Subj : ES Picture of the Day 04  2022
To   : All
From : Dan Richter
Date : Fri Mar 04 2022 11:00:30

 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits

   March 04, 2022

    Menashe_Picture1_thistle

    Menashe_Picture2_thistle

   Photographer:  Menashe Davidson

   Summary Author:  Menashe Davidson

   This is Menashe Davidson's 100th Earth Science Picture of the Day!

   When it comes to admiring plants, flowers generally hog all of the
   attention. This is true also for the thistle plant, the small globe
   thistle ( Echinops genus, Asteraceae family). The plant’s Hebrew
   name is 'kipodan,” meaning “hedgehog,” because the  spherical
   inflorescence of the flowers resembles a hedgehog. This thistle’s
   purple flower balls create a stunning display both in gardens and in
   the wild. Their cheerful blooms are drought tolerant and grow very well
   in poorer soils. (first photo).

   However, after the flower's petals fade, the fruits and seeds of the
   small globe thistle plant are eye-catching in their own right. This can
   be seen on the second photo, enhanced by the illumination of the early
   morning Sun.

   The thistle globe’s fruit or what we call "fruit" is just a bundle of
   many single fruits called " achenes," that are inserted directly on
   an  apical plate. The botanical term "achene" means a dry,
   one-seeded fruit lacking special seams that split to release the seed.
   The seed coat is attached to the thin, dry ovary wall (husk) by a short
   stalk, so that the seed is easily freed from the husk. The small
   achenes are topped by membranous scales to ease dispersion (bottom
   photo).

    Menashe_Picture3_thistlea

   Note that the top photo was taken on May 2020, and the middle and
   bottom photos were taken on October 1, 2021, while walking along the
    Natal Stream (Lakhish Bank) Israel.
     * Nahal (stream) Lakhish Bank, Israel, Coordinates:
       31.801508, 34.672122

Related EPODs

    The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits  Quercia delle Streghe
   Downy Oak  A Plant’s Strength Lies in its Roots  El Drago Tree on
   the Island of Tenerife  Moonflower  Water Drops on Leaves
    More...

Plant Links

     *  Discover Life
     *  Tree Encyclopedia
     *  What are Phytoplankton?
     *  Encyclopedia of Life - What is a Plant?
     *  USDA Plants Database
     *  University of Texas Native Plant Database
     *  Plants in Motion
     *  What Tree is It?

-
   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
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