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Author Topic: The Fabulous Plant Kingdom  (Read 3665 times)

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AGelbert

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Re: The Fabulous Plant Kingdom
« Reply #30 on: May 05, 2018, 04:01:00 pm »
EcoWatch

Kew’s Temperate House reopens. Photograph: Alicia Canter for the Guardian

World's Largest Greenhouse Reopens to Safeguard Earth's Rarest and Most Threatened Plants

By Lorraine Chow

May. 04, 2018 10:54AM EST

SNIPPET:

The world's largest Victorian greenhouse will reopen its doors Saturday after a five-year, £41 million ($55 million) restoration effort.

The Temperate House, first opened to the public in 1863, is located in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, about 30 minutes from central London.


The greenhouse is home to 10,000 plants from 1,500 species native to Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Islands, including some of the rarest and most threatened.

There you'll find the Yellow fatu, a critically endangered perennial plant native to Pitcairn Island, a remote island in the South Pacific. The delicate flower can no longer be found in the wild after a landslide destroyed the last remaining plant.

You'll also see the loneliest plant in the world—a male Wood's cycad. Lead horticulturalist Scott Taylor, who oversees the Temperate House collection, explained to the BBC that the search is still going for a female cycad so Encephalartos woodii can be bred.

"We have a really important job to keep all of these things going," Taylor said. "For some plants that are down to a few individuals in the wild—a wildfire, an earthquake, and they're gone."

Full article: 🌺

https://www.ecowatch.com/endangered-plants-greenhouse-2565840027.html
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: The Fabulous Plant Kingdom
« Reply #31 on: May 13, 2018, 04:39:47 pm »
THE ARTIFICIAL PLANT EMOTION EXPRESSOR (A.P.E.X.) 🤖


Complete instructions with parts list: 


http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Artificial-Plant-Emotion-Expressor-APEX/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: The Fabulous Plant Kingdom
« Reply #32 on: May 19, 2018, 01:14:53 pm »
Do Leaves Get Hotter in Sunlight?
🍃
 

Botanists used to assume that the temperature of a photosynthesizing tree leaf would be the same as that of the surrounding air. But a 2008 study published in the journal Nature showed that tree leaves have a built-in climate control system that keeps them at a constant 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit (21.4 degrees Celsius) while they are in the process of converting sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food. This temperature stays about the same, whether they are located in frosty Canada or the toasty Caribbean.

A leaf's inner thermostat:

Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania studied 39 tree species that grow within a range of 50 degrees of latitude across North America, between Puerto Rico and Canada.

Quote
“To think that a black spruce in Canada and a Caribbean pine in Puerto Rico have the same average leaf temperature is quite astonishing,  :o” said researcher Brent Helliker.

Plants use several mechanisms to adjust their temperature, from changing the angle of their leaves relative to the sun, clustering leaf growth, or altering evaporation rates.

http://www.wisegeek.com/do-leaves-get-hotter-in-sunlight.htm
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: The Fabulous Plant Kingdom
« Reply #33 on: June 24, 2018, 04:53:16 pm »
Hey Surly, I ran into this news item and wonder if you had seen this bad assed weed near your home. It looks somewhat like Queen Anne's lace but MUCH BIGGER!

Giant Hogweed 👹     

EcoWatch

Health  Olivia Rosane

Jun. 19, 2018 06:45AM EST

70023venus2009 / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0

Invasive, Blinding Weed Spreads to Virginia

An invasive plant species whose sap can cause burns and blindness has spread to Virginia, CBS News reported Monday.

Giant hogweed looks similar to common, harmless summer wildflowers like cow parsnip and Queen Anne's lace. But it can grow to be 14 feet tall and its sap contains photosensitizing furanocoumarins that make any skin they comes in contact with more sensitive to sunburn, sometimes on a long-term basis. The sap can also cause severe blisters on the skin and blindness if it enters the eye.

The first plants spotted in Virginia were identified by scientists at Virginia Tech's Massey Herbarium in Clarke County last week.

"Today I helped ID VA's first giant hogweed population! Its sap causes severe burns. One plant was found in Clarke County. Report sightings to your extension agent!" a researcher posted on Facebook.

Researchers have identified 30 plants in the area.

Giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus mountains and southwest Asia. It was first brought to the U.S. as an ornamental plant in 1917, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition to harming any human unlucky enough to interact with it, it also crowds out native species and has been categorized as a Noxious Weed under the Plant Protection Act.

In addition to Virginia, it also grows in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont  :P, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Oregon and Washington, according to CBS.

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) advises anyone who comes in contact with the plant to move out of the sun and wash off the impacted area with cold water. If you cannot get indoors, apply sunscreen. The reaction usually begins 15 minutes after contact. A compress soaked in aluminum acetate can also soothe the burns.

If the sap gets in your eyes, you should rinse them with cold water, wear sunglasses and seek medical attention.

Giant hogweed is also very difficult to get rid of, but you have to be careful of how you dispose of it because of the dangers posed by its sap.

"Do not mow, cut or weed whack the plant, as it will just send up new growth and put you at risk for being exposed to sap—the same kind of thing that would happen with poison ivy or sumac," the New York State DOH advises.

To effectively remove it, you have to cut plant roots, remove seed heads, mow the plants when small or use extensive amounts of herbicide, but you must wear protective gear while doing so, according to Science Alert. The New York State DOH recommends getting professional help.

Giant hogweed can be distinguished from similar-looking cow parsnip by its overall size and the size and steep incline of its leaves, which can be five feet across. In addition, its flowers are umbrella-shaped, not flat, and its stems have purple splotches, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation explains.

[ttps://www.ecowatch.com/giant-hogweed-virginia-2579413227.html
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: The Fabulous Plant Kingdom
« Reply #34 on: June 24, 2018, 11:40:45 pm »
Hey Surly, I ran into this news item and wonder if you had seen this bad assed weed near your home. It looks somewhat like Queen Anne's lace but MUCH BIGGER!


Giant Hogweed 👹     

Invasive, Blinding Weed Spreads to Virginia

Not yet, but I've read about it.

Thanks for the heads-up!


You're welcome. I briefed my wife to be on the lookout for those giant plants. She hasn't spotted any here yet either.  8)
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: The Fabulous Plant Kingdom
« Reply #35 on: November 30, 2018, 04:54:48 pm »
Patagonia

Quietly, patiently, trees endure. They are the oldest living beings we come to know during our time on earth, living bridges into our planet’s expansive past. Treeline is a film celebrating the forests on which our species has always depended—and around which some skiers and snowboarders etch their entire lives. Follow a group of snow-seekers, scientists and healers as they explore the birch forests of Japan, the red cedars of British Columbia and the bristlecones of Nevada, delving deeper into the rich environments they call home. Deb MacKillop is one of those individuals whose life revolves around trees.

Western red cedar bark. "Thuja plicata" is one of the dominant species in BC's inland temperate rainforest, and can grow to heights of over 200 feet, with trunk diameters in excess of 20 feet at the fluted base, and reach ages of over 1,000 years. Photo: Garrett Grove

Treeline: A Story Written in Rings

Laura Yale   |   Nov 29, 2018

SNIPPET 1:

The area fosters an extremely rare ecosystem called the inland temperate rain forest, which can only be found in British Columbia’s interior and very small pockets of northern Idaho and Montana. Coastal air masses blow hundreds of miles east across the Interior Plateau and slam into the steep, mountainous terrain, creating wet, humid conditions otherwise rare so far from the ocean. This heavy moisture creates a haven where hemlock and Western red cedar survive for thousands of years and grow to more than 30 feet in circumference. As a result, this area contains proportionally more old-growth trees—250 years or older—than most forests elsewhere in the world. 👀


These are MacKillop’s favorites. She prefers to work with trees that are not “huggable,” meaning their circumference is bigger than 50 centimeters—or the minimum size she can wrap her arms around and still touch her fingers together (barely)—and it’s not uncommon to see her actually hugging a tree. “As a forester, it’s handy to know the length of your limbs,” she says. “They make great measuring tools.” She is drawn toward these larger, older trees because she feels most rooted in their presence, knowing they have endured change and flourished for at least three human lifetimes.


SNIPPET 2:

MacKillop has translated this love for her home landscape into 40,000 square miles of technical code, which will help determine where biodiverse forests have declined due to timber harvesting and where disturbances due to the increased fires and windstorms expected with climate change will continue to rise. With MacKillop’s data, natural resource managers can make more informed stewardship decisions about a complicated issue.

Full article:

https://www.patagonia.com/blog/2018/11/treeline-a-story-written-in-rings/

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Re: The Fabulous Plant Kingdom
« Reply #36 on: April 10, 2019, 02:20:40 pm »
A routine day on the red planet.  ;D  Do Martians Socotrans have a secret?

The Strange and Unique Plant Life of the Island of Socotra


The 'Lost World' of Socotra. Just look at that landscape and tell me you don't think a T-Rex would fit right in! Sorry, no T-Rexes but there are plenty of strange life forms there.

Did they ever have T-Rexes here? That's a known unknown.  ;)  We will never know if they had T-Rexes on Mars because the, uh, Martians Socotrans won't tell.   
 
Socotra - The Island Of Wonder

Socotra island is one of the strangest places in the world. Everything about the island is strange, its landscape, plants and its animals. The flora and fauna on Socotra island is considered the 'jewel' of biodiversity. The plants are all funny looking and have weird structure. Some animals on the island are slightly bigger and scarier, like crabs and other animals. The landscape is weird and you feels like you are on an alien planet.




Eden TWO?

🤔 

Nate's Nonsense


Yup, we're from Mars too!  ;D No, we aren't feeling blue! >:( (Primates of Socotra)

We managed to save most of our on board Martian plants when we crash landed here about 6,000 years ago...  ;D

Dragon Blood Tree   ???

Martians Socotrans like good views. It ain't Olymbus Mons, but we make do. 8)

I may be a big crab but have a nice personality and am never crabby.  ;D


One THIRD of the flora on Socotra Grows NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH.

The largest collection of rarest plants on earth is found on the island of Socotra, located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Yemen. Socotra is home to approximately 800 species of plants, and over 33% of them are thought to be unique to the island and not found anywhere else in the world.

The island’s collection of rare plants is generally not seen by many tourists because the island belongs to Yemen, which has very strict regulations regarding tourists. In 2008, Socotra was named as a Natural World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which recognizes natural geographical phenomenon.

More about the plants of Socotra:

Dorstenia gigas (Life was tough on Mars. Here it's a walk in the park!)

Dorstenia gigas (Look Ma, no SOIL!)

The Socotra fig tree Dorstenia gigas is thought to not require soil to grow and samples have even been found to grow against limestone rock. :o

Dorstenia gigas 31cm tall x 6cm at soil level. Bud detail.

Some of the plant species native to Socotra are thought to date back over 20 million years. Agelbert Note: ONLY the Martians Socotrans know for sure and they won't tell!

The island’s Dragon Blood Tree was named by traders who thought the plant’s red sap was actually the blood of the dragon. Agelbert NOTE: Hello? Angry Red Planet, anyone?  When ya come from a red planet, ya have color coded SAP!

Local "Humans" in a Dragon Blood Tree. We Martians Socotrans color code our kids too. After all, offspring should  know where they came from. 

http://www.wisegeek.com/where-is-the-largest-collection-of-rarest-plants-found.htm

Final NOTE: Any similarity between the humor above and fossil fueler, GW denier "logic" is deliberate.

The BIG difference is that I'm trying to be funny, not ridiculous!


Save our Planet. Demand 100% Renewable Energy NOW!

Quote
Mr. Ron McCullough, TN 

We as a nation have to free ourselves from the tyranny and boundless greed of the fossil fuel oligarchs that keep us in the Dark Ages of renewable energy. How is it good governance to destroy the Earth for short term gains for the 1%? It's not. It's the result of corruption and cowardice of elected officials and it must stop!

Mr. Troy Kilbourne, MN 

A "Manhattan Project" for renewable energy is, I believe, the only thing that can reverse our course towards catastrophic climate change. We did it back then, and we can do it now.

Mr. Stephen Spaulding, NH

The fossil fuel industry knows its stranglehold on us inevitably has to end. It's feverishly trying every way it can to lock us into dependence for another half-century. We cannot allow this to happen.

Ms. Jean Elliott, IL

This is an emergency. Climate and pollution disasters loom unless we get off fossil fuels.

Sandra Doney, LA 

Let's care about quality of life and get our priorities straight!

Ms. Cecily Smith, AB 

The technology for renewable energy has already been developed and just needs investment. Leave fossil fuels down in the ground, No more pipelines!
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Weeping Norway Spruce Picea abies 'Pendula'

You can easily grow evergreens in your garden

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola Fact Checked

July 19, 2019

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

Evergreens are so named since their leaves keep color through the summer and winter, but not all evergreens are green; some species grow just 1 foot tall and others well over 60 feet, providing you with a variety of options for your garden


Hudsonia — This slow-growing balsam fir tops out at 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide and is perfect for small gardens. It is among the most pleasantly aromatic evergreens, thriving in hardiness zones 3 to 7.

Before planting, it’s important to consider the purpose the evergreen will serve in your garden, such as a windbreak for your home, decoration or for privacy; soil is another consideration as some prefer acidic soil and other varieties thrive in slightly alkaline soil


Hetz Midget — This is one of the smallest evergreens, growing as a tight round ball 1 foot tall and wide. It is a smart choice for a small garden and easily tolerates some shade. It grows in hardiness zones 2 to 8.

Your plants will enjoy a deep soaking once a week to encourage strong root growth and will look best when pruned once or twice a year in the early spring before growth or midsummer during the dormant months

Pendula — This Canadian hemlock tree is hardy, growing 3 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Given the opportunity it may drape over a wall. It grows well in hardiness zones 3 to 7.

Although easy to care for, they are vulnerable to some insect pests; consider using natural strategies to eliminate, including a strong spray from your hose to dislodge aphids, or a soaking with mild dish soap mixture for spider mites and bagworms

Pine Trees vary widely in size and shape


Pine — There are approximately 120 species of pine trees distributed throughout the world, but most are native to northern temperate regions. Pine trees are sources of turpentine, rosin, paper products and wood tars. Pine leaf oil has been used medicinally as an antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial.


Picea pungens ‘Baby Blue’ is a mid-sized 🎄 spruce that reaches heights of between 15 and 20 feet, and usually spans anywhere from six to ten feet across. If left to grow naturally it takes on the typical pyramid shape seen in many conifers; its branches are horizontal and grow right down to the ground. Thanks to its mountain heritage this is quite a robust tree and it can be successfully grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 7. If you want some Baby Blues in your garden start looking for a spot with acidic, moist but well-drained soil; that’s where it will thrive best.

Full article with lots of great 'how to' advice:

https://articles.mercola.com/gardening/how-to-grow-evergreens.aspx
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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Tons of Acorns? It Must Be a Mast Year
« Reply #38 on: November 18, 2019, 05:38:06 pm »
EcoWatch

The ConversationNov. 15, 2019 01:44PM EST


Tons of Acorns? It Must Be a Mast Year

By Emily Moran

SNIPPET:

If you have oak trees in your neighborhood, perhaps you've noticed that some years the ground is carpeted with their acorns, and some years there are hardly any. Biologists call this pattern, in which all the oak trees for miles around make either lots of acorns or almost none, "masting."

In New England, naturalists have declared this fall a mast year for oaks: All the trees are making tons of acorns all at the same time.

Many other types of trees, from familiar North American species such as pines and hickories to the massive dipterocarps of Southeast Asian rainforests, show similar synchronization in seed production. But why and how do trees do it?


Maple Tree seed

Benefits of Synchronized Seeds

Every seed contains a packet of energy-rich starch to feed the baby tree that lies dormant inside. This makes them a tasty prize for all sorts of animals, from beetles to squirrels to wild boar.

If trees coordinate their seed production, these seed-eating animals are likely to get full long before they eat all the seeds produced in a mast year, leaving the rest to sprout.

For trees like oaks that depend on having their seeds carried away from the parent tree and buried by animals like squirrels, a mast year has an extra benefit. When there are lots of nuts, squirrels bury more of them instead of eating them immediately, spreading oaks across the landscape.

Getting in Sync

It's still something of a mystery how trees synchronize their seed production to get these benefits, but several elements seem to be important.


Full article:

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

AGelbert

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National Audubon Society

April 14, 2020 8:10 AM

Native plants are the welcome wagon birds need


A cheerful Anna's Hummingbird on bright yellow flowers.

During stressful times, it can be therapeutic to get your hands dirty and spend some time appreciating the plants and birds in the green spaces you can safely access right now—a balcony, backyard, or local park.

In spring, migrating birds will see green spaces full of native plants as a welcome respite after their exhausting overnight flights. Tending and appreciating your native plants will not only provide vital food and shelter to birds but also help keep your spirits high—which we could all use right now.


Find out which native plants will thrive in your zip code with our native plants database.



He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matt 10:37

 

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