Science, Latin, and Technology 2012

Photo of Solanum sanchez-vegae, first plant to be documented in new system, courtesy sciencenews.org

As of this year, scientists may write new discoveries of plant, algae, and fungus species online in English.  Prior to January 1, 2012 all scientific discoveries had to be published in papers, and descriptions written in Latin.  Now only the names must be in Latin.  Since only about half of all plants and a tiny amount of all fungus and algae having been classified, scientists hope these changes will speed up the classifying of all this planet's species.  For more information click here.

My favorite plant is Gardenia augusta, also known as Gardenia jasminoides, the common gardenia shrub.  Gardenia is my favorite scent, and the shrub is beautiful all year (evergreen) even when it isn't flowering.  What is your favorite plant and why?

Getting Mushy About Mushrooms

Photo of matsutake mushrooms courtesy of JapanGuidebook.com

There are over 10,000 types of mushrooms.  The mushroom is a member of the Fungi Kingdom classification (separate from plants, animals, and bacteria).  Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi.  The most expensive mushroom in the world is Japan's matsuki mushroom, which can sell for $1,000 per pound.

Here is a cookbook, Wild About Mushrooms, published by the Mycological Society of San Francisco.

For more information about mushrooms, visit the websites for The Mushroom Council, The American Mushroom Institute, and Mushroom-Appreciation.com.