This article is brilliant. I loved it in so many ways. Humor, throwing in some politics, the fascinating ecology and beautiful photos. Great work Miriam and Cindy.
Here I am....eyes 5 and a half feet above the surface of the earth and all this activity going on under my shoes and I hear, see, and feel none of it as I walk along..
Impressive detective work by someone exploring in an unknown world.
Thanks for the comment, Roger. I just have to plug all of the people who've devoted their lives to studying rarified slices of nature so that the rest of us can try and unpack bite-sized bits of the life around us. In writing this I learned that there's an entire field of study devoted just to the ant/seed dispersal relationship alone - myrmecochory.
Yeah. The ant/seed relationship was the most impactful discovery. I'd like to get in my time machine and go back and experience the first instance of it. Molocule by molocule....with perhaps a dusting of religion.
First started thinking it when I put out yucca seeds in cages and ants materialized from nowhere instantly. Watched red and black ants working together lugging seeds up the cage sides to get them out the open top. I can't find any observations on the cooperation between species but dang, I seen it with my own eyes!
It's always good to be reminded to stop and remember. It's been a while since I took time to think about desert seeds and their myriad of morphological and physiological adaptations. They are amazing and this article joyfully fires up the urge to stop and not only remember them but all the biology that surrounds us in the desert.
Biology rocks and so does the desert! Thanks taking a moment to underline that, and let's see what anomalies these atypical fall rains produce next spring.
Such a captivating and beautifully rendered explication of our local flora’s discreet regenerative cycle. I feel as if I’ve been let in on an astonishing secret. Wonderful, informative piece, Miriam! Thank you!
And it will be especially interesting to see what comes up with the rains having washed lots of seed down into your permaculture basins...thanks for reading!
I'm going to share this with each artist in residence as they arrive at Yucca Valley Material Lab – a tiny introduction to the massive magic this desert holds. Great job Miriam and Kat!!!
A beautifully written description on the wonders of the natural world! This is an excellent companion to the Trumpet's ongoing coverage of development proposals in the basin. Keep up the good work!
Love it! Want more about the rare Mojave "oil filled blobs"! Native plant science and lore so enticingly portrayed. So important to understand how magnificent the plant cycles are. Thanks for letting us in on their secrets!
This article is brilliant. I loved it in so many ways. Humor, throwing in some politics, the fascinating ecology and beautiful photos. Great work Miriam and Cindy.
Thanks! But it's really Kat. I work with Miriam to make it happen, then Kat worked with her on the draft.
Kat, you did a great job!!
Kat is a force, period.
Really appreciate your thinking and writing, Miriam.❤️
Allie, right back at you for all that you do for desert plants!
Beautifully written. A blend of scientific information and descriptive prose that reads like poetry. Thank you for this.
Thank you, Chris. Your comment is so extremely gratifying after days of hang wringing over subtle word choices!
Such an informative and well written article. Thank you. I can’t wait to share.
Beautifully written. And the color change on that Eriogonum inflatum is stunning!
...and the seed is so easy to collect and grow (hint, hint)! Thanks for the comment, Katie!
Here I am....eyes 5 and a half feet above the surface of the earth and all this activity going on under my shoes and I hear, see, and feel none of it as I walk along..
Impressive detective work by someone exploring in an unknown world.
Quite the article!
Thanks for the comment, Roger. I just have to plug all of the people who've devoted their lives to studying rarified slices of nature so that the rest of us can try and unpack bite-sized bits of the life around us. In writing this I learned that there's an entire field of study devoted just to the ant/seed dispersal relationship alone - myrmecochory.
Yeah. The ant/seed relationship was the most impactful discovery. I'd like to get in my time machine and go back and experience the first instance of it. Molocule by molocule....with perhaps a dusting of religion.
First started thinking it when I put out yucca seeds in cages and ants materialized from nowhere instantly. Watched red and black ants working together lugging seeds up the cage sides to get them out the open top. I can't find any observations on the cooperation between species but dang, I seen it with my own eyes!
It's always good to be reminded to stop and remember. It's been a while since I took time to think about desert seeds and their myriad of morphological and physiological adaptations. They are amazing and this article joyfully fires up the urge to stop and not only remember them but all the biology that surrounds us in the desert.
Biology rocks and so does the desert! Thanks taking a moment to underline that, and let's see what anomalies these atypical fall rains produce next spring.
Thanks for this, Miriam!
As usual, I learned so much.
Such a captivating and beautifully rendered explication of our local flora’s discreet regenerative cycle. I feel as if I’ve been let in on an astonishing secret. Wonderful, informative piece, Miriam! Thank you!
Great piece, Miriam. Hoping for a big springtime bloom, given this month's amazing rainfall.
And it will be especially interesting to see what comes up with the rains having washed lots of seed down into your permaculture basins...thanks for reading!
I'm going to share this with each artist in residence as they arrive at Yucca Valley Material Lab – a tiny introduction to the massive magic this desert holds. Great job Miriam and Kat!!!
It takes a while for us to see what the desert holds, what a great idea. Thanks, Heidi!
What a beautifully written and informative article. And such a refreshing way to learn about the ecosystem in our own backyard. More like this please.
A beautifully written description on the wonders of the natural world! This is an excellent companion to the Trumpet's ongoing coverage of development proposals in the basin. Keep up the good work!
Such great insights on nature’s complexities! What a fabulous read! Wow! Thank you!
Love it! Want more about the rare Mojave "oil filled blobs"! Native plant science and lore so enticingly portrayed. So important to understand how magnificent the plant cycles are. Thanks for letting us in on their secrets!