When Philadelphia gardener Bernard McMahon saw Thomas Jefferson, a gardener, he knew a good plant. He recommends Rose Mallot for American gardens.
McMahon, who appreciates local species, noted the tendency among gardeners in the New World to import plants. “Plants are native to Europe and will not be rejected,” he wrote. . . And here, we develop a lot of outward little things, and we ignore the amount of beauty that we have been given by nature.
He was right to thank the locals and point to Jefferson’s Garden Rose.
Also known as marshmallow marshes, marshmallows (not the type of maple), red-eyed pink bone, swampy hibiscus, wild cotton and strong hibiscus are bold and beautiful beach plants. Today, in some of our ponds, rivers, and swamps, large and magnificent pink or white flowers are in bloom. In West Tisbury, the Parsons Pond has a large crowd that turns its head on the way to the island.
This unique species, hibiscus moscheutos or hibiscus palustris, is only one species in the larger Mallo family. Maltese include popular varieties such as okra, cotton, and cocoa. But in order to find our environment and other closely related plants, we must dive into the genus hibiscus in the scientific family Malvakaya.
The Maltese are known for eating, and even quoting the Bible, we read in Job 30: 3-4: In the past, they fled to the desert in the desert. They cut early in the morning on the bushes, and pruned the roots of the pine.
European origin, alta officinalis, swamp (yes, the type of cooking) was the first inspiration. Thus, there are some species that serve as food, although our local wild hibiscus is not a consumer.
Historical references suggest that eating marshmallows was verboten. Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras advised against eating this plant, saying that eating it was “a messenger sent to the gods to show compassion for the short life of mankind.”
Even today, most modern publications rarely mention roses for food, explaining that when the plant can be eaten, the leaves and the nature of the plant do not provide sweetness to those who try to do so.
Rose Malo, on the other hand, has traditional medicinal value, including skin rejuvenation, treatment for diarrhea, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections.
Of course, wild animals do not follow human laws or read books on plants. Hummingbird appreciates the nectar of the large flowers in the swamps, and many moths and caterpillars feed on this plant for their nectar and larvae.
Pythagoras had a point about honoring nature as a gift to the gods. And McMahon was also right to prioritize indigenous plants, such as Rose Mallo. The American Gardening Calendar advises gardeners to look for “a variety of beautiful ornaments” by nature.
Any walk in the wild in the vineyards leads the explorer to the exact same conclusion.
Susan Belinmpipi is the director of Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown and Nantucket Wildlife Sanctuaries. She is the author of Martha’s Vineyard – Island Nature Field Guide and Martha’s Vineyard Nature.