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White Sapote as a medicinal plant?

Click the links below for

White Sapote as a fruit in Melbourne Australia

White Sapote description and tolerances

Casimiroa edulis medicinal properties

It is a generally held belief that the seeds of White Sapote fruit are toxic if eaten raw by humans (Yahia and Gutierrez-Orozco 2011). In the Nahuatl language (used by the Aztecs) the name for white sapote is ‘cochhiztzapotl’ which can be translated to ‘sleepy sapote’ as it is a belief (although somewhat disputed) that leaves of the plant can be made into a sleep inducing tea (Morton 1987).  The sedative properties of Casimiroa edulis are said to be due to the glucoside casimirosine which is present in the leaves, bark and mainly the seeds (Yahia and Gutierrez-Orozco 2011). Studies have shown that in some cases Casimiroa edulis can lower blood pressure with extracts from the bark, leaves and seeds (Magosa et al 1998). In Mexico the plant is also used in traditional medicine to treat anxiety, insomnia, arthritis and rheumatism by boiling a decoction from its leaves and seeds (Vidrio and Margos 1991). Due to its reputed sedative effects, prohibition of White Sapote extracts has been proposed in the past however inconclusive evidence meant prohibition was never enforced. It is primarily still only viewed as a traditional medicine and is not a major substance of many modern medicines (Morton 1987).

REFERENCES

Morton, J.F. (1987), Fruits of warm climates, Media Incorporated, Greensboro, N.C, USA.

Yahia, E.M. and Gutierrez-Orozco, F. (2011), Postharvest Biology and Technology of Tropic and Subtropical Fruits, Woodhead Publishing, Sawston, Cambridge, England.

Magosa, G.A, Vidrioa, H., Reynoldsb, W.F. and Enriquezc, R.G . (1998), Pharmacology of Casimiroa edulis IV. Hypotensive effects of compounds isolated from methanolic extracts in rats and guinea pigs, in Jounal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol 64 pp.35-44. Accessed 30/10/2017 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874198001019

Vidrio, H and Margos, G,A (1991), Pharmacology of Casimiroa edulis, in Planta Medica. Vol 57 pp.217-220. Accessed 30/10/2017 https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2006-960008

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Want to attract birds to your garden?

Most people I know love the sight and sound of bird life in their home garden. Whilst birds can spread weed seeds and have other effects that some may see as detrimental there are also lots of benefits to having birds the garden.

So if you want to hear more chirping and see lots of colourful feathered birds how to you go about attracting them? Basically you need to create an environment that is friendly and safe for them

Cats also love birds (they find them delicious)

Speaking of safety one thing that is most definitely hazardous to birds are cats. If you can keep your cat inside this will obviously minimise the risk to birds. If you can’t do that then attaching a bell to your cats collar is said to reduce the element of stealth they posses however I’m not sure how effective they are in reality. 

Watering your birds

Installing several bird baths in the garden will draw birds in and you can position them so they provide maximum viewing opportunities. Some notes about birds baths is that you want to make them safe (hang them from trees or place them on pedestals). You also want to make them shallow enough for birds to stand in and replace the water regularly.

Feeding birds. Is it a good idea?

It is generally thought that in Australia feeding birds with store bought bird seed is not a good idea. It is said that store bought feeds can actually make native birds sick, create an imbalance in the ecosystem (by favouring more aggressive birds) and create dependency which stresses the birds if you are not around for a few weeks.

A better way of feeding

Using indigenous plants in your garden is a great way of attracting native birds to your garden and is seen a more natural way of providing food. Strata layers of vegetation are the different layers of plants that make up a habitat. If you choose plants from different strata layers you can provide a more even offering of food which hopefully doesn’t overly benefit one species whilst ignoring others. In terms of flowers due to the range of the colour spectrum birds can see they are attracted to red and yellow flowers more so that other colours.

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Persimmons in Brunswick Melbourne

Diospyros kaki (family Ebenaceae)

Persimmon, Kaki, Japanese Persimmon

Persimmons are not the most common fruit here in Melbourne and I was stunned to find this amazing tree in the backyard of a client’s rental in Brunswick. She didn’t prune, water or fertilise it yet it was producing an amazing amount of fruit. 

Persimmon trees are deciduous and according to California rare fruit growers can grow to 8 metres in height (https://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/persimmon.html)  but I’ve never seen one that large here. 

There are two varieties of persimmon astringent and non astringent. Non Astringent varieties can be eaten when the colour of the fruit is still firm and changes from orange to yellow. Astringent  varieties need to be picked when orange and firm then left to soften at room temperature before eating.

Persimmons are said to be native to China from where they spread to Korea and Japan. 

Diospyrus is of greek origin and translates to “divine fruit” or “wheat of Zues”.

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CAN YOU EAT PURSLANE?

COMMON NAMES: PIGWEED / PURSLANE

BOTANICAL NAME: Portulaca oleracea

Purslane is an annual succulent weed / plant that will grow in anything from rock rubble to good quality soil. It is a sun loving plant that wont do well in shade and is a prostrate spreading creeping plant with a taproot that anchors it to the ground.  Also known by the common name of Pigweed, this weed is a broadleaf plant with pinkish stems. It is a warm season weed and when mature it has small yellow flowers

Portulaca oleracea reproduces mainly by vegetative spread and can also reproduce via seed.

Hand weeding is an option with this plant but why would you want to pull it out when it is a lovely addition to a Greek salad.  Solarization is an easy option for controlling purslane if you can’t be bothered hand weeding. Solarization involves covering the weed with black plastic which is then heated by the sun, killing the plant with heat.

A great salad addition

Purslane is not on edible but it tastes great. Of all the edible weeds I've tried so far this could be my favourite. Great for a substitute a lettuce substitute or other salad greens.  The nutritional properties of Purslane also reflect favourably on its value as an edible plant. It contains vitamin A, C and B and contains the minerals magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium. Purslane is also a source of omega 3 fatty acids. Of course never eat any plant that you are not 100% confident of identifying.  

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Growing edibles all year round. Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA)

Karen Sutherland talks about how to make your garden productive all year round. Presented by Sustainable Gardening Australia. sgaonline.org.au edibleedendesi...

Every year I try and keep the veggies going at home during the colder months but eventually give up (hopefully this year will be the exception). Here's an inspirational vid of Karen Sutherland (edibleedendesign.com.au) speaking of year round edibles.

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Calendula bed I made in 2013. A few different varieties in there.