This Isn't A Metaphor - Tumblr Posts

chase-prairie
1 year ago
ramps aka allium tricoccum are the tastiest sign of spring ramps open their leaves early grabbing sunshine before the forest trees leaf out leaves capture sunlight, storing energy in their bulbs underground that sunshine makes new bulbs and seeds carrying them through the seasons until last year's sunshine becomes this year's new green leaves
alliums like ramps taste so good because of secondary metabolites the sunlight stored in bulbs can be used for the basics of survival: leaves, seeds, new bulbs secondary metabolites use sun energy for other things like protection that delicious, garlicy flavor is meant to scare potential snackers away [depiction of rabbit sniffing ramp, biting ramp, and spitting it out in disgust] leaf says: i taste gross, dont eat me i need this to survive i have so little time in the sun please don't hurt me i want to live sadly for ramps, what repels rabbits & deer attracts people
ramps form such large clumps in forests, it can feel like they'll never run out pick one leaf (they have 2-3) and at least one can collect sunlight pick both leaves, the bulb could possibly maybe have enough stored for next spring probably not, though of course, the whole plant is tastiest of all some people strip entire patches bare folk'll pay for that flavor they're so tasty and rent is due so soon
ramps have a tendency to grow very close together seeds fall and bulbs form super close by making cramped patches eventually there's nowhere to grow sometimes then, a CAREFUL, EXPERIENCED hand can ease their way help smaller plants get some sunshine replant bulbs further apart open compacted soil for roots to spread take it all, root & stem, and we will lose it all take just a small amount, & make room for more life for countless seasons to come with care, we can grow together please don't end me, i want to live to harvest best, give the land back to the people it belongs to

It's ramp season

Settlers, don't assume you know what you're doing. This is not an invitation for you to go harvest. The most ethical harvest is giving land back to the people who understand these complicated relationships best. Support your local Indigenous harvesters.

Never buy or sell ramps, form a relationship with where they grow, care for the spaces they live in year round. They aren't just another item on the grocery shelf.

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This isn't a metaphor please don't hurt me i want to live The alternate title was: I'm tired of being overharvested. It's all people do in academia.
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