Nature Moments

Nathaniel T. Wheelwright

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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

Warm-Blooded Skunk Cabbages

April 29, 2018


Which plant has a metabolic rate as high as a hummingbird’s, generates enough heat to melt its way through the snow, and has the ability to regulate its body temperature just like a warm-blooded animal? Here’s a hint: they look like cabbages and smell like skunks, which attracts early spring pollinators.

Filed Under: Spring Tagged With: March, 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

Sugar Maple Tappers

March 19, 2018


In February, when it’s still frigid at night but daytime temperatures are starting to warm, it may look like trees are just sitting there doing nothing. But inside their cells, changes are happening and sap is starting to flow.

Filed Under: Spring Tagged With: February, March, Plants

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Acknowledgements

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