Tag: botany
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Clever things that plants do: No. 4, Divide and conquer…
This post explores the notion of plant intelligence by highlighting an example of how plants use arithmetic division to manage starch degradation overnight, ensuring energy sufficiency until dawn. Research shows that the process is regulated by circadian rhythms, allowing plants to adapt their starch consumption based on light duration.
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Spotlight on trees
Harriet Rix’s “The Genius of Trees” explores the intricate relationship between trees and their environment, detailing their ecological roles and interactions. While Rix’s enthusiasm creates a captivating narrative, the book lacks adequate sourcing for many claims and contains scientific inaccuracies. Despite these flaws, it offers valuable insights into the importance…
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Clever things that plants do: No. 3, Leaf mimicry
The post discusses the remarkable leaf-mimicking behaviour of Boquila trifoliata. Chameleon vine is a climbing plant that alters the appearance of its leaves to resemble those of nearby species (possibly to avoid herbivores). Host plant volatiles, horizontal gene transfer, and even ‘plant eyes’ [ocelli] have been proposed to explain this…
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The origins of human speech, a burning question.
The post discusses how campfires have fostered social interaction and potentially influenced development of spoken language in early humans. Research by Polly Wiessner (2014) highlights the social benefits of firelight, while Hobaiter & Dominy (2026) suggest that dim lighting at campfires may have prompted the evolution of speech by limiting…
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Plants and people: The case for basketry
Mark Nesbitt and Ruth Stungo’s book, Weaving Nature, explores basketry beyond mere containers, emphasising the craft’s historical significance, materials, and techniques. It blends ethnobotany, collecting history, and practical applications of basketry in various contexts. The authors aim to reveal the intricate relationship between plants, makers, and users throughout history.
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Clever things that plants do: No. 2, Carnivory you can count on…
This post explores the Venus flytrap’s ability to exhibit intelligent behaviour by counting prey interactions. It highlights the plant’s unique mechanism for trapping insects, requiring multiple sensory hair stimulations for digestive enzyme production. This ability demonstrates both the plant’s arithmetic skills and its adaptation to nutrient-poor environments, showcasing its carnivorous…
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Clever things that plants do: No. 1, Colourful sex
Draft book chapter 6 explored the concept of plant intelligence, but was devoid of examples. We begin to remedy that deficiency here with the first of a series of posts focusing on examples of plants exhibiting “clever” behaviours. This post highlights how Saxifraga fortunei changes the colour of its pistils…
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Reading nature’s medicine cabinet
Nature’s Apothecary by Margaret Willes explores the historical roles of apothecaries and the medicinal value of 100 plants, with emphasis upon British herbal traditions. The well-crafted text is full of fascinating insights and illustrations, though it lacks comprehensive sourcing for some claims. Overall, it is an enriching resource on herbalism.
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Urgent message for humanity: Sea kelp(!)
David Helvarg’s “Forest of the Sea” emphasises the significance of kelp ecosystems and their perilous decline, paralleling the challenges faced by coral reefs. The book interweaves the biology of kelp with human stories and ecological narratives, urging readers to recognise and advocate for the preservation of these vital underwater forests,…
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Dead men’s shoes don’t walk, but they do talk…
Macarena Bustamante-Álvarez et al., uncovered ancient sandals made from esparto grass at an Iron Age mining site in Spain, dating back 2,400 years. The footwear exhibits skilled craftsmanship with precise design, demonstrating the significance of plant fibres in ancient economies. Unique preservation conditions allowed these artifacts’ survival. [But! there’s so…
