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Two alcoholic drinks consumed in your PlantArea together with their plant source material

Living in Edinburgh, Scotland the first alcoholic drink has to be Scotch Whisky (not to be confused with Irish or American Whiskey, with an ‘e’).

Scotch Whisky can be made from grain or malted barley (Hordeum vulgare) (known as‘Malt Whisky’).  Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the primary grain used in the production of Scotch Grain Whiskey.

There appears to be an increasing fad for the production of Gins, each claiming their own special ‘botanicals’ (the flavours used to enhance the basic, neutral gin spirit).  Recognising this, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) entered into a relationship with a local gin producer to make a gin based on some botanicals freshly picked in the garden. Named “Edinburgh Gin 1670” (after the physic garden established in the year 1670 from where the RBGE originated). The ‘Botanic’s botanics’ in the Gin include, fennel ((Foeniculum vulgare) (seeds and leaves) and sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata), Piper Leaf (Piper Methysticum), and Tasmanian Mountain Pepper  (Tasmannia Lanceolata)

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My Grandfather and Uncle were Thatchers in Suffolk, UK. Just for interest, here is a picture of a cottage which my Grandfather thatched (with straw) and lived in with my Grandmother, as did I when I was very young.
My Uncle thatched primarily with Norfolk Reeds because they lasted longer (but were more expansive) than straw.

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Up to a point, Lord Copper*

I think that, to an extent, each of the sentences presented is true viz:-

We have "practically solved the CO2 problem" in as far as we have a good idea about what the problem is, and likely ways of dealing with it. "In the next decades
[at least some] fossil fuels will be replaced by green energy including biofuel crops."

Yes, "We are still strongly depended on fossil fuels" but not "only [emphasis added]the developed countries of the world have the technology and therefore the luxury of using green energy".

"Replacing fossil fuels with biofuels is [probably] controversial [but not necessarily "highly controversal"] since it solves one problem but creates new ones [which is often the case with proposed 'solutions' to existing problems, take, for example the early promise of nuclear energy and the long-term problems that has left us with].

*The response of staff on the newspaper 'The Beast' when they did not dare to say "No" to a question from its proprietor, Lord Copper in Evelyn Waugh's book 'Scoop' (1938. London: Chapman & Hall Ltd.)

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Key Environmental Stress Factors
In my (Atlantic Region) PlantArea, consistent with current thinking on Climate Change, the key environmental stress factor must be extreme weather events and, in particular, storms which create flooding and wind damage.  The weather is also much more variable, in terms of frost, for example, which makes it more difficult for plants to blossom without subsequent frost damage.

Storm Damage in RBGE

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The main thing which I took away from the comparison of Biogeographical Regions was the number of political geographical areas (countries) which are associated with more than one Biogeographical Region. This made me think that (a) the Regions are rather arbitrary and (b) the transition zones between the Regions must be especially interesting to study.

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Thank you for all your comments and additional useful information. Keep them coming!

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My initial assessment of the issue is that, "Tropical Andean trees migrate to higher altitudes where the air is cool enough to support their existence. Due to the fast climatic change they have to move faster in order to remain in equilibrium with their preferred temperatures."

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Key Characteristics of the Atlantic Biogeographical Region

My Plant Area – Scotland – is part of the Atlantic Biogeographical Region.

The key characteristics of this biogeographical region are as follows:

Climate
Equable temperatures, with warm winters and cool summers.
Relatively wet.
Habitats and species most narrowly confined to the Region are present because they can only develop under an Atlantic climate (for example raised and blanket bogs) or because the species are adapted to these climatic conditions (for example Trichomanes speciosum, Sphagnum pylaisii [pictured below]).

Topography
Within the broader Atlantic Biogeographical region Scotland is part of the ‘Celtic Fringe’ which contains some lowland but a high proportion of hills, including mountains true alpine vegetation above the natural climatic limit of tree growth.
In addition to sedimentary rocks, igneous rocks are a prominent feature (as included in my earlier BioArea padlet).
Land use is generally less intensive than in the North European plain and some habitats remain very extensive (e.g. blanket bogs and heaths in north-west Scotland).

Flora.
The combination of contemporary factors and paleoenvironmental influences upon the Atlantic Biogeographical Region has produced a distinctive flora, containing elements confined to or centred upon the Atlantic Region.

Source: Hopkins, J.J. and Buck, A.L. (1995) The Habitats Directive Atlantic Biogeographical Region: Report of the Biogeographical Region Workshop, Edinburgh, Scotland, 13-14 October 1994. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/jncc247.pdf Accessed 28/02/2019

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Scientific name
Digitalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:  Plantae
Clade:  Angiosperms
Clade:  Eudicots
Clade:  Asterids
Order:  Lamiales
Family:  Plantaginaceae  Tribe:  Digitalideae
Genus:  Digitalis

L.
Species
Over 20 species, including:
Digitalis canariensis; Digitalis cariensis; Digitalis ciliate; Digitalis davisiana; Digitalis dubia; Digitalis ferruginea; Digitalis × fulva; Digitalis grandiflora; Digitalis isabelliana; Digitalis laevigata; Digitalis lanata; Digitalis leucophaea; Digitalis lutea; Digitalis mariana; Digitalis micrantha; Digitalis obscura; Digitalis parviflora; Digitalis purpurea; Digitalis sceptrum; Digitalis thapsi; Digitalis trojana; Digitalis viridiflora
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitalis (Accessed 25/02/2019)
Morphology
“[A] biennial herb with a basal rosette of soft, downy, slightly grey leaves shaped like lance heads.  These grow to around 30cm long, and remain over the winter.  In the second year, the plant sends up the characteristic spike of purple-pink [for the Common Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea] thimble-like flowers to between 1 and 1.5m tall.” Kenicer, G. J. (2018) Scottish Plant Lore: An illustrated flora. Edinburgh: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh p. 94.
Does their scientific name refer to the way they look, smell or taste?

“[…] in forme long, like almost to finger stalks, whereof it tooke his name Digitalis (Johnson, 1636 in Woodward, 1927, Gerard’s Herball, The Essence thereof distilled by Marcus Woodward from the Edition of TH. Johnson, 1636). ‘Digitus’ is the Latin for ‘finger’.

Common (vernacular) names

For Digitalis purpurea (Common Foxglove) –
English: Bloody bells, Bloody fingers, Dead-men’s bells, Fairy’s thimbles, King Ellwands, Lady’s thimbles, Scotch mercury, Tod’s tails, Wild mercury, Witch’s paps.
Scots: Bluidy bells, Bluidy fingers, Fox trie leaves, Foxter, Gensie Pushon, Lady’s thummles.
Gaelic: Lus nam Ban-sith.
Source: Kenicer, G. J. (2018) Scottish Plant Lore: An illustrated flora. Edinburgh: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Medicinal traits attributed to these species
Irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation). Taking foxglove by mouth may improve irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation or flutter.
Congestive heart failure (CHF). Taking foxglove by mouth may improve CHF and CHF-related swelling
Irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation). Taking foxglove by mouth may improve irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation or flutter.
Congestive heart failure (CHF). Taking foxglove by mouth may improve CHF and CHF-related swelling
Irregular heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation). Taking foxglove by mouth may improve irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation or flutter.
Congestive heart failure (CHF). Taking foxglove by mouth may improve CHF and CHF-related swelling.

Digitalis medicines strengthen the force of the heartbeat by increasing the amount of calcium in the heart’s cells. (Calcium stimulates the heartbeat.) When the medicine reaches the heart muscle, it binds to sodium and potassium receptors. These receptors control the amount of calcium in the heart muscle by stopping the calcium from leaving the cells. As calcium builds up in the cells, it causes a stronger heartbeat.

Digitalis medicines control irregular heart rhythms (called arrhythmias) by slowing the signals that start in the sinoatrial (SA) node. This, in turn, reduces the number of signals that travel through the atrioventricular (AV node). Fewer signals mean fewer arrhythmias.
Source: https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/digitalis-medicines/ (Accessed 25/02/2019)
Have these medicinal traits been researched?
Yes
References to papers/articles that discuss them
Ahern T, Tamimi R, Rosner B, Hankinson S. Digoxin use and risk of invasive breast cancer: evidence from the Nurses' Health Study and meta-analysis. Breast Cancer Research And Treatment. 2017;144(2):427-435.
Belcastro PF. Digitalis: from folklore remedy to valuable drug. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash). 2002;42(6):857.12482008
Choi DY, Lee JY, Kim MR, Woo ER, Kim YG, Kang KW. Chrysoeriol potently inhibits the induction of nitric oxide synthase by blocking AP-1 activation. J Biomed Sci. 2005;12(6):949-959.16228289
Dec GW. Digoxin remains useful in the management of chronic heart failure. Med Clin North Am. 2003;87(2):317-337.12693728
Dick M, Curwin J, Tepper D. Digitalis intoxication recognition and management. J Clin Pharmacol. 1991;31(5):444-447.2050830
Digitalis purpurea L. USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, March 2010). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Ebaid GM, Faine LA, Diniz YS, et al. Effects of digitonin on hyperglycaemia and dyslipidemia induced by high-sucrose intake. Food Chem Toxicol. 2006;44(2):293-299.16112785
Feussner JR, Feussner DJ. Reassessing the efficacy of digitalis: from routine treatment to evidence-based medicine. Am J Med Sci. 2010;339(5):482-484.20228671
Gavidia I, Tarrío R, Rodríguez-Trelles F, Pérez-Bermúdez P, Seitz HU. Plant progesterone 5beta-reductase is not homologous to the animal enzyme. Molecular evolutionary characterization of P5betaR from Digitalis purpurea. Phytochemistry. 2007;68(6):853-864.17184799
Hauptman PJ, Kelly RA. Digitalis. Circulation. 1999;99(9):1265-1270.10069797
Hood, Jr. WB, Dans AL, Guyatt GH, Jaeschke R, McMurray JJ. Digitalis for treatment of congestive heart failure in patients in sinus rhythm. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(2):CD002901.15106182
Johansson S, Lindholm P, Gullbo J, Larsson R, Bohlin L, Cleason P. Cytotoxicity of digitoxin and related cardiac glycosides in human tumor cells. Anticancer Drugs. 2001;12(5):475-483.11395576
Jowett N. Foxglove poisoning. Hosp Med. 2002;63(12):758-759.12512208
Keenan SM, DeLisle RK, Welsh WJ, Paula S, Ball WJ Jr. Elucidation of the Na+, K+-ATPase digitalis binding site. J Mol Graph Model. 2005;23(6):465-475.15886034
Kuate SP, Pádua RM, Eisenbeiss WF, Kreis W. Purification and characterization of malonyl-coenzyme A: 21-hydroxypregnane 21-O-malonyltransferase (Dp21MaT) from leaves of Digitalis purpurea L. Phytochemistry. 2008;69(3):619-626.17945319
Lacassie E, Marquet P, Martin-Dupont S, Gaulier JM, Lachâtre G. A non-fatal case of intoxication with foxglove, documented by means of liquid chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci. 2000;45(5):1154-1158.11005196
Lee JY, Woo E, Kang KW. Screening of new chemopreventive compounds from Digitalis purpurea. Pharmazie. 2006;61(4):356-358.16649555
Lin CC, Yang CC, Phua DH, Deng JF, Lu LH. An outbreak of foxglove leaf poisoning. J Chin Med Assoc. 2010;73(2):97-100.20171590
López-Lázaro M, Palma De La Peña N, Pastor N, et al. Anti-tumour activity of Digitalis purpurea L. subsp. heywoodii. Planta Med. 2003;69(8):701-704.14531018
Navarro E, Alonso PJ, Alonso SJ, et al. Cardiovascular activity of a methanolic extract of Digitalis purpurea spp. heywoodii. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;71(3):437-442.10940580
Roberts DM, Buckley NA. Antidotes for acute cardenolide (cardiac glycoside) poisoning. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(4):CD005490.17054261
Usai M, Atzei AD, Marchetti M. Cardenolides content in wild Sardinian Digitalis purpurea L. populations. Nat Prod Res. 2007;21(9):798-804.17654283
Warren B. Digitalis purpurea. Am J Cardiol. 2005;95(4):544.15695152
Xu Y, Yan H, Yao MJ, et al. Cardioankle vascular index evaluations revealed that cotreatment of ARB Antihypertension medication with traditional Chinese medicine improved arterial functionality. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2013;61(5):355-60.23188130
Source: https://www.drugs.com/npp/digitalis.html (Accessed 25/02/2019)
Pictures (that provide clear illustrations of their leaves, flowers, etc.)

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Scientific name
Urtica dioica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:  Plantae
Clade:  Angiosperms
Clade:  Eudicots
Clade:  Rosids
Order:  Rosales
Family:  Urticaceae
Genus:  Urtica
Species:  U. dioica
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_dioica (Accessed 25/02/2019)
Morphology
According to Culpeper (1652), “Nettles are so well known that they need no description; they may be found by feeling in the darkest night.”  (Quoted in Leyel, C. F. [1961] Culpeper’s English Physician and Complete Herbal. Arranged for Use as a First Aid Herbal. London: Arco Publications p.86).

According to Kenicer (2018), “Nettles are perennial herbs to 1.5m tall (usually less than 1m), spreading by underground rhizomes.  The leaves grow in opposite pairs up the square stem (decussate), to 10cm long, with teeth on the margins.  There are stinging hairs throughout.  The female and male plants are separate, with the flowers on both sexes very small, and born on green catkins”.  Kenicer, G. J. (2018) Scottish Plant Lore: An illustrated flora. Edinburgh: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh p. 167.
Does their scientific name refer to the way they look, smell or taste?
In this case the name relates firstly to the  effect of contact with the plant; ‘Urtica’ being derived from the Latin word ‘sting’ and, secondly, to its structure, from the Greek ‘diocia’ meaning ‘two houses’ and relating to having separate staminate and pistillate plants.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_dioica#Etymology (Accessed 25/02/2019).
Common (vernacular) names
English: Common nettle, Stinging nettle, Nettle, Nettle leaf.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_dioica (Accessed 25/02/2019)
Scots: Heg-beg, Jag, Jinnie nettle, Jobbie nettle.
Gaelic: Deanntag
Source: Kenicer, G. J. (2018) Scottish Plant Lore: An illustrated flora. Edinburgh: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh p. 166.

Medicinal traits attributed to these species
According to Culpeper (op cit), “The juice of the leaves, taken two or three days together, stay bleeding at the mouth.  The seed being drank is a remedy against the stinging of venomous creatures, the biting of mad dogs, the poisonous qualities of hemlock, henbane, nightshade, mandrake, or other such herbs that stupefy or dull the senses; as also the lethargy, especially to use it outwardly; to rub the forehead or temples in the lethargy, and the places stung or bitten with beasts, with a little salt.  The root or leaves boiled, or the juice of either made into an electuary with honey is a safe and sure medicine to open the pipes and passages of the lungs, which is the cause of wheezing and shortness of breath.”
According to https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/stinging-nettle-herb.html (Accessed 25/02/2019), the medicinal traits of Urtica diocia are:-
“Stinging nettle contains amines, flavonoids, lignans, minerals ( calcium, potassium, iron, and silicon) and vitamins A, B2, C and K. It also contains organic acids, scopoletin (isolated from the flowers), plant sterols, polysaccharides, lectins, and tannins.
Used for hundreds of years as an herbal remedy, the herb is best known for its ability to ease the pain in the muscles and joints caused by arthritis and gout.
Stinging nettle is used as a diuretic and laxative. Various extracts of stinging nettle have shown to be effective in treating diarrhea, edema and urinary disorders, as well as prostate diseases.
In several European countries, the herb has become a preferred treatment for early stages of benign enlargement of the prostate gland, often called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
Clinical studies have shown that the herb can ease the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, especially in the early stages. As a treatment of BPH stinging nettle is often used in combination with other herbs like saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), pygeum (Pygeum africanum) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo).
Used directly on the hair, stinging nettle is thought to add shine, and prevent oily hair and dandruff.  It is also believed to be effective in treating or preventing baldness, as well as getting rid of head lice.
Stinging nettle has shown promise in reducing sneezing and itching as results from hay fever. This use as an herbal remedy for hay fever is successful due to the nettles ability to reduce the body’s production of histamines in relation to the allergen.  Used as a medicinal herb to treat respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies.
Stinging nettle is thought to be an effective histamine blocker as well as an inflammation reducer, and it has been used to treat allergic rhinitis without the side effects of popular allergy medications.
Taken internally, It may be effective against ulcers, intestinal inflammation, and haemorrhoids.
Stinging nettle contains 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran, which is used by bodybuilders to increase free testosterone.
The herb shows promise as a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and ADHD.
In studies, the herb has shown positive results against some types of cancer, including prostate cancer.
Because of its high vitamin K content, fresh stinging nettle can be used as a poultice to stop bleeding wounds and has also been used to stop excessive menstrual bleeding, nosebleed, and other abnormal bleedings.
While fresh stinging nettle helps stop bleeding, dried stinging nettle has little vitamin K and is used as a blood thinner, making it useful herb against high blood pressure.
In addition, the seeds and leaves of stinging nettles are used by certain populations to treat arthralgia, colds and flu, diabetes, joint pain, cancers, hypertension and liver diseases.
Have these medicinal traits been researched?
Yes
References to papers/articles that discuss them
Urtica dioica L. USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 9 August 2010). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Accessed April 6, 2015.
Farag MA, Weigend M, Luebert F, Brokamp G, Wessjohann LA. Phytochemical, phylogenetic, and anti-inflammatory evaluation of 43 Urtica accessions (stinging nettle) based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomic profiles. Phytochemistry. 2013;96:170-183.24169378
Pinelli P, Ieri F, Vignolini P, Bacci L, Baronti S, Romani A. Extraction and HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds in leaves, stalks, and textile fibers of Urtica dioica L. J Agric Food Chem. 2008;56(19):9127-9132.18778029
Chrubasik JE, Roufogalis BD, Wagner H, Chrubasik S. A comprehensive review on the stinging nettle effect and efficacy profiles. Part II: urticae radix. Phytomedicine. 2007;14(7-8):568-579.17509841
Gül S, Demirci B, Başer KH, Akpulat HA, Aksu P. Chemical composition and in vitro cytotoxic, genotoxic effects of essential oil from Urtica dioica L. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2012;88(5):666-671.22310841
Fattahi S, Zabihi E, Abedian Z, et al. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of aqueous extract of stinging nettle and in vitro antiproliferative effect on hela and BT-474 cell lines. Int J Mol Cell Med. 2014;3(2):102-107.25035860
Anderson BE, Miller CJ, Adams DR. Stinging nettle dermatitis. Am J Contact Dermat. 2003;14(1):44-46.14744424
Roschek B Jr, Fink RC, McMichael M, Alberte RS. Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. Phytother Res. 2009;23(7):920-926.19140159
Broer J, Behnke B. Immunosuppressant effect of IDS 30, a stinging nettle leaf extract, on myeloid dendritic cells in vitro. J Rheumatol. 2002;29(4):659-666.11950004
Shakibaei M, Allaway D, Nebrich S, Mobasheri A. Botanical extracts from rosehip (Rosa canina), willow bark (Salix alba), and nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) suppress IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB activation in canine articular chondrocytes. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:509383.22474508
Alford L. The use of nettle stings for pain. Altern Ther Health Med. 2007;13(6):58.
Hajhashemi V, Klooshani V. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Urtica dioica leaf extract in animal models. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2013;3(2):193-200.25050274
Safarinejad MR. Urtica dioica for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):1-11.16635963
…..and many more!  See, https://www.drugs.com/npp/nettles.html (Accessed 25/02/2019)
Pictures (that provide clear illustrations of their leaves, flowers, etc.)

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To complement my two ‘Artificial Hotspots’ I have chosen a picture of the Machair System which is an ecological system including dune grassland which is unique to Western Scotland and North-West Ireland.

In ecological terms Kelp (Laminariales) when washed ashore forms a protective barrier on the beach which rots and forms a fertile compost where annual coastal flowers and marram grass (Ammophila) thrive.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machair

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This picture shows the garden which Sarah and I are creating at our home in Central Edinburgh. When we arrived in 2017 most of the garden was given over to grass and woodchips (with a border of plants on soil compacted by weed-suppressing membrane). We have now removed all the grass, redistributed the woodchips, taken up the membrane, improved the soil and planted over 60 species of plants. The picture shows the garden in Summer 2018.

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A (very) Brief Comment on Humboldt’s ‘Cosmos’

While this work might be considered a Modernist project (in that it attempts to seek order out of chaos) Humboldt and his oeuvre excites in me a Post-Modernist imagination which embraces the chaos of the Cosmos and manifests a multidisciplinary synthesising perspective (Humboldt as Geographer, Botanist, Zoologist, Geologist) and a realisation of the importance of popular (but not popularist) scientific engagement and critique. (63 words

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This picture shows part of the 'Chinese Hillside' in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The hillside, which was constructed, formally opened in 1997.  It features some 1,600 plants collected from  South-Western China, many of which are rare and endangered in their native habitat.
Source: https://www.rbge.org.uk/collections/living-collection/living-collection-at-the-royal-botanic-garden-edinburgh/#chinesehillside