October 14, 2021

iNaturalist Bioblitz (October 6, 2021) - Fungi

Lepiota cristata is one of the most widely distributed basidiomycetous fungi in the Northern Hemisphere. The fungus is found on humus-rich soil in many terrestrial habitats in both scattered and clustered distribution patterns that suggest them to be decomposers of lignin and cellulose materials. Toxin level analyses of Lepiota cristata show that the mushroom does not contain amatoxins or phallotoxins, however, consumption is not recommended. In another study, it was found that toxin extracts exhibit toxicity against Sitophilus zeamais, a major pest of maize, making it an effective pesticide.

Posted on October 14, 2021 06:53 PM by carol_zhou carol_zhou | 1 observation | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 22, 2021

iNaturalist Bioblitz (September 22, 2021) - Flowering Plants

1) Sorbaria sorbifolia is one of many flowering plants observed at Mount Royal. On a phylogenetic tree, the plant is part of the Rosaceae family and one of nine species of the Sorbaria genus.

2) All the observed flowering plant species in the group project have bright-coloured petals, which likely help to attract the attention of pollinators like small birds and insects. Better facilitating pollination, this adaptation likely evolved by natural selection as pollinated plants were more likely to pass their traits to the next generation.

3) One unique adaptation can be seen on the Burdocks (Genus Arctium), which have small hooks that get caught in clothing, and likely animal fur as well. This likely allows the plant to spread its seeds and germinate relatively far away from its parent.

Posted on September 22, 2021 04:45 AM by carol_zhou carol_zhou | 2 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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