Newly Discovered: Mimulus Peregrinus

Mimulus peregrinus, a new species that came to be in southern Scotland approximately 140 years ago, provides exciting insights into the natural processes of hybrid evolution.

From Scientific American online:

"M. peregrinus's genus turns up around the world but most species grown in North America and Australia. Different monkey flower species can hybridize, although their offspring carry an odd number of chromosomes, rendering them sterile....A rare mutilation duplicated the entire genome of M. peregrinus...[that] evened out the number of chromosomes and the flower avoided a genetic dead-end."

Another startling and invaluable look into the evolutionary processes which make life on earth possible - and a reminder that these age-old "mutations" occur contemporarily. Carl Sagan would smile at such a discovery.

Sarracenia Leucophylla

The North American white pitcher plant is a thing of carnivorous beauty; to see these growing outdoors would be pleasurable, to say the least. This rings especially true since its natural habitat is the endangered wetlands to be found in the Southeastern region of the United States, specifically along the Gulf Coast of Florida. The loss of species, both animal and plantae, is lamentable.

Ilex Aquifolium

As a nod to the continuation of the holiday season I thought it pertinent to post about Holly, as I myself knew little to nothing about the plant itself nor was I familiar with its origins within the Christmas tradition.

An overview: Ilex aquiforium, or European holly, originated in the south of Europe and eventually spread through that continent, making its way to Australia. Although its berries are toxic to humans, birds have no trouble digesting them, which appears particularly attractive for the shrub bears fruit throughout much of the winter season. As for its status as a holiday mainstay, holly was first used as a representation within the Christian tradition when Oliver Cromwell claimed power in England after the execution of King Charles I; his reign would last almost a decade (1649-1658). Puritanism was proclaimed as the nation's religion, forcing Christians to develop unobtrusive ways to worship as they desired. It was during this time that holly came to represent the crown of thorns worn by Christ, and its berries Christ's blood, for Christians used the boughs of this evergreen as a reminder of their savior's birth, suffering, and death.