Your path towards ecological understanding

The myco-heterotrophic Rhizanthella gardneri

March 22, 2019 Philip Pinzone

Rhizanthella gardneri. Found by Jean and Fred Hort. — *Rhizanthella gardneri*. Found by Jean and Fred Hort.

In the early spring of 1928, an Australian farmer named Jack Trott was plowing his land in preparation for the upcoming growing season. As he glanced backward, he noticed pale like flower structures being tossed into the air. He stopped his tractor to examine the specimens and found these amazing little subterraneous plants, with no green pigments at all... How exactly do these extremely rare orchids acquire their carbon demands? Spoiler alert, through the parasitism of mycorrhizal fungi.

Fungi Friday; Baeospora myosura

June 8, 2018 Philip Pinzone

The specialized Baeospora myosura fruiting out of a pine cone. — The specialized Baeospora myosura fruiting out of a pine cone.

Baeospora myosura has evolved a narrow feeding ecology by breaking down conifer cones. By becoming more specialized, this species escaped competition, allocating less energy and resources to defending its substrate, and more towards its reproductive effort.

Neighboring plants exert strong and counterintuitive effects on ant–plant mutualisms

March 28, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Ant-plant mutualisms are thoroughly researched, but it is widely unknown just how neighboring 'competitor' plants influence these interactions. A recent publication reveals results that are counterintuitive, showing not only an interesting relationship within these savanna ecosystems, but just how important science is.

Norman Borlaug; rust’s worst nightmare.

March 21, 2018 Philip Pinzone

Norman Borlaug is a name we should all know. He believed that food was a right to all, and that your origin of birth shouldn’t determine your access to food. Today I learned how he combated one of our greatest crop enemies; rust.

Bogs and plant adaptations

October 31, 2017 Philip Pinzone

Drosera capensis a carnivorous plant. — *Drosera capensis* a carnivorous plant.

Most plants form relationships with fungi. However, the acidic environment of bogs have changed the evolutionary trajectory of some plants, since their fungal mutualist isn't as functional in a low pH.