Purple Fleece
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Purple Fleece
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
Pasque flower : Heath Anemone
(Pulsatilla vulgaris; Pulsatilla patens)
(former classification: Anemone pulsatilla ) (Anemone patens L.)
from Greek "anemos" - wind
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Common Names: meadow anemone; windflower
Although it doesn't look anything like a buttercup, it does belongs to that family. And while we may not ever think of it as an herb: it is. It was named by John Gerard because its bloom coincided with Easter time.
This lovely plant likes moist meadows, prairies, and woodlands. So delicate and gentle this herb looks but please note: it is quite toxic when it is fresh. It contains a compound called ranunculin, which is a potent poison. Also, crushing or cutting the plant tissues releases an enzyme that changed ranunculin into protoanemonin, a volatile, highly irritating oil which can cause skin irritation or blistering. Dried, the plant toxins break down into a nontoxic herb. Only skilled practitioners should use this!
It was very popular centuries ago, and is in frequent use in modern herbal medicine in our modern day, incl rheumatism, cough, nervous distress, insomnia, female reproductive ailments, urinary tract problems, indigestion, headaches, retinal disorders, cataracts, glaucoma, amoebic dysentery,asthma, earache, and more. The European species (Pulsatilla pratensis) is used for inflammatory and infectious skin diseases, gastrointestinal & urinary tract disorders, migraines, and neuralgia.
Source:
A Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern And Central N. America [Foster, Duke]
National Geographic Desk Reference to Nature's Medicin [Foster & Johnson]
The Holistic Herbal [David Hoffman]
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Taken in natural light ; unaltered ; Uncropped, : Nature in all its natural splendour.
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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to FAA groups for featuring this image :
Visions Of Spring
Macro Marvels
Beautiful Flowers (incl. Administrator's Pick of the Day)
10 Plus
Medicinal Plants
All About Nature
The Niche
Wild Flowers
Global Flowers Photography
500 Views
The Most Beautiful Flowers Photography
Uploaded
April 21st, 2015
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Viewed 1,376 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/25/2024 at 9:16 AM
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Comments (59)
Connie Handscomb
Beth, thank you! for featuring this image in The Most Beautiful Flowers Photography :))
Connie Handscomb
Huge thanks to you, Jasna! for featuring this image in Global Flowers Photography :))
RussianArtists NewWave
Your macro flowers are truly pure elegance with much taste, Connie! Exquisite!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you so much! oh, you have no idea how lovely your comment is ... a boost to me! :))
Connie Handscomb
Ed, Hello! & thank you! for featuring this image in Wild Flowers; the very best to you .. :))
Venetta Archer
This is so lovely Connie!
Connie Handscomb replied:
Late thanks to you, Venetta! {from the one who is always trying to catch up!} :)))
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