#wortlore

Hedge Bindweed

Noxious plants (harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant) are super fascinating to me right now! I will be updating this entry occasionally so stay tuned.

GIANT HOGWEED (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Giant Hogweed is a VERY LARGE (7-15ft) invasive plant that has a toxin in its sap that is light activated. It breaks down the DNA of the skin causing severe burns, blisters, and can even cause permanent blindness. All you need is to brush against it and be out in the sun to have this reaction.

If you do come in contact with it, immediate wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and keep the area away from sunlight for 48 hours.

This plant can be found in Illinois, Michigan, New York, Washington, Oregon, and parts of Canada near those states.

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CRAB’S EYE (Abrus precatorus)

The seeds of Crab’s eye are both gorgeous and extremely poisonous. It is native to tropical areas and it has become invasive by the spread of birds. The seeds are commonly used as beads for jewelry.

If eaten, the seeds are highly toxic but the reaction can take hours or even days. After thy, there is nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain and diarrhea, burning in the throat; later ulcerative lesions of the mouth and esophagus. It can be fatal.

This plant is invasive on the mainland in North Carolina and Florida and is not really seen elsewhere.

Other names: Pokeweed, Poke sallet, Poke salad, American nightshade

American Pokeberry, or Pokeweed, is a native plant found a cross North America. It is found in open or edge habitats especially where birds are able to roost: forest edges, fence rows, under power lines, pastures, old field, forest openings, etc. It flowers from May to October in the northern states.

Bit of new art project.

See my other photos/art here:

Page previews of my latest book encounter. Shortly after a familiar crowed, “What you need won’t be found in those books.” Talking about the witchy/new age section. This was hiding in Mythology.

Copse Bindweed

The Birch Forest’s Eyes

For logging/archival purposes

I have scattered thoughts. Digital archive of photos on Tumblr, Instagram/FB, and notes on my phone and in a notebook. Follow me on Instagram for more photos: https://www.instagram.com/_copper_moon

Since this blog was created to record my bioregional experience I probably should continue that. It may not be super interesting for people who follow me, but I hope a body of work will be more interesting to look back on later. I crave some sort of consistency, at least.

So here we go.

DuPage Co./Kane Co., IL

April 2019 Observations

The tree dwellers are pretty active: White-Breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Wolf spiders! Plenty if you look carefully on the leaf litter in the woods.

Frogs/toads singing in flooded trails, making for a swampy scene.

Eastern Cottontail rabbits have been super active in the late evening and night hours.

Blue jays are out fighting for territory, breeding rights (their season is March-July).

The sprouting of invasive species such as garlic mustard.

Tree swallows feasting on the first hatches of flying insects

Red-winged black birds

American Robins

House sparrows