2022.12.01.01 “Visiting Altun Ha, a Mayan archaeological site in Belize, with spectacular tour guide Gustavo Guerra.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172179586921270571?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.02 “Altun Ha is one of the more ancient Mayan sites here in Belize.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172181415260343595?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.03 “Custard Apple (Annona) is a tropical relative of PawPaw, both being woody plants in the Annonaceae – a family related to the Magnolias. The fruit sort of looks like a fleshy Magnoliacarp….
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2022.12.01.04 “Sapote, though of similar size and shape is very different from the Custard Apple, Annona. The Sapote his a rusty-smooth, fleshy fruit with one to a few large seed in the interior cavity. Annona produces multiple fleshy 1-seeded carpels that meld together as a single, quilted fruit with seed imbedded throughout.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172289280700747054?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.05 “A shrub of Bixa orellana (Annatto, or Achiote). Inside the long-muricate fruit you’ll discover numerous dark seed with red colored arils (an aril is a growth from the seed coat) that are used as a spice and coloring agent.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172290039110487342?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.06 “Gus is telling us that people steep mahogany bark in water to create a soak that treats athletes’ foot, but it also dyes your skin a bit red” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172296149536132395?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.07 “Mahogany is the National tree of Belize, and Prosthechea (née Encyclia) cochleata, is the National Flower” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172297306178358571?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.08 “Gus tells us about Ceiba pentandra, a sacred tree for the Mayas, and today’s National Tree for Guatemala” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172299184626961710?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.09 “A Strangler Fig wraps itself around a tall, massive palm. Any other tree would be a victim, but the growth habit of palms saves this individual from being “strangled”” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172300636598406443?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.10 “A nice museum at Altun Ha sets context for this archaeologically significant site” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172320022881193258?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.11 “There are several Myrtaceous fruit of importance (such as the Rose Apple and Guava) but a close relative to Rose Apple (Syzygium jambos) is the source of flower buds we dry and call cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172321502501735726?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.01.12 “There are several Myrtaceous fruit of importance (such as the Rose Apple and Guava) but a close relative to Rose Apple (Syzygium jambos) is the source of flower buds we dry and call cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7172321502501735726?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.01 “Visiting Carambola Gardens in Roatán (Honduras). Ours was a brief walkthrough, but others from the ship came here for a chocolate workshop.’ https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173374458361777454?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.02 “Daisy discusses Manihot esculenta (a tropical Euphorbiaceous shrub known as Yuca, Cassava, Tapioca, Manioc, and other names) at Carambola Botanical Garden, in Roatan” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173380642644954414?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.03 “Roystonia regia is the conserved name for the Royal Palm (often called Roystonia elata), Here, in the Honduran island of Roatan, we see a towering specimen, with its closed sheath and clean trunk.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173382998899952942?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.04 “Carambola Gardens harbors many economically important tropical plants, such as Teak, the timber tree (Tectona grandis) from SE Asia, now classified in the Mint family (Lamiaceae). In the shade of this and other tall trees you’ll find numerous specimens on Cacao.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173384707621539115?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.05 “Checking out the fruiting structure of Mahogany (Swietenia, probably S. macrophylla, but possibly S. mahogani.) The genus was named in 1760 for Dutch – Austrian Gerard van Swieten by his former student, botanist Nikolaus Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin. As a significant botanical scholar in Vienna, Jacquin and his family were well connected. His children were close friends of Mozart, who dedicated his Kegelstatt Trio (and other works) to the family. The Trio was first performed in the Jacquin home.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173382998899952942?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.06 “The spiral Pandanus “phyllotaxy” (order and arrangement of leaf production) is easy to appreciate in this older stem from which leaves were shed.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173397716402179374?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.07 “Attalea cohune (called Corozo, Cohune, or even American Oil Palm) is a wonderfully useful plant, making fruit that are edible (like a hard coconut flesh) and yield a non-drying oil. Check a 2018 Corozo post on Jim Conrad’s Naturalist Newsletter for a lot of info.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173399747670117674?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.08 “Arla, who led our tour on Roatan, tells us that a nickname for someone easily mislead whose heart is readily stolen and broken may be referred to by the name GumboLimbo, referencing a tree known for it’s branches that are so easily shattered” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173405124163833131?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.09 “Chocolate workshops are certainly in context here at Roatan’s Carambola Gardens, where cacao can be seen in all stages of development” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173405885174205738?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.04.10 “Called Cocoplum, the fruit of Chrysobalanus icaco (hard eating as a fruit) is called Fat Pork in some of the Caribbean Islands. As adapted rom Wikipedia: “The seed’s kernel, ground into a powder and dried, is used as a spice (called gbafilo, itsekiri, umilo,emilo or omilo) in West African Pepper Soup.”” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7173409749537492266?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.06.01 “A day docked in Cozumel, from which we took a small ferry to the mainland (Playa del Carmen, Yucatán Peninsula) for a tour to Tulum – the only Mayan site with a spectacular view of the ocean and shore. The day was great, but a very different experience from what we had imagine having read brochures and reviews” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7174141037416303918?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.06.02 “The first Tulum surprise was the massive market and cafe/bar area you had to navigate before entering the archaeological site. Here’s a display of specialty chocolates made in Mexico. Neat to see this industry re-emerge in its native Middle America after centuries of development in other areas of the world” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7174142643054611758?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.06.03 “Saul Aldecua, our great Tulum tour guide (you can check out his Facebook page) was telling us about termites, sayin that some folk on Belize eat them. Then he mentions that a specialty of his is leading ornithological tours, which led to his working in Missouri earlier this year banding birds for tracking studies. Tour guides are frequently multi-faceted types.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7174146361183587626?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.06.04 “Saul elaborates a bit on the story related by Gus at Altun Ha regarding the sacred status of Ceiba pentandra (Kapok). The branches and roots are thought to have been symbolic of the Mayan concept of their Universe. They called the tree Yax Che.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7174152510674914606?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.07.01 “Cryptostegia grandiflora (Madagascan Rubber Vine) has naturalized in the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, where it has become one of the continent’s worst invasives. This is one off several genera of ornamental vines in the Apocynaceae, that are challenging to differentiate: Mandevilla (including Diladenia, Allamanda, etc)” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7174405345962396970?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934”
2022.12.07.02 “Arla (not Alna) gave us an image of Bursera (GumboLimbo) as evocative of women whose relationships break as easily as the limbs of the tree. Gus told us Bursera is called Tourist tree because of it’s red, peeling bark. Further North it’s called Naked Indian. Glancing up this tree, the limber, sinuous branching helps me understand why both legends compare this tree to human bodies. The resin (chibou) is ascribed many uses: serving as a glue, incense, and herbal cure. The bark is said to provide relief from irritation caused by contact with the Anacardiaceous Chechen trees (Metopium brownei, also known as Black Poisonwood).” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7174423923830869290?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.07.03 “A charming practice in Tulum involves tucking plucked Hibiscus blossoms onto pineapples and prepped Coconuts at bars and cafes. The flowers hold up, probably due to the high humidity.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7174468560482241838?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.10.01 “Port stop in Costa Maya, a place for tourists more than travelers, an intentional place, designed and curated as closely as Disneyworld. There are, even in this artificial culture, plants that bear lessons, in this instance palms of differing leaf types’ https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7175490267548503339?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.10.02 “A lovely, although highly staged chocolate shop in Costa Maya. Exhibits (cacao, peanuts, pecans, bananas) are painted castings, and though chocolate bars have been molded, there’s zero evidence of roasting, conching, or packaging in this small shop. I’m guessing the same chocolate is molten and remolded daily to establish the (false) impression that bars on sale are made at this very location. Sweet but cynical.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7175494181794663723?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.10.03 “Fort Island Gulf Beach, a county park at the end of the road from Crystal River, FL. A wonderful site” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7175662687429561646?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.10.04 “The genus Chiococca was established in 1757 by lrish botanist Patrick Browne, a correspondent of Linnaeus who move to Jamaica (working as a Physician) in 1746, the same year he published his Civil and Natural History of Jamaica. Ten years later he published Chiococca, a name based on this plant (Chiacocca alba) that he contrived from Greek for “Snow Berry”, clearly referencing the snow white fruit.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7175669068849073451?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.10.05 “Koonti (colloquially “Coontie”), Zamia integrifolia, is one of two native Florida cycads. There are cone-bearing, dioecious plants. Sometimes misleadingly called Sago Palms, they do not make flowers or fruit (as do true Palms), and are more like pines than palms.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7175681236193643818?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.10.09 “A sprawling, vining mass of what seems to be Ipomoea indica, which seems to be native over many area of the Americas – including Florida.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7175692109234703659?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.10.10 “Masses of Black Mangrove, Avicennia germinans, fruiting Ali g the Florida coast. The “sticks” rising from the mud are pneumatophores, vertical roots (sometimes called pencil roots) that provide opportunity for gas exchange needed for respiration in root tissue.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7175695708526382379?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.11.01 “Stevie Allman shows me the ‘Tam Kam’ Persimmon at Just Fruits & Exotics Nursery, on US 98 South of Crawfordsville, FL. Websites tell me this is a Korean cultivar, both non-astringent and seedless. The Korean cultivar name translates as “very sweet”. Will follow up with a posting in which we dissect these fruit.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7175955225029905710?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022,12,12.01 “If you visit Tallahassee Nurseries right now, you can catch a glimpse of the striking Rice Paper Plant (Tetrapanax papyrifer), a Taiwan native that resembles our Hercules’ Club (Aralia spinosa), not surprising since they are both in the Araliaceae. Examining the flowers, it seems this plant is dioecious, with only one of the flowering stems bearing male flowers. The flowers have a peculiar sweet odor and were marauded by many kinds of flies and beetles (no bees). It’s a great specimen, but with a strongly rhizomatous habit – so it has to be contained.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7176442181522115883?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.12.02 “Often thought of as a “Sasanqua-type Camellia”, this older cultivar, ‘Shishigashira’, is considered a selection of Camellia hiemalis. The name showed up in Japanese nursery listings as early as 1935, and translates as “Lion’s Head)” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7176446323426610478?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.12.03 “Native to Mexico and the Southwest, this Euphorb (Euphorbia pulcherrima) bears a common name based on introduction to the US in the 1820s by Joel Poinsett, an early America diplomat to Mexico. Based on that association, American botanist Robert Graham established the separate genus Poinsettia in 1836, which was popularized in the American floral industry as the plant became a common seasonal favorite. The species, which had been described earlier, in 1834, is based on a collection made early in the century by Humboldt and Bonpland. Taxonomists have long agreed that the separate genus is not supportable, but the name persists as Subgenus Poinsettia” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7176454398057549102?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.19.01 “Reminiscent of Violets in habit and flower presentation, Cyclamens are more closely related to Primulas and Shooting Stars ( all in the Primulaceae, whereas Violets are in their own, distinct family). Horticultural forms derive primarily from the Mediterranean species Cyclamen persicum. In the last few years, Japanese Researchers have managed to employ ovule/embryo rescue to generate hybrids with other species, thus introducing useful characteristics, such as floral fragrance or hardiness.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7179047511523347755?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.19.02 “The Carrot family (Apiaceae, or alternatively the Umbelliferae) is one of our most important plant groups for culinary flavoring, and even vegetables. What’s included? Carrots & Parsnips, Celery, Caraway, Parsley, Fennel, Dill, Cilantro & Coriander, Kulantro, Anise, Cumin, & Chervil” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7179079145530379562?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.19.03 “An Arugula with the taste of Wasabi – not surprising in that the two plants are both in the Mustard family. These leaves taste a lot like Watercress, which is also in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae)” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7179082383608581418?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.19.04 “Could not escape the nursery without a modest purchase ( or three). The lovely zonal geranium cost less than a nice bouquet of fresh flowers, but will bring much more service. We bought another Viola as a companion for the one purchased earlier. And I got a Rue so we can talk about that famous little bitter he” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7179082518606384430?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.21.01 “Joey Ward (who has a tree service in Apalachicola) preps a cross-section (a disk) from a Longleaf pine being removed from a property here in St. George Island. I’ll let you know how old this tree was once I get a chance to count it’s rings.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7179823369494269230?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.22.01 “A last look at this season’s growth in Tallahassee planters, much of which will be knocked back (or killed) with tomorrow night’s plunging temperatures.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7180181114185846062?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.22.02 “Tallahassee Nurseries preparing for the impending freeze… Owner Paul Brock explained they have well-documented procedures for differing levels of anticipated frost.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7180184824718593322?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.22.03 “Stevie Allman explained I could find this incredible Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) specimen in Quincy, FL. – a state champion. The genus was named for Scottish Geologist William Maclure (who was President of Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences) by Thomas Nuttall – who was also a member of the Academy.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7180197053790981422?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.22.04 “Vanlandingham Farm is an historically-active agricultural site, now part of the Juniper network of produce growers. Driving by, I could tell there was a chance of major crop loss, but I learned this began a month ago…” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7180197462978776366?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.22.05 “Always nice to encounter the occasional plant of Calamintha coccinea, the Scarlet Calamint, one of 4 species in this Mint Family genus native to Florida. The Peninsular forms are distinct from those in the Panhandle” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7180203156142296366?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.24.01 “I’m fascinated by the progress of these Violas, having gone from Spring-like conditions to sudden plummeting temperatures – a drop from 57 to 21 degrees in just a few hours. Plants benefit from advanced chilling, which our gardens have not experienced. The foliage & flowers recovered with rising temperatures, but were faced with physiological drought in that the pot soil was frozen solid.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7180798351946845482?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934
2022.12.25.01 “My Christmas thoughts are how wonderful the World could be if the promise of human consciousness were turned toward securing peace, justice, and even prosperity for the Earth and all of God’s creatures. Merry Christmas, wishing everyone hope and fulfillment for the years to come.” https://www.tiktok.com/@botanyincontext/video/7181067620412706090?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6983645829257020934