Here’s a riddle to kick off #TecheThursday's Bayou Botanicals: What is neither Spanish nor a moss? You guessed it: Spanish Moss! Okay, that one was easy… This ghostly gray drapery might give off spooky southern gothic vibes as it sways from our live oaks and cypress trees, but don't let its eerie look fool you, Spanish Moss is full of surprises.

Despite its spooky vibes, Spanish Moss isn’t a parasite, it’s an epiphyte, meaning it just hangs out on trees like Live Oaks and Bald Cypress without stealing any nutrients. No soil? No problem. This cousin of the pineapple gets everything it needs from the air, rain, and sunlight. Native to warm, humid regions of North and South America, Spanish Moss has been much more than just scenic flair. Historically, it was dried and used for mattress stuffing, rope, and even bousillage: a mud-and-moss mix used in early Creole construction for insulation. Need an apron or a saddle pad? Woven moss fibers had you covered. Feeling under the weather? Some folks once brewed it into a tea to treat fevers, chills, and arthritis. But fair warning: you’re not the only one who might be interested in this mossy marvel: chiggers and moss lice also call it home, and they’re not shy about making themselves known. So next time you see that silvery veil swaying in the breeze, give it a nod. It’s not just decorative, it’s a natural wonder with deep roots in Southern tradition (just... not literal roots). Do you have any family stories or local legends involving Spanish Moss? #spanishmoss #southerngothicvibes #nativeplants #BayouTecheBotanicals #BayouPlants #BayouTeche #LouisianaEcology #EcoTourism #newiberianative #cajun #artifacts #newiberiatravel #bayoutechemuseum #historyfacts #history #askanarchivist #louisiana #askacurator #museumcollection #museum #acadiana #newiberia #museumlife #louisianatravel #savinghistory ... See MoreSee Less

This week’s #TecheThursday Bayou Botanical brings a bold pop of red to the bayou banks. Meet the Coral Bean, also known as Mamou! But don’t be fooled, this beauty’s got more than good looks. Those brilliant cardinal-red blooms hold both toxic and medicinal secrets.

Coral Bean grows throughout the coastal regions of the Southern United States as it thrives in sandy soil. It's red flowers grow on tall stalks, sometimes up to six feet tall, in the spring and early summer, and are very attractive to pollinators like hummingbirds. Then as the season begins to wane, seedpods begin to develop with glossy red beans peeking out of the cracking black pods.Historically, the boiled seeds and root of this plant are used to make a tea to treat a wide range of ailments including the flu, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and most respiratory problems. It also helped in the treatment of fever and stomach cramps. In fact, the creator of Hadacol, Dudley LeBlanc, used the plant to create a cough syrup called "Dixie Dew Mamou". ⚠️⚠️Please note, however, that these remedies are in some shape or form processed, whether boiled or cooked down. Raw, the beans of this plant are incredibly toxic and can cause paralysis. Please do not try any herbal remedies without consulting a medical professional first. ⚠️⚠️So, striking beauty, fascinating history, but definitely a “look, don’t touch” kind of plant. Have you ever seen these fiery blooms in person?#nativeplants #BayouTecheBotanicals #BayouPlants #BayouTeche #LouisianaEcology #EcoTourism #newiberianative #cajun #artifacts #newiberiatravel #bayoutechemuseum #historyfacts #history #askanarchivist #louisiana #askacurator #museumcollection #museum #acadiana #newiberia #museumlife #louisianatravel #savinghistory ... See MoreSee Less

The "Leprosy: The Separating Sickness" exhibit will be officially open to the public tomorrow, June 19th, 2025!

Step into a lesser-known chapter of Louisiana’s medical history.This powerful new exhibit explores the lives of those affected by Hansen’s Disease (commonly known as leprosy), the legacy of Carville’s historic hospital, and the stories of isolation, community, and scientific discovery that shaped public health across the nation.Discover the humanity behind the history.#HansensDisease #LouisianaHistory #MedicalHistory #Carville #PublicHealth #GrandOpening ... See MoreSee Less

🌾 #TecheThursday is going back to the grass roots with a look at a native species that once blanketed Louisiana’s prairies: Indiangrass.

Indiangrass is native to much of North America and likely gets its name from its historical and cultural association with Native Americans of the prairie regions. This tall, graceful grass can grow up to eight feet high, topped with large, soft, golden-brown plumes. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also essential as a favorite for grazing animals and a safe nesting place for many bird species.Adapted to survive frequent prairie fires, Indiangrass actually grows back stronger after burning. Where bison once roamed to help maintain prairie health, today controlled burns are used by researchers to restore and renew these landscapes.Louisiana was once home to over 2.5 million acres of native grasslands, however now, fewer than 1,000 acres remain. Starting in the 1800s, settlers transformed much of this ecosystem into pasture and farmland for crops like rice and soybeans.But there’s hope. Conservation efforts, like those led by the LSU AgCenter, are reintroducing Indiangrass and other native species to protect sensitive waterways by filtering runoff and improving water quality.💭 How can you help bring back Louisiana’s lost prairies? Drop your ideas or conservation success stories below! 👇#grass #nativeplants #indiangrass #habitatconservation #BayouTecheBotanicals #BayouPlants #BayouTeche #LouisianaEcology #EcoTourism #newiberianative #cajun #artifacts #newiberiatravel #bayoutechemuseum #historyfacts #history #askanarchivist #louisiana #askacurator #museumcollection #museum #acadiana #newiberia #museumlife #louisianatravel #savinghistory ... See MoreSee Less

This Artifact Friday, we’re turning our focus to a natural mystery that’s stumped scientists for centuries: cypress knees. Yes, those strange, knobby structures poking up around bald cypress trees are more than just swampy décor. They're simply an en-knee-gma.

If you have traveled through Louisiana, or really the southeast portion of the United States, undoubtedly you have come across these strange knobby structures rising from the ground surrounding cypress trees. These "knees," as they are called, are an extension of the tree's roots that rise above ground or water level especially where the trees grow in waterlogged or sandy environments. The enigma of cypress knees has been contemplated since the early 19th century, notably by botanist François Andre Michaux, who began to study the mysterious structures in 1819. Michaux wrote that "No cause can be assigned for their existence..." For decades scientists studied the natural anomaly, and began developing theories to explain why they occur. One popular theory suggested in 1879 by geologist N.S. Shaler, was that these structures provided oxygen to the roots when the soil was far too waterlogged, therefore aerating the sap of the tree. Though still a popular theory, the knees do not possess the qualities needed for aeration and the theory disproved by 1890. Another popular theory, found in an article for the April 1890 edition of The American Naturalist by Robert Lamborn, the knees are used as anchoring mechanisms to keep the trees stable in their sandy and hurricane-prone environments. Doubt is cast on this theory as well as the production of knees is not consistent from tree to tree or environment to environment. Other theories include the knees working as storage organs for carbohydrates, nutrient acquisition, methane emission, and vegetative reproduction. These theories have either been disproven or there is not enough evidence to definitively prove their validity. Have you seen cypress knees in the wild? Got a theory of your own? Drop your thoughts (or pics!) in the comments. Let’s get to the root of this mystery together. ... See MoreSee Less

Towering gracefully above the water this #techethursday, the Bald Cypress is perfectly suited to our hot, humid climate. It’s not just a swamp dweller, it’s a symbol of Southern strength and beauty.

Although it's a conifer, the Bald Cypress breaks the mold. It’s what scientists call a “deciduous conifer,” which means it sheds its soft, feathery needles each fall. Before they drop, the leaves put on a fiery show of rust and orange, nature’s own autumn fireworks! Look closely and you’ll spot its most curious feature, cypress knees! These knobby roots poke up from the ground or water like little sentinels. While once believed to help the tree “breathe,” scientists now think they may actually act like braces, helping stabilize the tree in soggy soils.Bald Cypress trees aren’t just a Southern staple, they stretch from New Jersey to Florida, and as far west as Oklahoma and Texas. Some even grow up to 150 feet tall. That’s taller than a 10-story building!Have you ever walked through a grove of cypress trees and seen their mysterious knees up close? What do you think they're for?#BaldCypress #BayouBeauty #LouisianaTrees #NatureMysteries #BayouTecheBotanicals #BayouPlants #BayouTeche #LouisianaEcology #EcoTourism #newiberianative #cajun #artifacts #newiberiatravel #bayoutechemuseum #historyfacts #history #askanarchivist #louisiana #askacurator #museumcollection #museum #acadiana #newiberia #museumlife #louisianatravel #savinghistory ... See MoreSee Less