Have you ever seen Galax?

This is galax (Galax urceolata), an evergreen woodland plant found almost exclusively in the southern Appalachian Mountains. In fact, it's the only species in its entire genus, making it a truly unique botanical treasure. In Botany we call that a monotypic genus.

Its glossy leaves stay green all winter, helping protect the forest floor from erosion, providing habitat for insects, and continuing to capture sunlight long after most plants have gone dormant. In autumn and winter, those same leaves transform into stunning shades of crimson and burgundy, carpeting the forest with color.

When I was a Botanist for the US Forest Service, I was trained and mentored by Gary Kauffman, an amazing Botanist with the National Forest and he regulated the number of Galax collection permits that the government allowed along with black cohosh, ginseng, etc, the category called non-timber products.

People go into the forest and collect entire bag fulls of galax to sell to the floriculture trade.

I LOVE Galax, I would love to work or dive into the medicine of Galax. As I don't live in the mountains anymore, it can be harder to connect with these plants. So, my goal is to start spending ALL of July in Western North Carolina. The medicine of the mountains is unbelieveable.

Have you ever seen Galax?

#wildherbs #wnc #galax #medicinewoman #healingplants

Видео Have you ever seen Galax? канала Wild Herbs with April