Magnolia Sunrise
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Magnolia Sunrise
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Our greatest strength lies in the gentleness and tenderness of our heart.
~ Rumi
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Magnolia
Family : Magnoliaceae
These showy blooms are one of the first blooms ever in existence, and while their ancient history offers us beauty and scent to appreciate in our gardens today, they also have a history of medicinal use. The American aboriginals used the bark to make a wash for sores and to treat heat wash. It was also used in steam baths, after it was crushed, for water retention. The Mexicans used the seeds as a sedative (they contain magnolol and honokiol). The Chinese have used the bark & flowers as a tonic in traditional Chinese medicine. The fruits are used as a digestive tonic, high blood pressure, heart problems muscle spasms and epilepsy.
Magnolias need beetles to pollinate.
They can live a long time - to 100 years, and they can grow quite large - the Makgnolia campbellii in the Himalayas can grow upwards to 150 ft.
In ancient China, these flowers were thought to be the perfect symbols of womanly beauty and gentleness.
Source:
Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America : Peterson Field Guide [Foster & Duke]
The Botanical Garden: Trees and Shrubs [Phillips and Rix]
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In our home, mornings are a quiet time. It has always been a habit to rise a little earlier, to allow for a time of peace and reflection before heading out about our business of the day, which is often hectic. It allows us a chance to centre and ground ourselves.
Morning light is magical; it is luminous. It is soft and diffused, with a warm glow.
My original macro floral image digitally enhanced to exemplify the gentle start of Miss Magnolia's day.
Uploaded
May 18th, 2019
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