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Orange Milkweed
November 21, 2009
Orange Milkweed, Kentucky 15 x 22 inches watercolors on paper, sold
Driving from Texas to Ontario one summer I had to pull over to take photos and a closer study of the vivid orange bouquets growing beside the highway in southern Kentucky. The colors are irresistible, and this is not the first or last time I’ll portray this subject. All plants and trees contain medicinal and useful chemical properties in their leaves, stems, roots and flowers.
I looked up Orange Milkweed in the most informative books about plants, The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism edited by Malcom Stuart, which contains details about every plant I have ever sought to find information for. According to it, Appalachian Indians made a tea from the leaves to use during religious ceremonies. One common name for this plant is Pleuracy Root, as it is still useful to treat infections of the respiratory tract including pleurisy It is used as a diaphoretic, antispasmodic, carminative, expectorant… and color also has enchanting, supernatural energizing properties!
Categories: flowers, Kentucky, landscapes, Seasonal, summer, travel, watercolors, Wildflowers, work in progress | No Comments »
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