Cooocasia esculenta black magic, also known as black magic taro or elephant ear, is a cultivar of the taro plant. Taro is an ancient crop that has been cultivated for thousands of years, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Black magic taro is characterized by its dark purple or black leaves, which have a striking and dramatic appearance. The plants can grow to be quite large, with leaves reaching up to 2 feet in length. The black magic taro is typically grown as an ornamental plant, prized for its exotic beauty. In addition to its aesthetic value, black magic taro has cultural significance in many parts of the world.
Here is Devil’s Tongue, also known as konjac, voodoo lily or snake palm. Today, Devil’s Tongue is used in making weight loss supplements and facial massage products. It is a member of the same genus as Titan Arum, the worst-smelling plant on Earth, which has an odour that resembles rotting flesh.
This page shows two men one of whom may be Cibo himself collecting specimens on an Italian hillside, equipped with a mattock or billhook , a sickle and a sack. Some of the most important herbals are today held by the British Library in London, including Elizabeth Blackwell s Curious Herbal made as an act of devotion and the extraordinary Temple of Flora.
In addition to its aesthetic value, black magic taro has cultural significance in many parts of the world. Taro is a staple food in many tropical countries, where it is used in a variety of traditional dishes. The tuber, or root, of the taro plant is starchy and nutrient-dense, making it a valuable source of sustenance.
Herbology
Herbology is the study of plants and plant lore. Botanists typically collect and identify different species of plant in order to make potions and remedies, and their compilations are known as 'herbals'. Some of the most important herbals are today held by the British Library in London, including Elizabeth Blackwell's Curious Herbal (made as an act of devotion) and the extraordinary Temple of Flora.
Visitors in the Herbology roomThe British Library
'Three times a week they went to. study Herbology. where they learnt how to take care of all the strange plants and fungi and found out what they were used for.'
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
"Culpeper’s English Physician; and Complete Herbal" (1789)Первоисточник: 1601/42.
Culpeper's Herbal
Nicholas Culpeper was a ‘hedge-witch’, an unlicensed apothecary who was disliked by the medical profession. In 1642, he was even apparently tried, but acquitted, for practising witchcraft. Originally published as The English Physitian, ‘Culpeper’s Herbal’ provides a comprehensive list of native medicinal herbs, prescribing the most effective forms of treatment and when to take them.
J.K. Rowling used the herbal compiled by Nicholas Culpeper when she was seeking inspiration for naming her herbs and potions.
"Herbal of Pietro Andrea Mattioli, extracts from an edition of Dioscorides De re medicaassembled and illustrated by Gherardo Cibo" (16th century)Первоисточник: Add MS 22332.
The Plant Collector
Gherardo Cibo was an Italian naturalist, who made this visual diary to record his plant-collecting excursions. Unlike other botanists, who employed artists, he did his own illustrations. Most importantly, Cibo also noted the location, day and hour when his herbs were gathered.
This page shows two men (one of whom may be Cibo himself) collecting specimens on an Italian hillside, equipped with a mattock (or billhook), a sickle and a sack.
Magical gardening implements made from horn and boneПервоисточник: The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle.
Magical Gardening Tools
These gardening implements, made from bone and antler, were used specifically for sowing and harvesting. Many plants are harvested not only for their medicinal qualities but for their alleged supernatural powers, and so the rituals used in gathering them are hugely important.
Tools shaped from antlers are considered to connect Earth with the higher spirit world. As antlers are shed and regrown annually, they symbolise the magic of regeneration and renewal.
"John Evelyn, Hortus Hyemalis or collection of plant specimens" (1645)Первоисточник: Add MS 78334.
John Evelyn is today most famous as a diarist, but he was also an amateur botanist. Much of his life was spent in writing an encyclopaedic history of gardening, which was never published. In 1645, he made this album of dried plant samples taken from the public botanic garden at Padua, the oldest in Europe.
Installing a herbal in the Herbology roomThe British Library
'Harry caught a whiff of damp earth and fertiliser, mingling with the heavy perfume of some giant, umbrella-sized flowers dangling from the ceiling.'
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
"Du cao (Poisonous plants)" (19th century)Первоисточник: Or 13347B.
Devil’s Tongue
Herbal medicine in China traditionally originated with the mythical emperor, Shen Nong (the ‘Divine Farmer’). This illustrated manuscript describes poisonous and medicinal plants.
Here is Devil’s Tongue, also known as konjac, voodoo lily or snake palm. Today, Devil’s Tongue is used in making weight loss supplements and facial massage products. It is a member of the same genus as Titan Arum, the worst-smelling plant on Earth, which has an odour that resembles rotting flesh.
"A dragon and a serpent, in a herbal A dragon and a serpent, in a herbal" (15th century)Первоисточник: Sloane MS 4016.
Cures for Snakebite
"Centaury in a herbal Centaury in a herbal" (12th century)Первоисточник: Harley MS 5294.
Snakebite
One remedy for snakebite is the plant known as ‘centaury’. According to this medieval herbal, the two plants Centauria major and Centauria minor were named after Chiron, the greatest of all centaurs, renowned as a physician and astrologer.
Centaury in a herbalПервоисточник: Harley MS 5294.
In this drawing, Chiron is shown handing over these plants to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing. A snake slithers away from under their feet.
Installing a medieval herbal in the Herbology roomThe British Library
"A dragon and a serpent, in a herbal A dragon and a serpent, in a herbal" (15th century)Первоисточник: Sloane MS 4016.
Snakeroot
This magnificently decorated herbal was made in Lombardy, northern Italy, around the year 1440. Each page contains life-like drawings of various plants and short notes explaining their names. Shown here is snakeroot, known variously as dragontea, serpentaria and viperina, all referring to its ability to cure snakebite.
Study of mandrakes by Jim Kay, for The Philosopher’s StoneThe British Library
'Instead of roots, a small muddy and extremely ugly baby popped out of the earth. The leaves were growing right out of his head.'
Mandrakes in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Giovanni Cadamosto’s illustrated herbalПервоисточник: Harley MS 3736.
Harvesting a Mandrake
According to medieval lore, mandrakes could cure headaches, earache and insanity, but their roots grew in human form and would shriek when torn.
This 15th-century manuscript shows the safest way to harvest that plant, by attaching one end of a cord to the plant and the other to a dog.
The dog would be encouraged to move forward by sounding a horn or by enticing it with meat, dragging the mandrake with it.
The severed hands on the mandrake’s stems denote its use as an anaesthetic during amputations.
"Kitāb mawādd al-‘ilāj (Arabic version of Dioscorides, Materia medica)" (14th century)Первоисточник: Or 3366.
The Male and Female Mandrake
This illuminated manuscript contains an Arabic translation of the writings of Pedanius Dioscorides, a physician in the Roman army. Dioscorides was one of the first to distinguish between the male and female mandrake (perhaps we should rename them the ‘mandrake’ and ‘womandrake’). Sadly for the romanticists among us, modern science now dictates that this identification is incorrect. There is more than one mandrake species native to the Mediterranean, rather than two separate sexes of the same plant.
Study of mandrakes by Jim Kay, for The Philosopher’s StoneThe British Library
Jim Kay’s Study of Mandrakes
This preparatory sketch by Jim Kay shows a baby mandrake alongside a fully grown adult. This drawing appears to be drawn from life: Jim Kay was previously a curator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
The roots of the plant seamlessly form the adult mandrake’s body, with leaves growing from its head.
In Kay’s vision, the root forms the spine of the baby mandrake.
"The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes. Gathered by John Gerarde of London, Master in Chirurgerie" (1597)Первоисточник: 35.g.13.
Gerard’s Herbal
John Gerard was an English herbalist, whose most famous work was entitled The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes. Gerard maintained his own garden in Holborn, London, and he cultivated all manner of plants, including exotic specimens such as the potato. His Herball contains more than 1800 woodcut illustrations, the majority of which were taken (without acknowledgement) from a book printed a short time before in Germany.
"Basilius Besler, Hortus Eystettensis" (1613–15)Первоисточник: 10.Tab.29..
The Garden of Eichstätt
This book is a landmark in botanical illustration. At the time (1613), it was the largest and most detailed text on plants ever made. It catalogues the plants growing in the palace garden of the Prince Bishop of Eichstätt in Bavaria, and contains 367 hand-coloured engravings, including Helleborus niger (black hellebore), shown here.
‘“Add powdered moonstone, stir three times counter-clockwise, allow to simmer for seven minutes then add two drops of syrup of hellebore.”’
Harry Potter, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
"Elizabeth Blackwell, A Curious Herbal" (1737–39)Первоисточник: 452.f.2..
A Curious Herbal
There is an incredible story attached to A Curious Herbal. Elizabeth Blackwell illustrated, engraved and hand-coloured this book to raise funds to have her husband, Alexander, released from a debtor’s prison. Alexander Blackwell assisted by identifying the plants she had drawn at Chelsea Physic Garden in London, until she had absolved the debt. Once released, he repaid his wife’s kindness by leaving for Sweden, entering the service of King Frederick I, and getting himself executed for his involvement in a political conspiracy.
This poignant copy of A Curious Herbal has been annotated in Elizabeth Blackwell’s own hand.
Study of mandrakes by Jim Kay, for The Philosopher’s StoneThe British Library
Taro is also used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. It is believed to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, which may help treat various health conditions. Additionally, taro is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, calcium, and iron. When growing black magic taro, it is important to provide it with the right conditions. Taro plants thrive in moist, well-draining soil and require regular watering. They also prefer full to partial shade, although they can tolerate some sun if properly acclimated. In colder climates, black magic taro may need to be brought indoors during winter months to protect it from frost. Overall, black magic taro is a unique and fascinating plant. Its dark, velvety leaves make a bold statement in any garden or landscape. With its cultural significance and nutritional benefits, it is no wonder that black magic taro is highly regarded and sought after by plant enthusiasts worldwide..
Reviews for "Enhancing your landscape with Cooocasia esculennta black magic: Design tips and tricks"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I was very disappointed with the Cooocasia esculennta black magic plant that I purchased. The plant did not grow as advertised, and the leaves did not turn the vibrant black color that I was expecting. Additionally, the plant required a lot of maintenance and did not thrive in my normal gardening conditions. Overall, I would not recommend this plant to others.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I had a terrible experience with the Cooocasia esculennta black magic plant. The plant arrived in poor condition and was already wilting when I received it. Despite following the care instructions, the plant continued to deteriorate and eventually died. I was very disappointed with the quality of the plant and would not purchase it again.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - The Cooocasia esculennta black magic plant did not meet my expectations. The leaves did turn a dark color, but they quickly started to wilt and droop. I tried different watering and lighting techniques, but I couldn't keep the plant healthy. It was a frustrating experience, and I would not recommend this plant to others.
4. David - 3/5 stars - I had mixed feelings about the Cooocasia esculennta black magic plant. On one hand, the foliage was unique and had a beautiful dark color. However, the plant required a lot of attention and care to keep it healthy. It also didn't thrive in my normal gardening conditions and required extra effort to keep it alive. Overall, I don't think it was worth the extra effort, but I can see why some people might enjoy the novelty of this plant.