It's raining DNA hallelujah
The fact that ‘Wild Flowers’ are so called tells us a lot about
the way we view nature. They are named
after the part which appeals to us aesthetically. I think they should be renamed
‘Wild Seeds.’ I can imagine our early ancestors would have been
a lot more interested in this, possibly
edible, part of the plant.
To the plant this is the business end of the year – the time when it makes copies of itself. It also makes means of dispersing these copies. Hence the ‘possibly edible’ part - some plants bribing other organisms to act as their couriers – “here’s a juicy blackberry for you if carry these mini-me’s down to the bottom of the hill”.
Over the last couple of weeks, on my patch walks, I’ve been marveling at the variety and sheer abundance of these seedheads. A windy day transformed a field full of thistles into a downy blizzard. Berries have been ripening – an ‘eat-me’ advertising campaign. Himalayan Balsam has been setting seed booby traps – ready to turn bazooka at t…
To the plant this is the business end of the year – the time when it makes copies of itself. It also makes means of dispersing these copies. Hence the ‘possibly edible’ part - some plants bribing other organisms to act as their couriers – “here’s a juicy blackberry for you if carry these mini-me’s down to the bottom of the hill”.
Over the last couple of weeks, on my patch walks, I’ve been marveling at the variety and sheer abundance of these seedheads. A windy day transformed a field full of thistles into a downy blizzard. Berries have been ripening – an ‘eat-me’ advertising campaign. Himalayan Balsam has been setting seed booby traps – ready to turn bazooka at t…