Green Mental Health - Plant of the Day: Neem Tree "Azadirachta indica"

Spring came early to the Twin Cities this year.  We've already enjoyed highs up to the 70s (degF).  However, Mother Nature is reminding us that we *do* live in a northern, cooler latitude and in the past few days, our days have been much, much cooler.  Friday and yesterday, with temperatures hovering at and below freezing, Mother Nature sprinkled the Twin Cities with a beautiful light coating of tiny snow flakes.  Many of them melted depending on the surface temperature of where they landed.  Today, we have mostly sunny skies with forecasted highs around 40 degF.  As a southerner by birth and upbringing, I enjoy the warmth and high humidity that I experience in the beautiful Como Conservatory!  My volunteer time contributes greatly to my positive mental health.

North Garden Path

Baby Pineapple in Palm Dome

As always, what a beautiful and inspiring day in the Conservatory!  I like to slowly walk through the Fern Room, the Palm Dome and the North Garden and test my knowledge on the scientific and common name of the various plants.  Not all are labeled, so I won't ever know every plant, but I will eventually know many of the plants.  I carry some of my training materials in my bag so I can check on some of the ones I either didn't know or forgot.  I love it when a visitor asks a question to test my knowledge.  Sometimes I don't know the answer and when I have to look it up, I learn something new!  I feel like I'm always learning something every time I volunteer.

The Plant of the Day is the Neem Tree - Azadirachta indica, also known as the Indian Lilac and the Nimtree.  The Neem tree is in the mahogony family Meliaceae.  The Neem tree is native to India and the Indian subcontinent including Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The seed of the Neem Tree are used to create neem oil.  Neem oil is has been used for hundreds of years to control pests and diseases. Components of neem oil can be found in many modern products including toothpaste, cosmetics, soaps, and pet shampoos. Neem oil is a mixture of components. Azadirachtin is the most active component for repelling and killing pests and can be extracted from neem oil. The portion left over is called clarified hydrophobic neem oil.

Neem Tree in North Garden

The young tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a vegetable and are prepared in a variety of dishes.  Components from neem trees have been used for its medicinal properties. Neem products are believed by many to exhibit properties of being antifungal, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antiviral, contraceptive and sedative.  Neem oil is also used for such processes as improving hair health, improving liver function and balancing blood sugar levels.

In India, dried neem leaves are placed in cupboards to prevent insects from eating clothes.   Neem leaves are also dried and burnt in various tropical regions to keep away mosquitoes.

For more information: 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4916044.stm

http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_agraw_neem.htm

http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/neemgen.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azadirachta_indica

Sharing, Sensing and Socializing - Plant of the Day: Jelly Palm – "Butia capitata"

Amaryllis in the Winter Flower Show

Unlike last Sunday, today we have a beautiful warm day outside.  The incoming sunlight is very bright and because of the glass walls and ceilings, the conservatory is very bright. The high today is supposed to be around 55 degF. There are many visitors enjoying the conservatory today.  I hear many of them talking about going outside to enjoy the warm weather and to see the animals.   Many people are also enjoying the Winter Flower Show which is good, because today starts the last week of this flower show.  The Sunken Garden will close down in eight days to prepare for the next flower show. 

Sun shining through palm trees

I had a very nice talk today with Kevyn, a fellow volunteer.  We discovered that in addition to our interest in volunteering at the Como Conservatory, we have a very similar educational background in forest ecology.  Always nice to discuss forestry and research with a colleague!  So in addition to having the opportunity to volunteer at the beautiful Como Conservatory, I get to share plant knowledge with Como visitors, I get to expand my knowledge in ethnobotany, I get to emerse my sensory perceptions in the beautiful scenery, and now I get to socialize on a higher level with a fellow volunteer and scientist. 

Jelly Palm

Today’s Plant of the Day is the Jelly Palm, Butia capitata, also known as Pindo Palm, found in the Palm Dome.  This palm is considered to be one of the hardiest feather palms because it can tolerate very cold temperatures even though it’s typically cultivated in warmer climates.  The Jelly Palm produces small fruit about the size of a cherry.  The taste is supposedly a mixture of vanilla, pineapple and apricot and is reported to be tart and sweet at the same time.  The fruit is used to make jams and jellies.  It is used for landscaping purposes and has been successfully grown in urban areas where air pollution, poor drainage, compacted soil, and/or drought are common.

For more information:

https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?8181

http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/butcapa.pdf

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/care-jelly-palm-trees-70301.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butia_capitata