March13_2010

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

Photos - Frames left and right: La Corona hill is located a short distance from the mouth of El Rio Valley and overlooks the Etla Valley to the North, South and West. At the Peak of La Corona Hill there is barely evidence of an old stone structure from the Late Classic (ca. AD 500-750) period influenced by the Monte Albán IIIB/IV phase. The whole area area influenced by Monte Alban consists of the three large valleys: the Tlacolula Valley to the east, the Etla Valley to the north, and the Zimatlán-Ocotlán Valley to the south, all fertile agricultural regions.

Center frame: In contrast to the harsh, almost desertlike dryness of the hills, El Rio Valley and it's mouth is covered in lush green foliage. This is a Datura Suaveolens (Angel Trumpet) tree with beautiful white blossoms dropping down from branches. Large shrub introduced from Mediterranean and similar warm climates (Grown in Southern USA and Hawaii), fairly hardy, will adjust and survive in cooler, sunny areas such as Pacific Coast, Vancouver area climate. They are grown for the (to 1 ft. long) trumpet-like white flowers. All parts, particularly the seeds and leaves contain the alkaloides hyoscyamine, atropine, and hyoscine (scopolamine). Poisoning symptoms include thirst, pupil dilation, dry mouth, redness of skin, headache, hallucinations, nausea, rapid pulse, high bloodpressure, delirium, convulsions, coma and death. Children have been poisoned by sucking nectar from the flowers, eating seeds or making tea from the leaves. In one case a young child (In the Southern USA) suffered from delirium, vomiting and hallucinations just from touching the flowers and not washing his hands.

Usage: Leaves are sometimes smoked. Small amount of seed can be pulverized and added to drinks as in the Algonquin ritual.

Effects: described as "delirium". Leaves are hallucinogenic and hypnotic. Seeds cause mental confusion and delirium followed by deep sleep with colorful hallucinations. Excessive amounts are toxic. May cause blacking out and severe headaches. Yaqui Indian brujos say it causes insanity. This substance is generally considered dangerous.

Photos - Frames left and right: Another area where locals have tried to dig down to excavate a section of ruins on top of La Corona (frame left), and a view to the northwest toward the west where highway 190 cuts through the top of the frame going north to south.

Center frame: A large Philodendrum leaf in San Agustin. The Philodendrum is native of Brazil but can be seen growing wild in certain areas through Mexico (especially through the mountain areas along highway 175, and overgrown coastal jungle areas along highway 200). This large-leaved, easily-grown philodendron makes a dramatic, tropical statement wherever it is used in the landscape, eventually developing a three to four-foot long treelike trunk and a spread of 8 to 10 feet. The deeply divided, usually drooping, medium green leaves grow up to three feet long and 12 to 18 inches wide, appearing on long, smooth petioles. It can be grown outside in central and south Florida, and in a protected area in Gainesville or Jacksonville.

Photos - Frames left and center: A beautiful 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.

Frame right: Carica Papaya (Papaya, tree melon) with a single fruit dangling below the leaf mass, high above the San Agustin side street in someone's back yard. The papaya is believed to be native to southern Mexico and neighboring Central America. It is now present in every tropical and subtropical country.

The papaya is a short-lived, fast-growing, woody, large herb to 10 or 12 feet in height. It generally branches only when injured. All parts contain latex. The hollow green or deep purple trunk is straight and cylindrical with prominent leaf scars. Its diameter may be from 2 or 3 inches to over a foot at the base. The leaves emerge directly from the upper part of the stem in a spiral on nearly horizontal petioles 1 to 3-1/2 feet long. The blade, deeply divided into 5 to 9 main segments, varies from 1 to 2 feet in width, and has prominent yellowish ribs and veins. The life of a leaf is 4 to 6 months.

The five petal flowers are fleshy, waxy and slightly fragrant. Some plants bear only short-stalked female flowers, or bisexual (perfect) flowers also on short stalks, while others may bear only male flowers, clustered on panicles 5 or 6 feet long. Some plants may have both male and female flowers. Others at certain seasons produce short-stalked male flowers, at other times perfect flowers. This change of sex may occur temporarily during high temperatures in midsummer. Male or bisexual plants may change completely to female plants after being beheaded. Certain varieties have a propensity for producing certain types of flowers. For example, the Solo variety has flowers of both sexes 66% of the time, so two out of three plants will produce fruit, even if planted singly. How pollination takes place in papayas is not known with certainty. Wind is probably the main agent, as the pollen is light and abundant, but flies and moths may assist. Hand pollination is sometimes necessary to get a proper fruit set.

Click here for photos of Cuilapan de Guerrero for this day.