Bull Kelp

A couple of weeks back, I saw my first ever Bull Kelp at Huntington Beach! Technically, Bull Kelp is a broad name for a genus, Nereocystis, meaning mermaid's-bladder in Greek. The thing about the genus is, it's monotypic meaning it contains just one species: Nereocystis luetkeana. Depending on where you're from, you might call it … Continue reading Bull Kelp

Reflection: Dead Forests & Living Memories

In her article for The New York Times, “Dead Forests and Living Memories”, Helen paints a picture of a lost landscape, the struggles of restoration and conservation efforts, and the continued threat of globalization on native ecosystems.

Dispatches From Somewhere #7: Pitcher Plants

Weird plants are the best finds. On a camping trip this August with my brother, we came across a bunch of Purple Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea) in a bog! Similar to the Venus Fly Trap, it too is a carnivorous plant, trapping insects inside its pitcher. One of my favorite things about them actually is, … Continue reading Dispatches From Somewhere #7: Pitcher Plants

This Toxic, Nectarless Flower is Spread by Ants

Bloodroot is a perennial native to North America and blooms between March and May. It's called Bloodroot because if you were to break open the stem or roots, it bleeds. If you've ever done so, congratulations, you are a murderer---just kidding. The "blood" is a sap and is a deep, rich, reddish-orange.