Plant of the Week: Popular houseplant used by members of Spanish inquisition
Name: Dumcane (Dieffenbachia seguine) Also known as: Mother in law’s spear Habitat: A perennial member of the Aracaceae family, growing to 1.4m in moist-rich soil...
Alexander McCowan
Restaurant Review: Scale, Nicosia
What on earth is going on? The moment I suggest that Covid has devastated our capital’s once shabby mediocre range of national cuisine outlets, an...
Plant produces natural warmth, relieves pain
Name: Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) Otherwise known as: Capsicum Minimum, Chilli, Red Hot Pepper Habitat: A perennial member of the Solanaceae family growing to 1m with...
Plant of the week: Poisonous plant was used to calm epileptics
Name: Water Hemlock (Cicuta virosa) Otherwise known as: Poison Parsnip, Spotted Cowbane Habitat: A perennial member of the Umbelliferae family, growing to about 2m along...
Plant of the week: The nettle that makes the heart merry, drives away melancholy
Name: Dead Nettle (Lamium album) Otherwise known as: Archangel; Dumb nettle. Habitat: A perennial member of the Labiatae family growing up to 2m in wasteland...
Plant of the week: Plant under threat used as pain reliever for centuries
Name: Arnica (Arnica montana) Otherwise known as: Leopard’s Bane, Mountain Tobacco Habitat: A perennial member of the Compositae family, growing to 75cm in acid soils...
Restaurant Review: Pralina Experience, Nicosia
Many years ago, I was asked to review Pralina, where the management claimed they were departing from their burger/pizza cuisine and introducing an international menu....
Plant of the week: Poisonous plant used to treat skin disease
Name: Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba) Otherwise known as: Kanada, Flame Lily Habitat: A tuberous climbing member of the Liliaceae family growing up to 5m in...
Plant of the Week: Insect eating plant used to treat breathing problems
Name: Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) Otherwise known as: Dew Plant, Red Rot, Herba Rosellae Habitat: A small herbaceous perannial member of the Droseraceae family growing up...
Plant of the week: Plant named after goddess associated with self discipline
Name: Green Wormwood (Artemisia cina) Otherwise known as: Wormseed, Old Woman, Polin Habitat: A perennial member of the Compositaea family growing to 1.25m in barren...
Plant of the Week: Could truffles be a viable crop under olive trees?
Truffles A short while ago there was much speculation among the agricultural community regarding the introduction of truffles into Cyprus as a viable crop. It...
Restaurant Review: Family Nest, Nicosia
In an age where labels are so important and none more so than in the consumption of food – if vegetarians will only eat vegetables,...
Plant of the Week: Plant known to ancients stimulate immune system
Name: Inula (Inula helenium) Otherwise known as: Elf dock, Scab wort, Elecampane Habitat: A perennial aromatic member of the family Compositae growing to about 1.5m...
Plant of the week: Plant used for war paint also powerful mosquito repellent
Name: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) Otherwise known as: Pucoon, Indian Paint, Redroot Habitat: A creeping perennial member of the Papaveraceae growing up to 60cm in woodlands...
Plant of the week: Plant used to fight ‘melancholy diseases’ protects the liver
Name: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) Otherwise known as: Blessed Thistle, Holy Mary’s Thistle Habitat: A prickly biennial member of the Asteraceae family growing to 1.5m...
Plant of the week: Folklore practice leads to important discovery
Name: Common Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) Otherwise known as: Fairy Thimbles, Dead Men’s Bells Habitat: An annual, sometime biennial, member of the Scrophulariaceae family growing up...
Plant of the week: Under researched herb has history of medical use
Name: Alfalfa: (Medicago sativa) Otherwise known as: Lucerne Habitat: A perennial member of the Leguminosae, and a very deep-rooted herb, growing to about 80cm in...
Restaurant review: Aigaion, Nicosia
By Alexander McCowan A dear friend, and unquestionably in the premier division of culinary skills – a PhD in pastry – for many years recommended...
Plant of the Week: Plant liked by Mediaeval physicians popular in aromatherapy
Name: Neroli (Citrus aurantium) Otherwise known as: Petitgrain, Citrus Bigaradia Habitat: A tree member of the Rutaceae family growing to about 10m in well-drained moist...
Plant of the week: Plant used as cure all by Native Americans shown to treat some carcinomas
Name: Racoonberry (Podophyllum peltatum) Otherwise known as: Duck’s Foot, American Mandrake Habitat: A perennial member of the Berberidacea family growing up to 30cm in light,...
