Blog
Intro to the Fungi Life Cycle
What are fungi? Some of these organisms are too small to see with the human eye. Some, like the honey fungus, are amongst the largest organisms on the planet. Fungi are all around us, in bread, in beer, and even in the walls of your home. This diverse class of...
Seasonal Tips for Tropical Plant Identification
A trip to the tropics is a must-do for any nature-loving person. The biological diversity will blow just about anyone's mind. No matter what time of year you go, you’re bound to see some pretty amazing plant and animal life. But, there are certainly some seasonal tips...
Components of a Quintessential English Garden
First appearing in the early 18th century, the English garden is a distinct style of landscaping that can still be found throughout the world today. It is a romantic, pastoral style that carves out space in nature. It also idealizes people’s presence within nature. At...
Can You Use Aloe Vera for Acne?
Aloe vera is a succulent that is a popular treatment for various skin conditions, particularly sunburns. In addition, people use aloe vera to treat acne. This practice shows some great promise. Studies have found that aloe vera is effective in combination with more...
What Is the Mosquito Plant?
The last time you were at a barbeque or outdoor function did you get eaten alive by mosquitos? If not, there were probably repellants of some kind. Repellants for mosquitos can take many forms. Some are chemical, like bug sprays, Tiki Torches, and ‘foggers.’ Others...
How to Find Morel Mushrooms (and Avoid False Morels)
Most tasty mushrooms fruit in summer and fall. Morels, however, come out at the beginning of spring. Where, Oh Where, Are These Tasty Treats? Mushroom hunters can be very secretive people. Don't be offended if they avoid telling you their favorite...
How to Look for Gourmet Mushrooms In the Wild
Mushrooms are one of the most highly sought after wild foods. Some of the world's tastiest gourmet mushrooms are only found in the wild, and we haven't figured out how to cultivate them yet! People all over the globe spend hours and hours “hunting” for wild gourmet...
7 of the Coolest Savanna Plants
When thinking of the savanna, lions, elephants, and zebras might first come to mind. These are the animals that end up on nature documentaries and become the stars of an African safari expedition. But what about the plants, shrubs, trees, and flowers that each of...
Is It Safe to Grow Your Own Medicinal Herbs?
Humans have been using the plants from our local landscapes as remedies for millennia. Many people have found western medicine ineffective for their ailments and turned to naturopathy and homeopathy. While not the cure for everything, these approaches have their...
Trees in Iceland, or Lack Thereof
If you’ve ever been to Iceland, you may have been shocked at the otherworldly landscapes that help make it famous. Its volcanoes and stark landscapes make it seem like a place that shouldn’t be rich in plant life. After all, it’s in the name - a land of ice! The name,...
Urban Foraging For Beginners (Tips & Tricks)
For most people living in an urban environment, fresh produce and edible plants are something you buy at stores. We operate under the assumption that farmers sell their crops to suppliers, who then transport it to cities, and then, somewhat miraculously, these...
How to Find Chanterelle Mushrooms and Cook with Them
Oh, lovely, lovely mushrooms. Chanterelles are some of the most coveted mushrooms by chefs, along with truffles and morels. Did you know that all chanterelles in the world are harvested from the wild? We haven't figured out a way to farm these kinds of mushrooms....
What’s So Special About the Lily Flower?
What do you know about the lily flower? You may have seen it in a vase, a front yard, or perhaps a botanic garden. If it was in the summertime, you may have noticed the enormous, colorful six-petaled blooms that makes this flower famous. Maybe you even have a friend...
15 Healing Herbs You Can Grow At Home
Plants have been on the planet for just under 500 million years. Somewhere along the way, humans understood that while certain plants could kill you, others could heal ailments in amazing ways. These healing herbs are part of an ancient understanding of the world and...
Florida Plant Identification for Beginners
Florida is a state teeming with biodiversity. With the nickname “The Sunshine State,” Florida must have loads of sun-loving plant life - and indeed it does! Although there are thousands of plant species native to the state, a handful of them are quite characteristic...
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How Botany Twitter and a Bumblebee Rediscovered a Rare Plant
In June of last year, botany Twitter made a pretty big discovery. Rather than squabbling about politics or sharing ridiculous memes, botany Twitter actually made a contribution to science. It all started when Professor Chris Martine shared a photo of a bumblebee on...
The 3 Best Hiking Apps
A few years ago, if you told me that there were apps that made hiking better, I’d have laughed. The point of hiking was to disconnect and escape the constant buzzes, chirps, and little red flags of my busy life. The concept of the “best hiking apps” wasn’t even on my...
Ethnobotany Lets You Explore Useful Plants, History, and Culture All at Once
As children, we’re all interested in ethnobotany. We point at vegetables and ask where they came from, we put flowers into our mouths and make play of poultice making. For many, that curiosity fades later in life. Field botany textbooks can be cumbersome, and learning...
Why PlantSnap’s Flower Identification is a Perfect Educational Tool
Learning how to identify flowers is one of the easiest (and prettiest) ways to get kids interested in nature. Given how busy teachers are, it’s always nice to learn about a new educational tool to help engage students in the classroom. It’s even better when the tool...
What Do Plant Veins and Leaves Actually Do?
When you’re peering at leaves through the lens of your camera, trying to identify a cool new plant in your yard, you might notice some weird lines along the leaves. These lines are called veins, and not just because they look like your veins. Plant veins are actually...
How Plants Get Their Nutrients, and What Nutrients Plants Need to Survive
Plants and animals alike need nutrients to survive. But without mouths, how do plants get the necessary nutrients and energy for life? You might be vaguely aware that plants use their roots to absorb nutrients - and plants need sunlight, right? But how do roots and...
Seven Benefits of Eating Wild Plants
Eating organic and local produce is a noble goal - but can be financially or logistically difficult in many areas. Eating wild plants can reduce the financial burden of organic foods while giving you many of the same benefits - and more. As we discussed in our article...
The Seven Rules for Foraging for Wild Foods
The more you learn about the wild plants around you, the more you realize that foraging for wild foods is possible even in suburban environments. Look around you. The dandelion greens are great for tea while the thistle leaves are a delicious salad topping. Wild...
What Are Invasive Plants and Why Are They Bad?
The term “invasive plants” brings to mind a small army of green shoots, marching towards the forest to wreak havoc, a la Fern Gully. If that’s what you think of, you’re not all that far off. Invasive plants are one of the harder aspects of human influence on the world...
Look Out for These 9 Common Garden Pests This Summer
Just as your garden plants are really starting to bloom, you notice black spots on the leaves. Or maybe you find chewed-up petals or a whitish fuzz along your roots. Garden pests are no joke. They can kill your garden very quickly, undoing all of your hard work....
What Do Botanists Do?
When I say botanist, you might think of a white-bearded man scampering around the woods collecting flowers. Maybe you think of a slightly nutty woman a la Professor Sprout in Harry Potter. Or perhaps you just shrug at me. What is a botanist and what do botanists do?...
A Guide to Garden Flower Identification
It’s exciting to watch new shoots pop up in springtime and new blooms emerge. But what is growing in your garden? Maybe you just moved in and have no idea what the last owner planted in your garden. Or perhaps you’re forgetful (like me) and just can’t remember what...
How to Enjoy Botanical Gardens
Botanical gardens can be a beautiful, quiet activity almost any time of year, but it takes a bit of preparation to fully enjoy botanical gardens. Botanical gardens are a great place to learn about flower and tree identification, local sacred plants, and rare plants....
Why Tree Identification Is Easier Than Ever
Tree identification can be a fun way to learn more about the plants around you. It also can be frustrating and cumbersome thanks to the world’s incredible array of plant species. On top of that, field guides can be a pain to carry around, and aren’t always...
Seed Banks During Drought: How Plants Save During a Recession
California wildflowers build seed banks during drought the same way a prudent employee saves money during a recession. According to a study published in Ecology in March of 2018, California’s wildflowers increased seed production over 200% during the 2012-2015...
How to Grow a Medicinal Garden
Growing a garden is a fun and rewarding pastime. Cultivating medicinal garden plants takes your backyard dirt patch to a whole new level. Luckily, it’s easy to plan a medicinal garden that’s both lovely and useful. Many common garden plants have medicinal qualities....
How a Parasitic Plant Hacks the Genes of its Host
Plants are a lot more devious than we once thought. Scientists recently discovered that Dodder, a problematic parasitic plant that causes millions of dollars of damage each year to crops, can basically hack into its host’s genes. You read that right. A parasitic plant...
How to Find, Use, and Identify Common Sacred Plants
Almost every culture and religion out there make use of sacred plants. People revere these sacred plants for their medicinal qualities, culinary use, healing power, or cultural purposes. Learning about the history and culture of plants is part of the study of...
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
How Botany Twitter and a Bumblebee Rediscovered a Rare Plant
In June of last year, botany Twitter made a pretty big discovery. Rather than squabbling about politics or sharing ridiculous memes, botany Twitter actually made a contribution to science. It all started when Professor Chris Martine shared a photo of a bumblebee on...
The 3 Best Hiking Apps
A few years ago, if you told me that there were apps that made hiking better, I’d have laughed. The point of hiking was to disconnect and escape the constant buzzes, chirps, and little red flags of my busy life. The concept of the “best hiking apps” wasn’t even on my...
Ethnobotany Lets You Explore Useful Plants, History, and Culture All at Once
As children, we’re all interested in ethnobotany. We point at vegetables and ask where they came from, we put flowers into our mouths and make play of poultice making. For many, that curiosity fades later in life. Field botany textbooks can be cumbersome, and learning...
Low-Light Houseplants That Will Survive Your Dark Office Cubicle
A few low-light houseplants can turn a bare, sterile space into one that’s much more inviting. Indoor plants improve concentration and can relieve stress. Just looking at a plant every so often can help you focus. Plants even filter out toxins and release fresh...
How Moss Removes Arsenic from Water
Scientists in Sweden just discovered a species of moss removes arsenic from water, taking the usefulness of plants up a few notches in my book. While it’s old news that plants turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, arsenic removal from a plant is really uncommon. ...
Ethnobotany Lets You Explore Useful Plants, History, and Culture All at Once
As children, we’re all interested in ethnobotany. We point at vegetables and ask where they came from, we put flowers into our mouths and make play of poultice making. For many, that curiosity fades later in life. Field botany textbooks can be cumbersome, and learning...