Grand Canyon National Park, Redwall Limestone_0294

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Grand Canyon National Park, Redwall Limestone_0294

Image by Grand Canyon NPS
One of many caves found in the Redwall Limestone in Grand Canyon.
NPS Photo by Kristen M. Caldon

Redwall Limestone - thickness: 500-800 ft.

The Redwall Limestone forms distinct red cliffs about mid-level in the canyon. It was deposited 340 million years ago, during the Paleozoic Era - Late Early to Middle Mississippian Period.

The Redwall Limestone was deposited in a shallow to deep sea environment. A variety of fossilized sea life is preserved within the formation, including brachiopods and crinoids.

Although its name implies that the Redwall Limestone is a red rock, it is in fact a gray stone. It gains its reddish appearance from the rocks above.

Both the Supai Group and the Hermit Formation are red in color due to their high iron oxide content. Over time, rain has continually washed these eroding red sediments over the Redwall, staining it red.

The Redwall Limestone contains thousands of caves. Limestone is a water soluble rock, meaning that it can be slowly dissolved by water, eventually resulting in caves of various sizes.

Many animals, such as the California condor, now make these caves their homes, just as giant Shasta ground sloths made them their homes 11,000 to 20,000 years ago.

The Redwall Limestone also serves as a regional and local aquifer. An aquifer is a permeable body of rock capable of yielding water to wells and springs.

Baby Gator

Image by FlyinPhotography
People in Florida are in an uproar over three fatal alligator attacks in the last few weeks. I find it interesting how authorities will hunt down the offending animal after an attack as if it is a murderer. It is an animal, doing what comes natural. No disrespect to those attacked or their families, but it is us that is encroaching on their environment. Growing up on the lakes and rivers in Florida, you learn to take basic precautions. Something I see few people doing now days. In fact, this photo is an example. It was taken at Cape Canaveral. Just down shore was the mother gator. About 6 foot long and laying in the water with her nose inches from shore. A family with small children were standing feet away from her and throwing rocks to provoke her to move... I assume so they could be entertained.

Honey Locust, Gleditsia triacanthos ...#13

A few nice facts about animals images I found:

Honey Locust, Gleditsia triacanthos ...#13

Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants
Taken on June 17, 2012 in Waco city, Texas state, Southern of America.

Vietnamese named : Bồ Kết ba gai, Gai mật.
Common names : Honeylocust, Driedoring, Sprinkaan Boom (South Africa), Acacia Negra (Argentina).
Scientist name : Gleditsia triacanthos L.
Synonyms : Gleditsia triacanthos L. var. inermis (L.) C.K. Schneid.
Family : Fabaceae / Pea family. Họ Đậu
Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Genus: Gleditsia L. – locust
Species: Gleditsia triacanthos L. – honeylocust

**** vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%E1%BB%93_k%E1%BA%BFt_ba_gai
Bồ kết ba gai (danh pháp hai phần: Gleditsia triacanthos) là một loài cây gỗ lá sớm rụng có nguồn gốc ở miền đông Bắc Mỹ. Nó chủ yếu được tìm thấy trong các vùng đất ẩm ướt ven các thung lũng sông từ đông nam Nam Dakota kéo dài về phía nam tới New Orleans và miền trung Texas và về phía tây tới trung Pennsylvania.

________________________________________________________________

**** plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GLTR
**** dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=30
**** www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/data/pf000155.htm
**** ohiodnr.com/forestry/trees/locust_hny/tabid/5381/Default....

**** www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Gleditsia+triacanthos : Click on link to read more, please.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Seed; Seedpod.
Edible Uses: Coffee; Drink; Gum; Sweetener.

Seed - raw or cooked. It can contain up to 30% sugar[160]. Young seeds taste like raw peas[183]. Seeds are not always borne in maritime regions because the tree prefers long hot summers[11]. The oval seeds are about 8mm long[227]. They contain 10.6 - 24.1% protein, 0.8 - 4.3% fat, 84.7% carbohydrate, 21.1% fibre, 4% ash, 280mg calcium and 320mg phosphorus per 100g[218]. The seeds have been roasted and used as a coffee substitute[269]. Seedpods - the pulp is sweet and can be eaten raw or made into sugar[149, 159, 183]. The render young seedpods can be cooked and eaten[183]. The pulp in older pods turns bitter[227]. The seedpods are up to 40cm long and 4cm wide[227]. A sweet, pleasant tasting drink can be made from the seed pods[257]. The seed pulp has been used to make a drink[257].
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Anaesthetic; Antiseptic; Cancer; Stomachic.

The pods have been made into a tea for the treatment of indigestion, measles, catarrh etc[222, 257]. The juice of the pods is antiseptic[222]. The pods have been seen as a good antidote for children's complaints[257]. The alcoholic extract of the fruits of the honey locust, after elimination of tannin, considerably retarded the growth, up to 63% of Ehrlich mouse carcinoma[269]. However, the cytotoxicity of the extract was quite high and the animals, besides losing weight, showed dystrophic changes in their liver and spleen[260]. The alcoholic extract of the fruit exerted moderate oncostatic activity against sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich carcinoma at the total dose 350 mg/kg/body weight/mouse. Weight loss was considerable[269]. An infusion of the bark has been drunk and used as a wash in the treatment of dyspepsia[257]. It has also been used in the treatment of whooping cough, measles, smallpox etc[257]. The twigs and the leaves contain the alkaloids gleditschine and stenocarpine[4]. Stenocarpine has been used as a local anaesthetic whilst gleditschine causes stupor and loss of reflex activity[4]. Current research is examining the leaves as a potential source of anticancer compounds[222].
Other Uses
Gum; Soil reclamation; Tannin; Wood.

Planted for land reclamation on mining waste[200]. The gum from the seeds has been suggested as an emulsifying substitute for acacia and tragacanth[269]. The heartwood contains 4 - 4.8% tannin[240]. Wood - strong, coarse-grained, elastic, very hard, very durable in contact with the soil, highly shock resistant[46, 61, 82, 149]. It does not shrink much but splits rather easily and does not glue well[227]. It weighs 42lb per cubic foot[227]. Largely used for making fence posts and rails, wheel hubs, farm implements etc and in construction[46, 61, 82, 149].
Cultivation details
Succeeds in most soils, acid or alkaline[160, 200], so long as they are well-drained[202]. Requires a sunny position[11]. Tolerates drought once established[1] and atmospheric pollution[200]. Salt tolerant[200]. The honey locust is speculated to tolerate an annual precipitation of 60 to 150cm, an annual temperature range of 10 to 21°C, and a pH in the range of 6 to 8[269]. Trees are rather tender when young, but they are hardy to about -30°c once they are established[200]. They grow best in southern Britain[11]. The honey locust is often cultivated in warm temperate zones for its edible seeds and seedpods[202], trees start to bear when about 10 years old and produce commercial crops for about 100 years[227]. Wild trees seldom live longer than 120 years[229]. Trees are shy to flower and therefore do not often produce a worthwhile crop in Britain due to our cooler summers[202]. There are some named varieties[183]. The sub-species nana produced lots of viable seed in the hot summer of 1989 at Kew[K], it also had a very good crop in 1994, 1996 and in 1999[K]. The sub-species inermis had a very good crop of pods in the autumn of 1996[K]. 'Ashworth' has pods with a very sweet pulp that has a melon-like flavour[183]. The flowers have a pleasing scent[245]. A very ornamental tree[1], the flowers are very attractive to bees[149, 269]. Trees have a light canopy, they come into leaf late and lose their leaves early[11] making them an excellent canopy tree for a woodland garden. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Unlike most plants in this family, honey locusts do not fix atmospheric nitrogen[160, 226].

Propagation
Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in a greenhouse[78]. The seed should have swollen up, in which case it can be sown, if it has not swollen then soak it for another 24 hours in warm water. If this does not work then file away some of the seed coat but be careful not to damage the embryo[78]. Further soaking should then cause the seed to swell. One it has swollen, the seed should germinate within 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual deep pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.

**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_locust
The Honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos, is a deciduous tree native to central North America. It is mostly found in the moist soil of river valleys ranging from southeastern South Dakota to New Orleans and central Texas, and as far east as eastern Massachusetts.

Descriptions
Honey locusts, Gleditsia triacanthos, can reach a height of 20–30 m (66–100 ft), with fast growth, and are relatively short-lived; their life spans are typically about 120 years, though some live up to 150 years. They are prone to losing large branches in windstorms. The leaves are pinnately compound on older trees but bipinnately compound on vigorous young trees. The leaflets are 1.5–2.5 cm (smaller on bipinnate leaves) and bright green. They turn yellow in the fall (autumn). Leafs out relatively late in spring, but generally slightly earlier than the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). The strongly scented cream-colored flowers appear in late spring, in clusters emerging from the base of the leaf axils.
The fruit of the Honey locust is a flat legume (pod) that matures in early autumn. The pods are generally between 15–20 cm. The pulp on the insides of the pods is edible, unlike the Black locust, which is toxic. The seeds are dispersed by grazing herbivores such as cattle and horses, which eat the pod pulp and excrete the seeds in droppings; the animal's digestive system assists in breaking down the hard seed coat, making germination easier.
Honey locusts commonly have thorns 3–10 cm long growing out of the branches, some reaching lengths over 20 cm; these may be single, or branched into several points, and commonly form dense clusters. The thorns are fairly soft and green when young, harden and turn red as they age, then fade to ash grey and turn brittle when mature. These thorns are thought to have evolved to protect the trees from browsing Pleistocene megafauna which may also have been involved in seed dispersal.[1] Thornless forms (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis) are occasionally found growing wild and are available as nursery plants.
Ranchers and farmers, though, do deem this species as invasive because it quickly can move into pastures and grazing lands out-competing grasses for living space.

Uses

Despite its name, the honey locust is not a significant honey plant. The name derives from the sweet taste of the legume pulp, which was used for food by Native American people, and can also be fermented to make beer. The long pods, which eventually dry and ripen to brown or maroon, are surrounded in a tough, leathery skin that adheres very strongly to the pulp within. The pulp - bright green in unripe pods - is strongly sweet, crisp and succulent in unripe pods. Dark brown tannin-rich beans are found in slots within the pulp.

Its cultivars are popular ornamental plants, especially in the northern plains of North America where few other trees can survive and prosper. It tolerates urban conditions, compacted soil, road salt, alkaline soil, heat and drought. The popularity is in part due to the fact that it transplants so easily. The fast growth rate and tolerance of poor site conditions make it valued in areas where shade is wanted quickly, such as new parks or housing developments, and in disturbed and reclaimed environments, such as mine tailings. It is resistant to Gypsy moths but is defoliated by another pest, the mimosa webworm. Spider mites, cankers, and galls are a problem with some trees. Many cultivated varieties do not have thorns.
Honey locusts produce a high quality, durable wood that polishes well, but the tree does not grow in sufficient numbers to support a bulk industry; however, a niche market exists for honey locust furniture. It's also used for posts and rails since it takes a long time to rot. In the past, the hard thorns of the younger trees have been used as nails.
The honey locust is popular with permaculturalists across the globe, for its multiple uses. The legumes make a valuable, high protein cattle fodder, which becomes more readily accessible with the thornless (inermis) variety. The broad shade of the tree canopy is of great value for livestock in hotter climates, such as Australia. It is also claimed to be a nitrogen fixer, by way of rhizobium, which benefits the surrounding soil and plants. The durability and quality of the timber, as well as the ability to produce its own nails, fits the paradigm of self-sustaining agriculture that requires fewer external inputs/resources.
The ability of Gleditsia to fix nitrogen is disputed. Many scientific sources [2][3][4] clearly state that Gleditsia does not fix nitrogen. Some support this statement with the fact that Gleditsia does not form root nodules with symbiotic bacteria, the assumption being that without nodulation, no N-fixation can occur. In contrast, many popular sources, permaculture publications in particular, claim that Gleditsia does fix nitrogen but by some other mechanism.
There are anatomical, ecological and taxonomic indications[5] to counter the assumption that only nodulating legumes fix nitrogen. Many non-nodulating species are as capable as nodulating species of growing well in nitrogen-limited soils and in some cases grow better. Also their leaf litter and seeds are higher in nitrogen than non-legumes[6] [McKey, 1994; Waterman 1994] and sometimes higher even than nodulating legumes growing on the same site. How this happens is not yet well understood, but current research has recorded by-products of nitrogenase activity in non-nodulating leguminous plants [7] including Gleditsia triacanthos. Also, electron microscopy indicates the presence of clusters around the inner cortex of roots, just outside the xylem, that resemble colonies of rhizobial bacterioids. These may well constitute the evolutionary precursors in legumes for nitrogen fixation through nodulation.
It is not known whether the kind of N-fixation implied by these discoveries benefits other plants in the vicinity, as is known to be the case with nodulating legumes. Gleditsia coppices readily, and it seems reasonable to assume that reduction in root mass in response to coppicing should liberate nutrients in the sloughed off roots into the soil, to the benefit of neighbouring plants.

Pharmacological activities

Extracts of Gleditsia possess important pharmacological activities in treating rheumatoid arthritis, as anti-mutagenic, anticancer and have significant cytotoxic activity against different cell lines [8] Seeds of Gleditsia triacanthos contain a trypsin inhibitor.

Honey Locust, Gleditsia triacanthos ...#3

Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants
Taken on June 17, 2012 in Waco city, Texas state, Southern of America.

Vietnamese named : Bồ Kết ba gai, Gai mật.
Common names : Honeylocust, Driedoring, Sprinkaan Boom (South Africa), Acacia Negra (Argentina).
Scientist name : Gleditsia triacanthos L.
Synonyms : Gleditsia triacanthos L. var. inermis (L.) C.K. Schneid.
Family : Fabaceae / Pea family. Họ Đậu
Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Genus: Gleditsia L. – locust
Species: Gleditsia triacanthos L. – honeylocust

**** vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%E1%BB%93_k%E1%BA%BFt_ba_gai
Bồ kết ba gai (danh pháp hai phần: Gleditsia triacanthos) là một loài cây gỗ lá sớm rụng có nguồn gốc ở miền đông Bắc Mỹ. Nó chủ yếu được tìm thấy trong các vùng đất ẩm ướt ven các thung lũng sông từ đông nam Nam Dakota kéo dài về phía nam tới New Orleans và miền trung Texas và về phía tây tới trung Pennsylvania.

________________________________________________________________

**** plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GLTR
**** dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=30
**** www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/data/pf000155.htm
**** ohiodnr.com/forestry/trees/locust_hny/tabid/5381/Default....

**** www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Gleditsia+triacanthos : Click on link to read more, please.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Seed; Seedpod.
Edible Uses: Coffee; Drink; Gum; Sweetener.

Seed - raw or cooked. It can contain up to 30% sugar[160]. Young seeds taste like raw peas[183]. Seeds are not always borne in maritime regions because the tree prefers long hot summers[11]. The oval seeds are about 8mm long[227]. They contain 10.6 - 24.1% protein, 0.8 - 4.3% fat, 84.7% carbohydrate, 21.1% fibre, 4% ash, 280mg calcium and 320mg phosphorus per 100g[218]. The seeds have been roasted and used as a coffee substitute[269]. Seedpods - the pulp is sweet and can be eaten raw or made into sugar[149, 159, 183]. The render young seedpods can be cooked and eaten[183]. The pulp in older pods turns bitter[227]. The seedpods are up to 40cm long and 4cm wide[227]. A sweet, pleasant tasting drink can be made from the seed pods[257]. The seed pulp has been used to make a drink[257].
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Anaesthetic; Antiseptic; Cancer; Stomachic.

The pods have been made into a tea for the treatment of indigestion, measles, catarrh etc[222, 257]. The juice of the pods is antiseptic[222]. The pods have been seen as a good antidote for children's complaints[257]. The alcoholic extract of the fruits of the honey locust, after elimination of tannin, considerably retarded the growth, up to 63% of Ehrlich mouse carcinoma[269]. However, the cytotoxicity of the extract was quite high and the animals, besides losing weight, showed dystrophic changes in their liver and spleen[260]. The alcoholic extract of the fruit exerted moderate oncostatic activity against sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich carcinoma at the total dose 350 mg/kg/body weight/mouse. Weight loss was considerable[269]. An infusion of the bark has been drunk and used as a wash in the treatment of dyspepsia[257]. It has also been used in the treatment of whooping cough, measles, smallpox etc[257]. The twigs and the leaves contain the alkaloids gleditschine and stenocarpine[4]. Stenocarpine has been used as a local anaesthetic whilst gleditschine causes stupor and loss of reflex activity[4]. Current research is examining the leaves as a potential source of anticancer compounds[222].
Other Uses
Gum; Soil reclamation; Tannin; Wood.

Planted for land reclamation on mining waste[200]. The gum from the seeds has been suggested as an emulsifying substitute for acacia and tragacanth[269]. The heartwood contains 4 - 4.8% tannin[240]. Wood - strong, coarse-grained, elastic, very hard, very durable in contact with the soil, highly shock resistant[46, 61, 82, 149]. It does not shrink much but splits rather easily and does not glue well[227]. It weighs 42lb per cubic foot[227]. Largely used for making fence posts and rails, wheel hubs, farm implements etc and in construction[46, 61, 82, 149].
Cultivation details
Succeeds in most soils, acid or alkaline[160, 200], so long as they are well-drained[202]. Requires a sunny position[11]. Tolerates drought once established[1] and atmospheric pollution[200]. Salt tolerant[200]. The honey locust is speculated to tolerate an annual precipitation of 60 to 150cm, an annual temperature range of 10 to 21°C, and a pH in the range of 6 to 8[269]. Trees are rather tender when young, but they are hardy to about -30°c once they are established[200]. They grow best in southern Britain[11]. The honey locust is often cultivated in warm temperate zones for its edible seeds and seedpods[202], trees start to bear when about 10 years old and produce commercial crops for about 100 years[227]. Wild trees seldom live longer than 120 years[229]. Trees are shy to flower and therefore do not often produce a worthwhile crop in Britain due to our cooler summers[202]. There are some named varieties[183]. The sub-species nana produced lots of viable seed in the hot summer of 1989 at Kew[K], it also had a very good crop in 1994, 1996 and in 1999[K]. The sub-species inermis had a very good crop of pods in the autumn of 1996[K]. 'Ashworth' has pods with a very sweet pulp that has a melon-like flavour[183]. The flowers have a pleasing scent[245]. A very ornamental tree[1], the flowers are very attractive to bees[149, 269]. Trees have a light canopy, they come into leaf late and lose their leaves early[11] making them an excellent canopy tree for a woodland garden. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Unlike most plants in this family, honey locusts do not fix atmospheric nitrogen[160, 226].

Propagation
Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in spring in a greenhouse[78]. The seed should have swollen up, in which case it can be sown, if it has not swollen then soak it for another 24 hours in warm water. If this does not work then file away some of the seed coat but be careful not to damage the embryo[78]. Further soaking should then cause the seed to swell. One it has swollen, the seed should germinate within 2 - 4 weeks at 20°c. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual deep pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Give the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors.

**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_locust
The Honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos, is a deciduous tree native to central North America. It is mostly found in the moist soil of river valleys ranging from southeastern South Dakota to New Orleans and central Texas, and as far east as eastern Massachusetts.

Descriptions
Honey locusts, Gleditsia triacanthos, can reach a height of 20–30 m (66–100 ft), with fast growth, and are relatively short-lived; their life spans are typically about 120 years, though some live up to 150 years. They are prone to losing large branches in windstorms. The leaves are pinnately compound on older trees but bipinnately compound on vigorous young trees. The leaflets are 1.5–2.5 cm (smaller on bipinnate leaves) and bright green. They turn yellow in the fall (autumn). Leafs out relatively late in spring, but generally slightly earlier than the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia). The strongly scented cream-colored flowers appear in late spring, in clusters emerging from the base of the leaf axils.
The fruit of the Honey locust is a flat legume (pod) that matures in early autumn. The pods are generally between 15–20 cm. The pulp on the insides of the pods is edible, unlike the Black locust, which is toxic. The seeds are dispersed by grazing herbivores such as cattle and horses, which eat the pod pulp and excrete the seeds in droppings; the animal's digestive system assists in breaking down the hard seed coat, making germination easier.
Honey locusts commonly have thorns 3–10 cm long growing out of the branches, some reaching lengths over 20 cm; these may be single, or branched into several points, and commonly form dense clusters. The thorns are fairly soft and green when young, harden and turn red as they age, then fade to ash grey and turn brittle when mature. These thorns are thought to have evolved to protect the trees from browsing Pleistocene megafauna which may also have been involved in seed dispersal.[1] Thornless forms (Gleditsia triacanthos inermis) are occasionally found growing wild and are available as nursery plants.
Ranchers and farmers, though, do deem this species as invasive because it quickly can move into pastures and grazing lands out-competing grasses for living space.

Uses

Despite its name, the honey locust is not a significant honey plant. The name derives from the sweet taste of the legume pulp, which was used for food by Native American people, and can also be fermented to make beer. The long pods, which eventually dry and ripen to brown or maroon, are surrounded in a tough, leathery skin that adheres very strongly to the pulp within. The pulp - bright green in unripe pods - is strongly sweet, crisp and succulent in unripe pods. Dark brown tannin-rich beans are found in slots within the pulp.

Its cultivars are popular ornamental plants, especially in the northern plains of North America where few other trees can survive and prosper. It tolerates urban conditions, compacted soil, road salt, alkaline soil, heat and drought. The popularity is in part due to the fact that it transplants so easily. The fast growth rate and tolerance of poor site conditions make it valued in areas where shade is wanted quickly, such as new parks or housing developments, and in disturbed and reclaimed environments, such as mine tailings. It is resistant to Gypsy moths but is defoliated by another pest, the mimosa webworm. Spider mites, cankers, and galls are a problem with some trees. Many cultivated varieties do not have thorns.
Honey locusts produce a high quality, durable wood that polishes well, but the tree does not grow in sufficient numbers to support a bulk industry; however, a niche market exists for honey locust furniture. It's also used for posts and rails since it takes a long time to rot. In the past, the hard thorns of the younger trees have been used as nails.
The honey locust is popular with permaculturalists across the globe, for its multiple uses. The legumes make a valuable, high protein cattle fodder, which becomes more readily accessible with the thornless (inermis) variety. The broad shade of the tree canopy is of great value for livestock in hotter climates, such as Australia. It is also claimed to be a nitrogen fixer, by way of rhizobium, which benefits the surrounding soil and plants. The durability and quality of the timber, as well as the ability to produce its own nails, fits the paradigm of self-sustaining agriculture that requires fewer external inputs/resources.
The ability of Gleditsia to fix nitrogen is disputed. Many scientific sources [2][3][4] clearly state that Gleditsia does not fix nitrogen. Some support this statement with the fact that Gleditsia does not form root nodules with symbiotic bacteria, the assumption being that without nodulation, no N-fixation can occur. In contrast, many popular sources, permaculture publications in particular, claim that Gleditsia does fix nitrogen but by some other mechanism.
There are anatomical, ecological and taxonomic indications[5] to counter the assumption that only nodulating legumes fix nitrogen. Many non-nodulating species are as capable as nodulating species of growing well in nitrogen-limited soils and in some cases grow better. Also their leaf litter and seeds are higher in nitrogen than non-legumes[6] [McKey, 1994; Waterman 1994] and sometimes higher even than nodulating legumes growing on the same site. How this happens is not yet well understood, but current research has recorded by-products of nitrogenase activity in non-nodulating leguminous plants [7] including Gleditsia triacanthos. Also, electron microscopy indicates the presence of clusters around the inner cortex of roots, just outside the xylem, that resemble colonies of rhizobial bacterioids. These may well constitute the evolutionary precursors in legumes for nitrogen fixation through nodulation.
It is not known whether the kind of N-fixation implied by these discoveries benefits other plants in the vicinity, as is known to be the case with nodulating legumes. Gleditsia coppices readily, and it seems reasonable to assume that reduction in root mass in response to coppicing should liberate nutrients in the sloughed off roots into the soil, to the benefit of neighbouring plants.

Pharmacological activities

Extracts of Gleditsia possess important pharmacological activities in treating rheumatoid arthritis, as anti-mutagenic, anticancer and have significant cytotoxic activity against different cell lines [8] Seeds of Gleditsia triacanthos contain a trypsin inhibitor.

Harpenden NCH visit Iceland

A few nice facts about animals images I found:

Harpenden NCH visit Iceland

Image by theirhistory
Children of the Harpenden Branch of the National Children's Home are taken to Iceland by plane for a special treat to see Father Christmas in 1971.
-------------
DREAM HOLIDAY for 80 of the Children from The National Children's Home Harpenden
Children were whisked to Iceland on the ‘Snowflake’ jet
WARM weather nearly ruined a magical white Christmas treat to see the ‘real’ Santa Claus for more than 80 children from Harpenden branch, were whisked away to Iceland by Alpine Everest, the double-glazing and home freezer group of companies, which chartered its own ‘Snowflake Special’ Boeing 727 jet to give the children the most memorable Christmas present of their lives.
But, as excitement mounted among the children at Harpenden, rain was washing away Father Christmas’s carpet of snow. And when the long-range weather forecast predicted that rain had set in for the entire holiday prospects looked bleak.
However the organisers’ fears were needless. As the children scampered aboard the plane at Heathrow, snow was falling in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, and by the time they landed at Keflavik airport it was almost six inches deep.
The young directors of Alpine-Everest became ‘Alpine Uncles’ on the 2,500 mile trip, which began early on the Tuesday before Christmas and ended in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Passports waived
Iceland’s Ambassador in London, Mr Niels Sigurdsson, helped make the trip possible by arranging to waive passport requirements for the children.
The highlight of the excursion was when Father Christmas appeared from behind a large rock as the children arrived at the city’s ski lodge for a party given by the Mayor of Reykjavik, Mr Geir Hallgrinsson. After the delicious traditional tea of hot chocolate and pancakes filled with cream, Father Christmas talked to the children, telling them about his mother and 12 brothers and then gave a present to each child from the bulging sack.
For many of the children, the prospect of staying in a hotel was just as exciting as seeing Santa.
‘I’ve never stayed in a hotel before’ said one little girl. ‘What’s it like? Come to think of it, I’ve never been on holiday before.’
All floors of the luxury Hotel Saga in Reykjavik were booked to accommodate the Harpenden children and their party. On Tuesday evening the adults were entertained at a reception where guests included the British Ambassador , the British Consul, the Mayor of Reykjavik, the Director of the National Theatre, the news editors of Iceland Television and radio, editors of five national Icelandic newspapers and, in ‘civvies’, Santa Claus – alias Omar Ragnarsson, a sports writer and children’s entertainer with Icelandic Television.
Awake Early
Most of the children were awake very early on Wednesday morning – one or two at 5.30. After breakfast, the party was taken by coach to the open-air swimming pool which is heated by the local hot springs. All of the country’s heating comes from the channeled springs and it was certainly a new experience for the children (and many brave adults!) to swim in the open air with the temperature at minus two degrees Centigrade.
After a sightseeing tour followed by lunch, the children were entertained at the National Theatre to ‘Nyjarsnottin’ – a playlet about ‘New Year’s Night’.
The people of Iceland took the Harpenden children to their hearts. Everywhere they went passers-by stopped to ask them how they were enjoying their holiday. In fact, one Icelandic businessman arrived at the airport on Wednesday evening with presents for each child from himself and friends.
Hour’s delay
The homeward flight of the ‘Snowflake Special’ was delayed for just over an hour because of thick snow and a raging blizzard.
It was not until nearly midnight that the children climbed on to the coaches for the journey back from Heathrow to Harpenden and most of them fell asleep immediately – completely exhausted after two days of non-stop excitement.
Photographers from most of the Fleet Street newspapers and one or two local newspapers went on the trip with the children.
Competition
The ‘Harpenden Free Press’ organised a competition for the children, giving prizes of £2, £1 and 50p for the three best written accounts of the trip.
Carole Adams (11) who won the first prize wrote: Iceland is a very different place from England. For instance, when we go swimming in England you just get changed and go into the pool, but in Iceland you have a shower with soap, then put on your swimming costume and walk across the snow in your bare feet to the swimming pool. This is to make sure that no one spreads germs to anyone else.’
Strange secret
Second prize-winner Paul Duncan (11) tells how he first heard about the trip. ‘One night as I lay quiet in my bed Sister came in and whispered a rather strange secret. She said that I was going to Iceland to see Father Christmas. Well, that was all I needed to stop me from going to sleep. I was more excited than you could possibly imagine. On the disappointing side it was such a long wait until the day came. Waiting all this time soon put me off the idea of going on an aeroplane, but somehow on the way I seemed to be all right.’
‘At the zoo there were lots of animals’, wrote Vivienne Webb, who won third prize. ‘Different birds, seals, penguins, polar bears, arctic foxes and an aquarium. While looking round we played snowballs.’
For the 66 children left behind at the branch, the two days were not dull. Pantomime trips and a swimming party in St Albans were laid on and the children were invited to other Christmas parties.
Alpine-Everest did not forget the children who were left behind either. They sent Mr Burn a cheque for £50 as a special gift for the benefit of the children who did not go to Iceland.
Coincidental
Neither does the story end there. The day after returning home, Harpenden choir made their annual visit to the Royal Lancaster Hotel to sing carols.
By sheer coincidence, Alpine-Everest were holding their Christmas lunch on the same day in the hotel.
The directors of the firm knew most of the children, of course, and decided to keep the party going for a few hours longer so they could hear the children singing. They therefore hired the rooms for longer than they had booked, and as a result the hotel sent Harpenden a cheque for £20 for the children.
As a personal thank-you, the hotel’s general manager served the children with turkey sandwiches and lemonade himself from a silver trolley.
-------------
GLORIOUS RIOT OF SNOW AND FUN IN ICELAND
A ROMP in the snow which would never have been possible if the weather forecasters’ gloomy predictions had been correct.
Only a few hours earlier these lucky children from Harpenden branch were standing in the unusually mild December weather at Heathrow Airport, waiting in anticipation for the trip of a life-time to Iceland.
They chased Santa Claus across the snow, tried their hands at tobogganing, fought snow battles and generally spent more time sitting down than standing up.
In fact the children became so excited playing in the snow that two of them lost a shoe. Luckily, the following day’s activities called for wellingtons, and Alpine Everest, the company which paid for the trip, treated them to a new pair of shoes each when they were back at the branch.
The grown-ups were not left entirely unaffected by the seasonal spirit. More than one houseparent was seen joining in the fun, and most of the 15 Fleet Street newspaper photographers who accompanied the children on the trip, could not resist the temptation to toboggan down the mountain quietly while the children were having tea.
A surprise meeting with the President of Iceland, Mr Kristjan Eldjarn, was the highlight of the trip for Mr J C Burn, Harpenden’s superintendent.
Mr Burn exchanged Rotary pennants with Mr Hoskuldur Olafsson, secretary of the Reykjavik Club.

Nice Facts About Animals photos

Check out these facts about animals images:

The Big Egg Hunt 2013 - Covent Garden, London

Image by Karen Roe
10. Equinox
by Barbie Harrison

Barbie Harrison has worked as an illustrator and decorator of children’s furniture for many years. She is used to painting on any surface, even having painted on eggs before, although never on one as big as this! More recently Barbie has begun to exhibit small paintings on reclaimed wood, using oil, enamel and gold leaf – her own personal icons – and using images of birds, flowers, animals and trees.
Barbie lives in rural East Sussex and takes her inspiration from the natural world. Here’s what the artist has to say about the design’s conception:
“When I heard about the Big Egg Hunt I researched Easter myths - one of the recurring and universal ones being the Easter Hare (and coincidentally I often use an image of the hare in my paintings). In past times it was thought that the hare laid eggs – in fact we now know that this came about by the habit of lapwings laying their eggs in the “form” or scrape in the ground that the hare uses as a resting place – hence the plover image.
“Hares are also associated with the spring and the moon, thus prompting me to conceive the design. On one side we see the hare at the cusp of winter – the autumn equinox- apprehensively looking up at an owl, and opposite, the spring equinox - a hare leaping over the sun , with associated images of flowers and swallows and the optimism they symbolize.
“Look carefully at the line of trees in the half-light and you will see the tiny silhouette of a running hound – a tribute to our wonderful old lurcher who died last year.” Barbie has painted furniture designs for children for many years, and wanted the imagery to be accessible to young people.

Lindt is proud to join
THE BIG EGG HUNT 2013
in support for Action For Children

Our fun family event starts in London, Covent Garden on Shrove Tuesday and promises to delight all; from the exciting egg-hunts and giant chocolate bunnies to the uniquely designed eggs by leading artists and celebrities, for all to awe at – and hopefully buy!

Most importantly it is a unique opportunity for us all to raise significant money to support vulnerable and neglected children in the UK.

Established in 1869, Action for Children is committed to helping the most vulnerable and neglected children in the UK. Working directly with more than 250,000 children, young people and their carers each year, we run over 600 services which tackle abuse, neglect, help young carers and provide fostering and adoption services.

Lindt believes in the magic of families, which is why the Lindt Gold Bunny is proud to join Action for Children in The Big Egg Hunt and support the great work they do to improve the lives of children & families in the UK.

The Big Egg Hunt 2013 - Covent Garden, London

Image by Karen Roe
10. Equinox
by Barbie Harrison

Barbie Harrison has worked as an illustrator and decorator of children’s furniture for many years. She is used to painting on any surface, even having painted on eggs before, although never on one as big as this! More recently Barbie has begun to exhibit small paintings on reclaimed wood, using oil, enamel and gold leaf – her own personal icons – and using images of birds, flowers, animals and trees.
Barbie lives in rural East Sussex and takes her inspiration from the natural world. Here’s what the artist has to say about the design’s conception:
“When I heard about the Big Egg Hunt I researched Easter myths - one of the recurring and universal ones being the Easter Hare (and coincidentally I often use an image of the hare in my paintings). In past times it was thought that the hare laid eggs – in fact we now know that this came about by the habit of lapwings laying their eggs in the “form” or scrape in the ground that the hare uses as a resting place – hence the plover image.
“Hares are also associated with the spring and the moon, thus prompting me to conceive the design. On one side we see the hare at the cusp of winter – the autumn equinox- apprehensively looking up at an owl, and opposite, the spring equinox - a hare leaping over the sun , with associated images of flowers and swallows and the optimism they symbolize.
“Look carefully at the line of trees in the half-light and you will see the tiny silhouette of a running hound – a tribute to our wonderful old lurcher who died last year.” Barbie has painted furniture designs for children for many years, and wanted the imagery to be accessible to young people.

Lindt is proud to join
THE BIG EGG HUNT 2013
in support for Action For Children

Our fun family event starts in London, Covent Garden on Shrove Tuesday and promises to delight all; from the exciting egg-hunts and giant chocolate bunnies to the uniquely designed eggs by leading artists and celebrities, for all to awe at – and hopefully buy!

Most importantly it is a unique opportunity for us all to raise significant money to support vulnerable and neglected children in the UK.

Established in 1869, Action for Children is committed to helping the most vulnerable and neglected children in the UK. Working directly with more than 250,000 children, young people and their carers each year, we run over 600 services which tackle abuse, neglect, help young carers and provide fostering and adoption services.

Lindt believes in the magic of families, which is why the Lindt Gold Bunny is proud to join Action for Children in The Big Egg Hunt and support the great work they do to improve the lives of children & families in the UK.

Cool Facts About Animals images

A few nice facts about animals images I found:

John Walter Scott

Image by jajacks62
Surgeon 4th KS. Infantry & Surgeon 10th KS. Infantry
History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas: embellished with portraits of well known people of these counties, with biographies of our representative citizens, cuts of public buildings and a map of each county / Edited and Compiled by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott. Iola Registers, Printers and Binders, Iola, Kan.: 1901

JOHN WALTER SCOTT was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1825. His father was Alexander McRay Scott, who was born at Alexandria, Virginia, August 19, 1800. His mother was Mary Dean, who was born in New Jersey or Pennsylvania in 1799. His paternal grandfather was John Scott, who'migrated from Belfast, Ireland, soon after the Revolution, landing first at St. Thomas, West Indies, but soon after going to Norfolk, Virginia, and thence to Alexandria. His paternal grandmother was Margaret Kenna, the daughter of an English sea captain. Nothing farther is known of the paternal line, except that "in the beginning" one "John," a ship joiner, migrated from Scotland to the ship yards at Belfast, Ireland, and was there called "John, the Scot," to differentiate him from other Johns, which name, of course, soon became John Scott, which it still remains. The John Scott who migrated to America was a shoemaker by trade. He was killed by lightning when about sixty years of age. His wife died in Indiana about 1853, of old age. Alexander Scott, the father of our subject, was a machinist and mechanic, although he always lived on a farm. He died at the age of sixty-four in Bloomington, Illinois, of cerebro spinal meningitis. His wife has previously passed away in Kentucky at the age of forty-four, of malarial fever. John W. Scott's maternal grandfather was Samuel Dean, a Revolutionary soldier in the New Jersey line. He afterwards served under "Mad Anthony" Wayne in the Indian wars and was severely wounded in the hip, making him lame the remainder of his life. He was probably of Danish descent and was a farmer. He died at the age of eighty-six from the effect of his wounds. Nothing more is known of the family on this side.
John W. Scott was the oldest child of Alexander and Mary Dean Scott. He had three brothers, Samuel, William and Harmon, and five sisters, Martha, Mary, Jennie, Margaret and Hannah. Of this family only Margaret and Jennie now survive.
When John W. Scott was three years of age his father bought a farm adjoining the Braddock Field property, near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and there nio.st of his childhood was spent. He worked on the farm in summer and in the winter attended such schools as the uncertain condition of the country afforded, in this way acquiring the rudiments of a fair English education.
In 1840 he went with his father to Gallatin county, Kentucky, where he worked on a farm and in a saw mill for three or four years. The work proved too heavy for him and his health giving way he secured a position as private tutor in the family of Dr. William B. Chamberlain, in Warsaw, Kentucky. He taught the children of his employer the rudiments of English and received from him in return a smattering of Greek, Latin and mathematics. He afterward taught school in various portions of the county during the winters and read medicine with Dr. Chamberlain.
In 1846-7 he took a course of medical lectures at the Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, and in the spring of 1847 began the practice of his profession at Hopewell, Indiana. After practicing there for two years he took another course of lectures at the above college from which he graduated in the spring of 1849, returning at once to his practice in Indiana.
December 13, 1849, he was married to Maria Protsman, the neice of his former preceptor, Dr. Chamberlain, and continued in the practice of medicine at Hopewell and Franklin, Indiana, until 1857 when he came to Kansas. He bought an original interest in the townsite of Olathe, which had just been located, and in connection with one Charles Osgood, built the first house erected on the townsite. In the fall he returned to Indiana and the following spring brought his family to Olathe. Owing to the unsettled condition of the country and the scenes of violence that were continually occurring in the town Olathe was not then a desirable place of residence, and so in June of 1858 Dr. Scott removed with his family to Allen county and took up a claim near Carlyle where he lived for the next sixteen years.
ill! the fall of 1859 he was elected to the Territorial legislature whicli met at Lecompton and afterwards adjourned to Lawrence,—the first Free State legislature. He was re-elected in 1860 and was chosen Speaker of the House, In 1861 he was elected a member of the first State legislature, and in the absence of the Speaker presided during most of the session. During this session P'ort Sunipter was fired upon, and at its close most of its members entered the Union army. Dr. Scott enlisted in the Fourth Kansas Volunteer Infantry and was elected surgeon. He served with the Fourth during the fall and winter of 1861-2, being in charge of the general hospital
at Fort Scott. When the Third and Fourth regiments were consolidated and became the 10th Kansas he became the surgeon of that regiment and served until May, 1863, when he resigned on account of the long and serious illness of his wife. In the fall of the same year, his wife's health having been restored, he re-entered and served to the end of the war, returjiing then to his Carlyle farm.
In 1866 he was elected to the State Senate, was elected president pro tem of that body and presided during the session on account of Lieutenant Governor Greene serving as Governor, vice Governor S.J. Crawford resigned. Although always interested in politics and often actively engaged in the contests as a member of conventions and as a speaker in the campaigns, and frequenth' mentioned as an available candidate for Congress and other high positions, he was not again a candidate for any office during the remainder of his residence in Kansas.
Almost from his first location in the state Dr. Scott had interested himself actively in the various projects looking to the building of railroads into this section of the State. Among the numerous meetings and conventions held in the interest of these projects the most important was a convention held at Topeka in the year 1859. The purpose of this convention was to agree upon a system of railroads upon which the State would go to Congress, asking for land grants to aid in the building of the roads, and the chief contest was between the proposed line from Leavenworth south (now the Southern Kansas) and the proposed line then designated as the Border Tier road (now the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis.) The committee appointed to draft outlines of the system of roads decided in favor of the Border Tier, leaving out the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston, as it was then and for many years afterward called. As a dissenting member of this committee Dr. Scott made a minority report in favor of the L- L. and G. , and succeeded in carrying it through the convention, thus securing the grant of land which made possible the building of that road. When the company was organized he became one of the directors, and when the road was finally built, in 1869, he was appointed Land Commissioner. He remained in that capacity eight years, during which time he was the chief
agent in securing the railroad title to the land to which it was entitled and in disposing of the lands to settlers. During most of this time also he was a member of the State Board of Agriculture, taking an active and efficient part in organizing and conducting the State Fairs which were a feature of those early years. From 1873 to 1879 he served as Regent of the State University, helping ta lay the foundations of that great institution. Alter closing his connection with the railroad he returned to lola, thefamily having removed from the Carlyle farm to that place in 1874, and in 1876 engaged in the drug business, purchasing the stock of John Francis. In 1883, without solicitation on his part, he was appointed agent for the Ponca, Pawnee and Otoe Indians taking charge of the Agency January 1, 1884. He served in this position until October, 1885, when he resigned and returned to lola to resume the conduct of his drug business. He conducted this business until 1891, when he sold it to J. H. Campbell in order to accept an appointment as Inspector for the Bureau of Animal Industry. He was assigned to duty at Kansas City and served until 1893, when heresigned. Desiring to retire from active business he went with his wife and daughter Belle, then constituting his family, to Clifton, Oklahoma, to visit his oldest son, who had taken a claim there. The climate and country pleased him so well that when the Oklahoma school lands were thrown open he leased a quarter section and with the energy which always characterized him proceeded to improve it, as if he were in his youth instead of in his seventieth year. He lived there quietly and happily until the fall of 1898 when his neighbors, almost without lespect to party, although he was still an ardent Republican, as he had been since the organization of that party, insisted that he serve as their candidate for the Territorial legislature. He reluctantly consented, and was elected, although the district contained a largely adverse party majority. He was not in his usual health when the .session opened early in January, 1899, and in going to the Capitol he suffered some exposure which brought on an attack of pneumonia which resulted in his death, which occurred January 19, 1899. In honor of his memory the legislature adjourned and a committee of its members was appointed to accompany the remains to lola where they were interred. A further and most touching proof of the respect and affection in which he was held by his colleagues was given by the fact that during the entire remainder of the session his chair on the floor of the house remained draped, and every morning there was on his desk a bouquet of fresh flowers. And so he died as he had lived, honored and beloved by all who knew him, a man who loved his family with a rare devotion, who was an important and influential factor in the development of two new States, who served his
State and his country, in office and out of it, in peace and in war, with great ability and with incorruptible integrity, and who in all the relations of life was worthy of love and honor.
Maria Protsman, wife of John W. Scott, was born on a farm nine miles north of Vevay, Indiana, July 19, 1829. Her father, William Protsman, was born in Danville, Kentucky, February 5, 1801, and came to Indiana in 18 14 where he worked with his father at farming and wagon making.
He opened a large farm near Vevay and reared children as follows: Flora, Maria, Emarine, Isaac, Ellen, Adelia, Charles, Fannie, William, Alexander of whom Flora, Maria, Emarine, Charles, William and Alexander still survive. William Protsman died in 1866. His father was John Protsman, who emigrated from Germany with his father's family about the year 1769. iln the family there were four brothers and two sisters. As a mere boy John Protsnian served as a teamster during the Revolutionary war. In 1792 he was married in Philadelpliia to Nancy B. Reckwor and soon aiterwards moved to Ohio, going from there to Kentucky and finally to Vevay,
Indiana, where he died at the age of seventy-eight. He was a carpenter and farmer. His children were David, Samuel, John, William, Nancy B.., and Elizabeth. Nancy Recknor, wife of John Protsman, was also of German descent, her father and mother emigrating from Germany a little
before the Revolutionary war. Her father was a soldier and was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. Her mother died the year following at Philadelphia, and the two children, Nancy B, and John, were taken and reared by their grandmother. When they were grown John went to the South and
that was the last known of him. Polly Campbell Protsman, the mother of Maria Protsman Scott, was born in Kentucky April 9, 1809, and died at Vevay, Indiana, in 1890. Her father was William Campbell, who was born in South Carolina in August, 1776. Her mother, Polly Brown, was born in Kentucky, June 17, 1783, and was married to William Campbell June 17, 1800. William Campbell died February 4, 1832, leaving a family of nine children, as follows: Jeannette, Jemima, Elizabeth, Susan, Polly, Samuel, James, and William. Polly, his wife, died in 1868, at the age of eighty-five years.
The children of John W. and Maria P. Scott were: William Alexander, born September 29, 1S50; Walter Winfield, born September 4, 1853; Clara Belle, born September 14, 1855, Angelo Cyrus, born September 25, 1857; Charles Frederick, born September 7, i860; Emma Louisa, born April 23, 1865, died September 4, 1879; Susie Flora, born April 6, 1867, died September 1, 1873; Effie June (Mrs. E. C. Franklin) born August 4, 1871.

Grand Canyon National Park- Redwall Limestone_0513

Image by Grand Canyon NPS
This image portrays two common attributes of the Redwall Limestone: curved alcoves and prominent springs or seeps.
NPS photo by Kristen M. Caldon

Redwall Limestone - thickness: 500-800 ft.

The Redwall Limestone forms distinct red cliffs about mid-level in the canyon. It was deposited 340 million years ago, during the Paleozoic Era - Late Early to Middle Mississippian Period.

The Redwall Limestone was deposited in a shallow to deep sea environment. A variety of fossilized sea life is preserved within the formation, including brachiopods and crinoids.

Although its name implies that the Redwall Limestone is a red rock, it is in fact a gray stone. It gains its reddish appearance from the rocks above.

Both the Supai Group and the Hermit Formation are red in color due to their high iron oxide content. Over time, rain has continually washed these eroding red sediments over the Redwall, staining it red.

The Redwall Limestone contains thousands of caves. Limestone is a water soluble rock, meaning that it can be slowly dissolved by water, eventually resulting in caves of various sizes.

Many animals, such as the California condor, now make these caves their homes, just as giant Shasta ground sloths made them their homes 11,000 to 20,000 years ago.

The Redwall Limestone also serves as a regional and local aquifer. An aquifer is a permeable body of rock capable of yielding water to wells and springs.

I have to tell myself he's a dog, not just a "pit bull".

A few nice facts about animals images I found:

I have to tell myself he's a dog, not just a "pit bull".

Image by This Year's Love
Yesterday Israel got outside when my sister opened the door. There were two neighbor dogs at the edge of our (large) front yard. These are older and very cantankerous dogs. One of them got away months ago when I was outside with Judah off leash and even as the owner ran up to get her she was circling Judah with narrowed eyes and a tail raised up high. Judah didn't let it bother her and made no move toward the dog, even letting the dog sniff her--and then the dog snarled and wanted to attack. Judah moved away.
Just the other day while walking Judah we passed them on opposite sides of the street. While they strained at their leashes, snarling and barking at Judah, she kept her eyes forward and didn't bother them. The owner called across the street to me, "She is SUCH a good dog!" (She also recognizes that her dogs are, well, mean.)
"Thank you!" I called back.
So anyway. Israel hasn't encountered them yet, but he was about to. I dropped my purse (I was leaving) and went outside to get Israel (who had no collar on) as he stopped halfway between me and the dogs. They were geared for a fight and Israel stood with his tail down (good) and his ears back (hmm). He growled a little, barked once or twice in warning to the other dogs, but didn't just race over and start attacking them. It ended with me telling him firmly to get back in the house. When he heard and saw me he immediately put his head down, tail between his legs, and went up to the house and inside when my sister opened the door again.

Here I was thinking "pit bull! attack! blood! gore!" and only afterward realized...he's a dog. He's an intact male. And he's wary. It had little to do with the fact that he's an APBT and more to do with him being a testosterone-fueled dog wanting to guard his territory--and he was quick to let me step in and do it instead.

I used to think that anyone who wasn't a (responsible) breeder with intact dogs were just plain stupid. I wonder if people think the same of me when I go out with Israel, who is clearly not neutered. Do they think I'm keeping him intact so he'll actually be aggressive? That I have something to prove?
But now that I'm relearning everything that I know about dogs regarding what to feed, how to vaccinate, how to handle different behaviors I realize that pretty much everything I was taught was just dead wrong. Literally.
Pet food has rat poison in it, pet food has dead cats and dogs in it, most vaccinations are unnecessary and harmful, and only rabies is legally required--AND you don't have to get it every year in some states!
Even flea & tick prevention as well as heartworm preventatives are just more toxins and poisons we dump on and in our animals. I have to wear gloves when applying Frontline because if I don't and it gets on my (sensitive) skin, then it's days of numbness with itching and a weird feeling. And I put that on my dogs? No thanks.
The reason I'm not neutering Israel until he's a year old is because I don't want him to overgrow. If he's short, he's short. But if I don't let the growth plates close when they should--earlier than they would if you spay/neuter--then he'll be too tall and his bones will be too thin to support his weight. At least that's what I think and it's certainly a very good theory as far as what's wrong with Judah. By no means fat, she is leggy and I think her joints just didn't get the chance to develop and strengthen enough to support her body type because of her early spay.
I won't let that happen to Israel. By allowing the hormones to take their own natural course, closing the growth plates at the right time, as well as feeding a natural diet that keeps him from getting too big too fast (which happened to Judah) then there's a much lesser risk for joint problems when he's proportionate. He's steadily gained weight but it was never in huge spurts. The last five pounds took nearly a month to put on--and he's fed probably 5% of his current body weight, whereas Judah is fed a bit under 2% since she's on restricted activity and doesn't need all of that food. Those five pounds in a month is what should have happened to Judah. Instead, she gained something like eleven pounds in three weeks.

My point is that people who don't alter their pets out of laziness are stupid. People who don't alter their pets for a valid, well-thought out reason are looking out for their animal's well being. It might not look like I'm being responsible having an intact male pit bull, but I'm doing what's best for him and I don't need to justify that.
I am really rethinking the concept of altering to begin with. I think in reality it's necessary because people are just damned careless. But it also has side effects for the animal, physically and mentally. I would feel more comfortable if we were able to let animals come to full maturity--at least 2 years of age--before having to alter them. I'm still thinking about it with Israel. We'll see.

Peter Marshal from Firefighters Union addressing picket

Image by Takver
Climate activists held a picket outside the ministerial offices of Peter Batchelor, Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, at 1 Spring Street, Melbourne highlighting his attendance at a 00 a head Victorian Coal and Energy Conference meeting at Taralgon in the La Trobe Valley and the Brumby Government's continued in-action on climate change and support for the coal and fossil fuel industry at the expense of developing the renewable energy industry.

Peter Marshal attended representing the United Firefighters Union, the members of which are facing increasing risks from more intense and more frequent natural disasters as a result of climate change and global warming.

Transcript of speech
===========================
I am here representing our 2000 members across Victoria today, in the MFB and CFA, who once again as Jasmine mentioned, dealt with more than 12 months ago now, one of the worst natural disasters this State has ever seen: Black Saturday.

You hear in the mainstream media the fact that the climate change fringe groups are just that - they are fringe groups - they are a minority of extremists. Well I'm here to say that is not true! We know that is not true! And the real extremists in this country are the politicians and corporate interests who would do nothing in the face of potential apocalypse, or at least one of th worst ecological and economic disasters our species has ever seen.

It's an issue that doesn't just affect trees and bugs and animals, it affects working people, like the police here today and members of the police association, like the members of my union the United Firefighters Union and all workers in Victoria. It is an issue that is widely important and that crosses the normal political boundaries. It has universal appeal.

In fact our union was so concerned about the effects of climate change on our members that we put members money into commissioning a University of Sydney research paper on the effects climate change would have on bushfires and other natural disasters. It actually found that there was severe or significant impacts on the kind of fires our members fight everyday.

In places like Mildura the report found that extreme fire days could increase up to one third of the year, up to 90 days a year. Which of course is hugely concerning for the 2000 firefighters that have to deal with natural disasters. The question for Mr Batchelor, for Mr Brumby and Mr Rudd, and I say this as a staffer of a union that has been affiliated to the Labor party for over 100 years almost, is are you prepared to increase the risk on working people in this state, particularly firefighters, but also threaten the future of future generations.

I'd like to on behalf of our members support you and express solidarity from the union movement and also encourage other unionists to support the climate movement and the movement for climate action.

Watch a video of this speech

Cool Facts About Animals images

A few nice facts about animals images I found:

Passion fruit was cut a half ....Trái Chanh dây, Mác Mác đã cắt hai ....

Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants
Vietnamese named : Chanh dây, Chanh leo, Mát Mát, Chùm bao trứng
Common names : Passionfruit, Granadilla (South America (In Costa Rica Granadilla is a copmpletely different fruit) , Parchita (Venezuela), Maracudja (French Guiana),, Lilikoi (Hawaiian)
Scientist name : Passiflora edulis Sims.
Synonyms :
Family : Passifloraceae . Họ Lạc Tiên
Kingdom:Plantae
(unranked):Angiosperms
(unranked):Eudicots
(unranked):Rosids
Order:Malpighiales
Genus:Passiflora
Species:P. edulis

Links :

**** www.yduocngaynay.com/8-8TK_TrVHung_DayMat_PassionFruit.htm

Dây mát hay Lạc tiên trứng (Passion fruit)
Tiến sĩ Dược khoa Trần Việt Hưng

Trên trang web của ThuvienVN.org gần đây có bài: 'Trái mát mát hay chanh dây có mặt tại quận Cam'. Bài ghi lại như sau : Trong vài tháng vừa qua, một số cửa hàng bán trái cây trong khu Bolsa đã có bán một loại trái cây mà một số ít người biết đến. Đó là trái chanh dây, cũng có người gọi là trái mát mát..'.. và :'theo lời các vị chủ nhân các tiệm bán trái cây trong Vùng Little Siagon cho biết thì trái chanh dây rất bổ và chữa được nhiều chứng bệnh..'.. Bài viết cũng cho biết thêm là ' Giá cả của loại chanh dây này khoảng 3 đô la cho một pound, trái chây dây khi chín ngả sang màu tím và khi da trái có nếp nhăn thì dủng được. Cũng có loại chanh dây khi chín thì có vỏ màu vàng, loại này có người cho là quý hơn màu tím..'
Chanh dây hay quả dây mát được gọi trong Anh ngữ là Passion fruit.. và có 2 loài cây dây mát cho quả khác nhau rõ rệt : loại cho quả màu tia (tim) thường gặp và loại cho quả màu vàng. Tên gọi chung cho cả 2 loại bằng tiếng Tây ban Nha là granadilla, parcha, parchita..ceibey (tại Cuba); tiếng Pháp grenadille, hay couzou.. Loại quả màu tía có thể được gọi là granadilla, đỏ, đen trong khi đó tại Úc, loại quả vàng là Golden passion fruits.
Cũng cần phân biệt tên Passion fruit vì tên còn được gọi chung cho một số quả khác nhau tuy cùng trong chi thực vật Passiflora :
Purple passion fruit = quả của cây dây mát Passiflora edulis
Sweet passion fruit = quả của Passiflora ligularis
Giant passion fruit hay Dưa gang tây= quả của Passiflora. quadrangularis
Banana passion fruit = quả của Passiflora molissima
Nguồn gốc của tên gọi 'passion fruit' được giải thích như sau :
Trong thế kỷ 16, khi các nhà truyền giáo thuộc dòng Tên (Jesuits) theo chân những nhà thám hiểm Tây ban Nha đến Nam Mỹ, họ đã tìm ra một loại hoa lạ khi nở ra có hình dạng như một loài hoa, theo truyền thuyết Thiên Chúa giáo mọc leo trên Thập giá như Thánh Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) đã thấy được trong các 'ảo thị'. Các tu sĩ dòng Tên đã chiêm nghiệm và cho rằng một số thành phần thực vật của loài dây leo này biểu thị cho một số dạng thức trong cuộc Khổ nạn của Chúa Kitô (Passion) :
10 cánh hoa màu trắng biểu tượng cho 10 Thánh Tông đồ trung thành cùng Chúa (thiếu 2, một biểu tượng cho Thánh Peter =Phêrô, người đã chối Chúa, tuy sau đó đã hối cải và một cho Judas, kẻ bội phản đã bán Ngài).
Tràng hoa biểu tượng cho vòng mão gai Chúa đội trên đầu hay vầng sáng quanh đầu Ngài.
5 nhụy hoa (stamen) mảu đỏ thắm tượng trưng cho 5 vết thương nơi chân tay và cạnh sườn.
Bàu nhụy cái tượng trưng cho cái búa dùng đóng đinh và 3 vòi, có đầu vòi tròn là những cây đinh.
Những sợi tua cuốn được xem như những sợi trong ngọn roi mà các lính đã dùng đánh đánh Chúa và bàu chứa hạt trong hoa tượng trưng cho miếng bọt biển lính canh đã dùng để thấm giấm , đặt vào ngọn giáo, đưa lên cho Chúa khi Ngài kêu khát..
Khi hoa chưa nở có dạng một ngôi sao..và đây là Ngôi sao Phương Đông mà ba nhà Thông thái (thường gọi là Ba Vua) đã nhìn thấy trong thời gian Chúa Giáng sinh..
Chi thực vật Passiflora có khoảng gần 500 loài trên thế giới, trong đó khoảng 60 loài cho quả ăn được.. và chỉ có quả của loài Passiflora edulis là được mọi người 'đồng ý' gọi là Passion fruit.
Tên Passiflora edulis dành cho loài cho quả màu tím và loài cho quả màu vàng được đặt tên khoa học là Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa.
Trong chi Passiflora còn có những cây khác như Passiflora incarnata (hoa hay Passion flower dùng làm thuốc an thần tại Âu châu), Passiflora foetida (dây lạc tiên, chùm bao, dây nhãn lồng), P. quadrangularis (Cây dưa gang tây)... (Bài này xin chỉ trình bầy về Passiflora edulis).
Cây dây mát quả tím được xem là có nguồn gốc trong vùng từ Nam Ba tây sang Paraguay đến Bắc Argentina, trong khi đó loài cho quả màu vàng được nhiều nhà thực vật cho là một loài do biến chủng xẩy ra tại Úc.
Tại Ba tây, kỹ nghệ khai thác quả dây mát đã được thiết lập từ lâu với những nhà máy chế biến nước ép từ quả. Quả dây mát tím thường dùng ăn tươi, trong khi đó quả vàng được dùng ép lấy nước cốt và làm mứt.
Tại Úc, cây cho quả tim phát triển rất mạnh và gần như hội nhập trong các vùng bờ biển Queensland từ trước 1900. Cây được trồng tại những đồn điền bỏ hoang sau khi trồng chuối và sau đó trở thành một loài cây ăn quả có giá trị kinh tế cao. Sau một đợt dịch bệnh gây ra bởi nấm fusarium vào năm 1943, gây tác hại rộng lớn, các nhà nghiên cứu Úc đã tìm được những chủng cây kháng nấm nhưng cũng tìm thấy là loài cho quả vàng, tuy bị bỏ bê nhưng lại chống được nấm nhiễm..nên sau đó đã được dùng làm cây gốc để ghép cành..
Tại Hawaii, các hạt giống của loài dây mát quả tím đã được đưa từ Úc sang trồng vào năm 1880 và cây đã mau chóng trở thành một cây được trồng trong vườn mọi nhà..và sau đó mọc lan gần như khắp nơi trên đảo..Từ 1951, ĐH Hawaii đã có nhiều nghiên cứu về cây dây mát và chọn lựa được những chủng loại vàng cho sản lượng cao và quả có nhiều nước cốt..Cho đến 1958, tại Hawaii đã có khoảng 500 mẫu tây được sử dụng để trồng cây dây mát loại cho quả vàng..
Tại Phi châu, cây đã được du nhập để trồng tại Guyana từ 1933, rồi sau đó tại Uganda (1960) nhưng không đạt được những kết quả kinh tế do cây bị nhiễm nấm và việc khai thác trở thành giới hạn ở những quy mô nhỏ..Nam Phi, trong thập niên 1950, sản xuất mỗi năm trên 2000 tấn quả cho tiêu dùng nội địa và tăng gấp đôi vào cuối 1960..
Dây mát cũng được trồng tại một số nơi ở Á châu như Ấn độ, Do Thái và trong vùng Đông Nam Á như Phillipines, Indonesia..nhưng đều ở quy mô nhỏ, ít có giá trị kinh tế..
Tại Việt Nam, cây dây mát có lẽ đã do người Pháp đưa vào từ khoảng thế kỷ 19..Năm 1974, một số cây hoang đã được tìm thấy tại Kỳ Sơn, Nghệ An. Cây chủ yếu được gây trồng tại các tỉnh miền Bắc, và vùng núi cao miền Trung như Lâm Đồng, Kontum.
Bộ Canh nông Hoa Kỳ đã có một số nghiên cứu về cây dây mát, thử nghiệm khà năng trồng cây 'đại trà' tại vùng Florida, nhất là loài cho quả vàng, và phương thức giúp cây thụ phấn nhưng cho đến nay chưa có kết quả để khai thác thương mãi..Năm 1965, Công ty Minute Maid đã xây dựng một nông trường thử nghiệm trồng dây mát loại quả vàng tại Indiantown. Kết quả cho thấy quả thu hoạch rất thích hợp cho việc chế biến công nghiệp nhưng chương trình bị..hủy bỏ sau 2 năm thử nghiệm với lý do :'năng suất cho quả không được cao như những cây trồng tại các vùng nhiệt đới, vốn cho quả quanh năm..Tại Hoa Kỳ cây ngưng ra quả trong mùa Đông, và trong những tháng mùa Xuân có gió mạnh như 3-4, dây leo bị hư hại và không trổ hoa nổi cho mại đến tháng 5. Mặt khác việc hái quả cũng rất tốn kém đồng thời các thiết bị để chế biến quả cũng đòi hỏi những đầu tư..khá tốn phí..'
Cây dây mát được trồng khá phổ biến tại Nam California, lên đến phía Bắc như trong vùng San Jose, Vịnh Monterey và Vịnh San Francisco, dùng những chủng trồng (cultivar) có thể chịu lạnh đến nhiệt độ 20 độ F..
Năm 1965, Viện Nghiên cứu của Công Ty Nestlé, Vevey (Thụy Sĩ) đã xếp quả dây mát vào 1 trong 3 loại trái cây nhiệt đới có tiềm năng cao để chế biến, lấy mật (nectar) của quả cung cấp cho thị trường Âu châu và việc trồng dây mát có lẽ sẽ thích hợp tại các quốc gia nhiệt đới với lực lượng lao động đông và tương đối rẻ..
Đặc tính thực vật :
Cây thuộc loại dây leo mảnh, khá dài. Rễ mọc cạn. Thân mềm, hình ống có rãnh dọc, nhiều lông thưa. Lá mọc so le, chia làm 3 thùy, phiến lá dài 7.5-20 cm : mặt trên mảu lục xậm nhẵn bóng, mặt dưới nhạt hơn và hơi nhám. Mép có khía răng; gốc lá hình tim có 2 tuyến nhỏ, đầu nhọn. Gân lá chẻ 3 từ gốc. Lá kèm nhọn hình sợi, tua cuốn mọc ở kẽ lá.
Hoa mọc đơn độc ở kẽ lá, mùi thơm dịu, mọc xòe rộng, lớn 5-7cm, có cuống dài, mầu trắng- hồng, phần giữa mầu tím..
Quả mọng, hình trứng, lớn từ 4-7 cm, khi chín chuyển sang màu da cam. (Quả loại vàng lơn hơn loại tía, nhưng quả tía ít chua, thơm hơn, và chứa nhiều nước cốt hơn). Quả chứa đến 250 hạt nhỏ. Hạt có áo bọc mảu vàng cam.
Cây thụ phấn do ong, ra hoa, và kết quả vào các tháng 2-5.
Cây dưa mát, nhất là loại quả vàng, lớn khá nhanh, bắt đầu ra quả ngay từ năm thứ nhất đến thứ ba..
Các nhà trồng cây ăn trái tại Hoa Kỳ đã lai tạo được nhiều chủng trồng (cultivars) như :
Black Knight : do Patrick Worley lai tạo Massuchusetts, để trồng trong chậu, cho quả màu tím xậm, thơm và lớn bằng quả trứng gà.
Edgehill, khởi phát từ Vista, California, đặc tính tương tự nhu Black Knight, nhưng khỏe hơn và trồng bên ngoài trời.
Frederick, khởi phát tại Lincoln Acres, California, lai tạo giữa chủng Kahuna và Brazilian Golden, cho quả lớn hình bàu dục, màu xanh-tím, hơi chua. Rất sai trái và dùng ép lấy nước rât tốt..
Thành phần dinh dưỡng :
Theo kết quả phân chất của Bộ Canh Nông Hoa Kỳ (USDA)
100 gram phần ăn được của Quả dây mát loại tía (gồm thịt và hạt) chứa :
- Calories 90
- Độ ẩm 75.1 g
- Chất đạm 2.2 g
- Chất béo 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates 21.2 g
- Calcium 13 mg
- Phosphorus 64 mg
- Sắt 1.6 mg
- Sodium 28 mg
- Potassium 348 mg
- Magnesium 29 mg
- Vitamin A 700 IU
- Riboflavine 0.13 mg
- Niacin 1.5 mg
- Folate 14 microgram
- Vitamin C 30 mg
Quả dây mát loại vàng chứa ít vitamin C hơn loại tía nhưng lại có thêm nhiều acid hữu cơ hơn như citric acid và nhiều caroten hơn
Các acid amin tự do trong quả tía gồm arginin, aspartic acid, glycine, leucine, lysin, prolin, threonin, tyrosine và valine..
Thành phần hóa học :
Thành phần hóa học của 2 loại : quả tía và quả vàng có nhiều sự khác biệt đáng chú ý :
Thành phần quả tía :
Quả dây mát loại tía gồm vỏ quả 49.6 %, dịch ép từ quả 36.8 % và phần còn lại là 13. 6 %.
Vỏ (kể cả thịt ) chứa nhiều pectin (1.5-2.5 % tính theo trọng lượng quả tươi) hoặc Ca pectate (9-15% tính theo quả khô). Pectin gồm những chất như D-galacturonic acid, L-arabinose, galactose..Ngoài ra trong vỏ còn có những protein thô (2.04-2.84%), chất sơ, nhiều khoáng chất , acid hữu cơ (0.15%) như citric, malic; tannins, vitamins..(xem thành phần dinh dưỡng), một số hoạt chất loại glucoside như pelargonidin 3-diglucosides. Carotenoids (1.16%), Flavonoids như apigenin, luteolin (1.06%), Alkaloid như harman, harmin(0.012%)
Hạt chiếm 7-22 % (toàn quả) và chứa đến 19% dầu béo. Trong dầu béo có 8.9 % là acid béo bão hòa và 84% acid béo chưa bão hòa .
Thành phần acid béo gồm palmitic 6.78%; stearic 1.76%; arachidic 0.34%; oleic 19%; linoleic 59.9% và linolenic 5.4 %
Thành phần trong quả loại vàng :
Có một số khác biệt trong quả dây mát loại vàng như :
Quả loại vàng gồm 61.9 % là vỏ (gồm cà thịt), 30.9 % dịch quả và phần còn lại chiếm 7.4 %
Quả loại vàng chứa ít carotenoids hơn (0.058%), flavonoids (1%) nhưng nhiều alkaloids hơn (0.7%).
Tinh dầu trong quả loại vàng gồm phần chính là n-hexyl caproat, n-hexyl buturat, ethyl caproate...
Hạt chiếm 2.4-12.4 %.
Công dụng :
Quả dây mát cả 2 loại tía và vàng có một công dụng trong các kỹ nghệ thực phẩm, công nghiệp hóa dầu và dược phẩm.
Quả dùng làm thực phẩm :
Quả dây mát được chế biến làm thức ăn tương đối dễ dàng. Khi ăn tươi chỉ cần cắt đôi theo bề dọc và dùng thìa để xúc phần thịt có lẫn hạt. Tại Úc, phần thịt có cả hạt được ăn với đường và kem hay trộn vào salad, nước uống. Tại các nơi khác, phần thịt được bọc trong 2 lớp vải thô (loại cheesecloth) và ép qua một máy ép (strainer) để loại hạt. Trong kỹ nghệ có những máy ép được chế tạo đặc biệt để tách riêng dịch ép và hạt. Dịch ép thu được, hay nước cốt tự nhiên có thể thêm đường để tạo vị ngọt hay pha loãng với nước, hoặc với nước ép từ các trái cây khác (thích hợp nhất là pha với nước cam hay nước dứa) để làm nước giải khát (Tại VN phần thịt của quả được đưa vào máy xay (blender), thêm mật ong và đá để thành .. một loại nước 'sinh tố'). Tại Nam Phi, nước ép được pha trộn với sữa và thạch từ rong biển, trong khi đó tại Úc thì phần thịt tươi được trộn vào ya-ua.
Sau khi thu hoạch đợt nước ép đầu tiên, một số nhà sản xuất đã tìm cách ly trích bã lần thứ 2 bằng các dùng các men. Dịch chiết do chứa nhiều chất bột hòa tan nên có độ nhày khá cao, và muốn có một dung dịch ít nhớt hơn cần phải phân cách bằng phương pháp quay ly tâm..
Dịch ép từ quả dây mát có thể đun cô đặc thành một dạng si-rô để sau đó dùng làm nước sốt, món thạch tráng miệng, kẹo, kem, kem-đá, nhân bánh.. và pha trộn trong các loại cocktail.
Phần thịt có hạt được chế biến thành thạch, hay trộn vơi dứa (thơm) hay cà chua để làm mứt
Quả dây mát không thích hợp với nhiệt cao, do đó vị của quả có thể thay đổi khi dùng nhiệt để ..khử trùng và phương pháp khử trùng tốt nhất là phương pháp 'pasteur'(dùng nhiệt độ thấp nhưng nhiều lần). Quả đông lạnh có thể tồn trữ cả năm..
Các nhà sản xuất Thụy Sĩ đã đưa ra thị trường Tây Âu một loại nước uống từ quả dây mát dưới tên Passaia. Tại Hoa Kỳ hiện có một số nước giải khát có pha trộn thêm dịch ép dây mát..
Dây mát trong Công nghiệp :
Nhiều quốc gia trên thế giới đã tìm cách sử dụng phần thịt và tách riêng hạt để dùng trong công nghiệp.
Phần thịt : Tuy trong phần thịt của quả dây mát chỉ có khoảng 2.4 % pectin nhưng tại Fiji, mỗi năm các nhà sản xuất đã thu hồi được đến 5 tấn pectin giúp giảm khối lượng chất thải..Phần còn lại chứa khoảng 5-6 % chất đạm được dùng làm chất độn thêm trong thực phẩm cho gà và gia súc. Tại Ba tây cũng có các nhà máy thu hồi pectin và pectin từ loại quả tím có phẩm chất hơn từ loại quả vàng. Tại Hawaii, pectin không được thu hồi, nên phần thịt được băm vụn, phơi khô rồi trộn với mật mía để nuôi bò, heo.
Hạt : Hạt cung cấp khoảng 23% dầu béo, dầu thu được có dạng tương tự như dầu hạt hướng dương và dầu đậu nành, có thể dùng nấu ăn và có thể dùng trong kỹ nghệ sơn, véc ni. Fiji ép được đến 13 ngàn lít dầu/ năm. Phần bã còn lại tuy chứa đến 12 % chất đạm nhưng không thích hợp để nuôi gia súc..
Đặc tính dược học :
(Một số dư luận đồn đãi cho rằng quả dây mát chữa được tiểu đường, chống được ung thư (?), hạ mỡ trong máu..)
Tại Âu châu, đặc biệt là tại Đức, Hòa lan.. trong số các cây thuộc chi Passiflora chỉ có hoa của cây Passiflora incarnata là chính thức được dùng làm thuốc trị các trường hợp thần kinh bất ổn, mất ngủ nhẹ.. dưới tên Passiflorae herba. Dược thảo không được pha trộn với các cây Passiflora khác như Dây mát, Dưa gang tây . (Xin xem bài riêng về Passion incarnata).
Tuy không được chính thức dùng làm thuốc nhưng cũng có một số nghiên cứu khoa học về dược tinh của Cây dây mát:
Hoạt tinh an thần và làm dịu thần kinh của cây dây mát loại vàng : Nghiên cứu tại Trường Dược, Viện ĐH Trùng Khánh ghi nhận dịch chiết bằng ethanol thân và lá của cây dây mát có hoạt tinh an thần ở liều thấp (dưới 200 mg/kg) và gây dịu thần kinh ở liều cao hơn 300mg/kg. Hoạt tinh này có thể do ở các flavonoids..(Journal of Ethnopharmacology Số 128-2010) Một nghiên cứu khác tại ĐH Santa Catarina, SC (Ba Tây) ghi nhận dịch chiết từ phần thịt của quả dây mát loại vàng có khả năng an thần, gây ngủ nhẹ khi thử trên chuột. Hoạt tinh được cho là do các C-glycosylflavonoids như isoorientin, vicenin.. (Experimental Biology and Medicine Số 234-2009)
Hoạt tính gây hạ huyết áp : Nghiên cứu tại Viện Khoa Học và Kỹ Thuật Nhật (Ikabari) dùng dịch chiết bằng methanol phần thịt của quả dây mát loại tía (liều 10 mg và 50mg/kg) vả luteolin (liều 50 mg/kg), luteolin là một trong các polyphenol trong dịch chiết có khả năng gây hạ huyết áp kỳ tâm thu nơi chuột thử nghiệm (bị gây cao áp huyết bất thường). Phân chất dịch chiết cho thấy trong dịch có luteolin (20 mcg/g), luteolin-6-C-glucoside (40 mcg) và Gamma Amino Butyric Acid.. là những chất có tác động gây dãn mạch và do đó giúp hạ huyết áp (Biosciene Biothechnonoly and Bioche mistry Số 70-2006).
Khả năng giúp làm vết thương mau lành : Dựa trên kinh nghiệm dân gian tại Ba tây, dùng thịt nhão của quả dưa mát để đắp trên vết thương , các nhà nghiên cứu tại ĐH Federal do Maranhao đã thử nghiệm dùng dịch chiết từ quả để đắp trị nhiều loại vết thương nơi chuột thử nghiệm..Kết quả ghi nhận có sự gia tăng các tế bào fibroplastic và tăng ổn định collagen nơi chuột thoa dịch so với chuột đối chứng (Acta Chirurgica Brazilia Số 21-2006).
Các hoạt tinh sinh học khác :
- Dịch chiêt từ vỏ của quả dây mát loại tim có thể làm giảm bớt cơn khò khè, ho và thở ngắn hơi nơi người bệnh xuyễn (Nghiên cứu tại Southwest Scientific Editing and Consulting, Tucson, Arizona, công bố trên Nutrition Research Số 28-2008).
- Trong hạt của quả dây mát tím có một protein phức tạp : passiflin có khả năng diệt nấm (Phytomedicine Số 16-2009).
- Lá, trích bằng ethanol, cho một dịch chiết có khả năng chống oxy-hóa khá mạnh (Thử nghiệm tại ĐH Karpagam, Ấn độ, công bố trên Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Số 71-2009).
Ghi chú : Theo Flora of China thì cây dây mát được đưa vào Trung Hoa từ Ba Tây và được gọi là ji dan guo, trồng tại những vùng thung lũng tại các nơi đồi núi, cao độ 100-1900m, ở Phúc Kiến, Quảng Đông, Taiwan và Vân Nam. Quả dây mát không được ghi chép trong các sách thuốc Đông Y cổ và chưa được xem là vị thuốc trong các sách về Dược liệu tại Trung Hoa.
Tài liệu sử dụng :
Whole Foods Companion (Dianne Onstad).
Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Max Wichtl)
California Rare Fruits Growers (CRFG) Fruit Facts :Passion Fruit.
Fruits of Warm climates (Julia F. Morton)
Uncommon Fruits & Vegetables (Elizabeth Schneider)
Cây thuốc và Động vật dùng làm thuốc tại Việt Nam (Viện Duợc liệu VN)
Tiến sĩ Dược Khoa Trần Việt Hưng

**** vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanh_leo_(Passiflora_edulis)
**** nongdan24g.com/2011/04/08/trong-chanh-day-bang-ky-thuat-h...
**** www.khuyennongtphcm.com/?mnu=4&s=600013&id=3440
**** www.rauhoaquavietnam.vn/default.aspx?ID=64&LangID=1&a...
**** niengiamnongnghiep.vn/index.php?self=article&id=11254

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**** www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20051259

Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY:
Many plants in the genus Passiflora have long been used in traditional folk medicines as a remedy for many neurogenic diseases in many countries. A number of species of the genus was studied about their neuropharmacological activities, but the results were inconsistent. No literature reported neuropharmacological studies on Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa as yet. The present study was aimed at evaluating the anxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Swiss albino mice were used as experimental animals in elevated plus-maze (EPM) test and spontaneous activity (SA) test to assay the behavioral effects of ethanolic extract (EE) of the aerial part of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and its fractions, viz. petrol ether extract (PEE), ethyl acetate extract (EAE), n-BuOH extract (BE) and aqueous extract (AE), together with subfractions of BE, viz. BEF-I, BEF-II, BEF-III, BEF-IV and isoorientin, a flavonoid component isolated from BEF-III.

RESULTS:
In the EPM test, single-dose oral administration of EE (300 mg/kg and 400mg/kg), BE (125 mg/kg and 200mg/kg), AE (200mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), BEF-I (200mg/kg), BEF-II (200mg/kg), BEF-III (100mg/kg), or isoorientin (20mg/kg) resulted in anxiolytic-like effects, but a sedative-like activity was produced at higher doses, such as 300 mg/kg of BE, 200mg/kg of BEF-III, or 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of isoorientin. The results of the SA test manifested that treatment with 400mg/kg of EE, 300 mg/kg of BE, or 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of isoorientin compromised motor activity in mice, which are in line with the results of the EPM test.

CONCLUSIONS:
The aerial part of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa was anxiolytic at low dose but sedative at high dose. Flavonoids are important active constituents. Since AE contained little flavonoids, it was conjectured that there were other components responsible for the anxiolytic effect of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa besides flavonoids.

**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora_edulis

Passiflora edulis is a vine species of passion flower that is native to Paraguay, Brazil and northern Argentina (Corrientes and Misiones provinces, among others).[1] Common names include Passion Fruit (UK and US), Passionfruit (Australia and New Zealand), Granadilla (South America (In Costa Rica Granadilla is a copmpletely different fruit) and South Africa), Pasiflora (Israel), Parchita (Venezuela), Parcha (Puerto Rico), Maracudja (French Guiana), Maracujá (Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay), Maracuyá (Peru, Colombia, Panama), Chinola (Dominican Republic), Lilikoi (Hawaiian), Magrandera Shona (Zimbabwe), Markisa (Indonesian), and Lạc tiên, Chanh dây or Chanh leo (Vietnamese). It is cultivated commercially in frost-free areas for its fruit and is widely grown in India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, California, Florida, Haiti, Hawaii, Argentina, Australia, East Africa, Mexico, Israel, Costa Rica, South Africa and Portugal (Azores and Madeira). The passion fruit is round to oval, either yellow or dark purple at maturity, with a soft to firm, juicy interior filled with numerous seeds. The fruit can be grown to be eaten or for its juice, which is often added to other fruit juices to enhance the aroma. The fruit shown are mature for juicing and culinary use. For eating right out of the fruit, the fruit should be allowed to wrinkle for a few days to raise the sugar levels and enhance the flavor.
The two types of passion fruit have clearly differing exterior appearances. The bright yellow variety of passion fruit, which is also known as the Golden Passion Fruit, can grow up to the size of a grapefruit, has a smooth, glossy, light and airy rind, and has been used as a rootstock for the Purple Passion Fruit in Australia.[2] The dark purple passion fruit is smaller than a lemon, though it is less acidic than the yellow passion fruit, and has a richer aroma and flavor.[3] In Colombia, the purple passion fruit is referred to as "gulupa", to distinguish it from the yellow maracuyá.
The purple varieties of the fruit have been found to contain traces of cyanogenic glycosides in the skin

In Brazil, passion fruit mousse is a common dessert, and passion fruit seeds are routinely used to decorate the tops of cakes. Passion fruit juice is also very common. When making Caipirinha, it is common to use passion fruit instead of lime. It is also used as a mild sedative, and its active ingredient is commercialized under several brands, most notably Maracugina.
In Colombia this is one of the most important fruits, especially for juices and desserts. It is a common fruit all over the country and there you can find 3 kinds of "Maracuyá" fruit.
In the Dominican Republic, where it is locally called chinola, it is used to make juice and jams. Passion fruit-flavoured syrup is used on shaved ice, and the fruit is also eaten raw sprinkled with sugar.
In Hawaii, the varieties are called yellow lilikoi and purple lilikoi and the fruit is normally eaten raw. Hawaiians usually crack the rind of the passion fruit either with their hands or teeth and suck out the flavorful pulp and seeds.[citation needed] Passion fruit can also be cut in half and the pulp can easily be scooped out with a spoon. Passion fruit-flavored syrup is a popular topping for shave ice. Ice cream and mochi are also flavored with passion fruit, as well as many other desserts such as cookies, cakes, and ice cream. Passion fruit is also favored as a jam or jelly, as well as a butter. Passion fruit is not widely available in stores, so most of the fruit comes from backyard gardens or wild groves. It can be found, however, in farmers' markets throughout the islands.
In Indonesia, there are two types of passionfruit (local name: 'markisa'), white flesh and yellow flesh. The white one is normally eaten straight as a fruit. The yellow one is commonly strained to obtain its juice, which is cooked with sugar to make thick syrup. Bottles or plastic jugs of concentrated syrup (generally produced in Sumatra from fruit grown in the Lake Toba region[citation needed]) are sold in many supermarkets. Dilution of one part syrup to four (or more) parts water is recommended.
In New Zealand and Australia, where it is called "passionfruit", it is available commercially both fresh and tinned. Fresh passionfruit is eaten for breakfast in the Summer months, is added to fruit salads, and fresh fruit pulp or passion fruit sauce is commonly used in desserts, including as a topping for pavlova (a regional meringue cake) and ice cream, a flavouring for cheesecake, and in the icing of vanilla slices. A passionfruit-flavoured soft drink called Passiona has also been manufactured in Australia for several decades.
In Paraguay, passion fruit is used mainly to make juice, prepare desserts like passion fruit mousse,cheesecake, ice cream, to flavor yogurts and cocktails.
In Mexico, passion fruit is used to make juice or is eaten raw with chili powder and lime.
In Puerto Rico, where the fruit is known as "Parcha", it is widely believed to lower blood pressure,[5] probably because it contains harmala alkaloids and is a mild RIMA.[citation needed] Passion fruit juice is also very common there and is used in juices, ice cream or pastries.
In Peru, passion fruit is used in several desserts, especially cheesecakes. It is also drunk alone as passion fruit juice and used in ceviche variations and in cocktails, including the passion fruit sour, a variation of the Pisco Sour.
In the Philippines, passion fruit is commonly sold in public markets and in public schools. Some vendors sell the fruit with a straw in it to suck the seeds and juices inside. It is not very popular because of its sour flavor, and the fruit is very seasonal.
In Vietnam, passion fruit is blended with honey and ice to create refreshing smoothies.
In South Africa, passion fruit, known locally as Granadilla (the yellow variety as Guavadilla), is used to flavor yogurt. It is also used to flavour soft drinks such as Schweppes Sparkling Granadilla and numerous cordial drinks. It is often eaten raw or used as a topping for cakes and tarts. Granadilla juice is commonly available in restaurants. The yellow variety is used for juice processing, while the purple variety is sold in fresh fruit markets.
In the United States, it is often used as an ingredient in juice mixes.

Nutrition

Passion-fruit, (granadilla), purple, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy406 kJ (97 kcal)
Carbohydrates23.38 g
- Sugars11.20 g
- Dietary fiber10.4 g
Fat0.70 g
Protein2.20 g
Vitamin A equiv.64 μg (7%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2)0.130 mg (9%)
Niacin (Vit. B3)1.500 mg (10%)
Folate (Vit. B9)14 μg (4%)
Vitamin C30.0 mg (50%)
Calcium12 mg (1%)
Iron1.60 mg (13%)
Magnesium29 mg (8%)
Phosphorus68 mg (10%)
Potassium348 mg (7%)
Zinc0.10 mg (1%)
Nutrient values and weights are for edible portion.
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient database
Fresh passion fruit is high in beta carotene, potassium, and dietary fiber. Passion fruit juice is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and good for people who have high blood pressure.[6] Some research is showing that purple passion fruit peel may help with controlling asthma symptoms.The yellow variety is used for juice processing, while the purple variety is sold in fresh fruit markets. The fruit contains Lycopene in the mature and immature pericarp

Culture

The Passion fruit is so called because it is one of the many species of Passion Flower. ("Passion Flower" is the English version of the Latin genus name,Passi-Flora). The name was given by missionaries because the parts of the flower seemed reminiscent of the torture (the Passion) of Christ prior to his crucifixion:
The three stigmas reflect the three nails in Jesus's hands and feet.
The threads of the passion flower resemble the Crown of Thorns.
The vine's tendrils are likened to the whips.
The five anthers represented the five wounds.
The ten petals and sepals regarded to resemble the Apostles (excluding Judas and Peter).
The purple petals representing the purple robe used to mock Jesus' claim to kingship (Mt. 27:28)
The flower of the passion fruit is considered as the national flower of Paraguay.

**** Click on link to read more. please....

www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/passionfruit.html

Toxicity

A cyanogenic glycoside is found in the pulp of passionfruits at all stages of development, but is highest in very young, unripe fruits and lowest in fallen, wrinkled fruits, the level in the latter being so low that it is of no toxicological significance.

Other Uses

Commercial processing of the yellow passionfruit yields 36% juice, 51% rinds, and 11% seeds.

Rind: The rinds have a very low pectin content–only 2.4% (14% on a dry weight basis). Nevertheless, it has been determined in Fiji that extraction of pectin from the rinds–up to 5 tons (4.5 MT) annually–reduces the otherwise burdensome problem of waste disposal. The rind residue contains about 5 to 6% protein and could be used as a filler in poultry and stock feed. In Brazil, pectin is extracted from the purple form which has a better quality pectin than that in the yellow. In Hawaii, the pectin is not extracted. Instead, the rinds are chopped, dried, and combined with molasses as cattle or pig feed. They can also be converted into silage.

Seeds: The seeds yield 23% oil which is similar to sunflower and soybean oil and accordingly has edible as well as industrial uses. Up to 3,400 gallons (13,000 liters) can be obtained per year in Fiji. The seed meal contains about 12% protein and 50 to 55% fiber. It has been judged unsuitable for cattle feed.

Analyses of the fresh rind show: moisture, 78.43-85.24%; crude protein, 2.04-2.84%; fat, 0.05-0.16%; crude starch, 0.75-1.36%; sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose), 1.64%; crude fiber, 4.57-7.13%; phosphorus, 0.03-0.06%; silica, 0.01-0.04%; potassium, 0.60-0.78 %; organic acids (citric and malic), 0.15%; ascorbic acid, 78.3-166.2%. The outer skin of the purple form contains 1.4 mg per 100 g of the anthocyanin pigment, pelargonidin 3-diglucoside. There is also some tannin.

The composition of the air-dried seeds is reported as: moisture, 5.4%; fat, 23.8%; crude fiber, 53.7%; protein, 11.1%; N-free extract, 5.1%; total ash, 1.84%; ash insoluble in HC1, 0.35%; calcium, 80 mg; iron, 18 mg; phosphorus, 640 mg per 100 g.

The seed oil contains 8.90% saturated fatty acids; 84.09% unsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acids consist of: palmitic, 6.78%; stearic, 1.76%; arachidic, 0.34%; oleic, 19.0%; linoleic, 59.9%; linolenic, 5.4%.

Medicinal Uses: There is currently a revival of interest in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in Europe, in the use of the glycoside, passiflorine, especially from P. incarnata L., as a sedative or tranquilizer. Italian chemists have extracted passiflorine from the air-dried leaves of P. edulis.

In Madeira, the juice of passionfruits is given as a digestive stimulant and treatment for gastric cancer.

Passionfruit, Granadilla, Passiflora edulis 's a half of fruit with skin, flesh and seeds ....Trái Chanh dây cắt nửa với vỏ, cơm và hạt ...

Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants
Vietnamese named : Chanh dây, Chanh leo, Mát Mát, Chùm bao trứng
Common names : Passionfruit, Granadilla (South America (In Costa Rica Granadilla is a copmpletely different fruit) , Parchita (Venezuela), Maracudja (French Guiana),, Lilikoi (Hawaiian)
Scientist name : Passiflora edulis Sims.
Synonyms :
Family : Passifloraceae . Họ Lạc Tiên
Kingdom:Plantae
(unranked):Angiosperms
(unranked):Eudicots
(unranked):Rosids
Order:Malpighiales
Genus:Passiflora
Species:P. edulis

Links :

**** www.yduocngaynay.com/8-8TK_TrVHung_DayMat_PassionFruit.htm

Dây mát hay Lạc tiên trứng (Passion fruit)
Tiến sĩ Dược khoa Trần Việt Hưng

Trên trang web của ThuvienVN.org gần đây có bài: 'Trái mát mát hay chanh dây có mặt tại quận Cam'. Bài ghi lại như sau : Trong vài tháng vừa qua, một số cửa hàng bán trái cây trong khu Bolsa đã có bán một loại trái cây mà một số ít người biết đến. Đó là trái chanh dây, cũng có người gọi là trái mát mát..'.. và :'theo lời các vị chủ nhân các tiệm bán trái cây trong Vùng Little Siagon cho biết thì trái chanh dây rất bổ và chữa được nhiều chứng bệnh..'.. Bài viết cũng cho biết thêm là ' Giá cả của loại chanh dây này khoảng 3 đô la cho một pound, trái chây dây khi chín ngả sang màu tím và khi da trái có nếp nhăn thì dủng được. Cũng có loại chanh dây khi chín thì có vỏ màu vàng, loại này có người cho là quý hơn màu tím..'
Chanh dây hay quả dây mát được gọi trong Anh ngữ là Passion fruit.. và có 2 loài cây dây mát cho quả khác nhau rõ rệt : loại cho quả màu tia (tim) thường gặp và loại cho quả màu vàng. Tên gọi chung cho cả 2 loại bằng tiếng Tây ban Nha là granadilla, parcha, parchita..ceibey (tại Cuba); tiếng Pháp grenadille, hay couzou.. Loại quả màu tía có thể được gọi là granadilla, đỏ, đen trong khi đó tại Úc, loại quả vàng là Golden passion fruits.
Cũng cần phân biệt tên Passion fruit vì tên còn được gọi chung cho một số quả khác nhau tuy cùng trong chi thực vật Passiflora :
Purple passion fruit = quả của cây dây mát Passiflora edulis
Sweet passion fruit = quả của Passiflora ligularis
Giant passion fruit hay Dưa gang tây= quả của Passiflora. quadrangularis
Banana passion fruit = quả của Passiflora molissima
Nguồn gốc của tên gọi 'passion fruit' được giải thích như sau :
Trong thế kỷ 16, khi các nhà truyền giáo thuộc dòng Tên (Jesuits) theo chân những nhà thám hiểm Tây ban Nha đến Nam Mỹ, họ đã tìm ra một loại hoa lạ khi nở ra có hình dạng như một loài hoa, theo truyền thuyết Thiên Chúa giáo mọc leo trên Thập giá như Thánh Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) đã thấy được trong các 'ảo thị'. Các tu sĩ dòng Tên đã chiêm nghiệm và cho rằng một số thành phần thực vật của loài dây leo này biểu thị cho một số dạng thức trong cuộc Khổ nạn của Chúa Kitô (Passion) :
10 cánh hoa màu trắng biểu tượng cho 10 Thánh Tông đồ trung thành cùng Chúa (thiếu 2, một biểu tượng cho Thánh Peter =Phêrô, người đã chối Chúa, tuy sau đó đã hối cải và một cho Judas, kẻ bội phản đã bán Ngài).
Tràng hoa biểu tượng cho vòng mão gai Chúa đội trên đầu hay vầng sáng quanh đầu Ngài.
5 nhụy hoa (stamen) mảu đỏ thắm tượng trưng cho 5 vết thương nơi chân tay và cạnh sườn.
Bàu nhụy cái tượng trưng cho cái búa dùng đóng đinh và 3 vòi, có đầu vòi tròn là những cây đinh.
Những sợi tua cuốn được xem như những sợi trong ngọn roi mà các lính đã dùng đánh đánh Chúa và bàu chứa hạt trong hoa tượng trưng cho miếng bọt biển lính canh đã dùng để thấm giấm , đặt vào ngọn giáo, đưa lên cho Chúa khi Ngài kêu khát..
Khi hoa chưa nở có dạng một ngôi sao..và đây là Ngôi sao Phương Đông mà ba nhà Thông thái (thường gọi là Ba Vua) đã nhìn thấy trong thời gian Chúa Giáng sinh..
Chi thực vật Passiflora có khoảng gần 500 loài trên thế giới, trong đó khoảng 60 loài cho quả ăn được.. và chỉ có quả của loài Passiflora edulis là được mọi người 'đồng ý' gọi là Passion fruit.
Tên Passiflora edulis dành cho loài cho quả màu tím và loài cho quả màu vàng được đặt tên khoa học là Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa.
Trong chi Passiflora còn có những cây khác như Passiflora incarnata (hoa hay Passion flower dùng làm thuốc an thần tại Âu châu), Passiflora foetida (dây lạc tiên, chùm bao, dây nhãn lồng), P. quadrangularis (Cây dưa gang tây)... (Bài này xin chỉ trình bầy về Passiflora edulis).
Cây dây mát quả tím được xem là có nguồn gốc trong vùng từ Nam Ba tây sang Paraguay đến Bắc Argentina, trong khi đó loài cho quả màu vàng được nhiều nhà thực vật cho là một loài do biến chủng xẩy ra tại Úc.
Tại Ba tây, kỹ nghệ khai thác quả dây mát đã được thiết lập từ lâu với những nhà máy chế biến nước ép từ quả. Quả dây mát tím thường dùng ăn tươi, trong khi đó quả vàng được dùng ép lấy nước cốt và làm mứt.
Tại Úc, cây cho quả tim phát triển rất mạnh và gần như hội nhập trong các vùng bờ biển Queensland từ trước 1900. Cây được trồng tại những đồn điền bỏ hoang sau khi trồng chuối và sau đó trở thành một loài cây ăn quả có giá trị kinh tế cao. Sau một đợt dịch bệnh gây ra bởi nấm fusarium vào năm 1943, gây tác hại rộng lớn, các nhà nghiên cứu Úc đã tìm được những chủng cây kháng nấm nhưng cũng tìm thấy là loài cho quả vàng, tuy bị bỏ bê nhưng lại chống được nấm nhiễm..nên sau đó đã được dùng làm cây gốc để ghép cành..
Tại Hawaii, các hạt giống của loài dây mát quả tím đã được đưa từ Úc sang trồng vào năm 1880 và cây đã mau chóng trở thành một cây được trồng trong vườn mọi nhà..và sau đó mọc lan gần như khắp nơi trên đảo..Từ 1951, ĐH Hawaii đã có nhiều nghiên cứu về cây dây mát và chọn lựa được những chủng loại vàng cho sản lượng cao và quả có nhiều nước cốt..Cho đến 1958, tại Hawaii đã có khoảng 500 mẫu tây được sử dụng để trồng cây dây mát loại cho quả vàng..
Tại Phi châu, cây đã được du nhập để trồng tại Guyana từ 1933, rồi sau đó tại Uganda (1960) nhưng không đạt được những kết quả kinh tế do cây bị nhiễm nấm và việc khai thác trở thành giới hạn ở những quy mô nhỏ..Nam Phi, trong thập niên 1950, sản xuất mỗi năm trên 2000 tấn quả cho tiêu dùng nội địa và tăng gấp đôi vào cuối 1960..
Dây mát cũng được trồng tại một số nơi ở Á châu như Ấn độ, Do Thái và trong vùng Đông Nam Á như Phillipines, Indonesia..nhưng đều ở quy mô nhỏ, ít có giá trị kinh tế..
Tại Việt Nam, cây dây mát có lẽ đã do người Pháp đưa vào từ khoảng thế kỷ 19..Năm 1974, một số cây hoang đã được tìm thấy tại Kỳ Sơn, Nghệ An. Cây chủ yếu được gây trồng tại các tỉnh miền Bắc, và vùng núi cao miền Trung như Lâm Đồng, Kontum.
Bộ Canh nông Hoa Kỳ đã có một số nghiên cứu về cây dây mát, thử nghiệm khà năng trồng cây 'đại trà' tại vùng Florida, nhất là loài cho quả vàng, và phương thức giúp cây thụ phấn nhưng cho đến nay chưa có kết quả để khai thác thương mãi..Năm 1965, Công ty Minute Maid đã xây dựng một nông trường thử nghiệm trồng dây mát loại quả vàng tại Indiantown. Kết quả cho thấy quả thu hoạch rất thích hợp cho việc chế biến công nghiệp nhưng chương trình bị..hủy bỏ sau 2 năm thử nghiệm với lý do :'năng suất cho quả không được cao như những cây trồng tại các vùng nhiệt đới, vốn cho quả quanh năm..Tại Hoa Kỳ cây ngưng ra quả trong mùa Đông, và trong những tháng mùa Xuân có gió mạnh như 3-4, dây leo bị hư hại và không trổ hoa nổi cho mại đến tháng 5. Mặt khác việc hái quả cũng rất tốn kém đồng thời các thiết bị để chế biến quả cũng đòi hỏi những đầu tư..khá tốn phí..'
Cây dây mát được trồng khá phổ biến tại Nam California, lên đến phía Bắc như trong vùng San Jose, Vịnh Monterey và Vịnh San Francisco, dùng những chủng trồng (cultivar) có thể chịu lạnh đến nhiệt độ 20 độ F..
Năm 1965, Viện Nghiên cứu của Công Ty Nestlé, Vevey (Thụy Sĩ) đã xếp quả dây mát vào 1 trong 3 loại trái cây nhiệt đới có tiềm năng cao để chế biến, lấy mật (nectar) của quả cung cấp cho thị trường Âu châu và việc trồng dây mát có lẽ sẽ thích hợp tại các quốc gia nhiệt đới với lực lượng lao động đông và tương đối rẻ..
Đặc tính thực vật :
Cây thuộc loại dây leo mảnh, khá dài. Rễ mọc cạn. Thân mềm, hình ống có rãnh dọc, nhiều lông thưa. Lá mọc so le, chia làm 3 thùy, phiến lá dài 7.5-20 cm : mặt trên mảu lục xậm nhẵn bóng, mặt dưới nhạt hơn và hơi nhám. Mép có khía răng; gốc lá hình tim có 2 tuyến nhỏ, đầu nhọn. Gân lá chẻ 3 từ gốc. Lá kèm nhọn hình sợi, tua cuốn mọc ở kẽ lá.
Hoa mọc đơn độc ở kẽ lá, mùi thơm dịu, mọc xòe rộng, lớn 5-7cm, có cuống dài, mầu trắng- hồng, phần giữa mầu tím..
Quả mọng, hình trứng, lớn từ 4-7 cm, khi chín chuyển sang màu da cam. (Quả loại vàng lơn hơn loại tía, nhưng quả tía ít chua, thơm hơn, và chứa nhiều nước cốt hơn). Quả chứa đến 250 hạt nhỏ. Hạt có áo bọc mảu vàng cam.
Cây thụ phấn do ong, ra hoa, và kết quả vào các tháng 2-5.
Cây dưa mát, nhất là loại quả vàng, lớn khá nhanh, bắt đầu ra quả ngay từ năm thứ nhất đến thứ ba..
Các nhà trồng cây ăn trái tại Hoa Kỳ đã lai tạo được nhiều chủng trồng (cultivars) như :
Black Knight : do Patrick Worley lai tạo Massuchusetts, để trồng trong chậu, cho quả màu tím xậm, thơm và lớn bằng quả trứng gà.
Edgehill, khởi phát từ Vista, California, đặc tính tương tự nhu Black Knight, nhưng khỏe hơn và trồng bên ngoài trời.
Frederick, khởi phát tại Lincoln Acres, California, lai tạo giữa chủng Kahuna và Brazilian Golden, cho quả lớn hình bàu dục, màu xanh-tím, hơi chua. Rất sai trái và dùng ép lấy nước rât tốt..
Thành phần dinh dưỡng :
Theo kết quả phân chất của Bộ Canh Nông Hoa Kỳ (USDA)
100 gram phần ăn được của Quả dây mát loại tía (gồm thịt và hạt) chứa :
- Calories 90
- Độ ẩm 75.1 g
- Chất đạm 2.2 g
- Chất béo 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates 21.2 g
- Calcium 13 mg
- Phosphorus 64 mg
- Sắt 1.6 mg
- Sodium 28 mg
- Potassium 348 mg
- Magnesium 29 mg
- Vitamin A 700 IU
- Riboflavine 0.13 mg
- Niacin 1.5 mg
- Folate 14 microgram
- Vitamin C 30 mg
Quả dây mát loại vàng chứa ít vitamin C hơn loại tía nhưng lại có thêm nhiều acid hữu cơ hơn như citric acid và nhiều caroten hơn
Các acid amin tự do trong quả tía gồm arginin, aspartic acid, glycine, leucine, lysin, prolin, threonin, tyrosine và valine..
Thành phần hóa học :
Thành phần hóa học của 2 loại : quả tía và quả vàng có nhiều sự khác biệt đáng chú ý :
Thành phần quả tía :
Quả dây mát loại tía gồm vỏ quả 49.6 %, dịch ép từ quả 36.8 % và phần còn lại là 13. 6 %.
Vỏ (kể cả thịt ) chứa nhiều pectin (1.5-2.5 % tính theo trọng lượng quả tươi) hoặc Ca pectate (9-15% tính theo quả khô). Pectin gồm những chất như D-galacturonic acid, L-arabinose, galactose..Ngoài ra trong vỏ còn có những protein thô (2.04-2.84%), chất sơ, nhiều khoáng chất , acid hữu cơ (0.15%) như citric, malic; tannins, vitamins..(xem thành phần dinh dưỡng), một số hoạt chất loại glucoside như pelargonidin 3-diglucosides. Carotenoids (1.16%), Flavonoids như apigenin, luteolin (1.06%), Alkaloid như harman, harmin(0.012%)
Hạt chiếm 7-22 % (toàn quả) và chứa đến 19% dầu béo. Trong dầu béo có 8.9 % là acid béo bão hòa và 84% acid béo chưa bão hòa .
Thành phần acid béo gồm palmitic 6.78%; stearic 1.76%; arachidic 0.34%; oleic 19%; linoleic 59.9% và linolenic 5.4 %
Thành phần trong quả loại vàng :
Có một số khác biệt trong quả dây mát loại vàng như :
Quả loại vàng gồm 61.9 % là vỏ (gồm cà thịt), 30.9 % dịch quả và phần còn lại chiếm 7.4 %
Quả loại vàng chứa ít carotenoids hơn (0.058%), flavonoids (1%) nhưng nhiều alkaloids hơn (0.7%).
Tinh dầu trong quả loại vàng gồm phần chính là n-hexyl caproat, n-hexyl buturat, ethyl caproate...
Hạt chiếm 2.4-12.4 %.
Công dụng :
Quả dây mát cả 2 loại tía và vàng có một công dụng trong các kỹ nghệ thực phẩm, công nghiệp hóa dầu và dược phẩm.
Quả dùng làm thực phẩm :
Quả dây mát được chế biến làm thức ăn tương đối dễ dàng. Khi ăn tươi chỉ cần cắt đôi theo bề dọc và dùng thìa để xúc phần thịt có lẫn hạt. Tại Úc, phần thịt có cả hạt được ăn với đường và kem hay trộn vào salad, nước uống. Tại các nơi khác, phần thịt được bọc trong 2 lớp vải thô (loại cheesecloth) và ép qua một máy ép (strainer) để loại hạt. Trong kỹ nghệ có những máy ép được chế tạo đặc biệt để tách riêng dịch ép và hạt. Dịch ép thu được, hay nước cốt tự nhiên có thể thêm đường để tạo vị ngọt hay pha loãng với nước, hoặc với nước ép từ các trái cây khác (thích hợp nhất là pha với nước cam hay nước dứa) để làm nước giải khát (Tại VN phần thịt của quả được đưa vào máy xay (blender), thêm mật ong và đá để thành .. một loại nước 'sinh tố'). Tại Nam Phi, nước ép được pha trộn với sữa và thạch từ rong biển, trong khi đó tại Úc thì phần thịt tươi được trộn vào ya-ua.
Sau khi thu hoạch đợt nước ép đầu tiên, một số nhà sản xuất đã tìm cách ly trích bã lần thứ 2 bằng các dùng các men. Dịch chiết do chứa nhiều chất bột hòa tan nên có độ nhày khá cao, và muốn có một dung dịch ít nhớt hơn cần phải phân cách bằng phương pháp quay ly tâm..
Dịch ép từ quả dây mát có thể đun cô đặc thành một dạng si-rô để sau đó dùng làm nước sốt, món thạch tráng miệng, kẹo, kem, kem-đá, nhân bánh.. và pha trộn trong các loại cocktail.
Phần thịt có hạt được chế biến thành thạch, hay trộn vơi dứa (thơm) hay cà chua để làm mứt
Quả dây mát không thích hợp với nhiệt cao, do đó vị của quả có thể thay đổi khi dùng nhiệt để ..khử trùng và phương pháp khử trùng tốt nhất là phương pháp 'pasteur'(dùng nhiệt độ thấp nhưng nhiều lần). Quả đông lạnh có thể tồn trữ cả năm..
Các nhà sản xuất Thụy Sĩ đã đưa ra thị trường Tây Âu một loại nước uống từ quả dây mát dưới tên Passaia. Tại Hoa Kỳ hiện có một số nước giải khát có pha trộn thêm dịch ép dây mát..
Dây mát trong Công nghiệp :
Nhiều quốc gia trên thế giới đã tìm cách sử dụng phần thịt và tách riêng hạt để dùng trong công nghiệp.
Phần thịt : Tuy trong phần thịt của quả dây mát chỉ có khoảng 2.4 % pectin nhưng tại Fiji, mỗi năm các nhà sản xuất đã thu hồi được đến 5 tấn pectin giúp giảm khối lượng chất thải..Phần còn lại chứa khoảng 5-6 % chất đạm được dùng làm chất độn thêm trong thực phẩm cho gà và gia súc. Tại Ba tây cũng có các nhà máy thu hồi pectin và pectin từ loại quả tím có phẩm chất hơn từ loại quả vàng. Tại Hawaii, pectin không được thu hồi, nên phần thịt được băm vụn, phơi khô rồi trộn với mật mía để nuôi bò, heo.
Hạt : Hạt cung cấp khoảng 23% dầu béo, dầu thu được có dạng tương tự như dầu hạt hướng dương và dầu đậu nành, có thể dùng nấu ăn và có thể dùng trong kỹ nghệ sơn, véc ni. Fiji ép được đến 13 ngàn lít dầu/ năm. Phần bã còn lại tuy chứa đến 12 % chất đạm nhưng không thích hợp để nuôi gia súc..
Đặc tính dược học :
(Một số dư luận đồn đãi cho rằng quả dây mát chữa được tiểu đường, chống được ung thư (?), hạ mỡ trong máu..)
Tại Âu châu, đặc biệt là tại Đức, Hòa lan.. trong số các cây thuộc chi Passiflora chỉ có hoa của cây Passiflora incarnata là chính thức được dùng làm thuốc trị các trường hợp thần kinh bất ổn, mất ngủ nhẹ.. dưới tên Passiflorae herba. Dược thảo không được pha trộn với các cây Passiflora khác như Dây mát, Dưa gang tây . (Xin xem bài riêng về Passion incarnata).
Tuy không được chính thức dùng làm thuốc nhưng cũng có một số nghiên cứu khoa học về dược tinh của Cây dây mát:
Hoạt tinh an thần và làm dịu thần kinh của cây dây mát loại vàng : Nghiên cứu tại Trường Dược, Viện ĐH Trùng Khánh ghi nhận dịch chiết bằng ethanol thân và lá của cây dây mát có hoạt tinh an thần ở liều thấp (dưới 200 mg/kg) và gây dịu thần kinh ở liều cao hơn 300mg/kg. Hoạt tinh này có thể do ở các flavonoids..(Journal of Ethnopharmacology Số 128-2010) Một nghiên cứu khác tại ĐH Santa Catarina, SC (Ba Tây) ghi nhận dịch chiết từ phần thịt của quả dây mát loại vàng có khả năng an thần, gây ngủ nhẹ khi thử trên chuột. Hoạt tinh được cho là do các C-glycosylflavonoids như isoorientin, vicenin.. (Experimental Biology and Medicine Số 234-2009)
Hoạt tính gây hạ huyết áp : Nghiên cứu tại Viện Khoa Học và Kỹ Thuật Nhật (Ikabari) dùng dịch chiết bằng methanol phần thịt của quả dây mát loại tía (liều 10 mg và 50mg/kg) vả luteolin (liều 50 mg/kg), luteolin là một trong các polyphenol trong dịch chiết có khả năng gây hạ huyết áp kỳ tâm thu nơi chuột thử nghiệm (bị gây cao áp huyết bất thường). Phân chất dịch chiết cho thấy trong dịch có luteolin (20 mcg/g), luteolin-6-C-glucoside (40 mcg) và Gamma Amino Butyric Acid.. là những chất có tác động gây dãn mạch và do đó giúp hạ huyết áp (Biosciene Biothechnonoly and Bioche mistry Số 70-2006).
Khả năng giúp làm vết thương mau lành : Dựa trên kinh nghiệm dân gian tại Ba tây, dùng thịt nhão của quả dưa mát để đắp trên vết thương , các nhà nghiên cứu tại ĐH Federal do Maranhao đã thử nghiệm dùng dịch chiết từ quả để đắp trị nhiều loại vết thương nơi chuột thử nghiệm..Kết quả ghi nhận có sự gia tăng các tế bào fibroplastic và tăng ổn định collagen nơi chuột thoa dịch so với chuột đối chứng (Acta Chirurgica Brazilia Số 21-2006).
Các hoạt tinh sinh học khác :
- Dịch chiêt từ vỏ của quả dây mát loại tim có thể làm giảm bớt cơn khò khè, ho và thở ngắn hơi nơi người bệnh xuyễn (Nghiên cứu tại Southwest Scientific Editing and Consulting, Tucson, Arizona, công bố trên Nutrition Research Số 28-2008).
- Trong hạt của quả dây mát tím có một protein phức tạp : passiflin có khả năng diệt nấm (Phytomedicine Số 16-2009).
- Lá, trích bằng ethanol, cho một dịch chiết có khả năng chống oxy-hóa khá mạnh (Thử nghiệm tại ĐH Karpagam, Ấn độ, công bố trên Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Số 71-2009).
Ghi chú : Theo Flora of China thì cây dây mát được đưa vào Trung Hoa từ Ba Tây và được gọi là ji dan guo, trồng tại những vùng thung lũng tại các nơi đồi núi, cao độ 100-1900m, ở Phúc Kiến, Quảng Đông, Taiwan và Vân Nam. Quả dây mát không được ghi chép trong các sách thuốc Đông Y cổ và chưa được xem là vị thuốc trong các sách về Dược liệu tại Trung Hoa.
Tài liệu sử dụng :
Whole Foods Companion (Dianne Onstad).
Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Max Wichtl)
California Rare Fruits Growers (CRFG) Fruit Facts :Passion Fruit.
Fruits of Warm climates (Julia F. Morton)
Uncommon Fruits & Vegetables (Elizabeth Schneider)
Cây thuốc và Động vật dùng làm thuốc tại Việt Nam (Viện Duợc liệu VN)
Tiến sĩ Dược Khoa Trần Việt Hưng

**** vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanh_leo_(Passiflora_edulis)
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**** www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20051259

Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY:
Many plants in the genus Passiflora have long been used in traditional folk medicines as a remedy for many neurogenic diseases in many countries. A number of species of the genus was studied about their neuropharmacological activities, but the results were inconsistent. No literature reported neuropharmacological studies on Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa as yet. The present study was aimed at evaluating the anxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Swiss albino mice were used as experimental animals in elevated plus-maze (EPM) test and spontaneous activity (SA) test to assay the behavioral effects of ethanolic extract (EE) of the aerial part of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and its fractions, viz. petrol ether extract (PEE), ethyl acetate extract (EAE), n-BuOH extract (BE) and aqueous extract (AE), together with subfractions of BE, viz. BEF-I, BEF-II, BEF-III, BEF-IV and isoorientin, a flavonoid component isolated from BEF-III.

RESULTS:
In the EPM test, single-dose oral administration of EE (300 mg/kg and 400mg/kg), BE (125 mg/kg and 200mg/kg), AE (200mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), BEF-I (200mg/kg), BEF-II (200mg/kg), BEF-III (100mg/kg), or isoorientin (20mg/kg) resulted in anxiolytic-like effects, but a sedative-like activity was produced at higher doses, such as 300 mg/kg of BE, 200mg/kg of BEF-III, or 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of isoorientin. The results of the SA test manifested that treatment with 400mg/kg of EE, 300 mg/kg of BE, or 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of isoorientin compromised motor activity in mice, which are in line with the results of the EPM test.

CONCLUSIONS:
The aerial part of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa was anxiolytic at low dose but sedative at high dose. Flavonoids are important active constituents. Since AE contained little flavonoids, it was conjectured that there were other components responsible for the anxiolytic effect of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa besides flavonoids.

**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora_edulis

Passiflora edulis is a vine species of passion flower that is native to Paraguay, Brazil and northern Argentina (Corrientes and Misiones provinces, among others).[1] Common names include Passion Fruit (UK and US), Passionfruit (Australia and New Zealand), Granadilla (South America (In Costa Rica Granadilla is a copmpletely different fruit) and South Africa), Pasiflora (Israel), Parchita (Venezuela), Parcha (Puerto Rico), Maracudja (French Guiana), Maracujá (Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay), Maracuyá (Peru, Colombia, Panama), Chinola (Dominican Republic), Lilikoi (Hawaiian), Magrandera Shona (Zimbabwe), Markisa (Indonesian), and Lạc tiên, Chanh dây or Chanh leo (Vietnamese). It is cultivated commercially in frost-free areas for its fruit and is widely grown in India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, the Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, California, Florida, Haiti, Hawaii, Argentina, Australia, East Africa, Mexico, Israel, Costa Rica, South Africa and Portugal (Azores and Madeira). The passion fruit is round to oval, either yellow or dark purple at maturity, with a soft to firm, juicy interior filled with numerous seeds. The fruit can be grown to be eaten or for its juice, which is often added to other fruit juices to enhance the aroma. The fruit shown are mature for juicing and culinary use. For eating right out of the fruit, the fruit should be allowed to wrinkle for a few days to raise the sugar levels and enhance the flavor.
The two types of passion fruit have clearly differing exterior appearances. The bright yellow variety of passion fruit, which is also known as the Golden Passion Fruit, can grow up to the size of a grapefruit, has a smooth, glossy, light and airy rind, and has been used as a rootstock for the Purple Passion Fruit in Australia.[2] The dark purple passion fruit is smaller than a lemon, though it is less acidic than the yellow passion fruit, and has a richer aroma and flavor.[3] In Colombia, the purple passion fruit is referred to as "gulupa", to distinguish it from the yellow maracuyá.
The purple varieties of the fruit have been found to contain traces of cyanogenic glycosides in the skin

In Brazil, passion fruit mousse is a common dessert, and passion fruit seeds are routinely used to decorate the tops of cakes. Passion fruit juice is also very common. When making Caipirinha, it is common to use passion fruit instead of lime. It is also used as a mild sedative, and its active ingredient is commercialized under several brands, most notably Maracugina.
In Colombia this is one of the most important fruits, especially for juices and desserts. It is a common fruit all over the country and there you can find 3 kinds of "Maracuyá" fruit.
In the Dominican Republic, where it is locally called chinola, it is used to make juice and jams. Passion fruit-flavoured syrup is used on shaved ice, and the fruit is also eaten raw sprinkled with sugar.
In Hawaii, the varieties are called yellow lilikoi and purple lilikoi and the fruit is normally eaten raw. Hawaiians usually crack the rind of the passion fruit either with their hands or teeth and suck out the flavorful pulp and seeds.[citation needed] Passion fruit can also be cut in half and the pulp can easily be scooped out with a spoon. Passion fruit-flavored syrup is a popular topping for shave ice. Ice cream and mochi are also flavored with passion fruit, as well as many other desserts such as cookies, cakes, and ice cream. Passion fruit is also favored as a jam or jelly, as well as a butter. Passion fruit is not widely available in stores, so most of the fruit comes from backyard gardens or wild groves. It can be found, however, in farmers' markets throughout the islands.
In Indonesia, there are two types of passionfruit (local name: 'markisa'), white flesh and yellow flesh. The white one is normally eaten straight as a fruit. The yellow one is commonly strained to obtain its juice, which is cooked with sugar to make thick syrup. Bottles or plastic jugs of concentrated syrup (generally produced in Sumatra from fruit grown in the Lake Toba region[citation needed]) are sold in many supermarkets. Dilution of one part syrup to four (or more) parts water is recommended.
In New Zealand and Australia, where it is called "passionfruit", it is available commercially both fresh and tinned. Fresh passionfruit is eaten for breakfast in the Summer months, is added to fruit salads, and fresh fruit pulp or passion fruit sauce is commonly used in desserts, including as a topping for pavlova (a regional meringue cake) and ice cream, a flavouring for cheesecake, and in the icing of vanilla slices. A passionfruit-flavoured soft drink called Passiona has also been manufactured in Australia for several decades.
In Paraguay, passion fruit is used mainly to make juice, prepare desserts like passion fruit mousse,cheesecake, ice cream, to flavor yogurts and cocktails.
In Mexico, passion fruit is used to make juice or is eaten raw with chili powder and lime.
In Puerto Rico, where the fruit is known as "Parcha", it is widely believed to lower blood pressure,[5] probably because it contains harmala alkaloids and is a mild RIMA.[citation needed] Passion fruit juice is also very common there and is used in juices, ice cream or pastries.
In Peru, passion fruit is used in several desserts, especially cheesecakes. It is also drunk alone as passion fruit juice and used in ceviche variations and in cocktails, including the passion fruit sour, a variation of the Pisco Sour.
In the Philippines, passion fruit is commonly sold in public markets and in public schools. Some vendors sell the fruit with a straw in it to suck the seeds and juices inside. It is not very popular because of its sour flavor, and the fruit is very seasonal.
In Vietnam, passion fruit is blended with honey and ice to create refreshing smoothies.
In South Africa, passion fruit, known locally as Granadilla (the yellow variety as Guavadilla), is used to flavor yogurt. It is also used to flavour soft drinks such as Schweppes Sparkling Granadilla and numerous cordial drinks. It is often eaten raw or used as a topping for cakes and tarts. Granadilla juice is commonly available in restaurants. The yellow variety is used for juice processing, while the purple variety is sold in fresh fruit markets.
In the United States, it is often used as an ingredient in juice mixes.

Nutrition

Passion-fruit, (granadilla), purple, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy406 kJ (97 kcal)
Carbohydrates23.38 g
- Sugars11.20 g
- Dietary fiber10.4 g
Fat0.70 g
Protein2.20 g
Vitamin A equiv.64 μg (7%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2)0.130 mg (9%)
Niacin (Vit. B3)1.500 mg (10%)
Folate (Vit. B9)14 μg (4%)
Vitamin C30.0 mg (50%)
Calcium12 mg (1%)
Iron1.60 mg (13%)
Magnesium29 mg (8%)
Phosphorus68 mg (10%)
Potassium348 mg (7%)
Zinc0.10 mg (1%)
Nutrient values and weights are for edible portion.
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient database
Fresh passion fruit is high in beta carotene, potassium, and dietary fiber. Passion fruit juice is a good source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and good for people who have high blood pressure.[6] Some research is showing that purple passion fruit peel may help with controlling asthma symptoms.The yellow variety is used for juice processing, while the purple variety is sold in fresh fruit markets. The fruit contains Lycopene in the mature and immature pericarp

Culture

The Passion fruit is so called because it is one of the many species of Passion Flower. ("Passion Flower" is the English version of the Latin genus name,Passi-Flora). The name was given by missionaries because the parts of the flower seemed reminiscent of the torture (the Passion) of Christ prior to his crucifixion:
The three stigmas reflect the three nails in Jesus's hands and feet.
The threads of the passion flower resemble the Crown of Thorns.
The vine's tendrils are likened to the whips.
The five anthers represented the five wounds.
The ten petals and sepals regarded to resemble the Apostles (excluding Judas and Peter).
The purple petals representing the purple robe used to mock Jesus' claim to kingship (Mt. 27:28)
The flower of the passion fruit is considered as the national flower of Paraguay.

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www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/passionfruit.html

Toxicity

A cyanogenic glycoside is found in the pulp of passionfruits at all stages of development, but is highest in very young, unripe fruits and lowest in fallen, wrinkled fruits, the level in the latter being so low that it is of no toxicological significance.

Other Uses

Commercial processing of the yellow passionfruit yields 36% juice, 51% rinds, and 11% seeds.

Rind: The rinds have a very low pectin content–only 2.4% (14% on a dry weight basis). Nevertheless, it has been determined in Fiji that extraction of pectin from the rinds–up to 5 tons (4.5 MT) annually–reduces the otherwise burdensome problem of waste disposal. The rind residue contains about 5 to 6% protein and could be used as a filler in poultry and stock feed. In Brazil, pectin is extracted from the purple form which has a better quality pectin than that in the yellow. In Hawaii, the pectin is not extracted. Instead, the rinds are chopped, dried, and combined with molasses as cattle or pig feed. They can also be converted into silage.

Seeds: The seeds yield 23% oil which is similar to sunflower and soybean oil and accordingly has edible as well as industrial uses. Up to 3,400 gallons (13,000 liters) can be obtained per year in Fiji. The seed meal contains about 12% protein and 50 to 55% fiber. It has been judged unsuitable for cattle feed.

Analyses of the fresh rind show: moisture, 78.43-85.24%; crude protein, 2.04-2.84%; fat, 0.05-0.16%; crude starch, 0.75-1.36%; sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose), 1.64%; crude fiber, 4.57-7.13%; phosphorus, 0.03-0.06%; silica, 0.01-0.04%; potassium, 0.60-0.78 %; organic acids (citric and malic), 0.15%; ascorbic acid, 78.3-166.2%. The outer skin of the purple form contains 1.4 mg per 100 g of the anthocyanin pigment, pelargonidin 3-diglucoside. There is also some tannin.

The composition of the air-dried seeds is reported as: moisture, 5.4%; fat, 23.8%; crude fiber, 53.7%; protein, 11.1%; N-free extract, 5.1%; total ash, 1.84%; ash insoluble in HC1, 0.35%; calcium, 80 mg; iron, 18 mg; phosphorus, 640 mg per 100 g.

The seed oil contains 8.90% saturated fatty acids; 84.09% unsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acids consist of: palmitic, 6.78%; stearic, 1.76%; arachidic, 0.34%; oleic, 19.0%; linoleic, 59.9%; linolenic, 5.4%.

Medicinal Uses: There is currently a revival of interest in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in Europe, in the use of the glycoside, passiflorine, especially from P. incarnata L., as a sedative or tranquilizer. Italian chemists have extracted passiflorine from the air-dried leaves of P. edulis.

In Madeira, the juice of passionfruits is given as a digestive stimulant and treatment for gastric cancer.