Trees are not silent and solitary organisms, but social and communicative beings that can interact with each other in remarkable ways. Through underground networks of fungi, trees can send and receive signals, share resources, and cooperate for their mutual benefit. These networks can connect many trees of different species and ages, creating a complex and […]
Category: Plants
The Giant Groundsels of Mount Kilimanjaro
Giant Groundsels, scientifically known as Dendrosenecio kilimanjari, are remarkable prehistoric plants that inhabit the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. These majestic plants belong to the order Asterales, which also includes daisies and sunflowers, and are part of the family Asteraceae. The Giant Groundsels found on Mount Kilimanjaro are descendants of a common groundsel ancestor, […]
The Banana Plant is not a Tree
Banana plants, with their tall and majestic appearance, often deceive people into believing that they are trees. However, these tropical wonders are not woody plants at all. In fact, they belong to the family Musaceae, which is closely related to the ginger family or Zingiberaceae. The truth is that bananas are large herbaceous plants, exhibiting […]
Anise Seeds: The Little Powerhouses with Big Benefits
Star anise have been used for centuries for their aromatic flavor and medicinal properties. Although star anise are often confused with seeds, they are, in fact, small fruits that come from the star anise plant, Illicium verum. This member of the Apiaceae family is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia but is […]
The Baobab Tree: Africa’s Iconic Tree and Its Lesser-Known Secrets
The baobab tree, also known as Adansonia, is a unique and fascinating tree that is native to the African continent. These iconic trees can be found in various parts of Africa, including Madagascar, Senegal, Tanzania, and Botswana, among others. The baobab tree is known for its distinctive appearance, with a large, swollen trunk and branches […]
26 Creatively-Shaped Trees That Look Like Something Else
Trees have existed on the surface of Earth for millions of years, and it is believed the first “tree” appeared during the Devonian period, between 350 and 420 million years ago. They are among the oldest living organisms in the world and also the largest terrestrial plants. Like many other organisms, they come in a […]
Night Sky Petunia: A Mesmerizing Flower That Seems To Hold A Constellation Of Stars In Its Petals
How many things can you think of that remind you of the galaxy when watching them? You can add flowers to the list now, as after seeing the Night Sky Petunia, you will see why. After all, it didn’t randomly obtain its common name! Known by its scientific name Petunia cultivars, this magnificent flower is […]
Passiflora alata, A Species Of Flowering Plant Which Bears Exquisite Crimson Flowers
Passiflora alata, commonly known as the winged-stem passion flower or fragrant granadilla, is an evergreen climbing vine, endemic to South America, from the Amazon, to Peru and eastern Brazil. This species of flowering plant can grow to a height of 6 m (20 ft) or more, and bears splendid red flowers and an edible type […]
Lithops, An Unusual Succulent That Looks Just Like Smooth Colorful Pebbles
Lithops, these succulents that look like smooth pebbles, so much that they have even been nicknamed ‘living stones’. If there are other stones lying around on the ground where they are growing, you might not be able to tell the difference at first glance and try to pick one up.Native to southern Africa, Lithops is […]
14 Intriguing Orchid Species That Look Like Something Entirely Different
The Orchid family (Orchidaceae) with 25,000 to 30, 000 different species that exist, are the largest family of plants in the entire world. Orchid species vary considerably in appearance, whether in size, weight, color or shape. Although they are part of a huge family, many orchids are critically endangered and can be rarely seen in […]