Secelia g wirch is a rare species of plant that is found in the tropical regions of South America. It is known for its vibrant green leaves and unique patterned stems. The plant belongs to the family Asteraceae and is typically found in dense forests and humid environments. One of the distinct characteristics of Secelia g wirch is its large, heart-shaped leaves that grow in a spiral pattern. These leaves are glossy and have a smooth texture, making them visually appealing. The plant also produces small flowers that resemble daisies, with white petals and a yellow center.
The plant also produces small flowers that resemble daisies, with white petals and a yellow center. In terms of its growth habit, Secelia g wirch is a herbaceous perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years and remains vegetative during the winter months. It thrives in moist and well-drained soil with partial shade, although it can also tolerate full sun.
York witch grave
A while ago someone who reads this blog asked me to post about an alleged witch's grave in York, Maine. What a great idea! I love old graveyards, and I love New England witches. So here's a post that brings those two great tastes together like a Reese's peanut butter cup of the uncanny.
When I was a kid my family went to York, Maine a few times for vacations. I remember going to the beach, and visiting the zoo there. When I was a kid I think it was called York Wild Animal Farm, but these days it's York's Wild Kingdom.
As far as I know, we did not visit the Old Burying Ground, which is located in charming and historic York Village. It's too bad, because as with most charming cemeteries around here it has a weird legend is attached to it. I probably would have enjoyed hearing it.
The legend is about the grave of Mary Nasson, who who passed away in 1774. Her gravestone is a little different than the others. It has a portrait of Mary on it, and is covered with a big stone slab.
| Photo from The Journal Inquirer. |
I think the stone succeeded in keeping the animals away, but it hasn't kept Mary's ghost from coming up to the surface. According to Joseph Citro's Weird New England, her ghost has reportedly been seen pushing local children on swings and giving them wildflowers. Hmmm. For a witch's ghost she doesn't seem particularly menacing. Online I've found quite a few sites claiming that Mary Nasson only acquired her witchy reputation because she was an effective herbalist. Her neighbors didn't understand how her cures worked and therefore thought they were magic. Oh, and maybe she could perform exorcisms.
| Image from Atlas Obscura |
So, was Mary Nasson a good witch, or a bad witch, or just someone who has an unusual gravestone? Are any of these legends true?
I don't know if they are true, but they definitely are old. I thought they might just be recent urban folklore but found they date back to at least the 19th century. I found this passage in 1894's Ancient City of Gorgeana and Modern Town of York (Maine) from Its Earliest Settlement: Also Its Beaches and Summer Resorts by George Alexander Emery:
Near the southwest corner of the old burying-ground is a grave, with head and foot stones, between which and lying on the grave is a large flat rock, as large as the grave itself. The inscription reads thus: - "Mary Nasson, wife of Samuel Nasson, died August 28, 1774, aged 29 years." No one, at least in this town, seems to know anything about her origin, death or even of the singular looking grave. No other occupant of a grave bearing this cognomen can be found in this cemetery, and the name is unknown in the town. A great many surmises and conjectures have been advanced in regard to this matter, in order to arrive at the facts, if there be any, and to clear up the dark affair, but nothing definite has ever come out of the effort. The writer of this, when a youth, living in York, was given to understand that this stone was placed there to keep down a witch that was buried beneath it.
In short, no one knows the real, historically-documented truth about Mary Nasson. Although George Alexander Emery doesn't believe Mary Nasson was a witch, he adds fuel to the fire by providing yet another legend. According to this one, a disembodied evil spirit used to haunt some rooms in an old house near the cemetery. It was banished from the house, but now roams the cemetery's perimeter, waiting for Mary to arise from her grave and join it.
I don't like to debunk legends; I like to savor them, so I'll just close with a couple thoughts. First, anomalous gravestones often attract legends. Rightly or wrongly, people tend to think that strange graves must contain strange occupants.
Second, the idea is very old that special effort is required to restrain a restless spirit. For example, in old European vampire lore a stake to the heart literally nails a vampire into its grave. Closer to home, Eunice Cole, an accused witch of Hampton, New Hampshire, was supposedly staked through the heart after death and had a horseshoe placed on top of her. It's not unreasonable (in folk belief) to think that a big rock might keep a ghost from coming out of the grave.
One last note: I am now writing a bi-monthly column for Spare Change News called Bizarre Boston. If you live or work in Boston be sure to buy an issue and help the city's homeless community. You can see one of my columns (about a Boston smallpox epidemic) here.
I don't know if they are true, but they definitely are old. I thought they might just be recent urban folklore but found they date back to at least the 19th century. I found this passage in 1894's Ancient City of Gorgeana and Modern Town of York (Maine) from Its Earliest Settlement: Also Its Beaches and Summer Resorts by George Alexander Emery:
Due to its rarity, Secelia g wirch is highly sought after by collectors and plant enthusiasts. However, the species is currently facing threats from habitat loss and excessive harvesting. Conservation efforts are being made to protect the remaining populations of this plant and ensure its survival. In conclusion, Secelia g wirch is a unique and beautiful plant species native to tropical regions in South America. Its distinct features and rarity make it a prized addition to any collection. Efforts must be made to conserve and protect this species to ensure its survival for future generations..
Reviews for "Examining the Distribution and Habitat Preferences of Secelia g wirch"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Secelia G Wirch" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style was overly descriptive, often losing my interest. Additionally, I found the pacing to be slow and it wasn't until the last few chapters that the plot started to pick up. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Secelia G Wirch" as I found it to be extremely boring and confusing. The plot was convoluted and the characters were difficult to connect with. The author's writing style was overly flowery and pretentious, making it hard to stay engaged. I felt like I was forcing myself to continue reading and eventually gave up. This book was a waste of time for me.
3. Michael - 2 stars - "Secelia G Wirch" was a book that didn't live up to my expectations. The story seemed promising at first, but it quickly became repetitive and predictable. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to empathize with the characters. The ending was unsatisfying and left too many loose ends. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars - While "Secelia G Wirch" had an interesting premise, it fell short in execution. The writing style was overly verbose and it took away from the readability of the story. The characterization was weak and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The pacing was also uneven, with long stretches of dull moments followed by rushed and chaotic action. Overall, I struggled to stay engaged with this book and it left me feeling unsatisfied.
5. David - 1.5 stars - "Secelia G Wirch" was a book that I regretted reading. The plot was confusing and the author attempted to introduce too many subplots and side characters, leading to a lack of focus. The writing style was overly descriptive and long-winded, making it a chore to read. The characters were also forgettable and lacked depth. I ended up skimming through the last few chapters just to finish it. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.