Month: May 2025
-
The shockingly beneficial effects of lightning on trees
The post discusses the dual nature of lightning’s impact on the environment. While it can kill trees, particularly in tropical forests, certain species like Dipteryx oleifera benefit from strikes by eliminating competing vegetation Additionally, lightning facilitates nitrogen fixation, promoting plant growth by contributing essential nutrients to the soil.
-
Plants in the literary tradition
The Cambridge Handbook of Literature and Plants, edited by Bonnie Lander Johnson, is a scholarly compilation of 19 expert contributions exploring plant representation in global literature over two millennia. Covering diverse themes, it encourages readers to reconsider human-plant relationships and enhances our understanding of plants in literature, poetry, and song.
-
Microplastics and plants: A surprising connection
Ye Li et al. (2025) discovered that maize leaves absorb airborne microplastics (MPs) through stomata. Finding MPs in vascular tissues, they could potentially move within the plant, e.g., into developing fruits, raising concerns about human consumption. Additionally, MPs were found in leaves of several other human food plants, indicating an…
-
The scented statues: Greco-Roman aromatic practices
The post discusses the olfactory heritage of ancient Greco-Roman sculptures, emphasising the use of aromatic oils and perfumes on statues. Research by Cecilie Brøns reveals that scent-enriched religious and secular artworks suggest an intriguing sensory experience beyond their visual appeal, thus inviting further exploration into ancient practices of beautification through…
-
Exploring the biology of algae, lichens, and bryophytes
The book “Biology of algae, lichens and bryophytes,” edited by Büdel, Friedl & Beyschlag, offers a comprehensive overview of these crucial organisms, highlighting their biodiversity and ecological significance. Its pedagogic credentials are high and provides insights for advanced students and enthusiasts in plant biology.
Plant Cuttings 