* * *
MAGNOLIA
Magnoliaceae
An Ancient Beauty
Magnolia, named after French botanist Pierre Magnol, belongs to a genus of flowering plants that includes a number of different magnolia species. Plants in the group have gone by many names, including beaver tree, Indian bark, Chinese magnolia, and swamp laurel. Depending on the type, magnolia plants can grow as shrubs or full trees. The genus has an ancient lineage, with some fossils indicating the plant dates as far back as far as ninety-five million years.
Magnolias owe their wide popularity to their beautiful flowers. The official state flower of Mississippi and Louisiana, magnolias are also the former state’s official tree. Indeed, there are so many of these trees in Mississippi, its nickname is “the Magnolia State.” The much-heralded flowers can be white, red, pink, purple, or yellow, and most bloom in early spring before the plants’ leaves open. These leaves come in diverse shapes and are evergreen or deciduous, depending on the species. All magnolia species, however, produce large flowers of striking beauty, which also fill the air with a delicate fragrance.
Magnolias prefer open areas and don’t fare well in crowded forests. This has less to do with resource competition and more to do with free-flowing air; without enough wind circulation (which thickets of other plants can certainly hinder), the plant is much more liable to succumb to diseases. One of the magnolia’s worst enemies is a powdery mildew that forms on its branches and can be a huge detriment to the plant if not dried out by the wind. Moist soil is important to magnolias, which explains why one so often sees mulch spread at the base of landscaped trees.
Although people value it most for its flowers, the magnolia also has other uses. The Chinese and Japanese have found uses for the plant in the treatment of asthma, cough, headache, stress, anxiety, weight loss, abdominal pain, and stomach problems. In Japan, the leaves of magnolia plants are used for wrapping food and in cooking numerous types of entrees. As a lumber, the magnolias provide a soft, cream-colored wood that is used for intricate carvings, furnishings, and moldings. Most trees of this species grow naturally in East and Southeast Asia, which is why the mentioned remedies, as well as the magnolia lumber trade, are so localized in the region. North America, Central America, and West India are also all hotbeds of magnolia growth, and even South America boasts an abundance of certain species. Although these plants are everywhere, only a few species are grown as foliage or decorative plants.
* * *
Plant an Ancient Tree Today
When planting a magnolia, you must pick the site carefully. All magnolias prove difficult to move once established, since digging around their roots can severely injure or even kill them. Many grow huge, very tall, and heavily branched. Thus you should pick an area that has plenty of open space. Magnolias will never look their best if crowded together, so keep this in mind when planting. The soil should be fairly rich, well drained, and with a pH between neutral and slightly acidic. Most magnolia trees and shrubs will require full or at least partial shade, and they will need regular waterings in order to thrive.
* * *
* * *
The Bee or the Flower?
The magnolia might answer the question of which came first, the flower or the bee. Since the plant most certainly arose long before the evolution of bees—as well as any blooming flower—the dispute can be put to rest. Botanists believe flowers developed at first to attract beetles to do the pollination work.
* * *
MANGO
Mangifera indica
The Ancient Smoothie Plant
The mango tree is an African evergreen, cultivated primarily in tropical climates and known best for its edible fruit, the succulent mango. There are at least 27 species of mango tree that bear edible fruits, and countless hybrids and cultivated varieties. In ideal conditions, the tree has a long life span, with some bearing baskets and bushels of bulbous fruit for three hundred years. The common mango tree grows large, reaching heights of 115 to 130 feet. Its branches and foliage can spread to a diameter of around 65 feet. It stands out among other trees due to its towering size and dark leaves.
The leaves of Magnifera indica are evergreen and fairly hefty, with lengths of 6 to 14 inches and widths of 3 to 7 inches. Brand-new leaves are orange or pink, although they rapidly change to a glossy red when they begin to mature. When completely mature, the leaves turn a deep green.
The flowers of the mango tree are moderately sized, all white, and can range from 4 to 6 inches long. Each flower, comprising five small white petals, has a mild, sweet odor. The fruit of the mango tree, also known as a mango, is green when young and takes somewhere between three to six months to completely ripen. When completely ripe, the fruit turns from an orange to a deep red-yellow and gives a pleasantly sweet smell when peeled. Mangoes have a pit in the center, which contains one somewhat large seed. The mango seed, like a bean seed, has an embryo and will germinate after a few months.
People have cultivated mango trees for their precious fruit for thousands of years, and today they are cited as the largest commercially produced crop in tropical regions (regions with frost are inhospitable to the plant). In early colonial times, the fruit was often exchanged like money, especially in the Caribbean. During the 1700s in the Dominican Republic, for example, one cup of goat’s milk was worth two mangoes.
The fruit of the mango tree can either be eaten raw, pickled, dried, or cooked. Ripe mangoes are generally sweet to the taste, but unripe mangoes are usually sour. One can encourage an unripe fruit to ripen faster by leaving it at room temperature for three to five days, which naturally brings out its sugars as it begins to decay. Most mangoes have a soft, pulpy texture, similar to that of a common orange. Certain varieties of mango, though, have a hard texture like that of a cantaloupe. Although they may look and feel like oranges, mangoes have a unique citrusy taste all their own.
* * *
Don’t Live in Paradise?
There are many people who would like to grow mangoes but they live where frost hits throughout the fall, winter, or spring, making such cultivation (at least outdoors) impossible. Several dwarf mango trees, however, have been bred and produced by hybrid plants, and can be kept indoors and grown in containers. These plants will still flower and bear a fruit that will taste like a mango. Still, nothing beats the flavor of tropically grown fruit that falls loose from its tree with only a touch. When peeled and eaten, as messy and juicy as it is, right on the spot, mango has a unique effect on the taste buds. It is great in smoothies, or batidos, if you find yourself in the Spanish Caribbean.
* * *
MAPLE
Acer cappadocicum
A Botanical Icon
Acer is a common type of tree, though most know it by the name maple; the family has 128 species of flowering shrubs and trees. Although these species are widespread, about 42 percent of maples now face the threat of extinction. Most maple trees are native to Asia, although many are native to Europe, North Africa, and North America. They prefer moist climates and can grow in either full sun or the shade. Maples are generally small, understory trees rather than trees that tower over other ones.
Most maple trees are deciduous and grow bright green leaves during the spring and summer. In the fall, the foliage of maple trees is quite a display. The leaves turn to different colors including red, yellow, brown, and orange—all of which goes a long way to explaining why maple trees are so popular as ornamental plants. Their autumn foliage is famous and amazes thousands of tourists ever year. Maple leaves have an abundance of carotenoids, the pigments found in carrots, as well as chlorophyll, which gives them their healthy green color. When the leaves begin to die, the chlorophyll becomes less prominent, allowing the carotenoids to shine, thus producing a spectacular burst of color in autumn.
Maples flowers are usually quite small. Most maples begin budding in late winter to early spring, just after the appearance of new leaves, and the resulting flowers can be green, yellow, o
range, or red. This early blooming strategy is effective in attracting bees early on, as they are often the only source of pollen and nectar until other plants begin to produce flowers, too.
Maple fruits are made up of two sections, each containing a wing and a seedpod. The seedpods are attached to the whirlybirds (see “Nature’s Helicopters”). After spinning through the air and landing on soil, the pods dry and then split open. Each seedpod usually contains one seed, black and flat, which will require a period of cold-moist stratification before it can germinate. One can achieve this naturally by allowing the seed to be set in soil during the winter, though wrapping it in a moistened paper towel, putting the damp paper towel in a plastic bag, and putting the bag in the refrigerator for about a month is an effective alternative. If attempting this artificial germination, be sure to change the paper towel regularly to prevent the seed from developing rot.
Maple seeds usually mature within a few weeks, somewhere up to six months after the plant originally bore its fruit. The seeds are mature when the fruit is dry and brown, and it will easily fall off the tree in the wind or from other natural causes. One maple tree can produce thousands of seeds, and for this reason, many farmers actually consider the trees pests. Even a single seeding maple tree can lead to the sprouting of many more around it.
Maple leaves are an important food supply for the larvae of many insects. Useful for much more than beautifying landscapes, maples are often tapped for their xylem sap, which is the key ingredient in maple syrup. The maple syrup market is hugely important to the Canadian economy, totaling $140 million in export sales, though most supermarket brands contain little of the real maple’s sap. The syrup might not exist if not for the Algonquin Indians, whom European settlers observed making V-shaped cuts into maples to allow their sweet sap to drip out through a reed. Thus began the tradition of maple syrup, a vital companion of the pancake. The autumn leaf-watching tradition surrounding these trees is strong in many countries and gives real economic benefits from tourism. The maple leaf is so treasured in Canada, perhaps for its symbolic association with strength and endurance, that it appears on the nation’s flag.
* * *
Nature’s Helicopters
The fruit of a maple tree is very distinctive. Scientifically termed samaras, the common names for these fruits are whirlybirds and helicopters. These fruits have evolved to spin with the wind when they fall from their tree, thus spreading the seeds over a vast area.
* * *
MARIGOLD
Calendula officinalis
Flowering Guaranteed
Marigolds are flower-bearing plants that are easy to grow, since they adapt to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. The plant seems determined to unleash its brilliant flowers upon the world, no matter what. Though they will tolerate the shade, most marigolds thrive in full sun, or in places where they get ample hot, sunny exposure; they can even grow in the sunlight reflected from pavement as long as they get sufficient moisture. The flowers will also bloom in poor and average soil, so long as it’s not too soggy. Marigolds actually grow a higher quantity of flowers in poor soil; richer soil stimulates the growth of lush foliage, sacrificing the growth of buds and blooms in return. Marigolds are rapid growers whose seeds usually germinate within a few days of planting in a warm, sunny location. Though it is a perennial, its life is nevertheless short, even if it adapted by growing up to nearly 3 feet high, producing flowers and seeds all in less than one month.
Marigold flowers resemble daisies or carnations in their shape. They are available in a wide range of colors, including white, cream, yellow, orange, red, and burgundy, and one plant can often blend two separate hues.
Although they grow easily, marigolds are vulnerable to disease. Powdery mildew can be a threat in damp and humid conditions, but good airflow will alleviate this problem substantially. Soggy soil will induce fungal infections, characterized by discolored spots, mildew on the plant, and wilting foliage. Insect pests can also bring about fungal infections. The best way to prevent disease in marigolds is to keep them weeded and provide good drainage for the soil. Marigolds also make good companions to tomato plants, as they prevent the tomato fruit from getting those fat green caterpillars that can so often kill the plant. Marigolds have a strong odor, more pungent than sweet, and many believe the scent exists to repel certain types of threatening insects.
Marigolds make for a fine-looking flower show, whether alive or dead. For a live flower arrangement, cut the flowers off first thing in the morning and put them in a vase of warm water immediately. Later, trim the lower leaves, since otherwise they will foul the water. An indoor flower arrangement may be pretty but will give off a smelly odor that is often quite strong and noticeable.
Marigolds have many notable uses. Some people eat them in a tossed salad. The people of India and Pakistan cultivate the plant for medicinal use, flavoring, dye, and decoration. A staple of flower arrangements even in ancient times, marigolds were the designated markers for pavilions and played a role in sacred fire pits and ceremonies. Today marigolds are a common guest at weddings. Even their essential oils have an ornamental use, providing the ingredient for certain perfumes.
* * *
The Aztecs believed marigolds were sacred and employed them in human sacrificial rituals as well as a medicine. To this day in Mexico, marigolds feature prominently in Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivals, and many refer to them as the “flower of the dead.” The Greeks and Romans used varieties of marigolds native to those regions for dyes and in cosmetics.
* * *
* * *
Good Therapy
Marigolds are popular in gardening projects, particularly with the elderly and children, since their hardiness proves very forgiving of would-be gardeners and the inexperienced. Having germinated the plant indoors, one should transplant the young seedling outdoors on a cloudy day so as to prevent the stress of the hot sun killing the plant before it has a chance to take root. Plant the seedlings 8 to 10 inches apart once the danger of frost has passed, and add some organic material to discourage weed growth until the plant gets bigger. Marigolds are quite sturdy when they grow bigger—if you snip off dead blooms, new buddings can grow to take their place. In ideal summer conditions, marigolds will last from midsummer until frost kills them.
* * *
MIMOSA
Mimosa Pudica
Touch-Me-Not
Here’s a plant that defies the rules—if there really are any—of a species’s primary motivation to survive and continue its kind. Indeed it raises the question, Is there a limit to what science can tell us about the botanical world? Are these organisms as simple as we imagine them to be, or are there complex causes underlying their behavior we may never understand?
Mimosa pudica, also known as the sensitive plant, humble plant, shameful plant, and perhaps its best name, touch-me-not, will die immediately after being touched. If you hit its leaves roughly with a hand, the plant’s puzzling fragility causes it to die. With one touch, it’s over.
The touch-me-not is native to South and Central America but has spread today all over the world, such that scientists have taken to calling it a pantropical weed. This shy lady (pudica means “shy” in Latin) prefers shady areas, growing under shrubs or trees. In some regions of South Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Australia, the plant is considered an invasive species.
It grows erect and slender to about 4 feet tall, branching out and creeping over larger areas as the plant matures. The plant has bipinnately compound leaves, meaning the leaves grow opposite each other. The leaf pairs can have ten to twenty-six leaflets on each branch, as well as beautiful, delicate, purple or pink flowers of about ¼ inch in diameter. Pudica bears fruit clusters that have two to eight segmented pods, which hold light brown seeds. The herb depends upon pollination from bees and insects, which do manage to touch it without causing its death.
If the plant senses a large animal coming near, its leaves actually try to turn away.
If touched, it will die. English botanist Robert Hooke first postulated a theory for this odd behavior in the seventeenth century. His investigation suggested the plant consists of tissues and nerves similar to those animals use to dissuade predators, like an opossum playing dead. Hooke thought movement of water within the plant allowed the leaves to move; any external stimulus, he suggested, would cause the plant to release chemicals that move the water out of cells and cause the plant’s collapse, making it seem dead and thus very unappealing to a herbivore. Such an act would be a novel mechanism for self-defense. In reality, the rapid withering may last only a short time, and once the stimulus disappears, the water may return to the plant’s cells, rejuvenating it. Only prolonged touching causes its “suicide.”
Despite this plant’s fragility, the Global Invasive Species Database has ranked mimosa on a list of invasives that pose a danger to numerous agricultural crops, including coconuts, corn, tomatoes, coffee, cotton, papaya, bananas, soybeans, and sugarcane. Touch-me-not also contains the toxic alkaloid mimosine, which has apoptic and antiproliferative effects (causing cell damage and retarding cellular growth) to these other plants. The touch-me-not name, it turns out, has clearly been well earned in a number of ways.
Even if some scientists are not fully convinced the plant dies as a defense mechanism, it has a long history of providing benefits in some traditional medicines. In India, its pulped leaves are usually used on granular swellings; Indians believe the leaf sap helps fight against sinus infections. The people of the Republic of Congo use the plant’s pulp to form a mixture useful as a pain reliever and for kidney aliments. In Senegal, the entire plant is used against uterine cancer and glandular tumors, and mimosa leaves have found use as treatments for nephritis and lumbago.
The Big, Bad Book of Botany Page 16