Botany News

Enjoy our NEW online Ezine/Newsletter, Botany News, covering diverse categories of plant biology, conservation, environmental education, ecology, expeditions, nature, and many more. This botanical newsletter delivers monthly good quality information on botany.

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Take a look at these recent Botany News Articles:

Growing by the hot springs

The geothermal areas in Iceland have unique vegetation including plants that are restricted to warm soils.  Many geothermal sites also boast magnificient geological features.  Hence, it necessary to carefully manage geothermal areas, preserving their special character.  

North woods  

The dark green carpet across Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Russia and Scandinavia is the world’s vast boreal forest. In Canada the Balsam Fir (Abies balsameae) dominates the spruce-fir landscape in southeastern Canada and northeastern United States. 

Will food from plants......  

Cultivation of plants is needed as the main basis for producing more food for a growing human population. Careful planting and crop protection must be followed by the careful transport of the product to the market. 

Northern legumes

The Vetches (Vicia species) are legumes, with many leaflets and climbing with soft tendrils. Tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca) is a common legume in Iceland as well as all over Europe. 

Delightful ginger

Ginger is the common name for the robust perennial monocot Zingiber officinale.  The plant carries fragrant flowers and belongs to the Ginger family (Zingiberaceae).  Originating in southern China, Ginger is cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, especially India. 

Tropical forests

The world's tropical forests occur between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, in areas of high temperatures, plenty of sunshine and abundant rainfall. Tropical forests are diverse; typically the forests are dense and layered, with openings for the establishment of woody plants, palms, ferns and occasionally herbs.

The flora of Iceland: ancient or recent?

Iceland is situated in the North Atlantic between the continents of Europe and North America.  Greenland is the nearest country, the nearest point being 300 km away.  While, the coasts of Norway 1000km, Scotland 800 m, and Ireland are considerably further away.

Speaking of chili peppers!

Chili peppers, peppers seeds and ground chili are popular spices around the world.  The many varieties of chili peppers differ in shape, colour, flavour, and pungency.  Each type adding its unique flavour and aroma to steaks, stews, soups and sauces, making the red-hot chili peppers an important item on your spice shelf. 

By the seaside

Near the coast in Iceland there is unique vegetation, including maritime plants as well as other plants associated with diverse sandy habitats, lava fields and highland deserts. 

The Papyrus Plant
(Cyperus papyrus) is a tall robust plant in the sedge family (Cyperaceae). The Papyrus Plant is usually rooted but sometimes floating and forming large mats. The plant orginates in Africa, while its current distribution extends to the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions. 

The aquatic plants of Iceland
Ponds and streams are often well suited for plant and animal life.  On Reykjavik Pond, Tjörnin, there are Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), other ducks, and Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus). 

Green Tabloid – Speaking of acid rain
Industry and cars are a part of our modern existence.  However, there is a constant need to try to control and minimize our impact on the living environment and the world's precious water resources. 

The Figs
The edible figs are much grown in the Mediterranean region and are the compound fruits of the Common Fig Tree (Ficus carica.  Figs are consumed either fresh or dry, while the most delicious figs are only partly dried and remain soft in the centre. 

Plants grown in northern gardens: Linden trees
Large-leaved Lime (Tilia platyphyllos) forms a large canopy with delicate branches carrying nicely heart-shaped leaves and sweet-smelling flowers.

Speaking of herbs: Mints, marjoram and more!

Among the members of the Labiate family that are used as herbs are Peppermint, Spearmint, Marjoram, Sage, Thyme and Basil.  The mints are among the easiest herbs to grow, but at the same time difficult to control as they send out roots in all directions.

Lava fields of Iceland

Among In southern Iceland you find large lava fields covered with continuous mats of moss, while lava fields in northern Iceland often have less moss but more lichens. Northern Iceland has a drier climate than southern Iceland.  Montane Moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum) is often pronounced. 

Plants growing in the interior of Iceland
In Iceland, tundra is largely confined to the interior that has very short summers as well as extensive sands interspersed with stretches of wetlands along rivers.

The world of beans
Broad Bean (Vicia faba), is confined mostly to tropical regions of the world, while requiring a cool season for its development. This plant is grown as a winter annual in the warm temperate and subtropical regions and is cultivated for its seeds that are consumed either immature or mature.

The Green Tabloid
Water, soil and Earth's green biosphere are the support system for animal life on planet Earth. Plants are a part of the continuum of life, where the important interactions of plants and animals occur.

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