PLANTS

Scientists Find Two New Species of Deadly 'Bird-Catcher' Trees

The trees want birds to disperse seeds—but sometimes kill them instead.

MAGNIFICENT CRINUM CRASSICAULE, THOMAS BAINES © THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW

6 Beautiful Botanical Sketches From History

Botanical Sketchbooks, a new book by Helen and William Bynum, collects some of the best drawings of the world's flora dating back to the 15th century.

In 1989, Someone Tried to Murder a 600-Year-Old Oak Tree in Texas

As Austinites processed their shock and grief, the police worked to nab the perpetrator.

Read One of the First Eyewitness Accounts of Antarctica

Joseph Dalton Hooker ate penguins and discovered volcanoes on the 1840s expedition.

How Plants Fight Back Against Predators

Unable to run away, plants have developed some vicious defense mechanisms.

5 Smart Gardening Devices to Turn Your Thumb Green

Are you forgetful about watering your houseplants? These devices can help.

Meet the Man Cloning Ancient Redwood Trees

Reforestation promises to bring back old-growth trees...very slowly.

How to Preserve Your Herbs So They Stay Fresh Longer

Don't let your leftover rosemary get dry and flavorless.

Tree-Climbing, Seed-Spitting Goats Help Trees Grow in New Places

Goats climb argan trees and eat the fruit, then return to the ground, wander off, and spit the seeds into new soil.

Farmer Sets Out to Grow a Pretty Plant—Creates World’s Hottest Pepper Instead

The Dragon's Breath chili is 1.5 times hotter than the Carolina Reaper.

3268zauber via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 3.0

Scientists Finally Crack the Sunflower’s Genetic Code

Previous attempts to dissect the full sunflower genome have all been unsuccessful.

Build an Indoor Garden With These LEGO-Like Planters

The modular blocks can be configured to fit any space.

Native Plants Helped a Colorado Neighborhood Save 15 Million Gallons of Water a Year

A Denver neighborhood managed to save millions of gallons of water by replacing juniper bushes and grass with native plants that were made to survive in the high desert.

The duckweed with the translucent rounded top is Asian watermeal; the rest is another duckweed species, Northern watermeal.

Meet the World's Smallest Fruit

It's easy to be impressed by big things.

NASA Is Developing an Inflatable Greenhouse to Use on Mars

NASA and researchers at the University of Arizona are building a greenhouse that can mimic conditions on Earth to feed astronauts on the moon and on Mars.

Muhaiminah Faiz via Instructables //CC BY-NC-SA 2.5

13 Creative Ways to Plant Succulents

Creative ways to show off your succulents.

11 Plants That Look Like Animals

Some species have evolved to look like an entirely different type of living creature.

Library of Congress, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

10 Crazy Creations of “Plant Wizard” Luther Burbank

Even if you haven't heard of Luther Burbank, you've probably tasted his work.

D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms Will Arrive Extra Early This Year

An unseasonably warm winter (what is seasonal anymore, anyway?) has forced organizers to start the capital’s beloved annual Cherry Blossom Festival one week early.

Cliff via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0

The 392-Year-Old Bonsai That Survived Hiroshima

It eventually made its way to Washington, D.C.

Plants Tailor Their Chemical Weapons to Match Their Opponent

Researchers say field mustard plants can identify their attackers and select offensive gases accordingly.

8 of Nature's Smelliest Plants

Fish, feces, and vomit, oh my!

NX1Z via Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Famous Giant Sequoia Topples in California Storm

The giant tree had a tunnel big enough to drive through.

Why Are Poinsettias Associated with Christmas?

Certain Christmas traditions never seem to go out of style. Along with wreaths, gingerbread cookies, and reruns of 'A Christmas Story' sits the poinsettia, a red-tinged leafy arrangement that’s become synonymous with the holiday.

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