Author: Eyu Chan Hong

Botany Ethnobotany

Holly: Frau Holle’s holy tree

Of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly wears the crown! There are four hundred or so evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs that make up this large genus, which is Aquifoliaceae. Generally, species under this genus are known as holly. They come predominantly from the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. They are grown for their foliage and produce clusters of small glossy berries. With its shiny green and spiky foliage […]

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Ethnobotany Parasitic plants

Mistletoe – a parasitic plant is the symbol of Christmas

Mistletoes are a diverse group of aerial parasitic plants, particularly obligate hemiparasitic with a worldwide distribution. It is usually found in the temperature forest along the Pacific rim of southern South America. It is a successful and interesting plant that parasitize trees and shrubs, establishing xylem connections with their hosts to obtain water and other xylem-borne nutrients. Mistletoe grows on a range of trees including willow, apple, and oak trees. It is also found on […]

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Botany Evolution Parasitic plants

They are expert in stealing – parasitic plants

It doesn’t sound rationale that there are plants that do not make their own foods and living as parasites on other plants. As autotrophs, plants are supposed to live on their own because plants, as most people would assume, are entitled to their abilities to photosynthesis, which is the process of making foods with light and air. However, nature never fails to challenge people’s perceptions with exceptions. In fact, there are about 4500 species of […]

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Ethnobotany Gymnosperms Horticulture

The tree that bears presents – Christmas tree

The Christmas present is underneath the Christmas tree. Weeks before, the children had written letters to the baby Jesus and slipped them in between the winter windows. Then, the children go to bed while waiting for the surprises from Santa Claus. The tradition of giving presents is not so very old. There was a time when the Christmas tree was unknown in the mountainside. Nowadays, the market offers a Christmas tree suitable for every taste […]

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Ethnobotany Horticulture

The Christmas star– Poinsettia

Many flower blossoms remind us of radiant stars in appearance and color. The flowers and other plant parts with stars ultimately lead to the Christmas star or star of Bethlehem, which is a natural conclusion from the Christian point of view that dominated even science until at least the end of the nineteenth century. Potted poinsettias are a familiar Christmas decoration all over the northern hemisphere, but this native of Mexico is only a garden […]

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Horticulture Taxonomy

Sexuality in plants – he or she? or both?

Most people would refer plants to female or she and mostly describe them as a symbol of femininity, resilience, and fertility in literacy because regardless of their sex, they are capable of producing seedlings or baby plants either through sexual or asexual reproduction. Similar to animals, plants have genders. However, it is not as clear and straightforward as compared to animals and humans. The variations of sex in plants are extensive which are reflected as […]

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Horticulture Houseplants

Tips for choosing the ideal location for houseplants

It is undeniable that modern green ensures green positivity for us especially those who work from home in the current global pandemic. A room with modern green, not only provides natural positivity but also supply plenty of fresh air to us by eliminating toxic substances from the air. Other than the miniature indoor landscaping planting such as bonsai, kokedama, and terrarium, the most popular way would be growing houseplants in the dwelling. There is a […]

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Anecdotes Plant Defense Mechanism Plant Interaction

Social distancing among plants

The Covid-19 outbreak, the strike of one of the most contagious viruses in human history has caused a global pandemic with widespread infections around the world. The coronavirus spread so fast that people can get infected either through close contact with infected people, a few touches with an item’s surface that has viruses on it, or just staying in the same room with an infected person for a short time. Because of the airborne ability, […]

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