Plants

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TREE TUESDAY | Ponga tree fern

Ponga (Aotearoa / New Zealand ) In rongoā Māori/Māori medicine ponga gum is taken to evict parasites worming through our intestines, and the pith (the soft cellular tissue) is known as an antiseptic.   These tree ferns are usually found in dry or open-air areas in lowland to lower mountain forest throughout the North Island. In the South Island ponga is largely absent from the wetter west and south, preferring sites with better drainage. Did you know? The silver fern...

In praise of plants

The new series “The Green Planet” by naturalist Sir David Attenborough – begs the question ‘why did it take so long for such a brilliant series to be made at all’ . In these already pandemic-stressed times,  it’s best not to ask and the answer would likely come…. ‘for a range of reasons’. Great news – it has received high acclaim including putting plants. Here, as a result, we kick-start a new series about websites, films, books and facts about...

Are plants really important? What about illegal trade?

Animals are exciting because they move, come with a sense of danger ( some can eat you etc ) ,  some make great pets, and so on. Plants are, well, not as exciting? even boring? Certainly overlooked. Question: What was last animal you saw? Can you remember its colour, size and shape? Could you ID it? What about the last plant? A phenomenon called ‘plant blindness’ means we tend to underappreciate the flora around us. That , suggests research including...