous grasslands across Europe, with a wide cultivation in gardens. This species has also been closely related to the genus Anemone and was previously classified under it, with Anemone pulsatilla being a common synonym.

The plant is renowned for its early spring bloom, featuring distinctive upright rhizomes that store food, and long, soft, silver-grey, hairy leaves and stems. It typically grows to a height of 15–30 cm and can reach up to 40 cm when bearing fruit, with roots extending deep into the soil. The leaves are finely dissected and form a rosette that appears alongside the bell-shaped flower in early spring. Following the purple flowers, the plant produces unique silky seed-heads that can persist for many months, adding to its ornamental value.

The pasqueflower is enveloped in myth and folklore, often associated with ancient bloodshed due to its frequent occurrence on old barrows and boundary banks. Recognizing its horticultural and ecological value, this plant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It's designated as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and is considered Vulnerable in Britain.

Culturally, the pasqueflower holds the status of county flower for the English counties of Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. While the typical color of the flowers is purplish, there are variants like the red ('Rubra') and white ('Alba') forms that offer a delightful variation to gardeners and enthusiasts​​​​.