Tag: botany
-
From Sea Slugs to Sunflowers: 72 New Species Described by the California Academy of Sciences in 2025
2025: A landmark year for biodiversity discovery Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences (CaS) made a remarkable splash in 2025 by documenting 72 previously unknown species. This global effort, conducted with collaborators from six continents, spanned ocean depths and sunlit meadows, forests, and deserts. The year’s discoveries underscore both the richness of life on…
-
Leaf Arrangement Steers Fern Vascular Pattern Evolution, Study Finds
New Insight Into Fern Evolution Challenges Centuries-Old Assumptions Leaf arrangement appears to steer the internal wiring of ferns, reshaping our understanding of how these ancient plants evolved. In a study led by Assistant Professor Jacob S. Suissa of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, researchers found that the pattern of vascular bundles inside fern stems shifts…
-
Wollemi Pine Reproduces in England: A Living Fossil Miracle
Ancient Conifer Finally Reproduces in a British Garden In the quiet village of Wichenford, England, a remarkable botanical milestone has unfolded. Pamela and Alistair Thompson, two devoted retired gardeners, have watched their Wollemi pine produce fertile cones for the first time. This living fossil—an ancient conifer that thrived alongside dinosaurs more than 90 million years…
-
Wollemi Pine Reproduces in England: An Ancient Tree Blooms in a Quiet English Garden
Ancient Conifer Makes a Groundbreaking Comeback In the tranquil village of Wichenford, England, a striking horticultural moment has unfolded. Pamela and Alistair Thompson, two devoted retired gardeners, have watched their Wollemi pine produce fertile male and female cones for the first time. This living fossil, a conifer that thrived alongside dinosaurs more than 90 million…
-
Ancient Wollemi Pine Reproduction Milestone in an English Garden
An Extraordinary Triumph in a Quiet English Village In the tranquil village of Wichenford, England, a botanical milestone has unfolded in the garden of two retired gardeners. Pamela and Alistair Thompson, long-time enthusiasts of horticulture, have witnessed their Wollemi pine produce fertile cones for the first time. This event, echoing through scientific circles, signals more…
-
How Flowers Recognize Spring: A Botanist’s Insight
Understanding How Flowers Know It’s Spring For many plants, spring represents a significant turning point. After enduring cold, dark winters—sometimes harsh and unforgiving—plants eagerly prepare to embrace the warmth and light of spring. But how exactly do flowers know when spring has arrived? In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating mechanisms behind this natural phenomenon.…
-
How Flowers Know It’s Spring: Insights from a Botanist
Introduction to Spring and Flowers After a long, cold winter, one of the most delightful sights is the blooming of flowers. But have you ever wondered how flowers know it’s spring? The transition from winter to spring is marked by significant changes in the environment, and plants have adapted over millennia to sense these changes.…
-
How Flowers Know It’s Spring: A Botanist’s Insight
Understanding Plant Responses to Seasonal Changes As winter fades and spring emerges, a remarkable transformation takes place in nature. For many plants, spring represents a pivotal moment, a season filled with regeneration and growth. But how exactly do these flowers and plants know that spring has arrived? To answer this question, we turn to the…