Legend
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Legend
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.
~ Babe Ruth
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Horsetail
Equisetum hyemale (Dutch rush; scouring rush; pewterwort;snake grass;puzzle grass)
Family : Equisetaceae (horsetail)
There are over 20 species of horsetail. This image is of the species Equisetum hyemale, which is native to Canada, the USA, Mexico, Iceland, and Eurasia.
Horsetails are living fossils: these plants have been on earth for hundreds of millions of years. It is one of the plants in the coal deposits of the Carboniferous period (270 million years ago!; These plants know how to survive!).
The medicinal use of horsetail is legendary, dating back to ancient Roman and Greek times when it was used to heal wounds, stop bleeding, and act as a diuretic. In the 17th century, Nicholas Culpeper used it to treat ulcers, kidney stones, and skin inflammations. The North American native peoples used it to treat kidney and bladder ailments, and other urinary problems. Herbalists still used it as a popular remedy today: brittle nails,hair loss,rheumatoid arthritis,gout,gonorrhea,digestive disturbances,bronchitis,lung disorders,tuberculosis,poor teeth and gums,varicose veins,eye inflammations ... the list goes on as to its many healing benefits.
The plant has a reedy exterior, with a high silica content which has made it a popular metal polisher and natural abrasive cleaner. Long ago, it was used to polish pewter and dairy milk pails, pots and pans.
In Sweden, it is used for food for horses.
Some gardeners use horsetail tea for mildew on plants:
2 large handfuls horsetail into a large pan with water; bring to a boil, then
simmer for 20mins. Cool for 24 hours; strain. Dilute with 2 parts water; use
as a spray.
Horsetail reproduces by spores, rather than seeds.
Sources:
Country Wisdom [R.Richardson]
and thankyou, Google!
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There aren't many places I in the neighbourhood and surrounding parks,woodlands, and forests where I do not see horsetail sprouting, both in the shade and in full sunlight.
This image was taken of a very large plant, with a focus to the details of its reedy exterior stems .... captured in natural light, unedited, uncropped .. nature in all its splendour.
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
Macro Marvels
Greeting Cards For All Occasions
All Aspects Of Abstract Art
All images are copyright Connie Handscomb
Thank you for for respecting the copyright.
All Rights Reserved
Uploaded
April 24th, 2016
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Comments (32)
Cheryl Rose
I am a long time fan of horsetails. They are so beautiful (and in control.) I love this macro abstract of these amazing reeds! Beautiful capture, Connie! l/f/tw :))
Connie Handscomb replied:
While I've used the horsetail medicinally, I'm a late bloomer : my eyes have only recently been opened to this specimen ... in control of itself :) {unlike our out of control weather... Cheryl, in March alone, we had rain 28 of the 31 days! } ... ; I'm so pleased you like this image; have a beautiful day ... full of Sunshine ☀️ :)).
Jean OKeeffe Macro Abundance Art
Fabulous! Original and creative work Connie, a fun piece to study texture and color. Go girl! FL
Connie Handscomb replied:
Jean, thank you so very much! I think I took your lovely comment literally ... I did go!! {away again for a while .. hopefully my absences will be curtain themselves ... soon} :)))
Dianne Cowen
Revisiting your galleries, Connie. You have a special way of making the simplest of nature's gifts into a vision !~ Love this bamboo grove... Have always been intrigued by them. Well done !~ l/f
Connie Handscomb replied:
OK, then, Dianne ...so, I've been missing in action here .... again; so wonderful to see your kind comment, thank you so much for such beautiful words! {btw, not a bamboo .. .this is a giant horsetail .. yep, a big one} :))
Morris Finkelstein
Beautiful image of reeds which span the dof of the lens. The colors, details, and composition are fabulous. F/L
Lexa Harpell
Fabulous dof and such a serene, beautiful capture Connie! Love the soft tones! :)
Connie Handscomb replied:
It does look serene, Lexa ... yet, this is one very sturdy plant; so pleased you like it, thank you so much! :))
Bill Morgenstern
I love this image of Horsetail or Scouring Rush. Selective focus here really gives this image life. Due to the high silica content this plant also is used to clean like a scouring pad when crushed. As a potter I have collected this plant when it is dried out to burn as a source ash in making ash glaze for high fire stoneware ceramics. The Laurel and Black Duck cultures of the Rainy River District in Northern Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario would use horsetail as a tool to decorate their ceramic pots by pushing the reed slightly into the upper sides of their pots to form punctate patterns. I have seen the distinct striations of the reeds in these decorative patterns on pot shards from both cultures. I hope you don't mind my rambling. I just wanted to share this with you. Your image, L&F
Connie Handscomb replied:
A fabulous comment, Bill! I may just be taking some of it for my description .... you've added some wonderful information here; thank you so much for it .. & for your wonderful support :))
Hartmut Jager
Connie, with your fabulous and and great expert Art-Photos - you are a Legend yourself ! :-)
Connie Handscomb replied:
Haha! ....I'm a legend at being slow to reply! thank you for your kind visit, Hartmut :))
Deyanira Harris
So beautiful Image dear Connie and thank you so much for the description , :-) Take care !!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you for being the wonderful person ... .& support ... that you are, Deyanira ;))
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