February25_2010

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

Photos - Frames left and right: Looking west from the backyard just after midday - Daniel's Alfalfa field Daniel is in his 80s and still does back breaking work to feed his livestock (frame left, Daniel is bent over, cutting handfuls of alfalfa by hand while his grandson stands and watches).

Center frame: A familiar scene: A roadside cookhouse that sells barbecue goat, pork and chicken to visitors. This one is near the entrance to San Sebastian, about 2 miles from where I stay in San Agustin. Yes, I have eaten food cooked here. Yes, it is good. No, I didn't get sick. If you can watch them for awhile, see what the working habits are, the condition of the meat as it is stored before cooking, you can make an educated decision about eating the food. Chances are, the food from the roadside stand is fresh, from local farmers. Goat is my favorite roadside meal. The locals can be seen herding their goats to feeding grounds on the hill sides - the trick is to watch the roadside stand for awhile an see how much local traffic comes and goes. In fact, I like to sit down for awhile and enjoy a beverage in the shade before I buy anything. After awhile, the folks that run the establishment get used to you being around and go about their normal business. Don't be food by outside appearances. This stand looks terribly primitive, but the food is excellent and the family that runs the place are friendly and clean.

Photos - L-R - San Agustin Etla; A small Euphorbia Pulcherrima (Poinsettia) purchased at a local nursery and planted in the back yard. Euphorbia is a member of the Spurge family and most are poisonous and have caused death to livestock and humans. Many of the weedy varieties, such as the Poinsettia, are distributed throughout USA, Canada and Mexico. Something to keep in mind if you have children who like to taste plants: The Poinsettia plant is poisonous, and has been responsible for several deaths in small children (by eating the leaves) Toxicity is not lost upon drying of the plant... most live stock do not find the plant palatable.

Also in the back yard Persea Americana (Avocado). It is nice when you make a lunchtime salad, to walk out into the yard an select a ripe avocado from the tree to add flavor to your meal. The avocado (Persea Americana), aguacate or palta (Spanish), butter pear or alligator pear, is a tree native to the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and Central America, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel. The name "avocado" also refers to the fruit (technically a large berry that contains a large seed) of the tree which may be egg-shaped or spherical. Avocados are a commercially valuable fruit and are cultivated in tropical climates throughout the world (and some temperate ones, such as California), producing a green-skinned, pear-shaped fruit that ripens after harvesting. Trees are partially self-pollinating and often are propagated through grafting to maintain a predictable quality and quantity of the fruit.

Two vibrant blossomed Bouganvilea shrubs along the side streets in San Agustin. Paper Flower (Bougainvillea glabra), also known as lesser bougainvillea, is the most common species used for bonsai. It has shiny green, slightly hairy leaves and magenta colored bracts. Bougainvillea, a native of Brazil is an evergreen, climbing woody vine. Tiny white flowers usually appear in clusters surrounded by colorful papery bracts, hence the name paper flower. Single and double flower forms are available. The woody trunk tends to be twisted and the thin stem have sharp thorns and dark green leaves. Bougainvilleas can be easily grown as a hedge, an arch or a tree on the ground and in pots. Bougainvilleas available in a variety of species, is ideal for bonsai. Planting Bougainvillea may be grown from root cuttings and branch cuttings. Cuttings can propagate plants easily. Cuttings should be planted in a shady area until they form roots. The shoots, a few inches in length, can be replanted in sandy soil with bottom heat and moisture. Half-ripened or old woodcuttings in six to twelve inch lengths may be rooted April to June. Bougainvillea does best in dry conditions. They need full sunlight, warm weather and well drained soil to flower well.

Photos - L-R - Nearby in San Sebastian a grocery store (Miscelanea Anita) that sells everything from eggs and bread, to bear and candy. It is also has the local telephone and is always busy during opening hours.

A Prickly Pear Cactus tree in San Sebastian - that's Picacho mountain in the background at the right. This type of cactus, along with the organ pipe cactus, are commonly used as fence material along property borders.

Sunset - looking to the west from the back yard - every sunset is unique and glorious. The domestic animals start to moo, he-haw and whinny at this time. The wild life starts to be active, birds look for a place to roost, and the hot day of sunshine cools down to a tolerable state. Sunrise and sunsets are the best time of the day.

Click here for photos of Etla Mexico for this day.