Today's photograph and write-up are both by Bryant DeRoy, the BPotD work-study student for this summer. Bryant writes:

Following the wonderful series by Katherine Van Dijk on white-flowered medicinal plants, I thought I would post something with a vibrant colour to mix things up a bit. This photo of Aquilegia chrysantha (golden columbine) was taken in the E.H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden at the UBC Botanical Garden. Aquilegia chrysantha is a member of the Ranunculaceae (buttercup family) and is native to the southwestern USA and Chihuahua, Mexico. In the USA, the species is found in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, as well as a a disjunction in Colorado. These herbaceous perennials are often found in shady moist canyons, usually in association with seeping water. Mature plants in typical growing conditions can range in height from 30cm to 120cm. Compared with other columbines, the inflorescence is relatively large, with the spurs projecting from the back of the corolla typically ranging from 4cm to 7cm in length.

Although Aquilegia chrysantha is known as a shade and moisture-loving plant in its native arid habitat, this species does perform well in gardening conditions outside its native range. The specimen pictured above was planted on a southwest-facing slope in full sun in Vancouver, British Columbia; mind you, "full sun" in springtime Vancouver (at the 49th parallel) is much less intense and more infrequent than full sun in the southwestern USA.

Columbine is derived from columbinus, meaning "dovelike" in Latin. Viewed from certain angles, the flowers resemble a cluster of five doves, with the petals (including the spurs) resembling the heads, necks and bodies of the 5 birds (very elongated in Aquilegia chrysantha!) and the spreading sepals imagined as wings. The genus name is derived from the Latin aquila for eagle, a reference to how the petals can resemble eagle talons. The foliage of this species is also of note for its fern-like and sometimes evergreen qualities. Once it has established, Aquilegia chrysantha will often self-sow, a potential benefit to gardeners who enjoy naturalizing plants.

With today's entry, we conclude Katherine Van Dijk's contributions as a work-study student for Botany Photo of the Day (though the official end date was actually two weeks ago). Thank you Katherine! For this entry, she writes:

To finish our series on white-flowered plants with medicinal properties, we have another wonderful contribution from 3Point141@Flickr. This photograph features Hylocereus costaricensis, commonly known as Costa Rica pitahaya, Costa Rica pitaya or Costa Rica night-blooming cactus. 3Point141@Flickr also has a 12 image set which captures the blooming of this magnificent species: Hylocereus costaricensis.

Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) describes Hylocereus costaricensis as a vigorous vine (up to 10cm in stem width), with white and yellow flowers sometimes exceeding 30cm in length. The site notes Hylocereus costaricensis as native to Costa Rica (costaricensis = "of Costa Rica"), Nicaragua and Panama, but unfortunately invasive in Hawaii.

Hylocereus and a few closely-related genera of cacti are well-known for their tasty dragon fruit or pitaya. The fruit of Hylocereus costaricensis is where medicinal uses are found. In Le Bellec, F. et al., 2006. Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.): a new fruit crop, a market with a future (PDF). Fruits. 61:237-250, the authors note that dragonfruit is a significant source of antioxidants, including betalains. These compounds are currently being studied for medical efficacy, with some indications that they can be useful in preventing certain diseases (e.g., some forms of cancer). A different medicinal use for Hylocereus costaricensis was examined in a study which had results suggesting that an ethanol extract of the fruit pulp was successful in increasing sperm viability and production rate in mice (and could therefore presumably be used as a male fertility agent). See: Aziz, F. and M. Noor. 2010. Ethanol extract of dragon fruit and its effects on sperm quality and histology of the testes in mice. Biomedical Research. 21(2):126-130.

Continuing the series of white-flowered medicinal plants, Katherine writes:

Today's image is of Vanilla roscheri, and was taken by Ton Rulkens (tonrulkens@Flickr) "in the wild on the north Mozambique coast (Mecufi District)". The illustration of Vanilla planifolia is from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen.

Vanilla roscheri is a rare orchid found in eastern and southeastern Africa. Due to deficient data, the conservation status of the species globally is unknown, but in South Africa it is considered endangered due to urban expansion, habitat degradation, invasive species and agriculture. Commonly known as Roscher's vanilla, Vanilla roscheri is found in open bushlands, scrub, mangroves and open evergreen scrub to an elevation of about 1050m (3450 ft.). Sweetly fragrant, the flowers of the plants bloom in the (tropical and subtropical) winter. Plants are succulent vining climbers.

Medicinal information for "vanilla" almost always refers to the extract of vanillin from the commercial Vanilla planifolia, originally of Mesoamerica and northern South America. Vanilla roscheri also seems to contain the compound, as use of the species has been documented in traditional medicines of African indigenous peoples. An excellent article on the origin and use of vanilla is available from UCLA's Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library's Medicinal Spices Exhibit, where the following from Robert Bentley and Henry Trimen's Medicinal Plants; being descriptions with original figures of the principal plants employed in medicine and an account of the characters, properties, and uses of their parts and products of medicinal value (London, Churchill, 1880) is quoted: "Vanilla is an aromatic stimulant, with a tendency towards the nervous system. It has also been regarded as an aphrodisiac. It has been employed as a remedy in hysteria, low fevers, impotency, etc. But its use as a medicine is obsolete in this country, although still sometimes employed on the Continent and elsewhere."

Bryant DeRoy, who is the summer work-study student, is both the photographer and writer for today's entry. It fits with the white-flowered medicinal plant series, so we'll interrupt Katherine's entries today with one of his since it features a species from UBC Botanical Garden.

This photograph of the blossoms of Sambucus racemosa subsp. pubens var. arborescens (Pacific red elderberry) was taken from the Greenheart Canopy Walkway in UBC Botanical Garden's David C. Lam Asian Garden. Sambucus racemosa subsp. pubens var. arborescens is a member of the Adoxaceae (or muskroot family), which is a relatively small family consisting of only 150-200 species.

There is some controversy and confusion around the use of Pacific red elderberry as a source of food and medicine. The controversy arises because the leaves, bark, stems, seeds and shoots contain glycosides, which produce cyanide. The confusion often occurs because a close relative, the European Sambucus nigra, is more commonly used for food and medicinal purposes. However, despite its toxicity, the Pacific red elderberry has been an important resource for many First Nations along the west coast of North America (including the Chehalis, Hanaksiala, Hoh, Klallam, Makah, Nitinaht, Oweekeno, Quileute, Skagit, Snohomish, and Squaxin).

Eating the fruits raw is typically avoided. Instead, traditional First Nations preparation of the fruits involves steaming on rocks or baking in pits. The cooked berries can then be processed to remove stems and seeds, followed by being wrapped in the leaves of Lysichiton americanus (western skunk cabbage) for future use. The glycosides are heat labile, making them less toxic when cooked. Since the fruits have low levels of pectin, this mash is traditionally combined with other fruits such as blueberries or crabapples (which contain higher levels of pectin) in order to make a jam-like preserve. Also, combining the Pacific red elderberry fruits with other fruits or fish grease (sourced from eulachon) can make them more palatable, due to the tart nature of the berries. The fruits of Sambucus racemosa subsp. pubens var. arborescens contain high levels of vitamin C, which made them especially important as a winter food for First Nations (when other sources of vitamin C were scarce, centuries ago). Even though cooking the berries can make them less toxic, eating high quantities of cooked berries can still induce nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Traditional First Nations medicinal preparations of Sambucus racemosa subsp. pubens var. arborescens included the decoction into teas, poultices and infusions of the leaves, bark and roots. These were (are?) used to treat boils, colds, coughs, pain, arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, and even nervous breakdowns. Boiled leaves were/are also used to shorten pregnancy as well as aiding in childbirth. See Daniel Moerman's 1998 book Native American Ethnobotany for a more detailed description of use by First Nations.

Additional food uses include infusion of the flower clusters to flavour wines or make tea. There are also reports of the flowers being added to pancake batter as well as being dipped in batter and fried like tempura. I have sampled the latter, and found that cooking did not completely remove the foul odour that is commonly associated with members of the Adoxaceae. Perhaps it is an acquired aroma?

Another in the series on white-flowered medicinal plants written by Katherine, today's entry has an illustration from Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen (in the public domain, via Wikimedia Commons). Katherine writes:

Peumus boldus was described and published by Molina in 1782. Synonyms include Ruizia fragrans and Boldoa fragrans. Among its many common names are boldo, boldu, boldina, and baldina. This Chilean endemic species is the only representative of the genus.

Mature plants of this dioecious (individual plants are either male or female) evergreen tree attain about 6-8m (15-25 ft) in height. Shown in the illustration with pink-tinged white flowers, photographs of living material range from white to a pale yellow colour. The Plants for a Future database entry on Peumus boldus notes: "The small fruits are dried and used as beads in necklaces. When warmed by the body or the sun they release the scent of cinnamon". The leaves are the primary part of the plant used, however.

Wikipedia touches on some of the uses of the leaves: "In Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay boldo is frequently mixed with yerba mate or other teas to moderate its flavor. In Brazil and Paraguay, many families keep a boldo plant at home for this purpose, although boldo teabags are readily available in nearly all supermarkets. It is believed in Southeastern Brazil that the leaves of the boldo plant can be used as an effective hangover and upset stomach cure." A longer list of traditional medicinal uses is available from Plants for a Future (linked above), including: treatment of gallstones, liver pain, gonorrhoea, urinary tract infections, intestinal parasites and rheumatism.

The European Medicines Agency, in its Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use, noted in its final assessment report on Peumus boldus (PDF): "[Assessor's Overall Conclusions] Sufficient data are available to develop a Community herbal monograph on the traditional use of Peumus boldus Molina, folium provided the indications are suitable for self-medication. The proposed indications are in accordance with the Commission E monograph (Blumenthal, 2000): Traditional herbal medicinal product for symptomatic relief of dyspepsia and mild spasmodic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract."

but cautioned:

"Duration of use should be limited to 2 weeks. Use of boldo leaf is not recommended in children and adolescents and should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. Boldo leaf is contra-indicated where there is obstruction of the bile duct, cholangitis liver disease, gallstones or any other biliary disorder that would require medical supervision. The use of comminuted herbal substance as such and of ethanolic extracts of boldo leaf are not considered acceptable for traditional herbal medicinal products in view of the potential risks associated with the toxic ascaridole (see Health Issues) constituent".

Katherine continues with the series she's assembled:

Today's image for the series on medicinal white-flowered plants is Pseudobombax ellipticum (shaving-brush tree), thanks to 3Point141@Flickr. The image was taken at Palma Sola Botanical Park, Bradenton, Florida, USA.

According to the USDA GRIN site, Pseudobombax ellipticum is native to Mexico, Cuba and Guatemala. GRIN lists two synonyms, Bombax ellipticum and Carolinea fastuosa, as well as some common names: shaving-brush tree in English, pochote or pochotl in Spanish, and rakborstträd in Swedish. Jim Conrad's Naturalist Newsletter also provides additional names for Pseudobombax ellipticum: amapolo (Mayan), xiloxóchitl (cornsilk flower, Aztecan and current in some parts of Mexico), and cabellos de ángel, or angel hair (Spanish).

A species description written by Navarrette-Tindall and Núñez for the Tropical Tree Seed Manual is available via rngr.net (Reforestation, Nurseries and Genetic Resources: Pseudobombax ellipticum. Among the other details about this white- or pink-flowering species, the account notes the species is winter- to spring-flowering, typically after losing its leaves. The authors also provide several uses of Pseudobombax ellipticum: the wood is used as firewood or for carving dishes; the trees for ornamental purposes and as living fences; the toasted seeds as food; and the fine fruit fibres to fill pillows and mattresses or to insulate refrigerators. Medicinally, the authors cite González (1994) and Guzmán (1980): "In El Salvador, the tea of the flowers is used for gastrointestinal ailments and the tea of the fresh bark is used to treat diabetes". The link above to Jim Conrad's newsletter also describes some medicinal uses by local peoples.

Researchers have determined that Pseudobombax ellipticum was one of several important plant species depicted in Mayan ceramics (e.g., pots used as burial urns or incense holders). See Sacred plants of the Maya forest for a popular account from the BBC, or investigate Zidar, C. and W. Elisens. 2009. Sacred Giants: Depiction of Bombacoideae on Maya Ceramics in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. Economic Botany. 63(2):119-129. doi: 10.1007/s12231-009-9079-2.

Today, we'll start Katherine's series of entries on white-flowered medicinal plants. She writes:

This image of Plumeria obtusa 'Singapore' is courtesy of Dinesh Valke (dinesh_valke@Flickr). For this series on medicinal plants, one should assume that traditional and sometimes scientifically unproven uses are noted, unless otherwise stated. I made my best attempts to find scientific articles where possible.

In Mabberley's Plant-Book, 8 species are noted for Plumeria, with two receiving mention as often-cultivated ornamentals in this tropical American genus: Plumeria obtusa (native to the West Indies) and Plumeria rubra (native from Mexico to Panama). Both of these species are widely cultivated throughout the tropics. Despite having only a couple handfuls of species, hundreds of cultivated varieties have been selected or hybridized, including today's evergreen cultivar. If researching Plumeria rubra, do note that many sites and references use the synonym Plumeria acuminata.

The U.S. National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) provides wonderful descriptions of both Plumeria obtusa and Plumeria rubra, along with their uses. The site notes that Plumeria flowers are used to make lei in Hawai'i, due in part to providing large numbers of showy flowers that retain colour and fragrance. The same source also notes that the scent varies widely among cultivars; this reference by Richard Criley of the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa details 40 or so cultivars, with comments on fragrance: Plumeria in Hawaiʻi (PDF). The National Tropical Botanical Garden also makes note of the use of Plumeria as an ornamental for cemeteries (hence one of the common names, graveyard flower) and temples (known as temple flower in India and Sri Lanka). Today's cultivar is commonly known as 'Singapore' graveyard flower.

Medicinally, Plumeria species have traditionally been used to treat itches, swellings and fevers, skin eruptions and abscesses, dysentery, herpes, syphilis, coughs and as a purgative. A recent test of the leaves of Plumeria obtusa for anticancer properties did not find significant positive results (unlike some other members of the Apocynaceae): Wong et al. 2011. Antiproliferative and phytochemical analyses of leaf extracts of ten Apocynaceae species. Pharmacognosy Research. 3(2):100-106. However, a 2006 study by Gupta et al. suggested that an extract from the leaves of Plumeria acuminata can soothe inflammation in "both acute and chronic models": Antiinflammatory evaluation of leaves of Plumeria acuminata. BMC Complememnt Altern Med. 6(36).