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Herbarium: Medicinal Plants as Information Worthy Worts: Comprehensive Comparison of the Histories, Structures, and Therapeutic Uses of Plants in the Scrophulariaceae and Asteraceae Families In order to better understand the “worts'” categorization, an analysis of the plants within the Scrophulariaceae family (Scrophularia californica, Scrophularia scorodonia, and Galvezia juncea) and two plants within the Asteraceae family (Artemisia douglasiana and Artemisia campestris) was conducted. Through research thus far, it was found that these aforementioned plants share structural similarities in terms of aspects that include venation of the leaves. The most prominent common denominator of the wort category is that they all have therapeutic uses. Among the historical therapeutic uses found in the literature are anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antioxidant uses. These benefits have been utilized from societies ranging from the American Indians to the Europeans. -By Chris Leung, Catly Do, Fady Tawfik, and Sean Jamali. Exploring the Sages: Medicinal Properties and Appearances of Artemisia Californica and Salvia Apiana Both plants Artemisia Californica and Salvia apiana under the category of sages play important roles in maintaining the growth of their local ecosystems with similar habitats, medicinal properties, and flowering appearances during the times of collection. However, they also share important differences in their flowering and growth patterns as well as the active agents used for their medicinal properties. In analyzing the similarities and differences between these two plants regarding appearances, climate, medicinal properties, and growth patterns, the similarities in how they are able to provide and support their local ecosystems is the big picture idea that can be understood. - By Stephanie Bottomley, Rasika Obla, Tony Ong, and Balpreet Sond. Tea Time: Exploring the Medicinal Properties of Bark-Use Plants from a Traditional Ecological Knowledge Context This page discusses three different plants that contain significant medicinal properties in their bark and have been historically used by indigenous communities throughout North America: Populus tremuloides, Frangula californica subsp. californica, and Amelanchier alnifolia. These species will be compared on a global scale by examining the bark-based applications of two related species from Africa and East Asia: Dovyalis caffra and Rhaphiolepis umbellata. Despite their phenotypic differences and the differences in their medicinal properties, all five of these plants have been used to help relieve symptoms of communicable and chronic diseases through the direct digestion of tea like remedies made from the boiled bark of these plants. -By Saja Zidan, Maha Ulhaq, Kate Santoso, Gillian, Miller, Anna Jovin, and Luc Lorain The History, Comparison, and Analysis of Parasitic Plants Our project presents the process of collecting and researching the special characteristics of parasitic plants. We explore each plant's respective medical practices and compare them to epiphytic plants that are similar to our original plants of interest. In each project, we individually explain how the plants were collected, identified, translated, and classified. The contextual reasons behind this process are also presented and connected to the general unique characteristics of parasitic plants. Each page provides a collection of media images that visually represent the main plant of interest, the epiphytic plant, the historical materia medica image, and the individual journal observations that we made of our respective plants. We offer comparative analysis and highlight important parts of each specimen throughout these photos. - By Khang Vo, Jessica McLaughlin, Alastair Sterns, and Dania Alkoraishi Combating Coughs: The Respiratory Remedies across North America Bioprospecting and the application of materia medica have played central roles in the remedy of physical ailments in humans throughout history. From ancient cultures utilizing extracts from leaves and roots to modern medicinal practices extracting medicinal properties from plants to put into pills and other therapies, materia medica has and remains a relevant and growing practice. Here, we examine various plants from North America and their varied characteristics, though they share similar medicinal properties.- By Raymond Ko, Mari Williams, Elizabeth Pham, Julia Tang, Cienna Henry Milton, and Emma Barrall Antiseptics in Nature: An exploratory analysis of Coptis trifolia and Larrea tridentata The following research studies common properties of plants used as potential antiseptic medicinal use. Explained more in depth later on, the first page introduces the plant Coptis trifolia, and its common characteristics with a similar plant, Thalictrum fendleri. The second page studies Larrea Tridentata found at the UCLA Herbarium and its living species at the UCLA Botanical Garden. The pages also examine other species found at the UCLA Botanical Garden, with references of possible characteristics which may allude to the specificity and uniqueness of the plants and objects. These three species studied share a common use as an antiseptic. - By Neha Shetty, Simran Athwal, Mariah Ghodrat, Madeline Huttie, and Liam Kordmahale-Izaddoust Plant Specimen and their Alias : Exploring the Identity of Plants with Animal in the Name Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum, both plant species with an animal in their name, were explored for their characteristics and relationship to their respective animals. Through extensive research, we deduce several similarities and differences between our plants that led us to an understanding of why each plant earned their colloquial name, or alias. Lycium torreyi and Equisetum laevigatum, alias Wolfberry and Smooth Horsetail, respectively, have several commonalities and differences to their corresponding animal including physical and character traits as well as their medicinal qualities. Images, observations and outside research portray the many queries and answers to their common name. By Frieda Anastopulos, Alexa Hernandez, Denise Llera, Chelsea Okoro, Grace Randall Precious Polygonaceae: Insight into the Historical Collection and Therapeutic Uses of Polygonum, Eriogonum, and Rumex Genera This comparative analysis took to exploring six species under the Polygonaceae plant family, half of which are housed in the UCLA Herbarium and half of which are located in the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA. Although they shared a meaningful commonality, these plants fell under a total of three genuses, which seems to explain their differences in morphology - as observed in the physical herbarium specimen sheets and the botanical garden visit - and utility, as unveiled by various Materia Medica entries. However, with an understanding of both historical and modern collection processes, this analysis also postulated that such differences could relate to how these plants were collected and their associated metadata. - By Moryel Yashar, Lexie Baughman, Nicole Cohen, Yair Tabibi, Tabetha Sanchez, and Leah Tabibi Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica effects on Cardiovascular System Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica are medicinal plants that have been found to contain a myriad of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, antioxidants, and polyphenol compounds. These compounds are known to have significant effects on the cardiovascular system by primarily targeting systolic hypertension. Plant extracts and their derivatives ameliorate oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension associated with cardiovascular disease. This association is due to the characteristics of anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, and antiviral activity within the specimen. These medicinal outcomes are elicited to prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases risk factors. Overall, Bidens pilosa, Crataegus douglasii, and Urtica dioica play a crucial role in cardioprotective effects and health benefits. - By Salma Fawzi, Anaeli Guzman, Rere Huang, Lilliane Martin, Isabel Nakoud, and Sriha Srinivasan A History and Analysis of Antiviral Medicinal Plants Medicinal plants vary wildly among cultures around the world, and proper identification, collections, and bioprospecting of these plants expand upon modern medicine and provide new possibilities of drugs. Exploration of historical materia medica, preserved herbarium specimens, and observation of plants both in adaptations and chosen environment allow for the discovery of new medical leads. Three plants in particular, Eclipta prostrata, Astragalus nuttallii var. Nuttallii, and Sambucus canadensis, have historically been documented and used in medicine for their antiviral properties. Through the process of observation as well as investigation of historic cultural uses, much can be learned about these medicinal plants that carry these critical properties. - By Allison Wang, Joanne Kwak, Nina Do, Nicolo Villasis, Sabrina Huang, and Hamza Mojadidi

Lycium Torreyi Fruit - Cropped

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Lycium torreyi: Herbarium Specimen, Botanical Garden, and Herbal Medicinal Uses Revisited The following project aims to create a comprehensive and uniform depiction of the history, composition, and utility of Lycium torreyi. We will be analyzing these intricacies and characteristics by utilizing the preserved specimen found within the UCLA herbarium collection. The preserved specimen will be accessed through the online database, giving us easier access to inspect the delicacies of the plant. Ultimately, we will also present relevant research regarding the societal understandings and usages of the specimen, particularly with regards to the development of the colloquial name Torrey Wolfberry. Comprehending both the academic and the communal applications and complexities of this plant in this project allows us to present the reader with a complete and immersive perspective. - By Alexa Hernández and Frieda Anastopulos. Lycium torreyi was collected on March 6, 1988 by Barry A. Prigge and David S. Verity in Mexico, Baja California, Sonoran Desert. This is 2.3km north of Puertecitos. The coordinates are 30.365, -114.64, with an elevation of 20 meters. Because the specimen was found in Mexico, the information may be translated from Spanish. The taxon of this specimen is Lycium torreyi A. Gray, and its family is Solanaceae. It was found in the Coastal dunes habitat in Common Shrub. The fruit is bright red. The associated taxa are Atriplex, Frankenia Palmeri, Errazurizia megacarpa, and Stephanomeria.

Lycium torreyi or Torrey wolfberry, as commonly referred to, is a flowering plant/shrub that is primarily found in the Southwest region of the US. It is often used as a potent antioxidant for strengthening the immune system. It also possesses medical properties in relieving congestion, pain, inflammation reduction of minor bug stings, allergy prevention, and nausea relief.

Because Lycium torreyi is not physically found in the UCLA Botanical Garden, we instead studied Lycium horridum. Lycium horridum is another species within the genus Lycium. We took several journal observations, including how the plant felt spiky and dry. Additionally, there were many more green leaves than we expected! In nature, Lycium horridum takes a bush/shrub shape. We noticed purple and white flowers with a yellow center. We postulated that many of these features may lend themselves to the reasoning behind why Lycium torreyi has the colloquial name of Torrey Wolfberry.

We can begin by analyzing the thorns of Lycium torreyi. The long stem of Lycium torreyi is covered in thorns across its entire length. There are likely close to 100 thorns present across the two stems pictured in the herbarium specimen. These thorns are sharp and could cause damage to any organism that attempts to eat or uproot Lycium torreyi. These thorns may serve as a defense mechanism to protect the growth and longevity of Lycium torreyi. Perhaps these thorns are similar to the common defense mechanism of wolves: their sharp teeth. Both these thorns and the sharp teeth of wolves can cause scratches and deep harm to outside invading species.

Additionally, in this herbarium specimen, dried leaves are abundant. In the small white envelope, there are dozens, even hundreds of leaves, that have fallen off the plant. These leaves cover the plant/shrub. Perhaps, these leaves are similar to the fur covering the body of wolves. In addition to the high number of leaves on the plant, the leaves are rounded in shape and small in size. They are smaller than the thorns on the plant. In the dry Mediterranean climate, likely, rain and natural water sources are not abundant. These leaves may be small to allow for any available water to be funneled to the root. Lycium torreyi requires water in the same way that any animal does, including a wolf. This is a small connection but it is an overlapping feature between Lycium torreyi and its colloquial name: Torrey Wolfberry.

The second half of the name "Wolfberry" refers to the berries of Lycium torreyi. This specimen shows only one berry. It has turned black in color and looks to be very fragile. In nature, Lycium torreyi is known to carry many berries that are bright red. These many berries are likely used to pollinate and reproduce the species. The red color may serve to distinguish the species from other plants. Interestingly, the berries may be consumed by wolves -- which may lead to the name of "Wolfberry."

WORKS CITED
Haid, Johann (Engraver), Ehret, Georg (Author), Trew, Christoph (Author), 1750, “Lycium sp.: two flowering stems of different species of Lycium with their floral segments, fruit and seed”, Wellcome Collection, 18369i.