March02_2010

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

Photos - These are views from the northern end of Monte Alban Archeological site in Oaxaca Mexico - frame looks southeast toward the City of Oaxaca, frame right looks north toward the Etla Valley and several Agave plants growing on the hillside. Center frame is a close up of Stachys Betonica (Betonies) which is cultivated as a border or edging perennial with purple flowers that are quite popular. The leaves of most varieties are rounded to oval in shape with a layer of fuzz on the outside - the more well known varieties are the Silver Carpet and Lamb's Tongue.

Photos - Monte Alban has many sites of ruins that still have not been restored or explored in any great extent. These buildings were probably dwelling places of well-to-do citizens at Monte Alban. That's Oaxaca City in the Background in frame right - the house would have been a very desirable lodging in prime real estate back in its heyday.

Photos - L-R - A mound of a partially restored pyramid behind some steps at the northern section of Monte Alban.

Piles of Rock left over from restorations - typically, the restorations of these archeological sites incorporate mortar to keep the stones in place, and the design of the buildings are historically accurate. But, classic buildings were constructed by using fitted stone without mortar.

Looking north toward Etla Valley and the northern edge of Oaxaca City.

Click here for more photos of Monte Alban for this day.