Week 13: Feedback

Hey guys,

The semester is coming to an end, and so ethnobotany class is finishing up. Just to let you guys know - I will be grading 10 posts on the blog. So this week and last week will be extra credit posting that can be used to make up for earlier weeks where you might have missed a post. But please don't let that stop you from writing this week!

I would like some feedback for myself and Dr. Velasquez Runk about the class. What did you like about the class? Do you think having assignments on this blog was a good activity? Did you learn things from each other, or was the blog just an annoying hassle? What was your favorite lab? Least favorite? What could we do better next time? I know a few of our labs haven't gone perfectly, and we will work on that. You don't have to answer all of these questions, but I would like some feedback about the class.

Personally, I have very much enjoyed reading all of your responses on the blog. It allowed me to get to know all of you better, and learn some cool things about different plants. I have had fun interacting with all of you in this class.

Good luck with all you end of semester stuff. See you in the last week of class!

-Sam

Week 12: Flowering Sit Spots

Hey Everyone,

Spring is here and everything outside is flowering! Bees and insects are buzzing about. Birds are chirping away. So please return to your sit spot and describe the changes that spring is bringing. Have a great weekend everyone!

-Sam

Week 11: Landscape Plants

Hello Everyone,

On Monday I will be speaking about American landscapes, focusing on turfgrass and the lawn. To begin thinking about our landscapes I am focusing this week on landscape plants. So, imagine that in the future you have a home or some land. Describe a plant that you would like to have in your landscape, and why. This is very open - it can be a tree, shrub, herb, foodplant, etc. And the reasons can vary as well: aesthetics, medicinal, or maybe you have memories of certain plants.

I would like to have a Japanese Maple. I find these beautiful. Their architecture is graceful, often many trunks emerge from the base, creating a hemisphere of shade. There are many varieties, but often the leaves turn dramatic red and burgundy in the fall.

I look forward to seeing your responses, and don't forget to pick a plant for the Ethnobotanical Garden project (if you haven't already).

-Sam

Ethnobotanical Garden Plant Assignment

Hey Everyone,

I have uploaded the Ethnobotanical Garden plant description assignment to ELC, as well as the listing of plants in the Garden. Please comment on this post with the plant you would like to write about and make something with. Do not choose a plant that someone else has already chosen.

And don't forget, there is a blog assignment for this week below this post.

-Sam

Week 10: Psychoactive Plants

Hey Guys,

We have been talking about psychoactive/entheogen plants this week. I would like for you to choose a psychoactive plant and talk about it on the blog. I would like for you to include the following information: botanical description, region of origin, cultural usage, and a picture of the plant or its use. Please do not describe the same plant as someone else, so check to see what others have posted about. To help, I suggest the website www.erowid.org . You may use other sources, but this a good starting point.

Week 9: Spring Sit Spots

Hey Guys,

Even though it is a bit cooler today, Spring is on its way. All kinds of changes occur with the coming of spring. Changes in vegetation, and insects and birds (as well as weather). So, please return to your sit spots and write about some changes that you notice. Spring changes can be large or small, so keep your eyes open, listen for different animal life and sniff out new spring smells.

Class Seedlings

Week 8: Medicinal Concoctions

Hello Class!

We have spent all week talking about medicinal plants, and on Thursday we got to make medicinal salves and creams. For this week, I would like for you to research a plant based medicinal concoction that you would like to make in the future. This can be a different type of salve, or a tea, tincture, poultice, or cream that acts as a remedy/treatment. Please research one that you haven't made before, but would like to make in the future. Tell us about it - what it is made from, and what it remedies. Please post a recipe of how to make your plant based medicine.

-Sam

Week 7: Food Plants

Dr. Velásquez Runk mentioned that we wouldn't be talking about food much - but it is hard to resist after seeing all the appetizing foods made from plants at the Dekalb Farmers Market. So, for this week I would like for you to tell me about some delicious food made from a plant that you found at the Farmers market. In addition, I would like some information on the culinary traditions/history of your plant in different cuisines. I will start with something I purchased - Brussels Sprouts.

Brussels sprouts are one cultivar of the species Brassica oleracea. Other cultivars of this species are cabbage, broccoli, kale and collard greens. Brussles sprouts were first grown in Northern Europe in the 17th century. It is commonly believed that Brussels sprouts originated from cabbages. Brussels sprouts became widely popular in Northern Europe - places like The Netherlands, France and Brussels (hence the name). By the 18th century French immigrants had carried them to North America. Most commonly the buds are removed from the stalk, and then either steamed, boiled, or roasted. I like to pan fry them with butter and garlic.

Week 6: Midterm Exam

There will be no blog assignment this week, so that you can study for the midterm exam on Monday. Good luck studying, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.