20
May
Crystal ‘flowers’ bloom in Harvard nanotech lab
Harvard researchers have found a way to shape microscopic crystals into complex and often beautiful structures.
20
May
Crystal ‘flowers’ bloom in Harvard nanotech lab
Harvard researchers have found a way to shape microscopic crystals into complex and often beautiful structures.
01
May
How flower petals get their shape
A study found that concealed maps within flower buds are made up of patterns of arrows that act as instructions for how each cell in the bud should grow.
28
Mar
Mother Nature offers a bounty of helpful and healing plant life, and the leaves, flowers, bark and berries of plants have been used for centuries to cure everything from hunger to headaches. The next time you’re in the great outdoors and find yourself in need of anything from aspirin to toilet paper, take a look around and help yourself to some of the Earth’s most useful wild plants.
10 remarkably useful plants you can find in the wild
08
Mar
Bees remember flowers that serve them caffeine
Scientists think the caffeine is affecting neurons in the bees’ brains in a way that reinforces memories, and that it may have the same effect on humans.
01
Mar
Spoonbills and crocuses jump the gun on spring
Although the first official day of spring is March 20, several species of flora and fauna are already flaunting their cheerful colors. See more spring photos.
22
Feb
25
Jan
This fleshy flower, which is found in southern Africa, is known for having the appearance of female genitalia. The odor that it exudes, however, is more reminiscent of another bodily orifice. Yes, that’s right: it smells like feces. It’s an effective stink given that its pollinator of choice is the dung beetle.
9 of the worst smelling flowers in the world
11
Jan
Rafflesia arnoldii produces the largest individual flower in the world. You might be impressed by one, until you got close enough to take a whiff. The nickname it shares with titan arum, corpse flower, tells you everything you need to know about its aroma. As with several other foul-smelling blooms, the scent is designed to smell like rotting carrion to attract flies.
9 of the worst smelling flowers in the world
28
Nov
How rare black dahlias get their color
Findings suggest ability to genetically engineer dahlias with specific color patterns.
31
Oct
Can genetic engineering make better flowers?
Get ready for glow-in-the-dark jellyfish orchids.
