Nature Moments

Nathaniel T. Wheelwright

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Packing Leaves into Buds

May 11, 2018


How do plants pack their growing leaves inside such small buds? There are four main methods: leaves can be folded, rolled up, coiled, or pleated. The way a particular species packs its leaves has less to do leaf size or shape than with the plant’s evolutionary history.

Filed Under: Spring Tagged With: April, May, Plants

Faith in Trees

May 7, 2018


Trees provide us shelter, fuel, food, protection from climate change, and beauty. But they also have deep spiritual importance. In a treetop conversation, forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni points out the connection between trees and religion.

Filed Under: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter Tagged With: April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, Plants

Galls, Cankers and Witch’s Brooms

April 9, 2018


Have you ever noticed tumor-like growths on plants? Fungi, insects, mites and bacteria are like “body snatchers,” penetrating plant cells and manipulating them to produce galls, cankers and witch’s brooms for the parasites’ benefit. Fortunately, most are benign.

Filed Under: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter Tagged With: April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, Plants, September

The Odd Thing About Mosses

March 30, 2018


Mosses are among the most ancient plants on earth, and their peculiar biology shows it. The lovely leafy green plant that all of us are familiar with? It has just half the normal number of chromosomes, like an egg or sperm!

Filed Under: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter Tagged With: April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, Plants, September

Keeping Your Own Nature Journal

March 9, 2018


Taking “forest baths” and recording your observations can be wonderful therapy for modern times. Here are some tips from acclaimed natural history writer Bernd Heinrich for keeping your own nature journal.

Filed Under: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter Tagged With: Animals, April, August, Birds, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, Plants, September

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Amphibians & Reptiles Animals April August Birds Bumblebee Climate Change December Environment February Flora Flowers Fungi Illustrations Insects Invertebrates Iris Irises January July June Ladyslippers Mammals March May Meadow Naturalist Nature Nature Moments November October Outdoors Plants September Spittlebug Summer Turtles

Acknowledgements

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