July Butterfly Walk

I led a butterfly walk at the UC Botanical Garden yesterday. There were some cute kids, including these twins with braids. It was cloudy and cool, so very few adults were flying. We saw one cabbage white, and I considered that a great success. Yay!

Theobroma cacao--Cocoa Tree

Cocoa trees grow in tropical areas with lots of heat and humidity. This one is in a greenhouse at the UC Botanical Garden. It seems to be doing okay. Those little white things on the truck are flowers. It does form pods (fruit), but they never seem to mature.

The genus, "Theobroma," means "food of the gods." One would think that such a highly rated comestible would be healthy, and indeed it is. Although it was vilified for years, recent research indicates that it is good and good for you! According to the Mayo webpage cocoa contains antioxidants called flavanols that reduce cell damage, diabetes, stroke and heart attack. In addition, cocoa lowers blood pressure and  improves vascular function, Just remember, refined sugar is bad, so you might want to cultivate a taste for bittersweet chocolate.

Since it is a food of the gods, cocoa can be considered a sacred plant. The Maya had a festival in April in which they sacrificed animals to the cacao god. Men used it as a ritualistic drink. They believed that it was toxic for women and children. That sounds more like sacrilege than sacred to me!

Cedrus Libani--Sacred Plant

This cedar is mentioned in the Bible 75 times. It was used in temples, palaces, ship masts, wardrobes, and chariots. It was also used to purify lepers and circumcise boys. According to the Psalms, the tree was created to glorify god and planted by god. So god planted the cedars to glorify himself? Didn't she plant everything? I'm confused!

Other cultures also used this tree. The Phoenicians used it to build ships and houses. The Egyptians used it in mummification. It was commonly exported. In fact, it was loved to death. Consequently, conservation efforts first started in CE 118 by Hadrian.

As you might guess, the Cedar of Lebanon is a national symbol of Lebanon and is on the flag of that country. Lebanon is called the Land of the Cedars sometimes.

The Cedar of Lebanon has been in use in gardens for hundreds of years. This one is in the UC Botanical Garden.

d

Caterpillar Killers Almost Done

Just a few little tweaks and some color, and this will be done. My graphic artist did a great job illustrating the plants, animals and the pesticide bottle. Now I have to figure out what to say about the different things that are enemies of butterfly larvae. Got any ideas?

Caterpillar Killers, Next Draft

So, I decided to use a spiral as a popup. Then of course it has to be passion vine with Gulf Fritillaries. Although, I suppose there are other possibilities, such as Pipevine Swallowtails on Aristolochia. Still pretty crude. But the idea is there.

Caterpillar Killers

I've started working on a new papercraft. I am thinking of calling it Caterpillar Killers. I love the alliteration, but it seems rather harsh. Maybe Enemies of Caterpillars would be better. It will show a caterpillar on a plant, surrounded by things that could kill it: pesticides, birds, snakes, spiders, parasites, diseases, etc. This is the first try. It has a long ways to go!

Dragonfly

My husband found this dragon fly inside on the floor this morning. I guess it came inside to die. I took it outside and put in on a bouquet on the back deck, and it is still there. Maybe I should try feeding it some insects, but I am just not that dedicated. I wonder what kind it is.