Vivarium: Place of Life by Ryan Parra
Issue 163
Our ancestors' knowledge and value of the environment's flora was vital. Everywhere, they were surrounded by potential balms, poultices, pain relievers, euphoriants, and entheogens, using these systems as tools for the sustenance of their bodies and edification of their spirits. Yet, where these ethnobotanical gardens once grew now stand pharmacies with suspiciously clean white walls and endless supplies of medicine. While advancements in pharmacology are indeed essential, at the same time it’s unreasonable to not have a fundamental understanding of the plants from where they derived, along with the wisdom and value of the natural world left behind by our forebears.
Over the past ten years, I’ve been working on a project titled Vivarium, consisting of still life photographs and digital composites of medicinal flora growing throughout the southwest and beyond. Through this ethnobotanical survey, as I create each constructed photograph with inserted symbols and metaphors highlighting each plant’s unique history, not only is it my priority to document the flora with scientific precision for identification purposes, but I also have a curiosity for expanding the definition of the “still life,” pushing these techniques which emerged in the artist’s studio out into the plant’s environment. Furthermore, by accompanying each photograph with a description of the flora’s unique history, I also aspire to remind viewers of the magical, symbiotic role plants have played in our exploration of knowledge and well-being for hundreds of thousands of years.
Further reflecting this interest in the curious intersection of culture and nature, the project title Vivarium (Latin for “place of life”) refers to an enclosed space with plants or animals for observation and research purposes. This subtle act of concealing fragments of the natural world expresses a sense of power one has over something, much like science with nature, while also expressing great curiosity and love towards that same thing. From here, visual narratives of curiosity, containment, and control evolve as the conceptual framework that I explore throughout these photographs.
Ryan Parra (he/him) lives and works in Phoenix, Arizona.
ryanparra.com | @ryanparraplants
Slide #1: Carnegiea Gigantea, Saguaro, Saguaro National Park, AZ, 2018, 24X36
Reaching heights up to fifty feet tall and ages up to one hundred and fifty years old, the saguaro holds its status firmly as the largest cactus in the United States. As such, it is of no surprise that it’s also one of the most useful of all plants growing in Arizona. The fruits can be eaten raw, cooked into an edible gruel or syrup, or they can be fermented into an intoxicating bever- age. The seeds, which contain high levels of vitamin C, can be gathered and stored for long periods of time to be eaten later. The woody ribs from the dry skeletons are extremely strong and useful as building materials and first aid splints. Whether making candles, chicken feed, medicine, food, or alcohol, the uses of this giant saguaro go on extensively.
Slide #2: Marking Useful Plants, Superstition Mountains, AZ, 2018, 24X36
Yerba Santa, Globemallow, Dudleya, Ephedra, Elephant Tree, Blue Palo Verde, Barrel Cactus, Saguaro, Cholla, Prickly Pear, Senna, Mesquite, Whipple Cholla, Desert Christmas Cactus, Fishhook Cactus.
Slide #3: Salvia Columbariae, Chia, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, 2017, 16X24
This low growing chia produces some of the most nutritiously rich seeds known. From healing diabetes to suporting the heart and digestive system, chia seeds are believed to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet.
Slide #4: Abronia Villosa, Desert Sand-Verbena, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, 2017, 20X30
This sand-verbena is commonly found creeping along the desert floor near creosote bush in a wide elevation range from sea level to about 8,200 feet. Two different poultices can be made from different parts of the plant. The first can be made from flowers and leaves, which can then be applied on the skin to reduce swelling and pain from burns. The second poultice can be made from the root, which is then used to ease pain caused by skin lacerations.
Slide #5: Yucca Brevifolia, Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, 2017, 24X36
This iconic yucca of Joshua Tree National Park has many edible parts, along with many household and survival uses. The flower buds, before opening, can be parboiled in salt water to remove the bitterness, drained and then cooked again and served like cauliflower. The opened flowers are rich in sugar and can be roasted and eaten as a type of candy. The fruits can be roasted, then formed into cakes and dried for later use. The root can be boiled or roasted, and the seeds can be eaten raw. As for everyday uses, a fiber obtained from the leaves can be made into rope, baskets, sandals, clothing and other necessary materials.
Slide #6: Ephedra Trifurca, Longleaf Ephedra, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, 2017, 20X30
The ephedra genus has some of the oldest known medicinal and ceremonial uses documented. In the Shanidar caves of modern Iraq, 40,000 to 60,000 year old Neanderthal remains have been found resting peacefully with the ephedra plant clutched to their chests. It is believed they placed this ephedra with the deceased as a type of guide for their last journey into the spiri- tual realm. Similar ceremonies are evident with the Tamang people in Nepal, where they cremate their dead with dried bundles of the ephedra burning.
Slide #7: Lycium Andersonii, Wolfberry, Superstition Mountains, AZ, 2021, 24X36
The small blueberry-sized fruits of this desert wolfberry can be eaten raw or cooked, or can even be dried to be eaten later, similar to a raisin. Medicinally, the fruits are an impressive source of vitamins A, C, and E, and are uniquely high in essential fatty acids, which is rare for fruit. Current research is underway on the plants ability to halt or even revers the growth of cancer.
Slide #8: Juniperus Deppeana, Alligator Juniper, Prescott National Forest, AZ, 2021, 24X36
Not only is this impressive juniper the oldest growing Arizona species in the juniperus genus, reaching ages up to 1,400 years old, but it also has the most unique and distinctive bark growth out of its family, taking similar form to alligator skin. It bears an impressively large number of fruits, and while they are edible and nutritious, they are not the most palatable. For consumption, they can be eaten raw or cooked.
Slide #9: Theobroma Cacao, Cacao Tree, Costa Rica, 2021, 20X30
The history of the cacao tree and chocolate industry in Costa Rica is both fascinating and alarming. Up until the 1930s, the cacao bean was used by the indigenous as a currency, just as many other pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations did. Then, in the 1970s, just as cacao was Costa Rica’s leading export, a monilia fungus destroyed 80% of the cacao trees across the country. Through the production of new strains immune to this fungus, the cacao tree once again thrives throughout the Costa Rica landscape, with its prized bean still being made into a ritualistic drink used in ceremonies and celebrations.
Slide #10: Marcgravia sp, Shingle Plant, Costa Rica, 2019, 20X30
The upward growing marcgravia can be found flourishing in particularly moist environments throughout Costa Rica, reaching heights of up to six feet tall while producing beautifully hanging flowers. Some species produce small edible fruits, similar to strawberries. As for medicinal applications, the leaves and roots can be used to treat headache, toothache, wounds, diarrhea, and syphilis. When in need of drinking water, the thick stems can be cut and harvested of their fluid.
Slide #11: Psychotria Poeppigiana, Hot Lips, Costa Rica, 2021, 20X30
While controversially referred to as “hot lips” or “hooker lips,” this endangered poeppigiana growing throughout South America can be used for a number of issues, including headache, earache, muscle pain, colds, and whooping cough. I have even heard whispers of its magical powers being used as a talisman for good luck in hunting rituals.
Slide #12: Hesperaloe Parviflora, Red Yucca, Tempe, AZ, 2016, 24X36
In warmer climates across the globe, this red yucca is cultivated as a drought tolerant ornamental plant for landscaping purposes, most likely due to its hardy char- acteristics and lengthy flowering season. Traditionally, it was used as a fragrance to help enhance one’s senses, and as a dye for certain materials. Current research is underway on its fibers for use as efficient cord and rope making, and on its pulp for producing paper.
Slide #13: Organ Pipe Cactus, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ, 2018, 24X36
As the global climate warmed at the end of the last Ice Age, this organ pipe cactus slowly migrated north from its warm, dry tropics, up to the Sonoran Desert, arriving in Arizona only 3,500 years ago. It is a very picky cactus, as it only thrives in extremely warm climates with south facing rocky slopes. This likely explains why dense populations are only found in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument area, along with a few other select locations in Northern Mexico. Even so, it bears fairly large fruit for its body size, and holds the reputation as one of the most delicious of the Sonoran Desert.
Slide #14: Larrea Tridentata, Creosote, Tempe, AZ, 2016, 24X36
The sacred creosote bush can be easily found covering dry plains and mesas throughout the deserts of the Southwest. Known as the “plant that cures everything,” creosote often symboliz- es a long life full of knowledge and good health, among an infinite list of medicinal applications.
Slide #15: Thevetia Peruviana, Peruvian Rattle Tree, Yellow Oleander, 2015, 20X30
This unique yellow oleander, originally from Peru but now cultivated as an ornamental tree in most tropical zones throughout the world, can be often found growing in yards and parks in Arizona. The seeds are rich in cardiac glycosides, with eight to ten being a lethal dose. Known as yoyotl in Mexico, the seeds are used in folk medicine as a cardiac stimulant and analge- sic. The peels of the fruits are extremely hard and can be used to make rattles and clappers for dances. Its more powerful relative, cabalonga, is said to have magical powers and psycho- active affects similar to ayahuasca.
Slide #16: Ruellia Brittoniana, Purple Showers, Mexican Petunia, Tempe, AZ, 2016, 20X30
These fast-growing purple showers petunias were originally native to Mexico but are now found all across the United States as an invasive species. It is a very potent herb that can be har- vested throughout most of the summer. To do so, simply collect the flowers and leaves, then let them dry completely. They can then be used later in a tea to treat headache and dizziness. The dried mixture can also be smoked, which will indeed induce strong hallucinations where the user is said to have “sensations of soaring through the air as if they had transformed into a raven.”
Slide #17: Coriolus Versicolor, Turkey Tail Mushroom, Costa Rica, 2020, 24X36
This immune boosting turkey tail fungus found growing all throughout the world has become a popular choice for cancer patients seeking a magical cure. Even if complete remission isn’t feasible on its own, this fungus can at least be used as an adjuvant with chemotherapy treatment in order to manage gastric, colon, and colorectal cancer.
Slide #18: Eriogonum Fasciculatum, California Buckwheat, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, 2017, 20X30
The California buckwheat has an impressively long list of medicinal applications, including treating headache, stomachache, diarrhea, bleeding, and wounds. For example, the root can be pounded into a powdered poultice and applied to lacerations as a type of antibiotic bandage, or a decoction can be made from root and water to treat colds and sore throat.
Slide 19: Echinocereus Engelmannii, Hedgehog Cactus, Papago Park, AZ, 2019, 24X36
While the hedgehog cactus may not bear the most desirable fruits of the Arizona desert, it is indeed extremely edible and nutritious. The fruits and seeds contain impressively high amounts of vitamin C, while the pulp contains traces of antibiotics which can be mixed into a helpful poultice for skin lacerations, burns, and other surface trauma.