Green Shakespeare: Trees and bushery

In this blogpost I’m going to describe some of the trees and bushery that Shakespeare has used in his works and their common and culinary uses.

Bay

Bay or bay-tree (Latin. Laurus nobilis) is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is used as bay leaf for seasoning in cooking. Bay leafs are commonly used in cooking for their distinctive flavour and fragrance. The leaves are either dried or fresh. The leaves should be removed from the cooked food before eating. The leaves are often used to flavour soups, stews, braises and pâtés in Mediterranean cuisine and beans in Brazilian cuisine. (Wikipedia, n.d.)

Indian bay leaf Cinnamomum tamala

Elder

Elder or elderberry also called Sambucus is a genus of flowering. Elderberry fruit or flowers are used as dietary supplements for minor diseases such as flu, colds, constipation, and other conditions, often served as a tea, extract, or in a capsule. Health benefits of the elder plant include naturally improving colds, the flu, sinus issues, nerve pain, inflammation, chronic fatigue, allergies, constipation and even cancer. (Dr. Axe, 2017)

Sambucus berries (elderberries)

Herb of grace

Ruta graveolens, commonly known as rue, common rue or herb-of-grace, is a species of Ruta grown as an ornamental plant and herb. It is native to the Balkan Peninsula. It is now grown throughout the world in gardens, especially for its bluish leaves, and sometimes for its tolerance of hot and dry soil conditions. It is also cultivated as a medicinal herb, as a condiment, and to a lesser extent as an insect repellent. Rue has a culinary use, but since it is bitter and gastric discomfort may be experienced by some individuals, it is used sparingly. (Wikipedia, n.d.)

Common rue in flower

Ivy

Hedera, commonly called ivy , is a genus of 12–15 species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plants in the family Araliaceae, native to western, central and southern Europe, Macaronesia, north-western Africa and across central-southern Asia east to Japan and Taiwan. Ivies are very popular in cultivation within their native range and compatible climates elsewhere, for their evergreen foliage, attracting wildlife, and for adaptable design uses in narrow planting spaces and on tall or wide walls for aesthetic addition, or to hide unsightly walls, fences and tree stumps. Numerous cultivars with variegated foliage and/or unusual leaf shapes have been selected for horticultural use. (Wikipedia, n.d.)

Hedera algeriensis

Line

Line on lime-tree or linden tree is a tree native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The tree produces fragrant and nectar-producing flowers, the medicinal herb lime blossom. They are very important honey plants for beekeepers, producing a very pale but richly flavoured monofloral honey. The flowers are also used for herbal teas and tinctures. Linden trees produce soft and easily worked timber, which has very little grain and a density of 560 kg per cubic metre. It was often used by Germanic tribes for constructing shields. It is a popular wood for model building and for intricate carving. Lime flower tea has a pleasing taste, due to the aromatic volatile oil found in the flowers. The flowers, leaves, wood, and charcoal (obtained from the wood) are used for medicinal purposes. Linden flowers are used in herbalism for colds, cough, fever, infections, inflammation, high blood pressure, headache (particularly migraine), and as a diuretic (increases urine production), antispasmodic (reduces smooth muscle spasm along the digestive tract), and sedative. (Wikipedia, n.d.)

Tilia flowers

Limewood Saint George by Tilman Riemenschneider, circa 1490

Meldar

Mespilus germanica, known as the medlar or common medlar, is a large shrub or small tree, and the name of the fruit of this tree. The fruit has been cultivated since Roman times, and is unusual in being available in winter, and in being eaten when bletted. It is eaten raw and in a range of dishes. Mespilus germanica pomes are one of the few fruits that become edible in winter, making it an important tree for gardeners who wish to have fruit available all year round. Mespilus germanica fruits are hard and acidic, but become edible after being softened, 'bletted', by frost, or naturally in storage given sufficient time. Once softening begins, the skin rapidly takes on a wrinkled texture and turns dark brown, and the inside reduces to the consistency and flavour reminiscent of apple sauce. This process can confuse those new to medlars, as a softened fruit looks as if it has spoiled. Once bletted, the fruit can be eaten raw and is often eaten as a dessert, or used to make medlar jelly. (Wikipedia, n.d.)