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The Secrets of Clover
While some may consider white clover a nuisance or even a weed, scientists are now considering it a bell weather of evolution. In fact, it has become a plant to marvel over in some circles.
According to a new study, white clover adapts equally well to cities of all sizes. A recent study in 20 cities in Ontario, Canada--with populations ranging from 400,000 to 1,670--demonstrated this finding. So, why should we take notice? The answer is bigger than those little white “flowers” we find so pesky in our lawns—for those who still have lawns, that is!
It turns out that cities work as great natural test cases for evolution according to research leader, Dr. Marc Johnson. “In many ways, it's an unplanned experiment happening throughout the world over and over again”, says Johnson. With climate change and more than half the world's population living in cities, Dr. Johnson said it is critical to analyze how human endeavors affect the plants and animals around us. And, white clover is the perfect test species to study because, in these studies, it demonstrates that it can evolve and sustain stamina and endurance needed to survive in a variety of climates.
So, the next time we look at white clover, we should do so with respect, since it is one of the most rapidly evolving species of flora on earth. We can take many lessons from this tough little plant as it leads the way to survive in the toughest of urban environments.
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A Crafty Time at the Bohart Museum of Entomology
Five quilted dragonflies skimming the wall. Eager hands cradling an orchid mantis. Eyes darting...
This quilted wall hanging of dragonflies is the work of quiltmaker and seamstress Ann Babicky of Schofield, Wis. Entomologist Jeff Smith, who curates the butterfly and moth specimens in the Bohart, loaned it for the open house. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Hands cradle an orchid mantis, orchid mantis, Hymenopus coronatus, from the collection of Lohit Garikipati. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Entomologist Jeff Smith, curator of the butterfly and moth specimens at the Bohart, shows a tray to sisters Lily Edmonds of Davis, 7, and Chloe Edmonds, 6, of Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Lily Edmonds of Davis, 7, reacts to the colorful butterflies. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bohart associate and UC Davis student Emma Cluff (back) talks about a hornet's nest. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Visitors learned about the fascinating world of insects. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
"Places where we've collected" drew the attention of these Bohart guests. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Targeting the Asian Citrus Psyllid
While you're peeling and segmenting your orange at breakfast or spooning orange honey on your...
The Asian citrus psyllid, about the size of an aphid, is a major threat to the multibillion dollar citrus industry in the United States.(Photo courtesy of the California Department of Food and Agriculture)
Mark Hoddle, Extension entomologist and director of the Center for Invasive Species Research at the University of California, Riverside, will speak on “Protecting California Agriculture from Invasive Pests: Biocontrol of Asian Citrus Psyllid in Urban Southern California" on Sept. 26 at UC Davis. (Photo Courtesy of UC Riverside)
A Gardener's Dream Day
On a hot and smoky Saturday, equipped with a NIOSH N95 rated respirator mask, and a garden hat, I drove to the 2018 Harvest Day in Fair Oaks. The event was hosted by the Sacramento UC Master Gardeners. They called it “A Gardener's Dream Day,” and they were right on.
There was plenty to see and plenty to do. All the different gardens were fabulous. I was especially drawn
n to the vineyard, particularly after I sampled at least 10 different grapes. I went home with my new favorite the ‘Black Monukka', a large, sweet and crisp purplish-black grape.
There were educational talks on various topics. I attended one on grape pruning. I've allowed my three grape vines to grow “wild” and they need to be trained so I can have space to grow more plants.
I also attended a talk on unusual edibles with names like Cucamelon (Melothria scabra), a vine native to Mexico and Central America, where it is called sandiita (little watermelon); and hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta), native to Japan, Korea, Northern China, and Russian Siberia. It produces a small fruit resembling the kiwifruit, but with smooth skin.
There were many garden-related vendors. I went home with a moisture meter that I won from a spinning prize wheel. One vendor gave me an irrigation riser with a spray mister that resembles a magic wand.
I also brought home a silk scarf I dyed myself with beet juice, decorated with different flowers and leaves.
The food was amazingly good and reasonably priced. I had a plate of delicious Ethiopian food served with the traditional injera bread, a flatbread made with yogurt. It was truly a gardener's dream day.
Get fall garden going with help from harvest fest
Growing plants in the off-season is easy, productive and beneficial to our native birds, bees and...
