The hottest Botany Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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How an unappetizing shrub became dozens of different vegetables

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 31 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
🔬 Science Botany
  1. A single wild plant, Brassica oleracea, was bred into many different vegetables—cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, gai lan, and more—by selecting for different edible parts.
  2. Its plant biology and genome made that easy: changing the shoot apical meristem’s timing produced leaves versus flower clusters, and polyploidy (extra gene copies) gave lots of genetic variation with less risk.
  3. Domestication likely began around the Mediterranean in antiquity and spread with people, and today wild and local landrace cabbage populations hold genetic diversity we can use to breed more resilient crops for future climates.

A Most Important Mustard

Asimov Press • 264 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Arabidopsis thaliana is a small plant that was first discovered in the Harz Mountains of Germany. Despite its simplicity, it has become a major model for plant biology.
  2. Important researchers saw its potential, especially because it has a small genome and can be easily manipulated in the lab. This made it useful for studying plant genetics.
  3. Over time, Arabidopsis has transformed from being overlooked to becoming a key species for understanding many plant processes, benefiting both research and agriculture.

Monkey Puzzles and Muir

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 519 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🎭️ Culture Botany
  1. Monkey puzzle trees, native to Chile, are known for their unique look and have deep cultural connections with the Indigenous Araucano people who use the nuts for food.
  2. John Muir traveled to South America to find these trees and wrote about his admiration for them, showing how much he valued nature.
  3. The arrival of monkey puzzle trees in Seattle is somewhat mysterious, tied to early 20th-century expos and possibly explorers, but their history goes back millions of years.

The Voynich Manuscript: A Translation

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 483 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
📚 Literature Botany
  1. The Voynich Manuscript is a mysterious historic text from the early 1400s that contains drawings and writings in an unknown language. No one has been able to figure out what it says or even identify the plants drawn in it.
  2. A group called The Hinternet is working on translating this manuscript, sharing their progress with the public. Their recent translation includes five new pages that have never been properly understood before.
  3. The translation process is incredibly difficult, and it has taken years to get even a few pages done. The dedication required to work on this manuscript is intense, and those who help are very passionate about their research.
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Festooning Ferns

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 399 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Botany
  1. The Stone Bridge, built in the 1930s, is a beautiful example of WPA architecture that blends with the natural landscape. It's made from local sandstone and has striking arches that enhance its charm.
  2. Licorice ferns are unique plants that grow on trees and bridges, adding to the natural beauty around us. They were also used by Indigenous peoples for their sweet flavor and medicinal properties.
  3. In the Pacific Northwest, many plants thrive in the moist climate, often found decorating trees and structures. This shows how nature can adapt and flourish in urban settings.

Tails of the City: Part 2

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 259 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Horsetails have existed since the time of dinosaurs and are among the oldest plants on Earth. They haven’t changed much over millions of years, making them fascinating survivors.
  2. While horsetails are often seen as garden pests, they have historical importance and have been used by various cultures for food and tools. However, some parts can be toxic, especially to horses.
  3. There is a common myth that horsetails can accumulate gold, but research shows they actually indicate arsenic. They are good at collecting silica, which gives them their nickname as 'scouring rush'.

Gregor Mendel's Vanishing Act

Asimov Press • 232 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Gregor Mendel, known as the father of genetics, did much more than just his famous pea experiments. He worked across various scientific fields and made important discoveries about inheritance long before it was fully understood.
  2. Sadly, many of Mendel's notes and findings were destroyed after his death, leaving behind an incomplete representation of his life’s work. This loss means we might never fully appreciate the depth of his contributions.
  3. Mendel's educational journey was filled with challenges, including health issues that impacted his ability to become a teacher. Ironically, these struggles led him to his groundbreaking research in genetics, which changed biology forever.

The Botanical World is Full of DMT 🌱

Tripsitter • 159 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
🔬 Science Botany
  1. DMT is common in nature, found in various plants, animals, and sea sponges.
  2. Our body efficiently disables DMT from taking effect with the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO).
  3. Plants like Acacia, Yopo, and Giant River Reed contain DMT and related tryptamine alkaloids used in rituals and cultural practices.

Helpful Devil

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🎭️ Culture Botany
  1. Devil's club is a spiny plant found in moist areas, and it has used for centuries by Indigenous peoples for various medicinal purposes.
  2. Bears play a significant role in spreading devil’s club seeds by consuming its berries, which helps maintain its growth in certain ecosystems.
  3. The names of plants like devil’s club reflect both their characteristics and the cultures that named them, showing how language and nature are closely connected.

A Drowsy God and Parboiled Pease

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
💾 History Botany
  1. William Fraser Tolmie, a botanist, explored Alki in 1833 but found it lacking fresh water, which made it unsuitable for a trading post. Despite this, he appreciated the area's beauty.
  2. The Denny Party, which arrived later in 1851, is credited as the founders of Seattle, despite many original settlers leaving the area soon after due to its challenges.
  3. There are debates about how to pronounce 'Alki,' with locals splitting between 'Al-kye' and 'Al-kee', reflecting differences in historical vs. modern usage.

Nature's Unforgiving Bloom: A Dive into Datura

Tripsitter • 119 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Botany
  1. Datura is a dangerous hallucinogenic plant classified as a deliriant, causing a state of reduced awareness, lasting up to 72 hours.
  2. Shamans view datura as a wise plant teacher when used cautiously, along with tobacco, to communicate with the spirit world.
  3. The psychoactive effects of datura come from tropane alkaloids that block neurotransmitters, leading to physical changes and dark, immersive hallucinations.

Lusus naturae

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 159 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Rockpeckers are birds that create holes in rocks and are important for understanding geology. They use their unique feeding habits to extract silica from plants, which helps them carve out these holes.
  2. Scientists are exploring the connections between rockpeckers and other birds like rock wrens. There are still many questions about their behavior and nesting habits, with research ongoing to learn more.
  3. Interestingly, rockpeckers share a similar hole-drilling ability with piddock clams, highlighting the idea of parallel evolution. This shows that different species can develop similar traits to survive in their environments.

Magnolia, My Magnolia

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 139 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Botany
  1. George Davidson was great at navigating waterways but not so much with identifying trees. He once mistakenly named a spot after magnolias, when it actually had madrones.
  2. Davidson focused heavily on underwater plants like kelp, which he documented in detail. This knowledge was important for helping sailors navigate safely.
  3. Despite his botanical mistake, Davidson left a lasting impact on maritime navigation in the Pacific Coast. His work helped sailors understand the waters better.

Good Golly Miss Holly

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 79 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎭️ Culture Botany
  1. The English holly, originally from Europe, has become a common but invasive plant in Seattle parks. It was promoted by a socialite and children planting seeds in the early 20th century.
  2. Though hollies are pretty and provide winter berries, they choke out native plants and animals, spreading easily and causing ecological harm.
  3. Many efforts have been made to control this invasive plant, but it continues to thrive and pose challenges in green spaces around Seattle.

Well Traveled Cement

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 28 Apr 22
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Cement in Seattle comes from limestone that originated in the Pacific Ocean around 200 million years ago. This means the material in our buildings has a fascinating history.
  2. From the 1860s to 1920s, San Juan Island was a key source of lime for cement production in Washington. Workers made quicklime by heating limestone, which was then used to create mortar and cement.
  3. Seattle's cement boom kicked off after the Great Fire of 1889, leading to building codes that favored durable materials. So, the buildings we see today have stories dating back millions of years.

Nurse Buildings

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 159 implied HN points • 19 May 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Botany
  1. Nurse buildings, like the Colosseum, are structures where plants can thrive, thanks to their materials and existing cavities that hold seeds and moisture. This creates a unique environment for plant growth.
  2. The Colosseum has over 600 plant species recorded, showing how nature can reclaim man-made structures, even after efforts to remove them.
  3. Living walls in buildings can enhance urban spaces by providing natural beauty and habitat for plants, making cities greener and more inviting.

Through the Eyes of Specialists

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 15 Sep 22
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Getting out in nature with specialists allows for a deeper understanding of ecosystems. Their knowledge helps reveal the small but important changes in the environment that we might not otherwise notice.
  2. Stocking fish in high lakes is a rewarding and careful process. It's fulfilling to see fish thrive in their new homes, especially when they bring joy to future anglers.
  3. Geology is complex, and even simple rocks can hide fascinating histories. Experts can help us understand the geological stories behind the landscapes we see.

A Desert Plant Condo

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 02 Dec 21
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Desert trumpets are unique plants that grow tall and have a bulbous shape, which helps them support themselves in the dry desert climate. They start growing just after spring rains, making them easy to spot.
  2. The inflated stems of desert trumpets store carbon dioxide, allowing the plant to continue photosynthesis even when it's dry, which helps reduce water loss. This unique adaptation is important for survival in harsh conditions.
  3. Wasps often use the stems of desert trumpets to build nests. However, some wasps can parasitize each other, creating a complex food chain right inside the plant's stems.

Of Acorns and Oaks and Ants

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 14 Oct 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Botany
  1. Acorns are a great food source for many animals and even humans. They're high in carbs, protein, and fat, making them a nutritious option.
  2. Some ants live inside acorns, using them as homes after other creatures have left. They clean out the empty acorns and set up their colonies there.
  3. Oaks are important trees that have been part of human culture for a long time. They provide beauty with their fall colors and have fascinating connections to history and nature.

Of Douglas fir and History

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 79 implied HN points • 19 Mar 21
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Douglas fir trees are not just beautiful; they play a significant role in the natural history of their environment. People can connect with nature by observing the wildlife that feeds and nests in these majestic trees.
  2. The naming of the Douglas fir reflects a rich history of exploration and study, showing how different cultures, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, have interacted with and valued the tree. Names can tell us stories about a place and its people.
  3. Learning the scientific names of plants can make people feel more connected to nature. It encourages curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the natural world around us.

Things That Caught My Eye #8:

Natural Selections • 4 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🔬 Science Botany
  1. Indigenous people often fed muscle meat to their dogs, focusing on eating nutrient-rich organs instead. This shows they had important knowledge about nutrition that many of us overlook today.
  2. The skeletons of large game animals were usually found as broken bone chips, which indicates a careful use of all parts of the animal for nutrition, especially the marrow.
  3. There is a curiosity about whether Earth ever had a ring like the other large planets in our Solar System, and this raises questions about our planet's history.

Bad News for Bugs in Bogs

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 21
🔬 Science Botany
  1. A new plant called Triantha occidentalis can trap bugs using sticky hairs. It's sneaky because it doesn't look like usual carnivorous plants, which usually have noticeable traps.
  2. This plant gets nutrients by digesting the insects it catches. It produces an enzyme to help break down its tiny meals.
  3. Unlike many carnivorous plants, Triantha's trapping hairs are near its flowers, but they only catch small bugs. This way, it can still attract bigger bugs that help it pollinate.