I'm working on a new lecture/walk-and-talk combination. This weekend, I spoke to some fellow herbalists (it was a day of sharing) about an inconspicuous and ubiquitous shrub here in the Sonoran desert, Ambrosia deltoidea... also known as triangle-leaf bursage or just simply burr sage.

Bursage is just about everywhere you step in the desert at this elevation (1200 feet.) If you're out in the desert, you'll probably pass right by it thinking its another plant that's succumbed to the desert drought. Not so. It may look dead, but this little plant who's name means "immortal" will spring back to it's grey-green color with a good rain.

Bursage acts as a nurse plant to many of the more recognizable inhabitants, like the Saguaro cactus. For the first few years, Saguaro and other plants need shelter from the blazing sun, howling wind, and other less pleasant aspects of our desert. Ambrosia provides that shelter, and it's not uncommon to find a nursing species growing underneath just about every Ambrosia shrub you find; if you look hard enough.

The lecture will consist of probably about 10 plants, but focus more on the spiritual and physical aspects of the plant, in an effort to give the students a better understanding about the plant as a companion species on this planet. I'm sure we'll talk medicinal qualities as well, but these aspects will be de-emphasized for this lesson. I really enjoyed this Saturday's talk and am looking forward to expanding the offering of plants.