Although still very old ( as in 125 million years ! ) flowering plants are considered “modern”. This is because they produce a seed inside a vessel. Unlike their ancestors, they also produce a flower containing both male and female reproductive structures. Flowering plants evolved into two main groups. Monocotyledons and dicotyledons. A cotyledon is […]
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REPRODUCTION IN PRIMITIVE PLANTS
BRYOPHYTES (mosses) Umbrellas ! Thank you Wikipedia. When a bryophyte spore settles somewhere, it sprouts and grows into a gametophyte (the egg and sperm producing plant) – this is the stage we mostly see as green. They may be green and leafy, but usually small. Commonly called liverworts, their reproductive organs (eggs and sperm) are […]
MORPHOLOGY
What a plant looks like can give hints as to where it evolved and therefore where to place it in a garden! Focusing on the plants’ main characteristics will help you to make a better decision on compatibility with other plants, as well as cultural care. Hairs, glands, the wax on leaves and stems, the […]
VIVIPARY !
Vivipary means “giving live birth’ – which although we find this quite normal for us mammals – it looks strange when plants do it. Also known as phyllody, it describes a condition that occurs when the embryo within the seed breaks through the seed coat while still attached to the parent plant. It is quite […]
CAULIFLORY
NO… this is not about cauliflower ! Cauliflory is an evolutionary adaptation in which flowers and fruit develop directly from the trunks and woody branches of plants. Thank you Produce Made Simple ! Cauliflory means “ stem flower”. It occurs in a distinct vertical zone below the forest canopy. Its found throughout the world. It […]
CEDAR APPLE RUST
WHAT IS THAT ! CAR blisters on apple leaf. Thank you Clemson University As the summer progresses into fall gardeners start noticing these blisters on their apple tree leaves. It’s a fungus !!! This disease is one of several caused by the genus Gymnosporangium. Its called Cedar Apple Rust. The disease has a complex life […]
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils are often used in massaging and aromatherapy, a form of alternative medicine that employs plant extracts to support health and well-being. They are not meant to be eaten or swallowed. Essential oils – Thank you Very Well Health ! These oils are compounds extracted from plants. The oils capture the plant’s scent […]
SOIL GRUBS
This is a mostly invisible pest – living its life cycle in the soil for most of the season. Grubs are the immature larvae of various species of beetles: There are endless species of them. Here in NYC these are the most common: Black Vine Weevil, Oriental Beetle, European Chafer, Japanese Beetle. Black vine weevil […]
OH NO ! STINK BUGS !!!!
Adult stink bug. Thank you Morton Arboretum ! This crop pest of China was introduced into Pennsylvania by accident in 1998, and has spread throughout the Northeast. The name “stink bug” refers to glands on the abdomen. When disturbed or if crushed the insect will release a potent and unpleasant odor – like potent skunk […]
