Knowing the plants

Words of wisdom from Joyce recently posted on an herbal discussion group we both belong to:

I remember in my early stages of plant ID becoming very proud of myself for remembering many of the latin names and use info I was accumulating. Walking through a swamp one day, saw a patch of Iris versicolor. Named itin my head parts to use, application, etc and walked right by.

Caught myself about 50 feet later. Had I stopped to smell the flower? examine the unopened buds? Was midday and muggy - did that effect the quality of the flower, make the leaves more - or less - upright? Was anyone pollinating the plant, what where the other plants growing nearby? any animal track or sign on or nearby... and what might it indicate? etc. How much did I miss by naming the plant and continuing on? I my have known the name and identity of the species - bit I knew NOTHING about that particular individual plant in its particular environment.

I'll keep that in mind as I take my herb walk this morning!

Posted by Evo Terra at January 25, 2004 09:46 AM | TrackBack (0)