Funny the things one recalls from youth. I remember learning about monocotyledons and dicotyledons, and just loving those words. I was probably insufferable, informing disinterested people about the difference. (Grasses are monocots, having only a single cotyledon). See, I’m still doing it. 😂
I joined with the Ellwood Friends Nature Journal Club at the Goleta Butterfly Grove, one of the most significant monarch butterfly overwintering sites in California (must go back in winter to see them!). I was happy to find a coast live oak laden with baby acorns, as it seems that this species is having another lean crop year.
In a shaded corner of our garden, I’ve tucked a gathering of diverse ferns and nestled the shiitake log among them (still no mushrooms, but it’s only been four months.)
I’m learning a lot from Let’s Botanize. This week: RAM and SAM.
I just bought this cool book, Let’s Botanize by Ben Goulet-Scott and Jacob S. Suissa. 101 Ways to Connect with Plants? Yes please! The very first prompt has me jonesing for a microscope.
In working on this page, I learned the botanist’s terms for the upper- and under-side of a leaf. Adaxial and abaxial. How to remember which is which? Abaxial includes B for Bottom.
It’s the first time I’ve ever looked closely at Phacelia seed structures. They are delicate and beautiful.
This California native is clearly a fire-follower: Professors Carol and Jerry Baskin of the University of Kentucky noted a 27% increase in germination as compared to control when treated with aqueous extracts of charred wood, or the charred wood itself. Cool!
hashiworks 