This fun flower looks more like a carnival toy than a creation of nature. Also known as the Catherine-wheel Pincushion, this is the most exquisite of the “firework pincushion” flowers. Not many flowers can compare to a bed of blooming Protea Pinwheels. The coolest fact about this flower is that it’s interconnected with fire. In the wild, Protea Pinwheels are perfectly suited to adapt to harsh climates. The best time for Protea Pinwheels to bloom is after a fire, when the adult plants, rodents, and other insects that would impede their growth have been destroyed. Protea Pinwheels ensure their continued existence by producing little fruit that is collected and eaten by ants. The ants do not eat the seeds, which remain dormant underground until there is a fire at which time the seeds are cued to begin germination.
Username: KisuKotha Published on 2024-11-25 03:53:40 ID NUMBER: 125654
Let’s face it (pun intended), this little guy didn’t take a whole lot of imagination to name; “Dracula” because of it’s two long, fang-like petals and “simia” for its resemblance to primates. The two dark little eyes, fuzzy dotted eyebrows, and furry little nose and beard area bear striking simian similarities that become even more apparent when viewed from a distance.
The Monkey Face Orchid is rare oddity so don’t get upset if you’ve never seen one before. It is only found in the cloud forests of Peru and southeastern Ecuador at altitudes of more than 3,000 feet. It can bloom all year round, and its flowers smell like ripe oranges, making it a prized addition to any orchid connoisseurs garden.
The White Bat Plant is one of the world’s largest and most unusual flowers. It’s strange little black flowers come in clusters of twenty to forty and resemble bats’ faces while the white bracts above resemble bats’ ears. The Bat Plant can grow to anywhere between 60 and 90 centimetres tall and comes in both a black version and a white version. The whiskers of the flower will also grow quite long, sometimes reaching all the way to the ground. An interesting fact about this weird wonder is that despite its resemblance to the lily it is actually a member of the yam family!
With more than 25,000 different kinds of orchids on the planet, it’s no wonder that more than a couple of them made our weird list. The Moth Orchid is the most common type of orchid and bears the name because of its supposed resemblance to a moth in flight. Native to Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and northern Australia, the Moth Orchid isn’t exactly hard to find, and it comes in nearly every colour of the rainbow. So what exactly sets it apart from its 24,999+ orchid siblings? The Moth Orchid’s uncanny ability to have multiple blooming periods— when grown in optimal conditions of course!
Next on our list comes a rather morbid yet beautiful flower— Rafflesia keithii, or, the Corpse Flower. There is a bit of a debate over whether or not the true corpse flower is the Rafflesia keithii or the Titan arum. If you’ve seen the movie Dennis the Menace than you may remember the flower that Mr. Wilson waited nearly 40 years to see bloom—that’s the Titan arum. The Corpse Flower of which we speak now is much rarer and can only be found in the rainforests of Indonesia. The Corpse Flower is a parasitic organism that has no visible leaves, roots or stems, causing some to argue that the Corpse Flower isn’t a flower at all—rather a fungus. In addition to its vampiric traits, the Corpse Flower is the world’s largest individual flower. Still wondering why it’s nicknamed the Corpse Flower? Let’s just say don’t breathe in its scent too deeply.
Is it an alien? Is it a sea anemone? Nope, it’s the Naked Man Orchid! This little guy (or guys) also known as the Hanging Man Orchid, are native to the Mediterranean regions and resemble tiny little hanging naked men, from their dotted eyes and smiles right down to their you-know-whats. Naked Man Orchids come in all sizes and usually, range in colour from light purplish white to deep purply-pink. The Naked Man Orchid is classified as having a threatened status, perhaps because of its popularity as an antidiarrheal, antiflatulent and aphrodisiac. Another crazy fact about these fun flowers: they’re used in making the drink Salep, also called Turkish Delight.
Hooker Lips, Hot Lips, Flower Lips— call them what you will— there’s no guessing how this plant got its name. The bright red bits that resemble a hooker’s bright red lips are bracts, not petals. The leaf-like bracts are only in their kissable state for a few days before opening to reveal the little yellow and white flowers within. The Hooker’s Lips Plant is native to the tropical regions of Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama, but due to its popularity with collectors and the deforestation of its natural habitat it’s landed on the endangered list. Hope we don’t have to kiss this little beauty goodbye anytime soon!
These little beauties are one of the rarest flowers around and prove quite hard to find even for the most determined plant collector. Nicknamed for their resemblance to dancing ladies in dresses, these tiny flowers are native to East Africa and come in white and light pink. The plant itself is quite petite, growing to just about one foot across and bearing blooms that max out at ½” long. Dancing Girls trail and climb, so they make lovely additions to hanging planters where you can enjoy their fabulous flowers at eye-level. Dancing Girls will root wherever they touch the soil, and they make excellent indoor plants if you can find one.
Nope, you’re not seeing things, that’s a plant, not a monster! This South African subterranean plant is truly one of the most bizarre plants on Earth. Despite its crazy look, it’s actually semi-common in the arid regions of South Africa. The Hydnora africana also called Jackal Food by the locals, has no visible leaves, roots or chlorophyll. It is strictly a parasitic, underground plant whose flowers take nearly one year to emerge from the ground. Despite its monstrous look and disgusting scent, the Hydnora africana produces tasty berries that are just delicious when baked over an open fire. The fruit also has astringent properties and has been used for preserving fishnets, for tanning, and infused in face wash as an acne treatment.
This happy little guy gets its name from its uncanny resemblance to a smiling bumblebee; that is if bumblebees could smile. Its name comes from the Greek word “Ophrys” meaning eyebrow, perhaps referring to the fuzzy bits around the edge of the flower. The Bee Orchid is widespread across Europe the Middle East and even North Africa. However, it’s becoming more and more scarce because the propagation process is so complicated. You see, the Bee Orchid requires a symbiotic relationship with a particular type of fungus to successfully grow, making transplanting tough. This orchid is more clever than it appears; the flowers are almost exclusively self-pollinating in the northern ranges, but the colouring and shape of the flower mimic the look and smell of a female bee which entices male bees towards it to mate, thus expediting the pollination process!
Too cute! These tulip orchids, nicknamed Swaddled Babies, were discovered in the Colombian Andes between 1777-1788 during a ten-year expedition but weren’t named and officially classified until 1798. During certain times of the plant’s blooming stage, the flowers’ unique shapes resemble that of a baby all wrapped up in white swaddling. Their tempting scent attracts insects to the hinged lip of the petal where the unsuspecting creatures are shoved into the column, where a pack of pollen then attaches itself to their abdomens, increasing pollination.
If you’ve never seen a Parrot Flower before you’re not alone. The Parrot Flower, a Thailand native, is classified as endangered and therefore not allowed to leave the country. The neat thing about the flower of this rare species of balsam is that when you look at its side profile, it looks just like a parrot or cockatoo in flight! Funny thing is, when images of this flower began to circulate across the Internet they were dismissed as being “digitally manipulated” or Photoshopped because very few people had actually seen one since they are so extremely rare in the wild, and it’s illegal to remove them
If you’ve ever had any doubt as to whether or not a flower is a living creature, here’s the proof! Many gardeners and horticulturists are fond of Snapdragons for their bright colors and fragrance—not to mention if you squeeze the sides of a Snapdragon flower it looks like a dragon’s mouth opening and closing— but not so many gardeners and horticulturists know about the dragon skulls that are left once the Snapdragon has gone to seed! Interestingly enough, in ancient times, people believed Snapdragons held mystical powers, and that and that growing them in one’s garden would protect one’s home from curses and evil. These tiny, perfect little skulls are quite a reminder of the circle of life, wouldn’t you say?
This fowl orchid is just too cute! Native to Australia, this orchid’s unique shape helps increase its pollination. Sawflies are attracted to its scent and land on the “bill”, where their weight forces them down and inside the flower, temporarily curling the “bill” down and in. From there, the only way out is through a pollen-laden section of the flower where the sawfly finds and then emerges from. You’d think such a unique looking flower would be easy to find. However, it’s reddish brownish colouring makes it blend right into the Australian bush. Want to add the Flying Duck Orchid to your home greenhouse? Sorry! This flower only grows in the wild, in Australia, and has never been propagated. Why you ask? Because in order to grow, it depends symbiotically on a particular type of vegetative fungus that only grows in Australia. It’s an excellent excuse to go on a vacation, though!
The moon orchid is one of Indonesia’s three national flowers the flower of charm, the other two are Jasminum sambac and Rafflesia arnoldii. Usually, in nature, the stripings and markings on flowers are evolved to either mimic larger animals in order to scare away predators, or to resemble the genitals of insects in order to attract the most significant number of pollinators and propagate. In this case, the Moon Orchid’s stripes look almost exactly like that of a tiger! Makes you wonder what kind animals this lovely little flower is trying to scare off.
Some call it Darwin’s Slipper, other the Happy Alien, and still more call them Chamber Maids. But no matter what name they go by, these crazy little mountain flowers are truly one of a kind. Originally discovered by Darwin between 1831 and 1836, the Chamber Maids love cold weather and can still be found in profusion in Tierra del Fuego, South America. The little white “plate” section of the flower tantalises local birds who eat it and, in doing so, gather pollen on their heads and in turn aid in the pollination of the plant. If you’re on the lookout for this plant be sure to look low; the only grow to be about 4 inches tall with blooms of just 2 inches long.
The Passion Flower has more than 400 different varieties and is known as the Clock Flower in India and Japan. When it was first encountered by Spanish missionaries, it was given its name because of its likeness to elements in the story of Jesus’s crucifixion which is also called “The Passion.” The Passion Flower produces an incredible scent that’s used commercially as well as a tasty fruit, which is used in flavourings for a number of different culinary dishes. Did you know that the Passion Flower is a food source for caterpillars and butterflies and is regularly grown on butterfly farms? Neat!
Named for its uncanny resemblance to an angel wearing a gown, the Angel Orchid is one of the gems of the orchid world. It was first discovered in 1932 and is native to the grasslands of India. The Angel Orchid is a rather short orchid in stature, topping out at just 5 inches high, with a single heart-shaped leaf that sits flat on the ground. The flowers themselves bloom in clusters ranging from one single orchid flower to five. If “April showers bring May flowers,” it’s the June monsoons we’ve got to thank for the early blooming of Angel Orchids. They are the first kind of orchids to bloom with the onset of monsoon season.
Native to and the national flower of Panama, the Dove or Holy Ghost Orchid produces delicately marbled white flowers that, if you look closely, look like they have a small dove with open wings perched inside. While most orchids can be found growing on or near trees, this type of orchid differentiates itself by growing on ground level, sometimes on rocks. The dove inside the flower is so intricate it looks almost like it’s been carved out of ivory. It is nicknamed the Holy Ghost Orchid because, in the Bible, the Holy Ghost took the form of a dove. This type of orchid is so highly-sought and over-picked that it is classified as endangered in its native country.
This monster of a plant was made famous in the movie Dennis the Menace. It blooms so infrequently that whenever one does, it often makes local and sometimes global headlines. The Corpse Lily is technically a compound flower and only grows in Indonesia, specifically Sumatra. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek “amorphous” which means “without form, misshapen.” Not only is this flower extremely rare, it’s extremely large, some can grow up to 12 feet tall and weigh nearly 200 pounds! If you’re still curious as to where it got its name, just take a whiff of one. The flower gives off the putrid odour of a rotting body in order to attract insects for pollination.
Possibly one of the most delicate, intricate of the orchids, the White Egret Orchid looks almost exactly like a White Egret in full flight. The White Egret Orchid is the most distinctive of the orchids and is extremely familiar with plant collectors and gardeners alike. A wild orchid variety, the White Egret Orchid flourishes in Asia and has also proven to successfully flourish in the United States as well. The flying bird-like flowers grow along a single spike, and a single spike can yield up to ten individual flowers and has the ability to grow up to sixteen inches tall! Quite the statement piece for any garden if you ask us
This fun flower looks more like a carnival toy than a creation of nature. Also known as the Catherine-wheel Pincushion, this is the most exquisite of the “firework pincushion” flowers. Not many flowers can compare to a bed of blooming Protea Pinwheels. The coolest fact about this flower is that it’s interconnected with fire. In the wild, Protea Pinwheels are perfectly suited to adapt to harsh climates. The best time for Protea Pinwheels to bloom is after a fire, when the adult plants, rodents, and other insects that would impede their growth have been destroyed. Protea Pinwheels ensure their continued existence by producing little fruit that is collected and eaten by ants. The ants do not eat the seeds, which remain dormant underground until there is a fire at which time the seeds are cued to begin germination.
Proteins are composed of amino acids that are required for the build of our tissues. The proteins in our regular diet help the growth, repair, and also maintenance of body tissues. The body can convert proteins to glucose to regulate blood glucose levels to meet the required energy levels.
Proteins are available in different quantities in different foods, including dairy, poultry, seafood, meat, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, products, and other dairy products.
Proteins are organic compounds that include amino acids joined by amide bonds. The body does not synthesise the essential amino acids.
Amino acids are organic compounds that consist of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Our body desires twenty different amino acids to grow and perform properly. At the same time, all twenty of those are vital for your health.
Out of 20, there are 9 essential amino acids; each of them performs a variety of vital jobs in your body. These amino acids are as follows:
I) Phenylalanine
Your body turns this aminoalkanoic acid into the neurotransmitters aminoalkanoic acid, dopamine, epinephrine, and noradrenaline. Phenylalanine plays an integral role in the performance of proteins and enzymes and also the production of alternative amino acids.
ii) Valine
Three branched-chain amino acids mean branching far from one aspect of its molecular structure. Valine is a supporting source to stimulate muscle growth and the regeneration process associated with energy production.
iii) Threonine
Threonine is the principal part of structural proteins, like scleroprotein and albuminoid. It conjointly plays a task in metabolism and immune operation.
iv) Tryptophan
Tryptophan essential amino acid could be a precursor to monoamine neurotransmitters. This neurochemical regulates your appetite, sleep, and mood.
V) Methionine
Methionine acid plays a crucial role in metabolism and detoxification. It's conjointly necessary for tissue growth and also for the absorption of metal.
VI) Leucine
Leucine is important for supermolecule synthesis and muscle repair. It conjointly helps regulate blood glucose levels, stimulates wound healing, and produces growth hormones.
VII) Isoleucine
Isoleucine essential amino acid is concerned with muscle metabolism and is heavily targeted in muscle tissue. It's conjointly vital for immune operation, Hb production, and energy regulation
VIII) Lysine
The essential amino acid plays a major role in supermolecule synthesis, metallic element absorption, and also in the production of hormones and enzymes. It's jointly vital for energy production, immune function, and also the production of scleroprotein and albuminoid.
IX) Histidine
The human body uses histidine to give neurochemicals that are very useful to immunologic responses, proper digestion, sexual activity, and maintaining sleep cycles. Histidine is also required for protecting barriers that surround your entire nerve cells.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients support the body's metabolism. Dietary minerals typically are trace parts, salts, or ions like copper and iron. Several minerals are required to regular human metabolism.
Vitamins are composed of organic compounds required for the body. They sometimes act as coenzymes or cofactors for numerous proteins within the body.
The second main chemical constituent of the plasma membrane is protein. Integral proteins are encapsulated in the plasma membrane and might stretch a part or all of the membrane and act as pumps or channels that help in the movement of particles inside and outside of the cell. Peripheral proteins are present on the internal areas or exterior of the plasma membrane, attached to either phospholipid molecules or to integral proteins. Integral and peripheral proteins both acts as enzymes, as constructural bonds for cytoskeleton fires, or as a component of recognition sites of the cell.
Receptors are the recognized sites on the membrane that are sites for attachments for materials that collaborate with the cell, and each receptor is formed to attach to a particular material. The attachment of a particular material to its receptor on the plasma membrane accelerates activities inside the cell, like stimulating enzymes engaged in metabolic pathways. These metabolic pathways are important for giving energy to the cell, preparing substances for the cell or toxins for discarding or breakdown of the cell's waste. In addition, neurotransmitters and extracellular hormones attach to receptors of the plasma membrane that transfer a signal into the cells to molecules inside the cell. Viruses use some recognition sites as attachment points. Howbeit they are largely specified, disease-causing organisms like the virus may emerge to misuse the recognition sites to enter inside the cell by imitating the particular substance that is meant to be bound with the receptor. This particularity aids in the explanation of why HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) or the hepatitis virus conquers only particular cells.
These large hairy spiders are facing threats to their survival, primarily due to habitat destruction. As humans clear forests for various purposes, tarantulas lose their homes and food sources, pushing some species toward extinction.
Additionally, the exotic pet trade poses another danger. The high demand for pet tarantulas leads to their capture from the wild, resulting in declining populations. In response to the declining population, the US Fish and Wildlife Service decided to protect 11 species already considered threatened and endangered.
These species are the following: Poecilotheria formosa, Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica (endangered), Poecilotheria metallica (critically endangered and highly sought after in the global pet trade), Poecilotheria miranda, Poecilotheria rufilata, Poecilotheria striata, Poecilotheria fasciata, Poecilotheria ornate (near threatened), Poecilotheria pederseni, Poecilotheria smithi (vulnerable), and Poecilotheria subfusca (near threatened).
Conservation efforts also focus on captive breeding programs to meet the demand for pet tarantulas without harming wild populations.
What is your favorite tarantula fact? Share it on your social media feeds, and tag us!
Healthy forests provide ecological services like air purification, water filtering, climate modulation, and flood and erosion control. They also produce better economic yield.
September 22 is World Rhino Day, an annual commemoration of the five species that share our planet - the Black, White, Indian, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos.
This event reminds us of these creatures' challenges, including habitat loss and poaching. More importantly, it encourages collective action to save these vital members of our global ecosystem.
Not only about rhinos, but this day also catalyzes necessary conversations about biodiversity, underscoring the invaluable role each species contributes to our ecological balance.
Mothers carry their babies in utero for a 17-month gestation period, and they give birth every three to 10 years until becoming menopausal around age 40. They are exceptionally protective of their offspring, and often adolescent females are recruited to assist in caring for calves. Mothers will nurse their babies for up to two years, forming a bond so strong that if a mother dies, the mortality rate of her sons increases. Orcas are some of the affected mammals in the ocean due to pollution, and the contaminants make their way into breastmilk, increasing the mortality rate of all young to 50% within the first year.
This fun flower looks more like a carnival toy than a creation of nature. Also known as the Catherine-wheel Pincushion, this is the most exquisite of the “firework pincushion” flowers. Not many flowers can compare to a bed of blooming Protea Pinwheels. The coolest fact about this flower is that it’s interconnected with fire. In the wild, Protea Pinwheels are perfectly suited to adapt to harsh climates. The best time for Protea Pinwheels to bloom is after a fire, when the adult plants, rodents, and other insects that would impede their growth have been destroyed. Protea Pinwheels ensure their continued existence by producing little fruit that is collected and eaten by ants. The ants do not eat the seeds, which remain dormant underground until there is a fire at which time the seeds are cued to begin germination.
Since winter comes early to Kanazawa, the yukitsuri is put up
in November. It starts with the famous Karasaki Pine in
Kenrokuen Garden.
The trees that are suppported are pines, azaleas, and fruit
trees. First a pole is propped up near the trunk of a tree and
rope is hung from it and attached to the ground, forming a
teepee-like shape. This process is especially important for
evergreen trees because they are so delicate.
There are three types of yukitsuri.
Ringo-tsuri: five ropes attached to one pole are
placed close to the trunk of a tree, and
a special decorative rope is attached to
the top of the pole.
Miki-tsuri: used to support young trees such
as pine and cherry. The rope is attached
directly to the top of a tree and hangs
directly into the lower branches of the
tree giving it proper support.
Shibori: used on shrubs such as bush clovers
and azaleas. Rope is used to gather all
the branches into a bottle-like shape.
This method is used to protect the plants
from snow piling up on the ground around
them.
The most popular method is Ringo-tsuri, and all the famous and
older trees in Kenrokuen Garden are supported in this manner.
Female hippos are called cows. They give birth to babies every 2 years. They usually give birth to one young at a time. Then they enter their group under the leadership of a strong man. They do this to escape from more ferocious animals including lions, hyenas, crocodiles.
স্ত্রী প্রজাতির জলহস্তীদের গাভী বলা হয়। এরা ২ বছর পর পর বাচ্চা জন্ম দিয়ে থাকে। এরা সাধারনত একবারে একটি বাচ্চা জন্ম দিয়ে থাকে। এরপর এরা কোন শক্তিশালী পুরুষের নেতৃত্বে তাদের গ্রুপে ঢুকে পড়ে। সিংহ, হায়েনা, কুমির সহ আরও হিংস্র প্রানীর হাত থেকে রক্ষা পাওয়ার জন্য এরা এমন করে থাকে।
One of a threatened species, a northern spotted owl perches on a branch. Spotted owls are dark brown with spots of white. To an untrained eye, barred and spotted owls may look similar, but they are unique in their color patterns — and competitors for food and habitat. (Courtesy Paul Bannick)
Amino acids are organic compounds that consist of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Our body desires twenty different amino acids to grow and perform properly. At the same time, all twenty of those are vital for your health.
Out of 20, there are 9 essential amino acids; each of them performs a variety of vital jobs in your body. These amino acids are as follows:
I) Phenylalanine
Your body turns this aminoalkanoic acid into the neurotransmitters aminoalkanoic acid, dopamine, epinephrine, and noradrenaline. Phenylalanine plays an integral role in the performance of proteins and enzymes and also the production of alternative amino acids.
ii) Valine
Three branched-chain amino acids mean branching far from one aspect of its molecular structure. Valine is a supporting source to stimulate muscle growth and the regeneration process associated with energy production.
iii) Threonine
Threonine is the principal part of structural proteins, like scleroprotein and albuminoid. It conjointly plays a task in metabolism and immune operation.
iv) Tryptophan
Tryptophan essential amino acid could be a precursor to monoamine neurotransmitters. This neurochemical regulates your appetite, sleep, and mood.
V) Methionine
Methionine acid plays a crucial role in metabolism and detoxification. It's conjointly necessary for tissue growth and also for the absorption of metal.
VI) Leucine
Leucine is important for supermolecule synthesis and muscle repair. It conjointly helps regulate blood glucose levels, stimulates wound healing, and produces growth hormones.
VII) Isoleucine
Isoleucine essential amino acid is concerned with muscle metabolism and is heavily targeted in muscle tissue. It's conjointly vital for immune operation, Hb production, and energy regulation
VIII) Lysine
The essential amino acid plays a major role in supermolecule synthesis, metallic element absorption, and also in the production of hormones and enzymes. It's jointly vital for energy production, immune function, and also the production of scleroprotein and albuminoid.
IX) Histidine
The human body uses histidine to give neurochemicals that are very useful to immunologic responses, proper digestion, sexual activity, and maintaining sleep cycles. Histidine is also required for protecting barriers that surround your entire nerve cells.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients support the body's metabolism. Dietary minerals typically are trace parts, salts, or ions like copper and iron. Several minerals are required to regular human metabolism.
Vitamins are composed of organic compounds required for the body. They sometimes act as coenzymes or cofactors for numerous proteins within the body.
