/r/botany

Photograph via snooOG

Botany is the scientific study of plants. Topics may include: Evolution, Ecology, Morphology, Systematics, and Physiology.

Please use r/whatsthisplant for all plant identification requests.

If you have any questions or want to discuss the science of botany, please feel free to post a question or discussion topic.


If you need a plant ID'd, please head to /r/whatsthisplant

If you need help taking care of a plant please go to /r/plantclinic

Other Science Subreddits*





If your subreddit is not listed, or you would like to suggest a subreddit, please message the mods


Assessing botanical capacity report

Online botanical resources

/r/botany

145,475 Subscribers

1

Where is dodder native?

I’m getting mixed results about where dodder is native. Is it mostly in North America or was it introduced here?

1 Comment
2023/09/25
14:27 UTC

1

How to tell what division a plant is in just by looking at it?

So I have this Biology class in college where we have to tell what division a plant is a part of just by looking at it. I know nothing about plants.

0 Comments
2023/09/25
20:58 UTC

4

Do yew trees poison the soil/other plants around them?

I know evergreens prevent grasses and other plants growing near them, are yew trees the same or can you grow smaller plants around their bases?

4 Comments
2023/09/24
22:12 UTC

0

I ate Yew

Hey guys I chewed on the flesh of three Yew berries but I spit out the seeds (did not chew the seed at all) and then I realized it was poisonous I know I’m stupid okay but should I go to the hospital/call poison control or something? I saw online that the flesh isn’t toxic so I think I’ll be fine. Thanks

14 Comments
2023/09/24
22:29 UTC

0

Is it possible to fertilize pineapples with raw meat?

I'm just wondering. Since pineapples contain bromelain, which eats away at our meat when we eat it (and can help to tenderize meats), does this mean that the pineapple plant, which contains bromelain in its stem and leaves, can actually metabolize small quantities of meats and use them to its own growth advantage?

13 Comments
2023/09/24
23:23 UTC

10

Can I do plant research with a degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology?

Hi it’s a pretty lengthy title, but I was wondering if maybe I can do plant research with this degree or maybe I should stick to environmental science? I don’t mind either. Thank you! :)

8 Comments
2023/09/24
06:41 UTC

1

All our Monotropa Unifloras are pink this year, last year all white. Anyone know why?

Southern Appalachian recent succession mostly oak and rhododendron forest. Plenty of Heath family of course.

0 Comments
2023/09/23
18:01 UTC

2

Metamorphosis in Plants?

I have a question if there are plants that experience metamorphosis comparable to something like an insect would. I'd imagine that being a plant and all wouldn't lend itself very well to it.

6 Comments
2023/09/23
21:22 UTC

7

A question about flowering trees

I'm sitting in my garden looking at my pear tree. It's the first weeks of spring and the tree has got a few green shoots popping out of the buds, and a few blossums on their way.

It got me thinking about how the tree uses energy to do this. My understanding is that the leaves are where the photosynthesis happens. But unfurling them would also take energy.

Does flowering/leaf process happen exponentially? My assumption is the tree can squeeze out the first few leaves using some sort of reserve energy, then those leaves do photosynthesis which makes it easier to grow more leaves, and those leaves do more photosynthesis making it easier to grow more, and so on and so on.

Is that roughly how it works?

8 Comments
2023/09/24
02:34 UTC

2

Can someone help me identify where the carpels are on this Chicory flower?

I'm guessing the blue prominence is the stamen and feel kind of stupid on the rest. Is the white fuzz the anther? Are the two thingies coming out of the white/fuzz part the carpel? Are the stamen and carpel adnate to one another?

3 Comments
2023/09/23
23:31 UTC

2

Our Persimmon/Diospyros tree regularly drops half-developed fruit that lacks any seeds— What is the evolutionary advantage of this?

Our persimmon tree drops at least 1/3 of its fruit before ripening season every year.

The dropped persimmon fruits are small/poorly developed and always lack seeds.

I’m trying to figure out why a tree would invest so much energy into developing fruit and then dropping the fruit before a seed develops.

Is there a fertilisation system in Diospyros/Persimmons that causes the ovary to fructify without ovule fertilisation/seed formation?

How is this system advantageous for the plant in terms of both energy efficiency and reproductive capacity?

Is it just that thousands of years of domestication has made them “a little wonky?”

2 Comments
2023/09/22
18:11 UTC

4

Citation Breadcrumbs, part 4 (In search of rare plant descriptions)

We've finally done it; tracked down the plant photo and description of the rare Argentina sumatrana from first principles. Join me as I "apprehend" the plant suspect in this fun detective series which should hopefully entertain and educate: https://urbanfoodforest.substack.com/p/citation-breadcrumbs-part-4

0 Comments
2023/09/21
19:17 UTC

1

What career should I look into?

I'm studying for a plant science degree and I've been wondering what the best kind of career there is to get into. Im curious if there's a more specific branch of plant science worth majoring in or if more than a batchelors degree is necessary in reality. I'd love any first hand stories or advice.

1 Comment
2023/09/22
03:38 UTC

0

Discover CRISPR-Cas9: Mechanisms & Applications

In this eye-opening video, we delve into the astounding world of CRISPR-Cas9, a groundbreaking genetic editing tool. Discover how this technology works at the molecular level and explore its vast range of applications, from curing genetic diseases to revolutionizing agriculture. We'll also discuss the ethical considerations surrounding CRISPR-Cas9. Join us on this journey of scientific wonder and responsible innovation. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more captivating content on our Channel. Stay informed and stay inspired #CRISPR #GeneticEditing #ScienceExplained #Innovation #Biotechnology #MolecularBiology #Healthcare #Agriculture #Genetics #FutureTech #EthicalScience #ScientificRevolution #SubscribeNow #StayInformed #StayInspired #DNAEditing #CRISPRcas9 #GeneTherapy #CuttingEdgeScience #Bioengineering #GenomeEditing #MedicalBreakthrough #ScienceandTechnology #GeneticRevolution #ScienceForAll #FutureOfMedicine #Bioethics #ScientificAdvancements #ScienceExploration #EducationalVideos #ScienceInAction #LearnAndGrow #ScienceChannel #ExploreTheUnknown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3eV9OkodJE

0 Comments
2023/09/22
09:47 UTC

2

Why can't I find seed in Quack grass (Elytrigia repens)?

Hi there, I have been trying to find seed on Quack grass (Elytrigia repens) for years now, but never managed to. Can someone explain to me what I might be doing wrong or what might be goning on? Could it be some kind of fungus (I always see black marks on florets)?

Thanks in advance for any kind of advice.

1 Comment
2023/09/22
15:48 UTC

5

Beginner in botanic.

Hellos sir's I'm interested in botanic. Today in today I make bonsai and I'm interested in botanic I know a few things about the botanical works but i want lo learn or study botanic. What is a good book for beginners?

1 Comment
2023/09/22
01:20 UTC

2

New member with a question

I've been doing a bit of research for an assignment I was given on cocaine and I'm trying to find other plants/roots/nuts to compare it to just so I can give examples and a bit of justification as to why even though it's illegal, people will always find a way/move to the next best thing to achieve a similar high.

My assignment is due next week and anything I find online isn't of much help. I get the occasional "addiction help line" or something about why it's illegal.

If anyone has knowledge on this or can give some examples it'd be much appreciated.

4 Comments
2023/09/20
21:15 UTC

2

A weird leaf on my pepper plant.

Not really worried about this, however I was just curious as to how and why this type of leaf forms. Is it just a rare leaf formation? (Before you ask, no the leaf wasn’t cut by something on accident.)

0 Comments
2023/09/20
04:55 UTC

5

What’s the underlying mechanism for deciduous trees to shed leaves?

I always thought that leaves on the trees that grow in temperate climates turn yellow/red in the fall and then fall off because of a changing weather or lower temperatures. But then I saw something different.

I’m in Kenya now. It’s late September but the temperatures are in upper 70’s (upper 20’s in C) and upper 50’s (upper teens in C) at night. Which I would consider a summer weather for the northern hemisphere.

There’s a park nearby where they planted some imported trees. So we were there yesterday and there are some trees there (I didn’t recognize the type, I’m not a biologist, sorry) that have yellow leaves and some have shed their leaves completely.

So I’m wondering, what’s the mechanism for that?

20 Comments
2023/09/20
05:49 UTC

3

When observing a plant every week, what are the things to consider?

When observing a plant every week, what are the things to consider? It would best if you would give examples so that I would an idea on what should input on my report. Basically, my plant is a flowering one.

1 Comment
2023/09/20
09:03 UTC

9

Do a plants xylem have designated points to where it transports water?

I'm a total noob when it comes to biology and botany. But as I've understood it the plant transports water from the soil via its root hairs to its xylem. And the xylem works like straws/canals that transports the water up the stem and out the branches to the plants leaves.

My question is if each one of these canals run independently from the ground up to its specific designated leave? Or if it is more of sponge like material and that the canals cooperate. If i were to trim a certain root off of my chili plant or accidentally damage some part of the stem, would that effect a particular set of leaves?

Thanks for your time :)

8 Comments
2023/09/20
12:23 UTC

1

Looking for books on fruit trees evolution or their history

I'm interested in some works that talk about the evolution of fruit trees, or about their early history - as early as possible. Thank you!

0 Comments
2023/09/19
12:58 UTC

6

Heliconia psittacorum toxicity

I recently bought a potted Heliconia psittacorum from Lowe's. The intent was to either add it to my Veiled Chameleon's enclosure or, if not advisable, that's fine too it can just be another plant that I have.

I'm getting mixed results when I search for whether this plant is toxic in any way, so my question is...is it? And does anyone know which compounds specifically are considered toxic?

It's ok if someone doesn't know how that might relate specifically to a Veiled Chameleon, but just knowing what exactly makes H. psittacorum considered toxic could give me a jumping off point for further investigation. In the mean time, it's sitting on my front porch looking pretty next to an orange hibiscus!

Thanks in advance!

3 Comments
2023/09/19
16:13 UTC

1

What career path will I need to take if I want to get involved with ways to sustain plant life in a vacuum (space)?

Currently have a degree in Mechanical Engineering (Aerospace).

0 Comments
2023/09/18
17:59 UTC

1

Help with a project

Hi, I’m an art student who wants to design a world inhabited by humanoid plants. I’ve been struggling with figuring out the best way to place plants into different kingdoms/countries and also am lacking in general plant knowledge. I would really like to incorporate actual science into my reasons for varying aspects for the world such as homes, hierarchy, etc. If anyone has any good books that I can look into or general advice it would be greatly appreciated!

0 Comments
2023/09/18
01:44 UTC

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