pcplantdb

[Richard Morris <webmaster@pfaf.org>]

Bear Kaufmann wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I tried implementing the MailPosts feature. I need to use an email 
> address for the "from" on the messages, I believe this list doesn't 
> allow non-subscribed people to post to the list, so messages from the 
> script will get bounced.
> I used "wiki@permaculture.info" as the address. Perhaps Lawrence could 
> add it to the list.

Just added a test edit in Main.Wiki lets see it it comes through?
Did you use the collection feature where it waits a few hours and 
combines all the changes before emailing?
> Something I ran across which didn't make it into the email was 
> http://www.state-machine.com
> It tracks the influence of campaign contributions to Senators. Each type 
> of contribution (3 of them) attracts the nodes (Senators) to itself in 
> proportion to the amount of money the Senator raised from that source. 
> You are free to move the attractors around. So you can sort out objects 
> based on multiple variables on a 2d surface. This is along the lines of 
> what I'm thinking of for the RichClient (looking for a better name) 
> search feature.
>
> I'm inclined to make the RichClient a sub-project here. I think we may 
> first really want to work on an good HTML based implementation, and once 
> that's respectable looking, move on to implementing the RichClient.

Lawrence
> What is RichClient all about?

Possibly A smarter client, representing information as a set of node and 
links in 2D.

A lot of the RichClient info, looks like it will be useful for other 
bits of the spec, user scenarios, plant specifications etc.
I've cut down the RichClient bit so is the specifics of the client.

> Also, when I get well tagged output to work with, what kind of look 
> would you all like for the search results and plant listing? Any 
> websites to reference for design ideas?

I've been playing a bit with the pfaf design. Attached webpage
shows some of features.

Rich

Title: Aesculus chinensis - Plants For A Future database report

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Aesculus chinensis

Bunge.

Chinese Horse Chestnut

Author	Bunge.
Family	Hippocastanaceae
Botanical references	11, 200
Synonyms
Known Hazards	The seed is rich in saponins. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].
Range	E. Asia - N. China.
Habitat	Mountains of Szechwan[178]
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)
Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

A decidious Tree growing to 25m by 10m at a slow rate.

It is hardy to zone 6 and is frost tender. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed.

Seed - cooked. It can be dried and ground into a powder and used as a gruel. The seed is quite large, it can be 3cm in diameter, and is easily harvested. Unfortunately it is also rich in saponins, these must be removed before it can be used as a food and this process also removes many of the minerals and vitamins, leaving behind mainly starch. See also the notes above on toxicity. The following notes apply to A. californica, but are probably also relevant here:- The seed needs to be leached of toxins before it becomes safe to eat - the Indians would do this by slow-roasting the nuts (which would have rendered the saponins harmless) and then cutting them into thin slices, putting them into a cloth bag and rinsing them in a stream for 2 - 5 days[213].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic; Emetic.

The seed is antirheumatic and emetic[178, 218]. The sweet tasting seed is said to be used in the treatment of contracted limbs that are due to palsy or rheumatism[178, 218]. It is also used in the treatment of stomach aches[218].

Other Uses

Soap; Wood.

Saponins in the seed are used as a soap substitute[169]. The saponins can be easily obtained by chopping the seed into small pieces and infusing them in hot water. This water can then be used for washing the body, clothes etc. Its main drawback is a lingering odour of horse chestnuts[K].

Cultivation details

Prefers a deep loamy well-drained soil but is not too fussy[11]. Plants grow best in eastern and south-eastern areas of England, probably needing a continental climate in order to thrive[11, 200]. Although the trees are very hardy when dormant, the new growth can be damaged by late spring frosts[11]. Most members of this genus transplant easily, even when fairly large[11].

Propagation

Seed - best sown outdoors or in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[11, 80]. The seed germinates almost immediately and must be given protection from severe weather[130]. The seed has a very limited viability and must not be allowed to dry out. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing and even after this may still not be viable[80, 113]. It is best to sow the seed with its 'scar' downwards[130]. If sowing the seed in a cold frame, pot up the seedlings in early spring and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[80] McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.

[113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[130] ? The Plantsman. Vol. 4. 1982 - 1983. Royal Horticultural Society 1982
Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants, including Distylium racemosum and some perennial members of the family Berberidaceae.

[169] Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. 0
Covers all aspects of growing your own clothes, from fibre plants to dyes.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[213] Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
A nice book to read though it is difficult to look up individual plants since the book is divided into separate sections dealing with the different medicinal uses plus a section on edible plants. Common names are used instead of botanical.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

All the information contained in these pages is Copyright (C) Plants For A Future, 1996-2003. Last modified: June 2004 (may well have been modified since!)

Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567, 

HTML version prepared by Rich Morris - Home Page

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