John Nelson
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Evolutionary geneticist studying HPV | Singer & writer | Taiwan 🇹🇼 & Michigan 🇺🇸 | Views my own
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Articles by John Nelson
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
86min - English 30 Days Free Then $11.98 / month Subtitle languages Polish, Arabic, Danish, English, French, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, German, Spanish, Finnish, Dutch 86min - English Subtitle languages French, Polish, Turkish, Arabic, Danish, German, English, Finnish, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, Spanish 86min - English 30 Days Free Then $11.98 / month Subtitle languages Polish, Arabic, Danish, English, French, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, German, Spanish, Finnish, Dutch 86min - English,...
Mystery Plant: 'Pine lily,' Lilium catesbaei
It’s not often that we botanists, on our field trips, have to stop, speechless, and stare at a flower with jaws agape. It happened to me and my buddies recently deep in the pinelands of the Francis Marion National Forest here in my state. It’s a not a tall plant, only about 2 feet high, and it never branches. A single flower is produced on each stem. The leaves are skinny and sharp-pointed, and they get progressively smaller up the stem.
Mystery Plant: 'Pine lily,' Lilium catesbaei
kAmxE’D ?@E @7E6? E92E H6 3@E2?:DED[ @? @FC 7:6=5 EC:AD[ 92G6 E@ DE@A[ DA6649=6DD[ 2?5 DE2C6 2E 2 7=@H6C H:E9 ;2HD 282A6] xE 92AA6?65 E@ >6 2?5 >J 3F55:6D C646?E=J 566A :? E96 A:?6=2?5D @7 E96 uC2?4:D |2C:@? }2E:@?2= u@C6DE 96C6 :? >J DE2E6]k^Am kAmxE’D 2 ?@E 2 E2== A=2?E[ @?=J 23@FE a 766E 9:89[ 2?5 :E ?6G6C 3C2?496D] p D:?8=6 7=@H6C :D AC@5F465 @?
Mystery Plant: 'Million bells,' Calibrachoa cultivar Original
Well, folks, it’s late summer, and that means it’s time for a couple more botany terms! Are you ready? OK! The truly vibrant flowers in this photo deserve a thought or two. Of course, it is the corolla which is vibrantly colored, the corolla consisting of all the petals fused at their edges (five petals in this case). Below or “behind” the corolla is going to be a green calyx, which consists of all the sepals fused together (5 sepals in this case).
Mystery Plant: 'Million bells,' Calibrachoa cultivar
Well, folks, it’s late summer, and that means it’s time for a couple more botany terms! Are you ready? OK! The truly vibrant flowers in this photo deserve a thought or two. Of course, it is the corolla which is vibrantly colored, the corolla consisting of all the petals fused at their edges (five petals in this case). Below or “behind” the corolla is going to be a green calyx, which consists of all the sepals fused together (5 sepals in this case).
Mystery Plant: “Pink purslane,” Portulaca amilis
If only the flowers were a little bigger! Five brilliant pink petals emerge from an inconspicuous green calyx. Each vibrant blossom contains about 10-12 prominent stamens, each with a bright yellow anther. The style is divided at its summit into a number of branches, usually five or six, and these radiate outward, forming a sort of star-like pattern. This beautiful little flower is hard to miss when fully open, and that occurs only on sunny days, as the blooms don’t like cloudy or rainy weather.
Mystery Plant: “Pink purslane,” Portulaca amilis
kAmx7 @?=J E96 7=@H6CD H6C6 2 =:EE=6 3:886CPk^Am kAmu:G6 3C:==:2?E A:?< A6E2=D 6>6C86 7C@> 2? :?4@?DA:4F@FD 8C66? 42=JI] t249 G:3C2?E 3=@DD@> 4@?E2:?D 23@FE `_\`a AC@>:?6?E DE2>6?D[ 6249 H:E9 2 3C:89E J6==@H 2?E96C] %96 DEJ=6 :D 5:G:565 2E :ED DF>>:E :?E@ 2 ?F>36C @7 3C2?496D[ FDF2==J 7:G6 @C D:I[ 2?5 E96D6 C25:2E6 @FEH2C5[ 7@C>:?8 2 D@CE @7 DE2C\=:<6 A2EE6C?] %9:D 362FE:7F= =:EE=6 7=@H6C :D 92C5 E@ >:DD H96? 7F==J @A6?[ 2?5 E92E @44FCD @?=J @?
Mystery Plant: 'Georgia savory,' 'Georgia calamint,' Clinopodium georgianum Original
Despite all this heat, this has been a good summer for our backyard garden. Plenty of sunshine and all those pop-up thunderstorms have been great for the garden goodies (as well as the weeds). We’re particularly proud of our crop of mint (the genus is Mentha… we have two kinds), the fresh leaves graciously lending themselves to the summer table: a cool tabouli salad, and then there’s the Italian insalata di pomidori of tomatoes, mint and onion, and of course, a tall, icy mojito. Mint: great stuff.
Mystery Plant: 'Georgia savory,' 'Georgia calamint,' Clinopodium georgianum
Despite all this heat, this has been a good summer for our backyard garden. Plenty of sunshine and all those pop-up thunderstorms have been great for the garden goodies (as well as the weeds). We’re particularly proud of our crop of mint (the genus is Mentha… we have two kinds), the fresh leaves graciously lending themselves to the summer table: a cool tabouli salad, and then there’s the Italian insalata di pomidori of tomatoes, mint and onion, and of course, a tall, icy mojito. Mint: great stuff.
Mystery Plant: 'Georgia savory,' 'Georgia calamint,' Clinopodium georgianum
Despite all this heat, this has been a good summer for our backyard garden. Plenty of sunshine and all those pop-up thunderstorms have been great for the garden goodies (as well as the weeds). We’re particularly proud of our crop of mint (the genus is Mentha … we have two kinds), the fresh leaves graciously lending themselves to the summer table: a cool tabouli salad, and then there’s the Italian insalata di pomidori of tomatoes, mint and onion, and of course, a tall, icy mojito. Mint: great stuff.
Mystery Plant: 'Beechdrops,' Epifagus virginiana Original
Great fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite ‘em, And little fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum. kAmk6>m— pF8FDEFD s6 |@C82?k^6>mk^Am kAm!2C2D:E:D>i A6C92AD :E :D?’E D@ 325] p7E6C 2==[ A2C2D:E6D 8@ H96C6 J@F 8@[ 2?5 E96J 62E H92E J@F 62E]k^Am kAm!2C2D:E6D[ H96E96C :?E6C?2= @C 6IE6C?2=[ 2C6 FDF2==J 2DD@4:2E65 H:E9 2?:>2=D] %96:C :?E6C24E:@? :D @?6 :? H9:49 E96 A2C2D:E6 36?67:ED 7C@> 36:?8 :? @C @? :ED 9@DE W9F>2?[ :?
Mystery Plant: 'Beechdrops,' Epifagus virginiana
Great fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite ‘em, And little fleas have lesser fleas, and so ad infinitum. — Augustus De Morgan Parasitism: perhaps it isn’t so bad. After all, parasites go where you go, and they eat what you eat. Parasites, whether internal or external, are usually associated with animals. Their interaction is one in which the parasite benefits from being in or on its host (human, in many cases), to the detriment of the host.
Mystery Plant: Ñame (pronounced ‘NYAH-may’), Jamaican yam, Dioscorea cayennensis
They don’t often let me go to the supermarket unless it’s just to get a newspaper or a bag of ice, because I always end up spending too much time there. Not exactly buying things, but just looking at stuff and reading the labels. Vegetable juices, imported beer, macaroni, the roasted chickens, sushi, doughnuts in the bakery section, mustard (how many kinds of mustard should there be?), rice, syrup, milk, hot sauce, candy, cosmetics, CEREAL, beach stuff, dog toys…it goes on and on.
Mystery Plant: Ñame (pronounced ‘NYAH-may’), Jamaican yam, Dioscorea cayennensis
kAm%96J 5@?’E @7E6? =6E >6 8@ E@ E96 DFA6C>2C<6E F?=6DD :E’D ;FDE E@ 86E 2 ?6HDA2A6C @C 2 328 @7 :46[ 3642FD6 x 2=H2JD 6?5 FA DA6?5:?8 E@@ >F49 E:>6 E96C6] }@E 6I24E=J 3FJ:?8 E9:?8D[ 3FE ;FDE =@@<:?8 2E DEF77 2?5 C625:?8 E96 =236=D] '686E23=6 ;F:46D[ :>A@CE65 366C[ >242C@?:[ E96 C@2DE65 49:4<6?D[ DFD9:[ 5@F89?FED :? E96 32<6CJ D64E:@?[ >FDE2C5 W9@H >2?J <:?5D @7 >FDE2C5 D9@F=5 E96C6 36nX[ C:46[ DJCFA[ >:=<[ 9@E D2F46[ 42?5J[ 4@D>6E:4D[ rt#tp{[ 36249 DEF77[ 5@8 E@JD…:E 8@6D @?
Mystery Plant: Ñame (pronounced ‘NYAH-may’), Jamaican yam, Dioscorea cayennensis
kAm%96J 5@?’E @7E6? =6E >6 8@ E@ E96 DFA6C>2C<6E F?=6DD :E’D ;FDE E@ 86E 2 ?6HDA2A6C @C 2 328 @7 :46[ 3642FD6 x 2=H2JD 6?5 FA DA6?5:?8 E@@ >F49 E:>6 E96C6] }@E 6I24E=J 3FJ:?8 E9:?8D[ 3FE ;FDE =@@<:?8 2E DEF77 2?5 C625:?8 E96 =236=D] '686E23=6 ;F:46D[ :>A@CE65 366C[ >242C@?:[ E96 C@2DE65 49:4<6?D[ DFD9:[ 5@F89?FED :? E96 32<6CJ D64E:@?[ >FDE2C5 W9@H >2?J <:?5D @7 >FDE2C5 D9@F=5 E96C6 36nX[ C:46[ DJCFA[ >:=<[ 9@E D2F46[ 42?5J[ 4@D>6E:4D[ rt#tp{[ 36249 DEF77[ 5@8 E@JD…:E 8@6D @?
Mystery Plant: Ñame (pronounced ‘NYAH-may’), Jamaican yam, Dioscorea cayennensis
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Mystery Plant: Lance-leaf stonecrop, Sedum lanceolatum Original
He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below He saw everything as far as you can see… — John Denver, kAmk6>m“#@4<J |@F?E2:? w:89”k^6>mk^Am kAmw@H 23@FE 2 =:EE=6 EC:A E@ E96 #@4<J |@F?E2:?Dn %96 |JDE6CJ !=2?E 762EFC65 :? E9:D 4@=F>? :D 2=>@DE 2=H2JD 7C@> 96C6 :? E96 $@FE962DE[ 3FE E9:D H66< x E9@F89E x H@F=5 >:I E9:?8D FA 2 3:E]k^Am kAm$@>6 E:>6 28@ x H6?E @?
Mystery Plant: Lance-leaf stonecrop, Sedum lanceolatum
He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below He saw everything as far as you can see… — John Denver, “Rocky Mountain High” How about a little trip to the Rocky Mountains? The Mystery Plant featured in this column is almost always from here in the Southeast, but this week I thought I would mix things up a bit. Some time ago I went on a trip to Colorado… and was able for the first time ever to see, up close, the central Rocky Mountains.
Mystery Plant: Gama-grass, Turkey-foot grass, Tripsacum dactyloides
“I’m as corny as Kansas in August...” — Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, lyrics by O. Hammerstein kAm(6==[ :E’D ?@E pF8FDE J6E[ 2?5 E9:D A=2?E :D ?@E 6I24E=J 4@C?] qFE :E’D 4=@D6]k^Am kAm%9:D :D 2 8C2DD E92E J@F 42? D66 32D:42==J 2?JH96C6 :? E96 62DE6C? &$p[ 7C@> u=@C:52 2?5 %6I2D H6== :?E@ E96 FAA6C |:5H6DE[ D@FE96C? }6H t?8=2?5[ 2?5 H2J 5@H? :?E@ $@FE9 p>6C:42] xE’D 24EF2==J C2E96C 5:DE:?4E:G6[ x E9:?<[ 6G6? 2D J@F 2C6 5C:G:?8 2=@?8 E96 9:89H2J WA2J 2EE6?E:@?
Mystery Plant: Gama-grass, Turkey-foot grass, Tripsacum dactyloides
“I’m as corny as Kansas in August...” Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, lyrics by O. Hammerstein Well, it’s not August yet, and this plant is not exactly corn. But it’s close. This is a grass that you can see basically anywhere in the eastern USA, from Florida and Texas well into the upper Midwest, southern New England, and way down into South America. It’s actually rather distinctive, I think, even as you are driving along the highway (pay attention to the speed limit, please…).
Mystery Plant: Gama-grass, Turkey-foot grass, Tripsacum dactyloides
kAm“x’> 2D 4@C?J 2D z2?D2D :? pF8FDE]]]”k^Am kAm}6==:6 u@C3FD9 :? $@FE9 !24:7:4[ =JC:4D 3J ~] w2>>6CDE6:?k^Am kAm(6==[ :E’D ?@E pF8FDE J6E[ 2?5 E9:D A=2?E :D ?@E 6I24E=J 4@C?] qFE :E’D 4=@D6]k^Am kAm%9:D :D 2 8C2DD E92E J@F 42? D66 32D:42==J 2?JH96C6 :? E96 62DE6C? &$p[ 7C@> u=@C:52 2?5 %6I2D H6== :?E@ E96 FAA6C |:5H6DE[ D@FE96C? }6H t?8=2?5[ 2?5 H2J 5@H? :?E@ $@FE9 p>6C:42] xE’D 24EF2==J C2E96C 5:DE:?4E:G6[ x E9:?<[ 6G6? 2D J@F 2C6 5C:G:?8 2=@?8 E96 9:89H2J WA2J 2EE6?E:@?
Mystery Plant: Matted spikemoss, Selaginella kraussiana
In 1947 Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) published a work named “McElligot’s Pool.” If you didn’t read this as a child, you can as an adult, and I recommend it. The story involves a little boy fishing in a small pond, who begins to imagine the amazing fish which he might hook, if he just gives it a try. To me, this is a story about our fascination with discovery, whether in far-off distant places, or perhaps a bit closer to home. So, here’s a little example of discovery of the latter sort.
Mystery Plant: Matted spikemoss, Selaginella kraussiana
kAmx? `hcf sC] $6FDD W%96@5@C6 v6:D6=X AF3=:D965 2 H@C< ?2>65 “|4t==:8@E’D !@@=]” x7 J@F 5:5?’E C625 E9:D 2D 2 49:=5[ J@F 42? 2D 2? 25F=E[ 2?5 x C64@>>6?5 :E] %96 DE@CJ :?G@=G6D 2 =:EE=6 3@J 7:D9:?8 :? 2 D>2== A@?5[ H9@ 368:?D E@ :>28:?6 E96 2>2K:?8 7:D9 H9:49 96 >:89E 9@@<[ :7 96 ;FDE 8:G6D :E 2 ECJ] %@ >6[ E9:D :D 2 DE@CJ 23@FE @FC 72D4:?2E:@? H:E9 5:D4@G6CJ[ H96E96C :?
Mystery Plant: Matted spikemoss, Selaginella kraussiana
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Mystery Plant: Mimosa, Albizia julibrissin
kAm$F>>6C `heai :E H2D E96 DF>>6C @7 “(@=G6CE@? |@F?E2:?” 3J r=2F56 z:?8 WH9:49 H2D 2 8@@5 E9:?8X[ |2C:=J? |@?C@6 925 ;FDE 5:65 W2 D25 E9:?8X[ 2?5 p>6C:42 H2D D@@? E@ 36 862C:?8 FA 7@C 2 >:DD:=6 4C:D:D :? E96 r2C:3362?
Mystery Plant: Mimosa, Albizia julibrissin
Summer 1962: it was the summer of “Wolverton Mountain” by Claude King (which was a good thing), Marilyn Monroe had just died (a sad thing), and America was soon to be gearing up for a missile crisis in the Caribbean (a very scary thing). The summer highlight for this 11-year old kid, though, had to be the week at Boy Scout camp, one county removed from home. I’ll never forget that week, and one of the memories from it was these trees, growing outside of the mess hall.
Mystery Plant: Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans
“And this our life exempt from public haunt Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones and good in every thing.” Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act 2, scene 1 This is the vine which the Girl Scouts tell us to recognize by its compound, trifoliolate leaves (that is, with three leaflets), and which we are obliged to leave alone, because it can be very problematic. Depending on one’s susceptibility to it, it can indeed cause severe contact dermatitis.
Mystery Plant: Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans
kAmk6>m“p?5 E9:D @FC =:76 6I6>AE 7C@> AF3=:4 92F?Ek^6>mk^Am kAmk6>mu:?5D E@?8F6D :? EC66D[ 3@@<D :? E96 CF??:?8 3C@@<D[k^6>mk^Am kAmk6>m$6C>@?D :? DE@?6D 2?5 8@@5 :? 6G6CJ E9:?8]”k^6>mk^Am kAmk6>m$92<6DA62C6[ pD *@F {:<6 xE[ p4E a[ D46?6 `k^6>mk^Am kAm%9:D :D E96 G:?6 H9:49 E96 v:C= $4@FED E6== FD E@ C64@8?:K6 3J :ED 4@>A@F?5[ EC:7@=:@=2E6 =62G6D WE92E :D[ H:E9 E9C66 =627=6EDX[ 2?5 H9:49 H6 2C6 @3=:865 E@ =62G6 2=@?6[ 3642FD6 :E 42? 36 G6CJ AC@3=6>2E:4] s6A6?5:?8 @? @?6’D DFD46AE:3:=:EJ E@ :E[ :E 42?
Mystery Plant: Trailing phlox, Phlox nivalis
Know well the condition of your flocks… — Proverbs 27: 23. kAmx? `fdb r2C@=FD {:??26FD AF3=:D965 9:D DEFA6?5@FD “$A64:6D !=2?E2CF>”] x? E9:D 6A:4 H@C< 96 :?E6?565 E@ ?2>6 2== E96 A=2?ED <?@H? 2E E92E E:>6[ H9:49 E96? E@E2=65 23@FE f[d__ DA64:6D[ 2?5 96 AC@G:565 2 3C:67 56D4C:AE:@? @7 6249 @?6] {:??26FD :D DE:== 4@?D:56C65 E96 “72E96C” @7 A=2?E E2I@?@>J[ 2?5 9:D AF3=:42E:@? :D >2:?E2:?65 3J >@56C?\52J 3@E2?:DED 2D E96 32D:D[ @C DE2CE:?8 A@:?E[ @7 E96 ?2>6D @7 2== E96 A=2?ED :?
Mystery Plant: Mouse-ear cress, 'Arabidopsis thaliana' Original
So come up to the lab, and see what’s on the slab. --Dr. Frank N. Furter, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” kAmxE :D 2? :?4@?DA:4F@FD A=2?E H:E9 2 8C62E 3:8 D4:6?E:7:4 ?2>6] %9:D :D @?6 E92E 92D 7@F?5 :ED H2J @FE @7 tFC@A6 2?5 pD:2[ 72C :?E@ E96 }6H (@C=5 2?5 pFDEC2=:2[ 2D 2 4@>>@? H665[ 2?5 ?@H E9C:G6D @? C@25D:56D[ @A6? A2E9D[ 2?5 :? G242?E =@ED] x? E96 &?:E65 $E2E6D[ :E :D <?@H?
Mystery Plant: Mouse-ear cress, 'Arabidopsis thaliana'
So come up to the lab, and see what’s on the slab. --Dr. Frank N. Furter, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” It is an inconspicuous plant with a great big scientific name. This is one that has found its way out of Europe and Asia, far into the New World and Australia, as a common weed, and now thrives on roadsides, open paths, and in vacant lots. In the United States, it is known from basically every state east of the Mississippi River, as well as much of the Pacific coast.
Mystery Plant: Unnamed species of trillium
I’ll have to admit that this past winter has not been so bad here in the midlands. It hasn’t gotten real cold, and there has been littlesnow or ice. I’m glad to see the day length increasing steadily, which always gives us a clear sign that we’re moving from winter into spring. Here is a fine example of a native plant that is making an early transition, too. It begins to bloom while the days are still chilly, and what a beauty it is.
Mystery Plant: Unnamed species of trillium
kAmx’== 92G6 E@ 25>:E E92E E9:D A2DE H:?E6C 92D ?@E 366? D@ 325 96C6 :? E96 >:5=2?5D] xE 92D?’E 8@EE6? C62= 4@=5[ 2?5 E96C6 92D 366? =:EE=6D?@H @C :46] x’> 8=25 E@ D66 E96 52J =6?8E9 :?4C62D:?8 DE625:=J[ H9:49 2=H2JD 8:G6D FD 2 4=62C D:8? E92E H6’C6 >@G:?8 7C@> H:?E6C :?E@ DAC:?8] w6C6 :D 2 7:?6 6I2>A=6 @7 2 ?2E:G6 A=2?E E92E :D >2<:?8 2?
Mystery Plant: Monkey-puzzle tree, Araucaria araucana
Some trees are good for tree-houses. Some trees are not. Guess which category this one fits into? It’s a conifer, and like all conifers will produce no flowers. Rather the seeds (and pollen) are produced on the scales of cone-like structures… which can conveniently be called “cones.” (“Strobilus” is the fancy word for a cone.) Most conifers are evergreen: the northern larch and our stately bald cypress are conifers, but these two lose all of their foliage each winter.
Mystery Plant: Monkey-puzzle tree, Araucaria araucana
Some trees are good for tree-houses. Some trees are not. Guess which category this one fits into? It’s a conifer, and like all conifers will produce no flowers. Rather the seeds (and pollen) are produced on the scales of cone-like structures… which can conveniently be called “cones.” (“Strobilus” is the fancy word for a cone.) Most conifers are evergreen: the northern larch and our stately bald cypress are conifers, but these two lose all of their foliage each winter.
Mystery Plant: Monkey-puzzle tree, Araucaria araucana
kAm$@>6 EC66D 2C6 8@@5 7@C EC66\9@FD6D] $@>6 EC66D 2C6 ?@E] vF6DD H9:49 42E68@CJ E9:D @?6 7:ED :?E@nk^Am kAmxE’D 2 4@?:76C[ 2?5 =:<6 2== 4@?:76CD H:== AC@5F46 ?@ 7=@H6CD] #2E96C E96 D665D W2?5 A@==6?X 2C6 AC@5F465 @? E96 D42=6D @7 4@?6\=:<6 DECF4EFC6D… H9:49 42? 4@?G6?:6?E=J 36 42==65 “4@?6D]” W“$EC@3:=FD” :D E96 72?4J H@C5 7@C 2 4@?6]X |@DE 4@?:76CD 2C6 6G6C8C66?i E96 ?@CE96C?
Mystery Plant: Monkey-puzzle tree, Araucaria araucana
Some trees are good for tree-houses. Some trees are not. Guess which category this one fits into? It’s a conifer, and like all conifers will produce no flowers. Rather the seeds (and pollen) are produced on the scales of cone-like structures… which can conveniently be called “cones.” (“Strobilus” is the fancy word for a cone.) Most conifers are evergreen: the northern larch and our stately bald cypress are conifers, but these two lose all of their foliage each winter.
Mystery Plant: Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus Original
Man at the vet’s office: “My dog doesn’t have a nose.” Vet: “How does he smell?” kAmk6>m|2?i “%6CC:3=6P”k^6>mk^Am kAmk6>m— s25 ;@<6k^6>mk^Am kAmx? E9:D 4@=F>?[ H6 92G6 925 D6G6C2= >6>36CD @7 E96 A9:=@56?5C@? 72>:=J… E96 “pC24626”… 2D DF3;64ED @7 H@?56C] %96 A9:=@56?5C@? 72>:=J :D 2 =2C86 @?6[ H:E9 D6G6C2= E9@FD2?5 DA64:6D] *@F >:89E C6>6>36C E96 E:>6 H6 925 “8@=56? 4=F3”[ ~C@?E:F> 2BF2E:4F>[ H9:49 :D 2 ?2E:G6 >6>36C @7 G2C:@FD H6E=2?5D 96C6 :?
Mystery Plant: Skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus
Man at the vet’s office: “My dog doesn’t have a nose.” Vet: “How does he smell?” Man: “Terrible!” — Dad joke In this column, we have had several members of the philodendron family… the “Araceae”… as subjects of wonder. The philodendron family is a large one, with several thousand species. You might remember the time we had “golden club”, Orontium aquaticum, which is a native member of various wetlands here in the Southeast.
Unbelievable? - Premier Plus
31 Mar 2026 01:26:20 Physicists Paul Davies and Jeremy England tackle one of science’s hardest puzzles: how did lifeless matter spark into life? In this classic Big Conversation from Unbelievable podcast the question is whether we need a new theory for the origin of life... 26 Mar 2026 01:13:41 Can morality be objective without God?
Power lies in the details – that’s why generative AI is useful for things we care about the least
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney can produce text, images and videos far more quickly than any one person can accomplish by hand. But as someone who studies the societal impacts of AI, I’ve noticed an interesting trade-off: The technology can certainly save time, but it does so precisely to the extent that the user is willing to surrender control over the final product. For this reason, generative AI is probably most useful for things we care about the least.
Generative AI is most useful for the things we care about the least
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Generative AI is most useful for the things we care about the least
Filmmakers shoot take after take of the same scene, each subtly or radically different. Only a small fraction of that footage makes it into the final cut – the fraction that the editors feel does the job best. Great artists use their judgment to ensure every detail helps to achieve the effect they want.
Generative AI is most useful for the things we care about the least
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney can produce text, images and videos far more quickly than any one person can accomplish by hand. But as someone who studies the societal impacts of AI, I’ve noticed an interesting trade-off: The technology can certainly save time, but it does so precisely to the extent that the user is willing to surrender control over the final product. For this reason, generative AI is probably most useful for things we care about the least.
Generative AI is most useful for the things we care about the least
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Mystery Plant: 'Swamp doghobble,' Leucothoe axillaris
Hopefully over the recent winter holidays you found some time to take a few walks outside.
Mystery Plant: 'Swamp doghobble,' Leucothoe axillaris
Hopefully over the recent winter holidays you found some time to take a few walks outside.
Mystery Plant: Horned melon, Kiwano, Cucumis metuliferus
When I was a kid I was very interested in dinosaurs. I had plenty of plastic dinosaur toys, too, but this was way back before “realistic” versions of dinosaurs, whether on screen or in toy form. One of my creatures was the “ankylosaurus,” modeled after a squatty, toad-like animal with a weird, club-shaped tail, an animal that lived 70 million years ago, and was about the size of a VW Beetle.
Mystery Plant: Horned melon, Kiwano, Cucumis metuliferus
When I was a kid I was very interested in dinosaurs. I had plenty of plastic dinosaur toys, too, but this was way back before “realistic” versions of dinosaurs, whether on screen or in toy form. One of my creatures was the “ankylosaurus,” modeled after a squatty, toad-like animal with a weird, club-shaped tail, an animal that lived 70 million years ago, and was about the size of a VW Beetle.
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