Thomas Stewart

“There are no strange creatures, only blinkered people.” - Newt Scamander

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Sources:
-https://t.co/94CPh5iKYa
-https://t.co/jcAWtlN7T0

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Orange Hawkweed (Pilosella aurantiaca) is a plant native to some parts of Europe. It is known as a invasive plant in some parts of BC because it can replace native vegetation if left unattended. It is mainly grown as a ornamental flower and spreads though seeds blown in the wind.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Sources:
 -Pauly, G. B.; Hillis, D. M.; Cannatella, D. C. (November 2004). "The History of a Nearctic Colonization: Molecular Phylogenetics and Biogeography of the Nearctic Toads
-https://t.co/ZXKWYkkaMI
-https://t.co/cvImbRzdsl

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

The American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) is a toad species that is thought to have descended from a invasion of toads from South America. All stages of the toad have poison glands and will release poison if they feel threatened. But if you don't try to eat it, you'll be okay.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Sometimes they choose to dig small holes to hide in, which I captured a picture of here. They contribute to the environment by being a food source for some animals which can handle it's toxin, such as garter snakes and racoons.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

The Wood forget-me not (Myosotis sylvatica) is a flower native to Europe. There's not much information on these but they do self-seed in good conditions.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Sources:
-https://t.co/wjHyNmlWeE
-https://t.co/mgrldPrpnG

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

The Eastern Gartner Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) is a snake that can be found across many parts of eastern North America. They are ovoviviparous which means they give live birth instead of laying eggs. They eat many animals such as frogs, toads, salamanders, and mice.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Today I planted some Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) and some Common Millet (Panicum miliaceum) in hopes of producing small batches of my own bird seed for feeding doves. I also took a cutting from my Coleus plant and am attempting to grow a clone of it.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Sources:
-Herrick 1977, p. 317-318
-Waugh, F. W. (1916). Iroquis Foods and Food Preparation. Ottawa: Canada Department of Mines. p. 120.
-Claytonia virginica". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) is a plant found in the Eastern temperate deciduous forst of North America. The Iroquois used it for multiple purposes. This includes treatment for convulsions, and as food. They also believed it could be used to prevent contraception.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

-Baskin, J.M.; Baskin, C.C. (1970). "Germination eco-physiology of Draba verna". Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club
-Ugarte, E.; Lira, F.; Fuentes, N; Klotz, S (2011). "Vascular alien flora, Chile"

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Recently I found some Common Whitlow Grass (Draba verna) it is a plant in the mustard family. It is native to parts of great Britain and Central Europe, and we believe it was introduced to North America when colonisers from Europe came to the New world .

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Another interesting thing about this plant is that it's the only plant in its genus (Draba) to have bifid pedals, which means that the petals come in pairs of two.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Sources:
-https://t.co/A5B1F4tGpY
-Fitzpatrick, Sheila M. (1981). Territorial aggression among males of three Syrphid species. The University of British Columbia
-https://t.co/B4mPCIGun1

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

The Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) is a hoverfly that mimics the looks of honey bees.
It is one several species of hoverfly whose larvae are called 'rat-tailed maggots' The larvae live in muddy water, feeding on decaying organic matter.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

These insects are established on every single continent except for Antarctica. They are territorial and will chase other insects out of their territory. They are actually harmless and really are only feared by other insects because they resemble stinging insects.

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Vivipary is when seeds start to develop before they seperate from the parent.
These seeds can grow into a regular plant with nothing out of the ordinary with them.

Credit to Reddit user u/BillyG04t for the pic

[Thomas Stewart @ThomasStGreen]

Today in horticulture we worked on making carbon benches.