Green Power is a photograph by Connie Handscomb which was uploaded on April 3rd, 2015.
Title
Green Power
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Wild Spurge
(Euphorbia corollata)
There are nearly 1,000 species of this plant.
Indian Rubber and Castor oil plants also belong to the order Euphorbioie.
Its name is derived from the favourite physician of the King of Mauritania, Euphorbus.
"Spurge" - from Latin 'expurgare' ; to act as a purgative
There are several varieties of this dense evergreen shrub. They grow commonly in the wild, and I think our neighbourhood here is a spurge 'sanctuary', there are so many around! It has a rich showing of lime-green 'flowers' (bracts) in the spring and early summer, which are really modified leaves. The real flower is a very small, yellow 'button'.
Medicinally, it is very powerful. It is the acrid juice, particularly, that is used as a curative but given as it is also poisonous, only the most experienced herbalist or apothecary should use. The sap - even if dried - contains a latex which is toxic if ingested. It is extremely irritating to the skin and can cause severe inflammation (caution: no contact with the eyes - blindness has been known to occur - or open cuts). A small bundle of Irish Spurge has been known to kill fish for many miles down a river. Any prolonged or regular contact with spurge sap is carcinogenic (gardeners beware).
However, on the positive side: the root is edible and, apparently, palatable. The poisonous juice can kill in minutes; however it is dissipated by intense heat. Therefore, once the juice is drained and the root baked, it can be used to make a bread (as with the South American Manioc; the starch Tapioca is produced by washing the fresh pulp).
The dried root is a strong purgative that works when others fail. Bruised roots in an infusion are used for urinary diseases. Experienced healers rub the plant juice on skin for treating sores and boils, on cracked or chapped lips, and for removing warts ('wart weed') and corns. It has been used for intestinal worms, venereal diseases, ear-ache, rheumatism, respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and asthma, for promoting lactation for nursing mothers, for treating snakebites and dengue fever . Ointments have been made; extracts (the crushed flower - not the sap! - can heal eye infections); tinctures (for diarrhea); and decoctions (for cancer).
In Morocco, it is an ingredient of ships' paint, used to preseve the boats' bottoms.
Chemically, all the components of spurge have not yet been defined - the acrid property has yet to be determined. What is known for sure is that it has gallic acid, quercetin, an essential oil, a resin.
It is a danger, and a healer, both: used the wrong way, it can kill you; used the right way, it can save you.
Sources:
Gerard's Herbal : John Gerard's Historie of Plants
A Gardener's Guide to Flowering Shrubs
Internet: (1) Natural Medicinal Herbs ; (2) Herbal Simples (3) Botanical:A Modern Herbal
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
The Green Paradise
Color Wonderful Photography
Monochrome Mania
Premium FAA Artists
The Artistic Forager
Macro Photography
Monochrome Mania
Premium FAA Artists
10 Plus
All About Nature
Medicinal Plants
Pure Macro
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Taken in natural light ; unaltered ; Uncropped, : Nature in all its natural splendour.
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Uploaded
April 3rd, 2015
More from Connie Handscomb
Comments (58)
Connie Handscomb
Michael African Visions, thank you! so very much for featuring this image in Medicinal Plants ;)))
Sarah Rachel
Green power indeed! Great title :-) your work is so enchanting. I love it L/F
Connie Handscomb replied:
Sarah, thank you! what a lovely comment; I do appreciate hearing what others think & am especially grateful when the words are kind .. an enormous boost for me; a lovely weekend to you :)))
Lucinda Walter
Gorgeous shot with beautiful colors and details. l/f
Connie Handscomb replied:
Lovely Lucinda; Hello again & thank you again! always a pleasure to see you :)))
Mo Barton
Wonderful details, so often overlooked!
Connie Handscomb replied:
So true, Mo! ..& some of its medicinal qualities are too, I think ..{I learned a lot more about it than I thought I was there!}; thank you so much for your visit & support :)))
Connie Handscomb
Stefano, thank you! for featuring this image in 10 Plus ... {almost missed you there...} ; grateful :))
Connie Handscomb
Alexandria, Thank you! really appreciate your featuring this image in The Artistic Forager :)))
Connie Handscomb
Dan, Hello! Friday Greetings! & very many thanks for featuring this image in Premium FAA Artists :)))
Caitlyn Grasso
Euphorbia is one of my favorites! Beautifully done! L/F
Connie Handscomb replied:
Is it really, Caitlyn? I love Green .. I have always liked this as well .. we have so much of it here, common as a dandelion ... & then one day, I looked at it through the lens, & realized it has a phenomenal shape/light to play with. Thank you so much for appreciating the image, truly grateful :)))
Roger Wedegis
Gorgeous macro! Wonderful detail! L/F
Connie Handscomb replied:
Hello, Roger! How kind of you to come & visit, much appreciated & very many thanks for your support :)))
Connie Handscomb
Neal, I almost missed you! {& that would be naughty of me!} ; thank you! for featuring this image in Macro Photography :)))
Connie Handscomb
Alexandria, top of a new week to you, & thank you! for featuring this image in The Artistic Forager :)))
Connie Handscomb
Thank you so much, Charlotte! really appreciate your featuring this image in Monochrome Mania :)))
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