Publications

March 22, 2023 Excuse me? Yes, you read that correctly. It is not a flower you are seeing in this image, but rather a collection of several flowers! Let me explain. In some plants, what might appear at first glance to be a flower is an inflorescence composed of many flowers. In the case of the Asteraceae family, all these flowers are grouped in a structure called a capitulum, and for the Araceae family, we refer to it as a spadix. In the picture, we see the inflorescence of the cup plant [Lien], a member of the Asteraceae family. Its...

Seeds Fascinate Me! March 22, 2023 Ah, seeds! These tiny capsules of life, sometimes less than 0.5 mm in diameter, contain all the genetic material, the embryo, and the energy reserves needed for the reproduction of the parent plant. Some seeds have hard shells to withstand the rigors of the digestive system of animals that eat the fruits containing them, while others have air-filled coats that allow them to float to their destination.   Samaras or akenes equipped with aigrets can fly far from the parent plant to disperse, while other seeds have hooks that latch onto the fur of animals...

Fall and winter offer ideal conditions for sowing native plant seeds in outdoor pots and encouraging natural germination. This article explains when, how, and why to prioritize outdoor sowing.

A native plant is a species that occurs naturally in a specific geographic region without human intervention. These plants have evolved over thousands of years to thrive in their environment and have adapted to the local climate, wildlife, and soil. Native plants are an essential part of the ecosystem and play a crucial role in maintaining nature's balance.