Diario de jgwalker5

I'm pretty sure what I found outside was a small patch of Rhytidiadelphus loreus (commonly known as Lanky Moss). If you have spent any time outdoors in South East Alaska (which I'm guessing you have if you're in this course) you will see this moss just about everywhere, from rotting logs, living trees, the forest floor, and even rocks (Christant, Ferdy . "Lanky Moss." ). Indigenous uses for these plants and mosses in general are similar to the more contemporary uses for it, as it is acidic and has great moisture absorption and mild antibacterial properties, so it was and still is used for wound dressings and applying over small irritations to prevent further injury or infection (Viereck, Eleanor G. "ALASKA’S WILDERNESS MEDICINES."). It also has constantly throughout history been used and an insulator in homes, cribs, diapers, and virtually anything that needs it. I have recently learned from David Lendrum of Landscape Alaska, that mosses are now being uses as a low maintanence option for lawns. This is due to the fact that they do not grow all that high, they quickly cover open landscape, have nice asthetics, and require virtually no maintanance. Overall this moss and mosses in general are ubiquitous with the forests in the South East and have innumerable amounts of practical applications.

Christant, Ferdy . "Lanky Moss." Jungle Dragon, 24 Nov. 2017, www.jungledragon.com/specie/5558/lanky_moss.html. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.

Viereck, Eleanor G. "ALASKA’S WILDERNESS MEDICINES." UAF.Edu, 12 Aug. 1987, www.ankn.uaf.edu/curriculum/books/Viereck/vierecksphagnum.html. Accessed 4 Apr. 2024.

I found what I believe to be Balanus glandula (Commonly referred to as the North American Acorn Barnacle) while I was on a walk at Sandy Beach in Juneau. There are countless amounts of these little organisms and I have seen them every single time I have gone anywhere near the water in my town. These little creatures are ubiquitous with the ocean and large marine mammals across the pacific coast (Monetary Bay Aquarium (2014, August 27). Meet the Acorn Barnacle). Although these little guys are usually inactive when you can see them above water, when the tide rises they open their little shells and extend feather like appendages to grab at microscopic organisms and decaying sea life that is floating through their area. They may not seem like anything too fascinating but they are one of the basic building blocks of the oceanic and intertidal food chains often being eaten by crabs, whelks, and other smaller intertidal creatures (Laverdure, J. (2016, November 14). Marine Animals of the Rocky Intertidal Zones) . These little organisms are surprisingly interesting and integral to the oceanic and intertidal ecosystems as a whole. I have many memories from when I was younger, walking around the rocky beaches in Juneau, of me bending down to look at the clusters of barnacles on the rocks, and looking at some in tidal pools with their feathered appendages out floating in the water and being fascinated. Overall these are some surprisingly interesting little creatures.

Monetary Bay Aquarium (2014, August 27). Meet the Acorn Barnacle. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/acorn-barnacle

Laverdure, J. (2016, November 14). Marine Animals of the Rocky Intertidal Zones. NOAA.gov. Retrieved March 22, 2024, from https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/Intertidal%20Zone%20Animals%20Field%20Guide%201.pdf

I believe this is the Sitka Spruce (Formally known as Picea Sitchensis). I found this at the end of my street in the morning of 3.8.2024.

This tree is a part of the spruce family, all of which are found in abundance across Alaska. The Sitka Spruce is the most common coastal variant, and is differentiated by 3 key things. The massive heights it can achieve compared to the other spruce on average, the strength of the wood itself, and the extreme preference to coastal areas for growth, as you are rarely going to find one more than 80km away from the coast. (Robert Van Pelt, 2008)

This tree was and still is central to the indigenous peoples of South East Alaska and has a great many uses. It's sap/pitch was and still can be used as a protective agent on smaller wounds, as it keeps the wound clean and free of dirt. The pitch has also seen uses in many other treatments, such as treatments for urinary issues, sore backs, headaches, and even blood poisoning all through different ways of applying or consuming the pitch. The needles have their own fair share of uses, such as using a spruce needle tea as a wash for any area that might have hives or a rash, or drinking small amounts of it to purify the blood. (Eleanor G. Viereck, 1987)

The wood itself is one of the most remarkable things about the tree, as it is quite sturdy and consistent as long as you have a section without any knotting. The color is also sought after as it is very appealing to most people. The indigenous peoples of the Southeast took notice of the amazing functional and aesthetic uses of the spruce wood and fashioned thousands of structures, items, tools, and pieces of art from these fascinating trees.

Pelt, Robert V. "Identifying Mature and Old Forests in Western Washington." Https://Www.Dnr.Wa.Gov, 14 Feb. 2008, www.dnr.wa.gov. Accessed 8 Mar. 2024.

Viereck, Eleanor G. ALASKA’S WILDERNESS MEDICINES. ‎Alaska Northwest Books, 1987. Date Accessed 03.08.2024

The organism that I had spotted and identified is Salix discolor also known as Pussy Willow. I saw it on the trail near by my house. According to an Alaska Native medicines paper from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, these trees which can also be referred to as katkin willows, are often found blooming and flowering during the spring season. These trees also start out very shrub like, slowly growing into small trees, often seen sporting numerous branches. The Willow in my picture lacked the abundance of limbs since it seemed to have been pruned to keep the trail walkable. It also has a deep and storied history in medicines. There are records that have been dated as far back as 2400 years ago speaking of it’s medicinal properties, primarily for pain relief in ancient Greece with it’s bark being used for water infusions. It also was a key player in the development of Aspirin due to the high amount of salicin in the bark which is a potent anti inflammatory. It was and is still used to treat mouth sores through simply chewing on twigs or bark from the tree itself. The leaves from the tree are also edible and can be eaten cooked or just raw from the tree and often finds itself a target for moose and other foragers in Alaska. These willows are found in southern canada, the Northern US and of course the southern and eastern portions of Alaska.

Viereck, Eleanor G. ALASKA’S WILDERNESS MEDICINES. ‎Alaska Northwest Books, 1987.