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how do i want to ….know…. them?

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along Carefree Way.    2  clusters.    Not bushes,   not really  "plants"….?    probably around 7 ft tall.    The new stalks are geometrically square.    perfectly square.    Older are woody and round.   ???    What is it i want to   KNOW  about them ?   Not their  formal name,   but i think their common name.   How the First Peoples knew them,   how they were part of their lives?

it takes Time.    Looking at a plant….touching it,  seeing IT and its place in its surroundings.   Remembering.    Because i was on my way into town,   i didn't have that time.   didn't     take    time.   That doesn't work.

and the

Madia

the blooming was short lived.   but the HEAT   is  causing things to happen with them.   Their Plant selves…are in response and the response is 

pungence

i touched,  swept my fingers on the leaves and the intensity of that pungence was startling….Air filled with their scent….more than scent,  more than aroma,    and i looked up the word,  pungence…and it's not quite right,  but it is.   Tar Weed.   how the leaves exude a substance,  sticky.  sticky and  FRAGRANT

Love all this

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10 responses to “how do i want to ….know…. them?”

  1. Margery Avatar
    Margery

    Today’s “word for the day” from Grateful Living is by GUILLERMO CUÉLLAR: “We open the door of the unknown together. We invite each other to experience the miracle of being.” I am grateful for your daily invitations.”

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  2. Marti Avatar
    Marti

    Slowly, life is coming into a more balanced state: schedules have been formed for strength and healing and I can have some time to resume how I begin my days:
    Heat is all around but so is wind, tree branches have fallen and cover the gravel in places. This area has many trees that I thought were a type of sumac. In your post of June 15th, titled Wonder, Lace Lady sent some links that identified these as “trees of heaven”, aka Chinese Sumac:
    https://windthread.typepad.com/windthread/2023/06/my-entry-28.html
    Yesterday out back, several of its branches with is many, many seed pots, a startling chartreuse color,that will dry and fade into a soft brown, lined the ground. I picked up a few, shook them and felt as if I had maracas in my hands so I did al little dance. The gate was closed so the dance was private, just for myself. Took the seed pod bundles and put them in the little basket that is on my patio table, next to my Kokopelli statue and a little coleus, planted in one of my Kokopelli pots.
    Yes this is an invasive species…still, the amazement and wonder of this tree, its jagged somewhat long green leaves, its cluster of seed pods, changing color as they age and dry so strongly beckons to engagel to take the time to truly see the beauty, to honor its presence and have a moment, is such a gift…

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  3. Peggy McG Avatar
    Peggy McG

    Your attention to details in nature has inspired me to go take a walk in Franconia Art Park today. The sculptures are made of various junk and are quite large, scattered in an open meadow of wild plants. The seasonal changes are wonderful to note, the paths mowed between the sculptures, which are quite large and spread out, so it becomes a nice maze like hike. Some of the park extends into a wooded area so their is a reprieve on a hot day. I hope you get info on the name of this plant.

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  4. Beth from Still Life Pond Avatar
    Beth from Still Life Pond

    I think I approach “knowing” from a different place than you, the librarian brain at work perhaps. But often learning the common name gives me a starting point for another kind of knowing. Not sure you actually want this info, but as I have mentioned before, I have a plant identification app on my phone. (Seek by iNaturalist if anyone is interested) It is not always 100% accurate but when I point it at your photo it says Brazilian vervain. Is it purple when it is blooming? We have a white vervain that grows wild here. Quite different than this, but it is something I know more in the way of your knowing.

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  5. Faith Avatar
    Faith

    Somehow I went from Brazilian vervain to dandelions (which I knew were good to eat, but didn’t realize all the potential health benefits). It does look like that.
    Then I looked up madia, because I’d never heard that name. (Apparently, neither has my spellcheck.) I have seen it a lot, but didn’t know what it was called. I want to find some to know what the fragrance is.

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  6. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    Thank you for saying this…it is all that i might hope for……

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  7. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    and Dance
    reclaimed you
    so Happy to read this

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  8. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    how your World extends FAR FAR FAR
    i will take more CARE FULL pics on Tuesday

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  9. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    i DO!!!!….want your id’s….LOVE them, actually, hope
    for them.
    and love ALL the ways of knowing and learning….but just
    now, am trying to experiment with a more sensory way…
    learn what happens with that, what Other dimension
    might arise
    and no..not purple….it must have been white?…had gone
    almost un notices…
    i will take more pics on Tuesday

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  10. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    if it is Tar Weed, you will be AMAZED.
    and yes…medicinal benefits and also Essences…
    look up flower essence of Madia

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