#possumhaw

[dvoeverie-stitches]

Annointing this year’s Morana/Smrtka doll, the Morana embroidery, and Morana prayer beads in the first snow of the season.

[druidinvirginia]

possumhaw

[stopandlook]

Scientific Name: Ilex decidua Common Name(s): Possumhaw Family: Aquifoliaceae (holly) Life Cycle: Perennial Leaf Retention: Deciduous Habit: Tree, shrub USDA L48 Native Status: Native Location: Plano, Texas Season(s): Fall

[arborholic]

I often get asked why I "say the scientific name" after I identify a tree. It's because all plants have only one binomial name and that binomial applies to only one species. Here I have a small tree/large shrub that I call "deciduous holly" but folks here call "possum haw". I think the local common name is ugly and unfair for such a gorgeous creature. But also, possumhaw is used for other plants in other parts of the country. Deciduous holly is slightly prettier sounding, but it also is not unique to this species.

The binomial, however, is pretty sounding AND unique (and descriptive) - Ilex decidua. Ilex says it's a holly and decidua says it's deciduous.

[vandaliatraveler]

Young ‘un in the possumhaw and bracken. Momma hid close by and eventually moved on as she foraged through the bush, followed in lockstep by the fawn.

[petitepointplace]

A solstice trade. 2018

[dvoeverie-stitches]

Honeysuckle Foraging May Day Walkabout

I spotted some honeysuckle growing in the barbed wire fence between us and the pine woods next door and leaped at the opportunity to make some May Day honeysuckle syrup. I don’t usually spot it until later in the month. I also found some blossoms in the possumhaw, which has been half overtaken by a thick vine for awhile now.

Between the honeysuckle, privet and humidity the air smelled divine.

The path to the creek was dappled with catalpa blossoms knocked down in yesterday’s May Eve storms. The catalpa tree is so tall that I can’t see the blossoms from the base—I only ever see them in the trail.

I was delighted to find three tall stalks (they can grow as high as four feet) of Carolina larkspur in a little glade. I find the structure of the leaves as striking as the flowers.

The creek wasn’t nearly as high as I expected after the May Eve storms.

@sagescented

[dvoeverie-stitches]

Blessing the Land on St. Gregory’s Day

Blessing the hazel nut tree

It was said: "On Svaty Řehoř (St. Gregory’s Day), every farmer is lazy who does not plow.” The actual start of spring plowing also had its own magical ceremony – the farmer sprinkled himself, the plow and the ground with holy water and blessed the field and the first furrow with a cross. When he returned home, the housewife doused him with water to keep him strong in the days to come. Sieving was done on days when the moon was waxing – this was especially true for grain and flax. And finally, when the field was sown, it was walked around, which was related to the belief in the magical protective power of the circle.

Blessing the bridal wreath and the white walnut tree

Today is the old folkloric date of St. Gregory’s day. Since we don’t farm I decided to simply bless plants and places on our land that I particularly work with. I used the water that I gathered and consecrated at the creek on Three King’s Day.

Blessing the possumhaw and the loblolly pine

Blessing the black cherry and the redbud

Blessing the creek and the daffodil patch