Published by Daniel Mosquin on July 17, 2017
English common names for Galeopsis speciosa include large-flowered hempnettle and Edmonton hempnettle. The latter name is almost certainly a reference to the Edmonton area of London, rather than the Canadian city.
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on July 4, 2017
Of the twenty or so species of Lycopus, Lycopus europaeus is perhaps the most broadly distributed, occurring across Europe and Asia and into northern Africa. It has also been introduced into North America and New Zealand.
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on May 20, 2015
Pycnostachys urticifolia is a beautiful plant, with a mouthful of a name. While trying to find a more melodious way of referring to this species, I came across a number of equally-difficult common names; you may also call this species dark blue pycnostachys, groot ystervarksalie, or unkungwini. It is also known by some as simply […]
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on April 2, 2015
Spearmint has a special place in my household. Every time I move, the first thing that I do is transplant a very large clump into my front yard, as close to my entryway as possible. After being out on cold rainy days, I pick a few sprigs for a cup of tea before I enter […]
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on February 11, 2015
Botanically speaking, mid-winter in Alberta is a slow period. A few weeks ago, it was -4°C and lightly snowing as I sought orchid blooms in the Tropical Showhouse at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden. Fresh off the Christmas celebrations, the fireworks of New Year’s and the Muslim celebration of Milad al Nabi (Muhammad’s birthday), […]
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Published by Daniel Mosquin on December 16, 2005
I mentioned last week that you could possibly find a rhododendron in bloom every day of the year in UBC Botanical Garden. I think (and others will surely correct me if I’m wrong) that the only genus of plants that you are guaranteed to find in flower every day of the year is Rosmarinus or […]
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