Naturalist Notes: Basil

Recently I added Basil to my garden, which is an aromatic plant belonging to the mint family. It is a popular herb with many varieties including lemon, anise, and cinnamon. Basil leaves are often found in several recipes, it can be used cooked or raw. It is also known to treat nervousness, reduce fevers, chewing leaves can cure mouth infections, headaches, and lots more. This is definitely one of my favorite plants!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Cashews

 Another fruit that’s also in season is the Cashew, but which part is really the fruit? Is it the soft fleshy pear-shaped part (which can be red, yellow, or orange) or the nut hanging on underside that looks like a comma? While the soft fleshy part which is sometimes known as the Cashew apple is eaten, the true fruit really is the nut on the underside.

The nuts are dried and then roasted, during this process it releases a dangerous toxin called Urushiol which is also found in Poison Ivy. So you need to be extremely careful when roasting these nuts because it can cause serious irritations. Afterwards they are cracked open and there you have the tasty Cashew seeds.

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Mangoes

To all you Mango lovers out there, they are finally ripening!

Mangoes are originally from India. They belong to the Anacardiaceae family which also includes Cashew and Poison Ivy. There are many different varieties of Mangoes, just to name a few; Starch, Julie, Doduce, Graham, Calabash, Long, Rose, John, Vere, Turpentine, Buxton Spice and many more... If you think of any others feel free to add to the list!

© Denise Etienne

1st Time Authors Appreciation Programme

  

Last month Trinidad and Tobago National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) held their Third annual First Time Authors Appreciation Programme which I attended. There were 58 new books written, including our “Birds of Trinidad” a collaboration  with my friend Beatrice Bork. It was interesting to see the wide range of topics printed. The Librarian who critiqued the books said ours was “magnificently done”, I felt honored to have our work on display. All of the Authors received a wonderful plaque. 


Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Butterflies Vs Moths

Here are some basic points on how to tell Butterflies and Moths apart.  

Butterflies	Moths
1.  Mostly diurnal	1. Mostly nocturnal
2. Antennas are thin and clubbed at the end	2. Antennas are extremely feathery
3. Bodies are quite slender	3. Bodies are plump and furry looking
4. Perch with their wings held above their bodies	4. Perch with their wings spread out flat

* Please note there are many exceptions to these rules.

© Denise Etienne