Bee Atracting Plants St. John's Wort (Hypericum sp.) Madicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat

Blog 172-365

Hypericums are excellent nectar plants. The full grown shrub attracts an assortment of bumblebees.

There are several species of this flowering shrub found throughout the world in warm temperate to tropical climates. St. John's Wort is common in the savanna areas . It can grow on dry, disturbed soil, and benefits from fire ecology, growing quickly and robust after savanna fires. 

Medicinal Uses

Scientific research has found that certain species of St. John's Wort were an effective antidepressant in the treatment of mild and moderate depression. 

• Besides depression, St. John’s wort has also been tried for many other conditions in which prescription antidepressants are thought useful, 

•  such as attention deficit disorder , 
• anxiety , 
•  insomnia , 
• menopausal symptoms , 
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS) , 
• seasonal affective disorder (SAD) , 
• and social phobia.
• One substantial double-blind study did find St. John's wort potentially helpful for somatoform disorders (commonly called psychosomatic illnesses).

 
The genus has a nearly worldwide distribution, missing only from tropical lowlands, deserts and polar regions. All members of the genus may be referred to as St. John's wort, though they are also commonly just called hypericum, and some are known as tutsan. The marsh St. John's-worts are nowadays separated into the genus Triadenum.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum sp.) can be planted in full sun or part shade. Best growth occurs in full sun, but afternoon or dappled shade can help to prevent leaf burn and wilt in hot, humid climates. Well-drained soil is best as hypericums can be susceptible to root rot.

Ocotillo- Fouquieria splendens Desert Trees Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 171- 365

Fouquieria splendens (commonly known as ocotillo, but also referred to as coachwhip, candlewood, slimwood, desert coral, Jacob's Staff, Jacob Cactus, and vine cactus) is a plant indigenous to the Sonoran Desert in Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

Ocotillo is not a true cactus. For much of the year, the plant appears to be an arrangement of large spiny dead sticks, although closer examination reveals that the stems are partly green. With rainfall the plant quickly becomes lush with small (2–4 cm) ovate leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months.
Individual stems may reach a diameter of 5 cm at the base, and the plant may grow to a height of 10 m.

Cultivation


Planting ocotillo can be done the year around with care. Ideal ocotillo plants have been grown from stem cuttings or from seed. Transplanting large bare-root plants has marginal success. They should be planted to the original growing depth and, as with cacti, in their original directional orientation. The original south side of the plant, which has become more heat and sunlight-resistant, should again face the brighter, hotter southern direction. If their direction is not marked, success is again limited.

Uses

• Individual ocotillo stems are sometimes used as poles as a fencing material in their native region, and often take root to form a living fence.
• Owing to their light weight and interesting pattern, ocotillo branches have been used for canes or walking sticks.
• Fresh flowers are sometimes used in salads and have a tangy flavor.
• Flowers are collected, dried, and used for tisanes.

Medicinal Uses
According to Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West (a book published in 1989 by Museum of New Mexico Press), a fresh bark tincture can be made by chopping or snipping freshly removed bark into 1/2 inch pieces.

• It is useful for those symptoms that arise due to fluid congestion. It is absorbed from the intestines into the mesenteric lymph system by way of the lacteals of the small intestinal lining. This stimulates better visceral lymph drainage into the thoracic duct and improves dietary fat absorption into the lymph system.

• Relief of fatigue by bathing in water which contains crushed flowers or roots.
• Many native American Indian tribes report that the flowers and roots of ocotillo are commonly placed over fresh wounds to slow bleeding.
• Ocotillo is also used to alleviate coughing, 
• achy limbs, 
• varicose veins, 
• urinary tract infections, 
• cervical varicosities and 
• benign prostate growths (Moore 1989).

Habitat

 

Open, stony, well-drained desert slopes below 5,000 feet.
Habitat Preferred: Rocky slopes, mountainsides, desert areas 

Other names for the Ocotillo include:

• Candlewood
• Slimwood
• Coachwhip
• Vine Cactus
• Flamingsword
• Jacob's Staff

The Great Green Wall initiative Africa

By Liliana Usvat

Blog 170-365

While countries that have forest use forest management to promote logging and lend land to companies that destroy forest on industrial scale other parts of the globe feel the result of environmental destruction  trough desertification poverty and desert storms.

A pan-African proposal to “green” the continent from west to east in order to battle desertification.  It aims at tackling poverty and the degradation of soils in the Sahel-Saharan region, focusing on a strip of land of 15 km (9 mi) wide and 7,100 km (4,400 mi) long from Dakar to Djibouti.  

Populations in Sahelian Africa are among the poorest and most vulnerable to climatic variability and land degradation.  They depend heavily on healthy ecosystems for rainfed agriculture, fisheries, and livestock management to sustain their livelihoods.  These constitute the primary sectors of employment in the region and generate at least 40 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in most of the countries.

The vision of a great green wall to combat ecological degradation was conceived in 2005 by the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the idea was strongly supported by President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal. The vision evolved into an integrated ecosystem management approach in January 2007, when the African Union adopted declaration 137 VIII, approving the “Decision on the Implementation of the Green Wall for the Sahara Initiative”. In June 2010, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan signed a convention in Ndjamena, Chad, to create the Great Green Wall (GGW) Agency .

There are money allocated to these initiative. The cost of this project $758,152,000 (USD)
As long as the money are not used to bring more debt to these nations, and not spent on conferences hotels restaurants of those that pretend to make decisions the idea is good.

My suggestion is to give ownership of the land to families that would take care of the land after is planted with trees, surfaces that can be managed by one family.
Also introducing permaculture concept and principles to th  reforested areas.
It is not too late to create a better society and plant more forests and make logging a thing of the past. We depend on the forest.

Senegal begins planting the Great Green Wall against climate change

The acacia trees here are just four years old, waist high and thorny. The trees are surrounded by a firewall and a metal fence to keep out tree-eating goats. All of the trees were chosen carefully. Sarr says, "When we design a parcel we look at the local trees and see what can best grow there, we try to copy Nature."

 
Two million trees are planted in Senegal each year; but all of them must be planted during the short rainy season. Labourers plant acacia saplings in the sand along with animal manure for fertiliser. Sarr points to a three feet tall tree. "This one is Acacia nilotica. It produces Arabic gum used in local medicine and a fruit that can be eaten by animals."

The Great Green Wall has received a total of 1.8 billion dollars from the World Bank and another 108 million dollars from the Global Environment Facility.   Again the difference is if is a grand or a mortgage on the future.

Senegal is currently the furthest along with the Great Green Wall. They've planted roughly 50,000 acres of trees in addition to protecting existing trees. It's been successful so far in Senegal.

Tappan has spent 30 years working in the region and admits he was shocked by the transformation: "In 2006 we did a big field trip across Niger and were just blown away by the vastness of this re-greening."

The trees should be "drought-adapted species", preferably native to the areas planted, the Great Green Wall website says, listing 37 suitable species.

The initiative says it hopes the trees will slow soil erosion; slow wind speeds and help rain water filter into the ground, to stop the desert from growing.
It also says a richer soil content will help communities across the Sahel who depend on land for grazing and agriculture.

Trees

• Prevention of shifting sand dunes is accomplished through plantations of Acacia tortilis near Laxmangarh town. 

 

• There are few local tree species suitable for planting in the desert region and these are slow growing. The introduction of exotic tree species in the desert for plantation has become necessary. Many species of Eucalyptus, 

• Acacia, 

• Cassia 

 

and other genera from , Australia, US, Russia, Zimbabwe, Chile, Peru, and Sudan have been tried in the Thar Desert.

•  Acacia tortilis has proved to be the most promising species for desert greening. 

 

• The jojoba is another promising species of economic value which has been found suitable for planting in these areas.

 

Other desert trees that can be used

•  Museum Palo VerdeCercidium-parkinsonia hybrid
• 
  
  
  
  Very fast growing hybrid version of the classic Palo Verde. Provides the unique green trunks of the original only it grows faster, is cleaner, blooms better and has no thorns. 
• Texas Ebony Pithecellobium flexicaule
• 
  Native to the arid desert, this highly decorative tree produces beautiful cream colored, fragrant flower clusters that bloom in the the late Spring and accent the trees twisting branches. 
• Ocotillo- Fouquieria splendens
  Ocotillos are used more as a unique desert-themed accent tree. This tree's looks can't be compared to anything else. Long canes of desert green, blooming fiery red at the tips make it a must for desert style landscapes    
• Blue Palo Verde Cercidium floridum
  This is the classic Palo Verde that has been growing in the Southwest USA for centuries. It's very well adapted to the desert and sports green trunks
• Acacia Saligna These Acacias grow a very wide umbrella-shaped canopy that provides filtered shade year round. They are a very fast growing tree with great durability to heat and cold. 
• Ironwood Olneya tesota The exceptionally hardy Ironwood tree makes an excellent choice for desert style landscapes. Unique trunk patterns, purple blooms, and foliage color.
• Sweet Acacia Acacia smallii This Sonoran native is well know for its beautiful and aromatic blooms during early spring. It serves as a great shade tree, especially during the hot summer months.
• Chilean Mesquite Prosopis chilenis (hybrid) Desert tree, this is a thornless variety of mesquite that provides lots of shade and grows very fast. They look great and can be planted just about anywhere.  
• Chilean Mesquite  Vitex Vites angus-castus Vitex trees provide a bit of shade and have a fantastic bloom period. Flowers appear as spikes of purple across the entire tree, and are known to attract butterflies. The complicated trunk structure is unique to the Vitex. Vitex details.
• Willow Acacia Acacia salicina Unique silver-blue leaves with a slightly weeping appearance make this tree useful for many landscape styles. Plant anywhere you need a large tree to grow quickly.  Willow Acacia details. 
• Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis  Greatly resembling a Willow, they show incredible blooms throughout the late summer and into mid-fall. 
• Shoestring Acacia Acacia stenophylla. A very unique evergreen desert tree! This extremely fast growing tree provides a tall, year-round weeping effect while using minimal water. These require very little pruning and cleanup. 
• Palo Brea Cercidium praecox This Sonoran native features unique green trunks that twist and turn to form interesting, irregular patterns throughout the tree.  Makes a fantastic focal point and provides great shade as well.

 

• Mulga Acacia Acacia aneura Native to the arid regions of Australia, this is a unique, medium size tree. Very interesting silver leaves give it the right color for all desert .
• Sissoo Tree  Dalbergia sissoo
  Closely resembling an Aspen, the Sissoo is perfectly at home in Arizona and thrives in ultra hot conditions. These trees grow very rapidly after planting