I was wondering what I could share with you this Easter-time,
and I thought that you would enjoy these photos I took in the Spring
of the beautiful pink and delicate new leaves of the
Toona Sinensis (or Cedrela) along our driveway.
I say this name with confidence now, but only thanks to help from twitter friend Dingo Gully, who helped me to identify this tree. Thanks to quite a number of others too, like Liz from
Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things who sent out the ID alert!
From the Meliaceae family, I understand that the Cedrela's are from South East Asia, and this one is Chinese in origin.
This tree could possibly be a problem here I think, as it suckers quite readily. Luckily our cattle keep it at bay! But it is particularly lovely in Spring as you can see.
According to my "What Tree is That" by Stirling Macoboy Cedrela's are related to Cedars in name only, and this is because the heartwood strongly resembles Cedar wood, in colour, grain and aromatic fragrance.
Apparently the fruit, bark and roots of this pretty tree
are used in Chinese Medicine.
I learned something else about this tree today from The Herb Society of America, which surprised me.
Toona is extensively cultivated for the edible young shoots which can be boiled and eaten. The flavor of the young leaves is similar to onions and crushed leaves have an oniony smell. In China, the fresh young leaves and shoots are a popular aromatic vegetable used in stir-fries, egg dishes, for pickling and for seasoning. Tender leafy shoots are minced and often used in combination with eggs.
Come Spring I think I'll be having to give this a go!
 |
| I particularly love this photo. I think it has an ethereal quality, which I really like. It was pure luck but that's OK! |
Enjoy your Easter, and if you'd like to share here what Easter means to you , or what you are doing this weekend, please do. I would love to hear.
Dear Jane,
ReplyDeletethe photos are really beautiful: the tenderness of pink against the light blue is so fine.
We will break Lent at Easter (I'm just in for the willpower - husband, son&DiL are Catholic) - and that means: very dark chocolate, yummi, and a glass of champagne to celebrate spring (hopefully) coming soon - at the moment there is still ice and snow, but melting. Enjoying books and DVDs, talks, letters and little walks - and some cultural surprises, as Berlin always offers.
I wish you a Happy Easter!
Well I wish a Happy Easter to you too Brigitta, in Berlin. I hope you enjoy your chocolate (dark of course) and champagne, and that Spring comes sooner rather than later:))
DeleteLovely pics Jane! Easter for us will be spring cleaning and hopefully plenty relaxing in there too:)
ReplyDeleteOoh yes, don't work too hard Susan! Enjoy your break and hope that real Spring weather finds you in Ireland pronto!
DeleteBeautiful photos Jane, and fascinating info. about your Toona Sinensis. It looks so much like a Stag's horn Sumac(h) at first glance: the leaves & colour, & the fact that the suckers could be a problem.. Our Sumach sends out plenty of suckers, but they're not edible of course! I checked for a link between the T. Sinensis & the Sumach.. not sure, but did find the odd fact that the Cashew & Sumach are the same family and both have the irritant Urishiol..
ReplyDeleteEaster is important to us. We follow some tradition, & hope it will be peaceful, with perhaps a little sunshine for good measure!
A happy Easter to you & your family.
I hope you and your family have a peaceful sunny Easter as well Jennifer! Very interesting about the similarities with the Sumach. I see that it is red in the autumn, where this one has pink new growth. I believe that one of that family is a noxious weed here in Aus and is no longer permitted to be planted. It certainly has stunning colours though doesn't it!
DeleteThank you Jane. I believe the 'noxious weed' you refer to is the Sumach we have! The person selling it on a Church bazaar stall years ago (a noted gardener) promised my mother that it was 'not the one that spreads' erm... slight error there! It's besutiful.. but it's 'children' are legion! Caused serious problems with a neighbour..
DeleteWoops! Yes some plants just don't know when enough is enough do they Jen!
DeleteDear Jane, your photography just gets better with each post. You really should be having a gallery show. I don't know, maybe you already do, but if not, I think you should truly pursue it. You are a true artist.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter,
Connie :)
And you are a truly lovely lady Connie:) I enjoy photographing the things I see, constantly! But there are so many really professional photographers. I enjoy sharing my world with lovely people like you Connie, and don't forget it was you who inspired me to take it that one step further:))
DeleteJane, I just came back to invite you to visit and join in on our give-a-way. Steve and I are celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary tomorrow and we decided it would be a great time to have a give-a-way, so if you haven't joined the fun, please do. It is on Steve's blog. And thank you for the lovely reply to the comment above, you're a sweetheart. Connie :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up Connie, I'll hop on over to Steve's blog quick sharp! 37 years, congratulations! Jane
Delete