Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Frescura

Frescura also known as the artillery plant/fern


Scientific Name: Pilea microphylla
Spanish Name: Frescura
English Name: Artillery plant, Gunpowder plant

Essential plant used in Omiero.

Plant Name: When the seeds of a Mature artillery plant are ripe, they will explode into the air, hence the name, artillery plant.

- William Irizarry
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Camphor plant

Camphor plant or Alcanfor


Scientific Name: Ocimum kilimanscharicum
Spanish Name: Alcanfor
English Name: Camphor, Camphor Basil

My Grandmother-In law was so KIND as to bring a piece of this with her from her last trip to Puerto Rico.

This camphor oil extract from this plant is what is used commercially to create "camphor". Camphor is a natural insect repellent more specifically moths. It has many medicinal uses such as; inflammation, skin irritations and many other Topical uses.
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Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Avocado Exeriment #2

Ok so the first experiment failed. On the 12th of October I planted an Avocado pit in dirt, it germinated but failed to produce a root base, hence it withered and died. Today we happen to have two ripe yummy Avocados in the house. I'm going to try the modern method of placing the lower portion of the pit in water until the root appears. Wish me luck!

Day 1 - November 2nd 2011

No tooth-picks, the container is the perfect size.
The lower portion is submerged in water.


UPDATE: 12-21-2011 - DAY 50



Took a while but the roots are growing well another two weeks and the pit should completely split and sprout.


UPDATE: 4/6/12 - 156 DAYS LATER

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Saturday, October 22, 2011

Cordobán

Cordobán, is a principal plant used in Omiero, baños and many other applications.



Scientific Name: Rhoeo spathacea
Spanish Name: Cordobán
English Name: Moses-in-the-Cradle, Boat Lily, Oyster plant

Care: Can grow in full sun or full shade, water regularly. Note: leaves can produce a irritating secretion
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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Algodon

Algodon, Cotton in English (leaves) is widely used in Omiero, Banos and many other applications

These are three Cotton seedlings, will update photo with growth




Update: 7/10/12



Two Cotton Bulbs


42 Seeds from those two bulbs


Pure Cotton




Scientific Name: Many species of Cotton (Gossypium barbadense)
Spanish Name: Algodon
English Name: Cotton
Lukumi Name: Oun

Care: Full sun, regular watering
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Monday, October 17, 2011

Fruta Bomba

Fruta Bomba, Papaya in English, is a tropical fruit bearing tree. Fruta Bomba is used for Rogacion and Addimu.




Scientific Name: Carica papaya
Spanish Name: Fruta Bomba, Papaya
English Name: Papaya 

Care: Full sun, moist soil
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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Atiponla

Atiponla



Scientific Name: Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia Diffusa
Spanish Name:  Toston
English Name: Hog Weed, Red Spiderling
Lucumi Name: Ewé Atiponla

Orisha: Eleguá, Ọbàtálá, Chàngó
Odù: Iwori Ojuani, Odi Meji, Odi Irosun, Iroson Ka, Irosun Trupon, Okana Irosun, Osa Fun, Ofun Nalbe

Uses: Another principal plant used in Omiero, Inche Osaín, Ebomisi, Carga and Paraldo.

Medicinal: Infusion of this plant can be used to treat stomach pain. 



A transplanted Atiponla (not very easy to do).
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