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JIM RICHARDSON

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  • Archeologists from the Central Amazon Project work in the forest of Brazil to discover the workings of terra preta (black earth) and how it was created by the indians living in the area.The vast quantity of potsherds and their even distribution indicates the were produced for the purpose and placed in the soil by the native Indians, not left by accident. <br />
<br />
Contact:  Bill Woods,  Department of Geography <br />
University of Kansas,  217A Lindley Hall,  ,  ,    Phone:  785 864-5541 Or: 785 864-8992 Or: 785.691.5368 Email: wwoods@ku.edu
    MM6977_070804_12449.jpg
  • Archeologists from the Central Amazon Project work in the forest of Brazil to discover the workings of terra preta (black earth) and how it was created by the indians living in the area. Farmer Pedro Macedo looks into the the Terra Preta soil on his farm where archeologists are researching the formation of the soil.  In the background are the papaya trees he grows. At the Laguinho Site.
    MM6977_070803_11972.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 5080.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 4939.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 5080.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    Andes Potato Pan II.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 4252.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 4939.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    Andes Potato Pan II.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 5036.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 5036.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 4252.jpg
  • Harvesting potatoes in the Andes commuity of Pampallacta at the Potato Park near Pisac, Peru. Hundreds of varieties of potatoes are grown in high mountain fields on a seven year rotation.  These fields belong to Mariano Sutta Apucusi, who is a technician at the park and a varayoc, a traditional spiritual "mayor" of the community.  Someone who has a lot of knowledge about the rituals and maintains these rituals in their home. In their family field in Pampallacta at 14,000 feet altitude.  It is an hour trip each way to the fields.  The horses are loaded with bags of potatoes that take two strong men to load.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-29 4252.jpg
  • Antonia, wife of Mariano Sutta Apucusi. At their home in Pampallacta.  Oca is a tuber relative of the potato, grown in the high Andes.  Oca is part of the vast biodiversity of some 1,300 varieties of potatoes and tubers grown here.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 3487.jpg
  • Antonia, wife of Mariano Sutta Apucusi. At their home in Pampallacta.  Oca is a tuber relative of the potato, grown in the high Andes.  Oca is part of the vast biodiversity of some 1,300 varieties of potatoes and tubers grown here. Seen here at the home of Mariano and Antonia Sutta Apucusi at ther home in Pampallacta, at the Parque de la Papa near Pisac, Peru.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 3487.jpg
  • Antonia, wife of Mariano Sutta Apucusi. At their home in Pampallacta.  Oca is a tuber relative of the potato, grown in the high Andes.  Oca is part of the vast biodiversity of some 1,300 varieties of potatoes and tubers grown here.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 3487.jpg
  • Archeologists from the Central Amazon Project work in the forest of Brazil to discover the workings of terra preta (black earth) and how it was created by the indians living in the area.The vast quantity of potsherds and their even distribution indicates the were produced for the purpose and placed in the soil by the native Indians, not left by accident.
    MM6977_070804_12449.jpg
  • Papa wata ceremony, performed after potatoes are brought in from the field, to call the spirit of the potato because the spirt of the potato sometimes stays in the field.  Mariano Sutta Apucusi and his wife Antonia are seen holding the potatoes over incense.  Part of the ceremony is the kintu ceremony, where three coca leaves are held up to call the spirits of the mountains, or apus. <br />
<br />
When he is holding up the coca leaves it is the Kintu ceremony, part of many ceremonies, an offering to Mother Earth and to thank the apus, the sacred mountains. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 3318.jpg
  • Repatriated potatoes in the warehouse at Pampallacta at the Parque de la Papa near Pisac, Peru.   Varieties shown are being "repatriated" from the seed bank at CIP in Lima, Peru, the international potato center. These varieties were collected from the surrounding area and kept at CIP, and are now being planted and grown by the people living in the potato park.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 2776.jpg
  • Oca is a tuber relative of the potato, grown in the high Andes.  Oca is part of the vast biodiversity of some 1,300 varieties of potatoes and tubers grown here. Seen here at the home of Mariano and Antonia Sutta Apucusi at ther home in Pampallacta, at the Parque de la Papa near Pisac, Peru.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.
    MM7753 2010-05-28 3909.jpg
  • Antonia, wife of Mariano Sutta Apucusi. At their home in Pampallacta.  Oca is a tuber relative of the potato, grown in the high Andes.  Oca is part of the vast biodiversity of some 1,300 varieties of potatoes and tubers grown here. Seen here at the home of Mariano and Antonia Sutta Apucusi at ther home in Pampallacta, at the Parque de la Papa near Pisac, Peru.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 3487.jpg
  • Oca is a tuber relative of the potato, grown in the high Andes.  Oca is part of the vast biodiversity of some 1,300 varieties of potatoes and tubers grown here. Seen here at the home of Mariano and Antonia Sutta Apucusi at ther home in Pampallacta, at the Parque de la Papa near Pisac, Peru.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.
    MM7753 2010-05-28 3909.jpg
  • Antonia, wife of Mariano Sutta Apucusi. At their home in Pampallacta.  Oca is a tuber relative of the potato, grown in the high Andes.  Oca is part of the vast biodiversity of some 1,300 varieties of potatoes and tubers grown here. Seen here at the home of Mariano and Antonia Sutta Apucusi at ther home in Pampallacta, at the Parque de la Papa near Pisac, Peru.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 3487-Edit-Edit.jpg
  • Daniel, who is a papa arariwa, or guardian of the potato, people chosen in their community who knowedgeable about the varieties of potatoes and their uses and stories. Seen here in the field of repatirated potatoes in Chawaytire. <br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-28 3761.jpg
  • Antonia, wife of Mariano Sutta Apucusi. At their home in Pampallacta.  Oca is a tuber relative of the potato, grown in the high Andes.  Oca is part of the vast biodiversity of some 1,300 varieties of potatoes and tubers grown here. Seen here at the home of Mariano and Antonia Sutta Apucusi at ther home in Pampallacta, at the Parque de la Papa near Pisac, Peru.<br />
<br />
Mariano Sutta Apucusi is wearing the traditional hat and a dark red sweater. Sabina Sutta Apucusi is his sister, wearing a brown hat and a light red sweater.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 3487.jpg
  • Papa wata ceremony, performed after potatoes are brought in from the field, to call the spirit of the potato because the spirt of the potato sometimes stays in the field.  Mariano Sutta Apucusi and his wife Antonia are seen holding the potatoes over incense.  Part of the ceremony is the kintu ceremony, where three coca leaves are held up to call the spirits of the mountains, or apus. <br />
<br />
When he is holding up the coca leaves it is the Kintu ceremony, part of many ceremonies, an offering to Mother Earth and to thank the apus, the sacred mountains. <br />
<br />
<br />
The Parque de la Papa, or potato park, near Pisac, Peru is using potatoes as a focal point to aid biodiversity and local economics, as well as bringing the community together through traditional values.
    MM7753 2010-05-27 3318.jpg
  • Archeologists from the Central Amazon Project work in the forest of Brazil to discover the workings of terra preta (black earth) and how it was created by the indians living in the area. Farmer Pedro Macedo looks into the the Terra Preta soil on his farm where archeologists are researching the formation of the soil.  In the background are the papaya trees he grows. At the Laguinho Site.
    MM6977_070803_11972.jpg
  • Seed from the Kew Millennium Seed Bank collection at Wakehurst, outside London in the UK.  <br />
<br />
Tipuana tipu (Leguminosae) – tipu tree; native to South America (Brazil, Bolivia & Argentina) – fruits (samaras); the 1-3-seeded, unilaterally winged samaras of the tipu tree bear a striking resemblance to the fruitlets of maples (Acer spp., Sapindaceae). A unilateral wing causes a helicopter-like flight as the diaspore rotates around its centre of gravity (i.e. the thickened, seed-bearing part of the fruit); length c. 5cm. ---  The tipu tree is widely planted as a street tree in the tropics; it is very vigorous and can become an invasive pest, such as in South Africa. The timber of the tipu tree is used for furniture.<br />
From: http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/GBASE/data/pf000407.htm: This is mainly an ornamental tree, used in urban forestry, but the leaves also constitute e good feed for stock. It is also one of the many "rose woods". It has been used in the South Sahel and North Sudanese ecozones for street and amenity plantations, as well as in Dakar, Cairo, Lisbon, Tunis, Sousse, Jerusalem etc.
    MM7753_2010-07-23_11791.jpg
  • Seed from the Kew Millennium Seed Bank collection at Wakehurst, outside London in the UK.  <br />
<br />
Tipuana tipu (Leguminosae) – tipu tree; native to South America (Brazil, Bolivia & Argentina) – fruits (samaras); the 1-3-seeded, unilaterally winged samaras of the tipu tree bear a striking resemblance to the fruitlets of maples (Acer spp., Sapindaceae). A unilateral wing causes a helicopter-like flight as the diaspore rotates around its centre of gravity (i.e. the thickened, seed-bearing part of the fruit); length c. 5cm. ---  The tipu tree is widely planted as a street tree in the tropics; it is very vigorous and can become an invasive pest, such as in South Africa. The timber of the tipu tree is used for furniture.<br />
From: http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/GBASE/data/pf000407.htm: This is mainly an ornamental tree, used in urban forestry, but the leaves also constitute e good feed for stock. It is also one of the many "rose woods". It has been used in the South Sahel and North Sudanese ecozones for street and amenity plantations, as well as in Dakar, Cairo, Lisbon, Tunis, Sousse, Jerusalem etc.
    MM7753_2010-07-23_11791.jpg
  • Seed from the Kew Millennium Seed Bank collection at Wakehurst, outside London in the UK.  <br />
<br />
Bixa orellana (Bixaceae) - annato, lipstick tree; native to South America. The genus Bixa is monotypic and a member of the family Bixaceae (16 species in 3 genera). The species is especially cultivated for its red colouring obtained from the testa of the seeds, the original Amerindian body paint which is also effective as an insect repellent. The red colour is due to several apocarotenoids located in the seed epidermis, of which bixin (9'Z-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioate) is the most important. Several more carotenoids and apocarotenoids have been identified; their total amount varies strongly, but may reach up to 7% of the dry seeds' mass. Bixin was formerly an important dyestuff but is now replaced by Congo red for fabric but still used in food esp. cheese, butter, margarine and chocolate as it is almost tasteless. It is also used in soaps and other skin products (there sometimes also called the lipstick tree). Bixa orellana, also called annato, possesses extrafloral nectaries to attract ants that ward off predators (seed production doubles in the presence of ants) (from Mabberley 1997 and Gernod Katzer’s Spice Pages). Common names for Bixa orellana include: Orleansbaum, achuete, annatto, urucum, urucu, rocucou, anato, achiote, kuswé.<br />
The scientific species name orellana reminds to Francisco de Orellana, a Spanish explorer of the 16th century. Together with Francisco Pizarro, Orellana had been involved in the destruction of the Inca empire; in 1540, he participated in another expedition led by Gonzalo Pizarro. Following rumours about gold and cinnamon trees, about 2000 Spaniards entered to Peruvian and Brazilian jungles, where most of them perished. Orellana abandoned the party and made his way eastward, where he (more or less by chance) discovered the Amazonas river and earned scientific fame quite undeservedly. By confusion of the Spanish name with the French town Orle
    MM7753_2010-07-23_11854.jpg
  • Seed from the Kew Millennium Seed Bank collection at Wakehurst, outside London in the UK.  <br />
<br />
Bixa orellana (Bixaceae) - annato, lipstick tree; native to South America. The genus Bixa is monotypic and a member of the family Bixaceae (16 species in 3 genera). The species is especially cultivated for its red colouring obtained from the testa of the seeds, the original Amerindian body paint which is also effective as an insect repellent. The red colour is due to several apocarotenoids located in the seed epidermis, of which bixin (9'Z-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioate) is the most important. Several more carotenoids and apocarotenoids have been identified; their total amount varies strongly, but may reach up to 7% of the dry seeds' mass. Bixin was formerly an important dyestuff but is now replaced by Congo red for fabric but still used in food esp. cheese, butter, margarine and chocolate as it is almost tasteless. It is also used in soaps and other skin products (there sometimes also called the lipstick tree). Bixa orellana, also called annato, possesses extrafloral nectaries to attract ants that ward off predators (seed production doubles in the presence of ants) (from Mabberley 1997 and Gernod Katzer’s Spice Pages). Common names for Bixa orellana include: Orleansbaum, achuete, annatto, urucum, urucu, rocucou, anato, achiote, kuswé.<br />
The scientific species name orellana reminds to Francisco de Orellana, a Spanish explorer of the 16th century. Together with Francisco Pizarro, Orellana had been involved in the destruction of the Inca empire; in 1540, he participated in another expedition led by Gonzalo Pizarro. Following rumours about gold and cinnamon trees, about 2000 Spaniards entered to Peruvian and Brazilian jungles, where most of them perished. Orellana abandoned the party and made his way eastward, where he (more or less by chance) discovered the Amazonas river and earned scientific fame quite undeservedly. By confusion of the Spanish name with the French town Orle
    MM7753_2010-07-23_11854.jpg
  • Seed from the Kew Millennium Seed Bank collection at Wakehurst, outside London in the UK.  <br />
<br />
Mucuna sp. (Fabaceae) - hamburger bean; native to Central and South America<br />
Apart from the sea-heart (Entada gigas), the most famous sea beans are the true sea bean (Mucuna sloanei and M. urens), Mucuna urens (Fabaceae), true sea bean or hamburger bean; diameter of seed: c. 2.5cm;<br />
interesting weblinks:<br />
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/mucuna.htm<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucuna
    MM7753_2010-07-23_11908.jpg
  • Seed from the Kew Millennium Seed Bank collection at Wakehurst, outside London in the UK.  <br />
<br />
Mucuna sp. (Fabaceae) - hamburger bean; native to Central and South America<br />
Apart from the sea-heart (Entada gigas), the most famous sea beans are the true sea bean (Mucuna sloanei and M. urens), Mucuna urens (Fabaceae), true sea bean or hamburger bean; diameter of seed: c. 2.5cm;<br />
interesting weblinks:<br />
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/mucuna.htm<br />
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucuna
    MM7753_2010-07-23_11908.jpg
  • Seed from the Kew Millennium Seed Bank collection at Wakehurst, outside London in the UK.  <br />
<br />
<br />
Sophora secundiflora (Fabaceae) - Texas mountain laurel, mescal bean; native to North America (Texas, New Mexico, northern Mexico)<br />
The hard, fibrous and indehiscent camaras of the Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora, Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) appear to be adapted to dispersal by large herbivorous mammals such as antelopes. However, most of the potential dispersers in North America would have died out c. 13.000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. The only native antelope in the southern US is the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Observations as to whether the pronghorn does eat the fruits of the Texas mountain laurel seem to be missing. The very hard and shiny seeds of the Texas mountain laurel are coloured bright red, a characteristic that generally indicated 'fraudulent' bird-dispersal ('fruit mimicry'). However, since the fruits are very hard and indehiscent, the conspicuous colour of the seeds is hard to explain from an adaptational point of view. Perhaps their colour is part of a two-stage dispersal mechanism, tricking birds into picking the seeds from the faeces of megafaunal herbivores.<br />
interesting weblinks:<br />
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=sose3: Sophora secundiflora is very popular as a native evergreen ornamental tree within its range, valued for its handsome, dark green foliage and lush early spring blooms. It is drought-tolerant, prefers rocky limestone soil, and is native from central Texas west to New Mexico and south to San Luis Potosi in Mexico. Like many woody plants native to rocky soils, it is slow growing. The fragrance of Texas mountain laurel flowers is reminiscent of artificial grape products.
    MM7753_2010-07-23_11949.jpg
  • Seed from the Kew Millennium Seed Bank collection at Wakehurst, outside London in the UK.  <br />
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Sophora secundiflora (Fabaceae) - Texas mountain laurel, mescal bean; native to North America (Texas, New Mexico, northern Mexico)<br />
The hard, fibrous and indehiscent camaras of the Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora, Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) appear to be adapted to dispersal by large herbivorous mammals such as antelopes. However, most of the potential dispersers in North America would have died out c. 13.000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age. The only native antelope in the southern US is the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). Observations as to whether the pronghorn does eat the fruits of the Texas mountain laurel seem to be missing. The very hard and shiny seeds of the Texas mountain laurel are coloured bright red, a characteristic that generally indicated 'fraudulent' bird-dispersal ('fruit mimicry'). However, since the fruits are very hard and indehiscent, the conspicuous colour of the seeds is hard to explain from an adaptational point of view. Perhaps their colour is part of a two-stage dispersal mechanism, tricking birds into picking the seeds from the faeces of megafaunal herbivores.<br />
interesting weblinks:<br />
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=sose3: Sophora secundiflora is very popular as a native evergreen ornamental tree within its range, valued for its handsome, dark green foliage and lush early spring blooms. It is drought-tolerant, prefers rocky limestone soil, and is native from central Texas west to New Mexico and south to San Luis Potosi in Mexico. Like many woody plants native to rocky soils, it is slow growing. The fragrance of Texas mountain laurel flowers is reminiscent of artificial grape products. The brilliant, lacquer red seeds were valued by indigenous people for ornament and ceremonial use; they contain the highly poisonous alkaloid cytosine (or sophorine), a substance related to nicotine and widely cited as a narcot
    MM7753_2010-07-23_11949.jpg