HomesickAlien Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 07 October 2016Friday Elephant Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) Elephant yam is a striking aroid with a flower spike crowned with a bulbous maroon knob and encircled by a fleshy maroon and green-blotched bract. The solitary leaf, which emerges after the flowering parts, resembles a small tree. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has been in cultivation throughout tropical Asia for centuries. The tubers are the third most important carbohydrate source after rice and maize in Indonesia. They are also consumed widely in India and Sri Lanka, although elsewhere they are seen as a famine crop, to be used when more popular staples, such as rice, are in short supply. It is also sometimes cultivated in greenhouses for its bizarre inflorescence. It should not be confused with Dioscorea species, which are also known by the common name yam, but belong to a different plant family (Dioscoreaceae). Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is considered to be native to southern China (including Taiwan), Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea, northern Australia, Fiji and Samoa. It is found in secondary forest or highly disturbed areas, up to 800 m above sea level. Elephant yam has medicinal properties and is used in many Ayurvedic (traditional Hindu) preparations. The tubers are considered to have pain-killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulence, digestive, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic properties. They are traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including parasitic worms, inflammation, coughs, flatulence, constipation, anaemia, haemorrhoids and fatigue. http://i.imgur.com/YTlSyLN.png http://i.imgur.com/tRJzHxv.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/85n8ysc.jpg Cultivated plants (leaf emerges after the inflorescence): http://i.imgur.com/KBbSRvO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EJ41wZF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/WbaxPAX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0dXmiry.jpg Edible tubers: http://i.imgur.com/ISEi6OF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y2iXYac.jpg Herbarium specimen: http://i.imgur.com/SEOsAeM.jpg 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 02 October 2016Sunday Grey Slender Loris The grey slender loris is a small (24cm), nocturnal primate that hunts primarily using vision, and therefore has remarkable eyes that are adapted to this life. A special layer at the back of the eye reflects light back through the retina, resulting in increased stimulation of the photoreceptors, and allowing vision in very low levels of light. The grey slender loris feeds primarily on insects, particularly ants, although the gum from trees is also eaten. This arboreal species remains in the trees to hunt insects, and adopts acrobatic positions in order to capture its prey. Often, the grey slender loris will silently stalk its prey before reaching out to grab it, in a hunting manner that has been compared to a cat. Although this species often forages alone, it is actually a social primate that sleeps during the day in groups of up to seven individuals, and interacts within the group throughout the night; physical contact and grooming are reported to be essential components of slender loris behaviour. Each group typically comprises one female, her dependent offspring and one or more males. The males, which have home ranges almost twice the size of those of females, act aggressively toward any male from outside their own sleeping group, while adult females rarely interact with each other. Females may give birth to twins, twice each year. The grey slender loris occurs in southern and eastern India and Sri Lanka, and has been recorded in a range of habitats including forest, plantations, and dry shrub jungles. It appears to prefer degraded forests, rather than primary forest, and is often associated with areas near human habitations. Numerous human activities threaten the grey slender loris throughout its range. Habitat loss has impacted this species in both Sri Lanka and India; the plantations that the loris can be found in are an unstable habitat, as they can be harvested at any time. This nocturnal primate is also killed by road traffic. The implementation of speed breakers on roads that run through critical loris habitat in order to reduce the number of road deaths, plus the planting of trees to link forest patches which will reduce the chance of a loris travelling across a road have been recommended. http://i.imgur.com/0aRCCuD.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/3yPdgKa.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lnXmE88.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/ssy7KtM.png http://i.imgur.com/kxHG6ON.jpg One wonders if Gollum was modeled after the nocturnal primates? http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/OK0AAMXQS6pRv5Q2/s-l400.jpg Tarsiers also come to mind. http://i.imgur.com/e7iebPB.jpg And, to a lesser extent, bush babies http://www.djuma.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Galago-Camp-Activities-2.jpg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 07 October 2016Friday Elephant Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) Elephant yam is a striking aroid with a flower spike crowned with a bulbous maroon knob and encircled by a fleshy maroon and green-blotched bract. The solitary leaf, which emerges after the flowering parts, resembles a small tree. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has been in cultivation throughout tropical Asia for centuries. The tubers are the third most important carbohydrate source after rice and maize in Indonesia. They are also consumed widely in India and Sri Lanka, although elsewhere they are seen as a famine crop, to be used when more popular staples, such as rice, are in short supply. It is also sometimes cultivated in greenhouses for its bizarre inflorescence. It should not be confused with Dioscorea species, which are also known by the common name yam, but belong to a different plant family (Dioscoreaceae). Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is considered to be native to southern China (including Taiwan), Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea, northern Australia, Fiji and Samoa. It is found in secondary forest or highly disturbed areas, up to 800 m above sea level. Elephant yam has medicinal properties and is used in many Ayurvedic (traditional Hindu) preparations. The tubers are considered to have pain-killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulence, digestive, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic properties. They are traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including parasitic worms, inflammation, coughs, flatulence, constipation, anaemia, haemorrhoids and fatigue. http://i.imgur.com/YTlSyLN.png http://i.imgur.com/tRJzHxv.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/85n8ysc.jpg Cultivated plants (leaf emerges after the inflorescence): http://i.imgur.com/KBbSRvO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EJ41wZF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/WbaxPAX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0dXmiry.jpg Edible tubers: http://i.imgur.com/ISEi6OF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y2iXYac.jpg Herbarium specimen: http://i.imgur.com/SEOsAeM.jpg That doesn't look very appetizing. And if it attracts flies then the smell can't be very good :D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 6, 2016 Author Share Posted October 6, 2016 07 October 2016Friday Elephant Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) Elephant yam is a striking aroid with a flower spike crowned with a bulbous maroon knob and encircled by a fleshy maroon and green-blotched bract. The solitary leaf, which emerges after the flowering parts, resembles a small tree. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has been in cultivation throughout tropical Asia for centuries. The tubers are the third most important carbohydrate source after rice and maize in Indonesia. They are also consumed widely in India and Sri Lanka, although elsewhere they are seen as a famine crop, to be used when more popular staples, such as rice, are in short supply. It is also sometimes cultivated in greenhouses for its bizarre inflorescence. It should not be confused with Dioscorea species, which are also known by the common name yam, but belong to a different plant family (Dioscoreaceae). Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is considered to be native to southern China (including Taiwan), Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea, northern Australia, Fiji and Samoa. It is found in secondary forest or highly disturbed areas, up to 800 m above sea level. Elephant yam has medicinal properties and is used in many Ayurvedic (traditional Hindu) preparations. The tubers are considered to have pain-killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulence, digestive, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic properties. They are traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including parasitic worms, inflammation, coughs, flatulence, constipation, anaemia, haemorrhoids and fatigue. http://i.imgur.com/YTlSyLN.png http://i.imgur.com/tRJzHxv.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/85n8ysc.jpg Cultivated plants (leaf emerges after the inflorescence): http://i.imgur.com/KBbSRvO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EJ41wZF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/WbaxPAX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0dXmiry.jpg Edible tubers: http://i.imgur.com/ISEi6OF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y2iXYac.jpg Herbarium specimen: http://i.imgur.com/SEOsAeM.jpg That doesn't look very appetizing. And if it attracts flies then the smell can't be very good :D Many aroids have evil-smelling inflorescences. I once made the mistake of growing Sauromatum venosum as a houseplant. When it flowered the room smelled like a dead animal that had been out in the sun for a few days. The stench was overwhelming. :| The tubers themselves may not taste bad at all. I'm guessing they're similar to taro (Colocasia esculenta), which is in the same family. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 7, 2016 Share Posted October 7, 2016 07 October 2016Friday Elephant Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) Elephant yam is a striking aroid with a flower spike crowned with a bulbous maroon knob and encircled by a fleshy maroon and green-blotched bract. The solitary leaf, which emerges after the flowering parts, resembles a small tree. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has been in cultivation throughout tropical Asia for centuries. The tubers are the third most important carbohydrate source after rice and maize in Indonesia. They are also consumed widely in India and Sri Lanka, although elsewhere they are seen as a famine crop, to be used when more popular staples, such as rice, are in short supply. It is also sometimes cultivated in greenhouses for its bizarre inflorescence. It should not be confused with Dioscorea species, which are also known by the common name yam, but belong to a different plant family (Dioscoreaceae). Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is considered to be native to southern China (including Taiwan), Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea, northern Australia, Fiji and Samoa. It is found in secondary forest or highly disturbed areas, up to 800 m above sea level. Elephant yam has medicinal properties and is used in many Ayurvedic (traditional Hindu) preparations. The tubers are considered to have pain-killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulence, digestive, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic properties. They are traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including parasitic worms, inflammation, coughs, flatulence, constipation, anaemia, haemorrhoids and fatigue. http://i.imgur.com/YTlSyLN.png http://i.imgur.com/tRJzHxv.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/85n8ysc.jpg Cultivated plants (leaf emerges after the inflorescence): http://i.imgur.com/KBbSRvO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EJ41wZF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/WbaxPAX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0dXmiry.jpg Edible tubers: http://i.imgur.com/ISEi6OF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y2iXYac.jpg Herbarium specimen: http://i.imgur.com/SEOsAeM.jpg That is one strange plant.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 07 October 2016Friday Elephant Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) Elephant yam is a striking aroid with a flower spike crowned with a bulbous maroon knob and encircled by a fleshy maroon and green-blotched bract. The solitary leaf, which emerges after the flowering parts, resembles a small tree. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has been in cultivation throughout tropical Asia for centuries. The tubers are the third most important carbohydrate source after rice and maize in Indonesia. They are also consumed widely in India and Sri Lanka, although elsewhere they are seen as a famine crop, to be used when more popular staples, such as rice, are in short supply. It is also sometimes cultivated in greenhouses for its bizarre inflorescence. It should not be confused with Dioscorea species, which are also known by the common name yam, but belong to a different plant family (Dioscoreaceae). Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is considered to be native to southern China (including Taiwan), Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea, northern Australia, Fiji and Samoa. It is found in secondary forest or highly disturbed areas, up to 800 m above sea level. Elephant yam has medicinal properties and is used in many Ayurvedic (traditional Hindu) preparations. The tubers are considered to have pain-killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulence, digestive, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic properties. They are traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including parasitic worms, inflammation, coughs, flatulence, constipation, anaemia, haemorrhoids and fatigue. http://i.imgur.com/YTlSyLN.png http://i.imgur.com/tRJzHxv.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/85n8ysc.jpg Cultivated plants (leaf emerges after the inflorescence): http://i.imgur.com/KBbSRvO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EJ41wZF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/WbaxPAX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0dXmiry.jpg Edible tubers: http://i.imgur.com/ISEi6OF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y2iXYac.jpg Herbarium specimen: http://i.imgur.com/SEOsAeM.jpg That is one strange plant.... http://i.imgur.com/gYbHuty.gif http://i.imgur.com/d9uXapo.gif 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 08 October 2016Saturday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 08 October 2016Saturday Not sure what happened here... it looked fine in the post preview. Try again later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 08 October 2016Saturday White-throated Monitor Growing to a length of 2 m, the white throated monitor is one of almost 60 species of powerfully built lizards belonging to the genus Varanus. All monitor lizards are recognised for their elongate bodies, strong limbs, muscular tails and robust claws. The body pattern of the white throated monitor comprises dark rosettes with a cream coloured centre that gradually merge with age to give the impression of bands around the ribcage. While the head is solid grey or brown above, the throat is much lighter, hence this species’ common name. The snout of this monitor lizard is also distinctively blunt and bulbous, particularly in adults. Although primarily a terrestrial species, the white throated monitor will climb trees to hunt for prey, to reproduce, and to avoid predators. If confronted on the ground by a predator, such as a honey badger, it will puff up its throat and body, lash out with its tail, and bite violently. During the summer it is active throughout the day, except during midday in regions where temperatures are extremely high. It hunts for a wide range of prey and will eat just about anything it can subdue, from snakes, birds and eggs, to snails, millipedes and grasshoppers. Although the white-throated monitor remains alert during the winter months, it is far less active and generally remains in its overnight refuge, which usually takes the form of an earth burrow or hollow tree trunk. During the breeding season, receptive females almost always climb into trees. Once a male locates a female, the pair will mate for one to two days before the male goes in search of another female. Each year, a female may lay two clutches of up to 50 eggs. The white throated-monitor has a wide distribution through south-western, south-central, and eastern Africa. http://i.imgur.com/XxgQudY.jpg http://i.imgur.com/xPAMAkb.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Xt9Onyg.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/hAjvJqh.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W1B0MFc.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Qrv5vqo.png 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 08 October 2016Saturday White-throated Monitor Growing to a length of 2 m, the white throated monitor is one of almost 60 species of powerfully built lizards belonging to the genus Varanus. All monitor lizards are recognised for their elongate bodies, strong limbs, muscular tails and robust claws. The body pattern of the white throated monitor comprises dark rosettes with a cream coloured centre that gradually merge with age to give the impression of bands around the ribcage. While the head is solid grey or brown above, the throat is much lighter, hence this species’ common name. The snout of this monitor lizard is also distinctively blunt and bulbous, particularly in adults. Although primarily a terrestrial species, the white throated monitor will climb trees to hunt for prey, to reproduce, and to avoid predators. If confronted on the ground by a predator, such as a honey badger, it will puff up its throat and body, lash out with its tail, and bite violently. During the summer it is active throughout the day, except during midday in regions where temperatures are extremely high. It hunts for a wide range of prey and will eat just about anything it can subdue, from snakes, birds and eggs, to snails, millipedes and grasshoppers. Although the white-throated monitor remains alert during the winter months, it is far less active and generally remains in its overnight refuge, which usually takes the form of an earth burrow or hollow tree trunk. During the breeding season, receptive females almost always climb into trees. Once a male locates a female, the pair will mate for one to two days before the male goes in search of another female. Each year, a female may lay two clutches of up to 50 eggs. The white throated-monitor has a wide distribution through south-western, south-central, and eastern Africa. http://i.imgur.com/XxgQudY.jpg http://i.imgur.com/xPAMAkb.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Xt9Onyg.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/hAjvJqh.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W1B0MFc.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Qrv5vqo.png I love monitors. They're so cool looking. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 9, 2016 Author Share Posted October 9, 2016 09 October 2016Sunday Ceres Featherlegs Damselfly Thought to be extinct for many years, the incredibly rare Ceres featherlegs (Spesbona angusta) is a tiny damselfly that occurs in South Africa. Although the Ceres featherlegs was first described in 1920, it was not seen again until 2003. The male Ceres featherlegs is bold blue and black. The female has more extensive blue areas, but the blue is typically much paler. Like all damselflies, the Ceres featherlegs has four wings that are all of much the same shape and size. The clear wings are held along the length of the slender abdomen when at rest. This separates damselflies from the more robust-looking dragonflies, which hold the wings away from the body during rest. Damselflies are carnivorous, aerial predators, which feed on smaller insects. Sometimes their diet may include other damselflies and dragonflies. Damselflies are prey themselves for many species, particularly birds, such as swallows and bee-eaters. When mating, the male damselfly grasps the female on the neck with grasping appendages situated on the end of the long abdomen. Mating can last from a few seconds to several hours, depending on the species of damselfly. All damselflies lay their eggs on plants that are submerged in water. The emerging larva (damselfly nymphs are voracious aquatic predators) then undergoes several moults before climbing out of the water at night, ready to make the final, dramatic transformation into the adult form. In the early morning, the larva swallows air, which expands the body so that the larva’s ‘skin’ splits, revealing the adult body. Blood then enters the delicate wings, which expand and harden before the damselfly takes to its maiden flight. Although originally recorded from the Ceres region in South Africa, the Ceres featherlegs is today known from just one pool near Villiersdorp in the Western Cape. Despite intensive searches, this species has not yet been found anywhere else. http://i.imgur.com/NSVIkDv.jpg http://i.imgur.com/a9VvWXm.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/JD5EpG1.jpg Range: http://i.imgur.com/pyEYKRH.png http://i.imgur.com/nrSrrWm.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vKLvpvl.jpg 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 07 October 2016Friday Elephant Yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) Elephant yam is a striking aroid with a flower spike crowned with a bulbous maroon knob and encircled by a fleshy maroon and green-blotched bract. The solitary leaf, which emerges after the flowering parts, resembles a small tree. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has been in cultivation throughout tropical Asia for centuries. The tubers are the third most important carbohydrate source after rice and maize in Indonesia. They are also consumed widely in India and Sri Lanka, although elsewhere they are seen as a famine crop, to be used when more popular staples, such as rice, are in short supply. It is also sometimes cultivated in greenhouses for its bizarre inflorescence. It should not be confused with Dioscorea species, which are also known by the common name yam, but belong to a different plant family (Dioscoreaceae). Amorphophallus paeoniifolius is considered to be native to southern China (including Taiwan), Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, New Guinea, northern Australia, Fiji and Samoa. It is found in secondary forest or highly disturbed areas, up to 800 m above sea level. Elephant yam has medicinal properties and is used in many Ayurvedic (traditional Hindu) preparations. The tubers are considered to have pain-killing, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulence, digestive, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic properties. They are traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including parasitic worms, inflammation, coughs, flatulence, constipation, anaemia, haemorrhoids and fatigue. http://i.imgur.com/YTlSyLN.png http://i.imgur.com/tRJzHxv.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/85n8ysc.jpg Cultivated plants (leaf emerges after the inflorescence): http://i.imgur.com/KBbSRvO.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/EJ41wZF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/WbaxPAX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/0dXmiry.jpg Edible tubers: http://i.imgur.com/ISEi6OF.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Y2iXYac.jpg Herbarium specimen: http://i.imgur.com/SEOsAeM.jpg That is one strange plant.... http://i.imgur.com/gYbHuty.gif http://i.imgur.com/d9uXapo.gif If that's Audrey, then that's what I was thinking of... :o !! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 08 October 2016Saturday White-throated Monitor Growing to a length of 2 m, the white throated monitor is one of almost 60 species of powerfully built lizards belonging to the genus Varanus. All monitor lizards are recognised for their elongate bodies, strong limbs, muscular tails and robust claws. The body pattern of the white throated monitor comprises dark rosettes with a cream coloured centre that gradually merge with age to give the impression of bands around the ribcage. While the head is solid grey or brown above, the throat is much lighter, hence this species’ common name. The snout of this monitor lizard is also distinctively blunt and bulbous, particularly in adults. Although primarily a terrestrial species, the white throated monitor will climb trees to hunt for prey, to reproduce, and to avoid predators. If confronted on the ground by a predator, such as a honey badger, it will puff up its throat and body, lash out with its tail, and bite violently. During the summer it is active throughout the day, except during midday in regions where temperatures are extremely high. It hunts for a wide range of prey and will eat just about anything it can subdue, from snakes, birds and eggs, to snails, millipedes and grasshoppers. Although the white-throated monitor remains alert during the winter months, it is far less active and generally remains in its overnight refuge, which usually takes the form of an earth burrow or hollow tree trunk. During the breeding season, receptive females almost always climb into trees. Once a male locates a female, the pair will mate for one to two days before the male goes in search of another female. Each year, a female may lay two clutches of up to 50 eggs. The white throated-monitor has a wide distribution through south-western, south-central, and eastern Africa. http://i.imgur.com/XxgQudY.jpg http://i.imgur.com/xPAMAkb.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Xt9Onyg.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/hAjvJqh.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/W1B0MFc.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Qrv5vqo.png Christ! That's a big one! :o 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 09 October 2016Sunday Ceres Featherlegs Damselfly Thought to be extinct for many years, the incredibly rare Ceres featherlegs (Spesbona angusta) is a tiny damselfly that occurs in South Africa. Although the Ceres featherlegs was first described in 1920, it was not seen again until 2003. The male Ceres featherlegs is bold blue and black. The female has more extensive blue areas, but the blue is typically much paler. Like all damselflies, the Ceres featherlegs has four wings that are all of much the same shape and size. The clear wings are held along the length of the slender abdomen when at rest. This separates damselflies from the more robust-looking dragonflies, which hold the wings away from the body during rest. Damselflies are carnivorous, aerial predators, which feed on smaller insects. Sometimes their diet may include other damselflies and dragonflies. Damselflies are prey themselves for many species, particularly birds, such as swallows and bee-eaters. When mating, the male damselfly grasps the female on the neck with grasping appendages situated on the end of the long abdomen. Mating can last from a few seconds to several hours, depending on the species of damselfly. All damselflies lay their eggs on plants that are submerged in water. The emerging larva (damselfly nymphs are voracious aquatic predators) then undergoes several moults before climbing out of the water at night, ready to make the final, dramatic transformation into the adult form. In the early morning, the larva swallows air, which expands the body so that the larva’s ‘skin’ splits, revealing the adult body. Blood then enters the delicate wings, which expand and harden before the damselfly takes to its maiden flight. Although originally recorded from the Ceres region in South Africa, the Ceres featherlegs is today known from just one pool near Villiersdorp in the Western Cape. Despite intensive searches, this species has not yet been found anywhere else. http://i.imgur.com/NSVIkDv.jpg http://i.imgur.com/a9VvWXm.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/JD5EpG1.jpg Range: http://i.imgur.com/pyEYKRH.png http://i.imgur.com/nrSrrWm.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/vKLvpvl.jpg That's one stunning, gorgeous blue color! :D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 10 October 2016Monday Eastern Quoll The eastern quoll is a medium-sized carnivorous marsupial with thick, soft fur that is fawn, brown or black and covered in small white spots, except on the tail. The tail is long and bushy, and sometimes has a white tip. The eastern quoll tends to live alone, foraging mainly for invertebrates such as beetle larvae and corbie grubs (Oncopera spp.). However, it is an opportunistic carnivore and will also hunt small mammals such as rabbits, mice and rats, as well as birds, lizards and snakes. It also scavenges on larger prey and occasionally feeds on grass and fruits. The eastern quoll may even compete with the larger Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) for food, darting around its kills to take small pieces of flesh. A nocturnal species, the eastern quoll shelters in a den by day, usually in an underground burrow, fallen log or rock pile. The eastern quoll is mainly terrestrial, moving across the ground with a bounding gait and only occasionally climbing. The eastern quoll breeds in the early winter, between May and August, with the young being born after a gestation period of around 21 days. After about ten weeks, the young eastern quolls leave the pouch and the female leaves them in a grass-lined den in a burrow or hollow log, allowing the female to hunt and forage. If the female needs to move to a different den site, she may carry the young on her back. Weaning occurs when the young eastern quolls are about five months old. The eastern quoll reaches sexual maturity within its first year, and may live for around three to five years in the wild. The eastern quoll once occurred across southeast Australia, from South Australia, through Victoria to the central coast of New South Wales. However, after reductions of between 50 and 90 percent in its historical range, the eastern quoll now exists in the wild only in Tasmania. http://i.imgur.com/tZAhuYj.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/QBR0OUN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/LRnAr9h.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lMGdCck.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/Ns8VNOy.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/zKZvCmB.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/v0OaHyq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Hw6aBWC.jpg http://i.imgur.com/EaWuokN.png Have I done this entry already? It seems familiar, but that may have been the Western Quoll. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 10 October 2016Monday Eastern Quoll The eastern quoll is a medium-sized carnivorous marsupial with thick, soft fur that is fawn, brown or black and covered in small white spots, except on the tail. The tail is long and bushy, and sometimes has a white tip. The eastern quoll tends to live alone, foraging mainly for invertebrates such as beetle larvae and corbie grubs (Oncopera spp.). However, it is an opportunistic carnivore and will also hunt small mammals such as rabbits, mice and rats, as well as birds, lizards and snakes. It also scavenges on larger prey and occasionally feeds on grass and fruits. The eastern quoll may even compete with the larger Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) for food, darting around its kills to take small pieces of flesh. A nocturnal species, the eastern quoll shelters in a den by day, usually in an underground burrow, fallen log or rock pile. The eastern quoll is mainly terrestrial, moving across the ground with a bounding gait and only occasionally climbing. The eastern quoll breeds in the early winter, between May and August, with the young being born after a gestation period of around 21 days. After about ten weeks, the young eastern quolls leave the pouch and the female leaves them in a grass-lined den in a burrow or hollow log, allowing the female to hunt and forage. If the female needs to move to a different den site, she may carry the young on her back. Weaning occurs when the young eastern quolls are about five months old. The eastern quoll reaches sexual maturity within its first year, and may live for around three to five years in the wild. The eastern quoll once occurred across southeast Australia, from South Australia, through Victoria to the central coast of New South Wales. However, after reductions of between 50 and 90 percent in its historical range, the eastern quoll now exists in the wild only in Tasmania. http://i.imgur.com/tZAhuYj.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/QBR0OUN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/LRnAr9h.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lMGdCck.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/Ns8VNOy.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/zKZvCmB.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/v0OaHyq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Hw6aBWC.jpg http://i.imgur.com/EaWuokN.png Have I done this entry already? It seems familiar, but that may have been the Western Quoll. I don't remember, but I don't mind if this one's a repeat :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 10 October 2016Monday Eastern Quoll The eastern quoll is a medium-sized carnivorous marsupial with thick, soft fur that is fawn, brown or black and covered in small white spots, except on the tail. The tail is long and bushy, and sometimes has a white tip. The eastern quoll tends to live alone, foraging mainly for invertebrates such as beetle larvae and corbie grubs (Oncopera spp.). However, it is an opportunistic carnivore and will also hunt small mammals such as rabbits, mice and rats, as well as birds, lizards and snakes. It also scavenges on larger prey and occasionally feeds on grass and fruits. The eastern quoll may even compete with the larger Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) for food, darting around its kills to take small pieces of flesh. A nocturnal species, the eastern quoll shelters in a den by day, usually in an underground burrow, fallen log or rock pile. The eastern quoll is mainly terrestrial, moving across the ground with a bounding gait and only occasionally climbing. The eastern quoll breeds in the early winter, between May and August, with the young being born after a gestation period of around 21 days. After about ten weeks, the young eastern quolls leave the pouch and the female leaves them in a grass-lined den in a burrow or hollow log, allowing the female to hunt and forage. If the female needs to move to a different den site, she may carry the young on her back. Weaning occurs when the young eastern quolls are about five months old. The eastern quoll reaches sexual maturity within its first year, and may live for around three to five years in the wild. The eastern quoll once occurred across southeast Australia, from South Australia, through Victoria to the central coast of New South Wales. However, after reductions of between 50 and 90 percent in its historical range, the eastern quoll now exists in the wild only in Tasmania. http://i.imgur.com/tZAhuYj.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/QBR0OUN.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/LRnAr9h.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/lMGdCck.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/Ns8VNOy.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/zKZvCmB.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/v0OaHyq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Hw6aBWC.jpg http://i.imgur.com/EaWuokN.png Have I done this entry already? It seems familiar, but that may have been the Western Quoll. Sure is beautiful! :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 11 October 2016Tuesday Kola Nut (Cola nitida) A tropical tree from West African rainforests, Cola nitida is best known for its caffeine-containing seeds, known as kola nuts. Raw seeds are chewed as a stimulant and have a bitter taste. Kola nuts are used in a variety of local ceremonies and also to produce kola nut extract, which is an ingredient in some soft drinks. Cola nitida is native to West Africa (from Guinea to Ghana) and has been introduced throughout the forested areas of West and Central Africa. Commercial crops are grown mainly in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone, and also to some extent in India, Brazil, and Jamaica. Cola nitida seeds, known as kola nuts, are used as a foodstuff locally. They contain caffeine, theobromine, tannins, fructose and kolanin (a heart stimulant). They are chewed as a stimulant and are especially favoured as a snack by African Muslims when fasting in the month of Ramadan. Kola nuts are reported to suppress hunger and thirst and have been used in western and central Africa for thousands of years. Kola nut extract was reportedly used as a source of caffeine in pharmacist John Pemberton’s ‘French Wine Coca’, a forerunner of the soft drink Coca-Cola. Frank M. Robinson’s first advert for Coca-Cola in the Atlanta Journal on 29 May 1886 read ‘Coca-Cola ... containing the properties of the wonderful Coca plant and the famous Cola nut.’ Natural kola nut extract has now been replaced by synthetic citrate caffeine in many leading brands of cola drink, although some advertised as ‘natural cola’ include kola nut in their ingredients. Kola nuts are used in many African ceremonies, for example the welcoming ceremony of the Igbo culture of Nigeria. The seeds are passed among visitors to a village and then blessed by the village elder, before a seed is given to each visitor with the words ‘Öjï luo ünö okwuo ebe osi bia’ (When the kola nut reaches home, it will tell where it came from), proof to the visitor’s people of his visit to the other village. Kola nuts are central to many other ceremonies in western and central Africa including marriage, child naming, investiture of tribal chiefs, funerals, and sacrifices to deities. http://i.imgur.com/X3Gfd9a.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/CBdXqVr.jpg?1 Sapling: http://i.imgur.com/zdxkQp8.jpg Mature tree in Africa: http://i.imgur.com/wynFr6Y.jpg Pods containing kola "nuts" (seeds): http://i.imgur.com/Dstbp8r.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/9va0aEe.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/GgRmBAB.jpg Kola nuts at a market in Mali: http://i.imgur.com/AH8BZyK.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/FeI3sIK.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SvymhgW.jpg http://www.worldagro...Cola_nitida.PDF https://www.igboguid...HT-chapter8.htm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 http://youtu.be/JGotszYENuU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x1yyz Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 11 October 2016Tuesday Kola Nut (Cola nitida) A tropical tree from West African rainforests, Cola nitida is best known for its caffeine-containing seeds, known as kola nuts. Raw seeds are chewed as a stimulant and have a bitter taste. Kola nuts are used in a variety of local ceremonies and also to produce kola nut extract, which is an ingredient in some soft drinks. Cola nitida is native to West Africa (from Guinea to Ghana) and has been introduced throughout the forested areas of West and Central Africa. Commercial crops are grown mainly in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone, and also to some extent in India, Brazil, and Jamaica. Cola nitida seeds, known as kola nuts, are used as a foodstuff locally. They contain caffeine, theobromine, tannins, fructose and kolanin (a heart stimulant). They are chewed as a stimulant and are especially favoured as a snack by African Muslims when fasting in the month of Ramadan. Kola nuts are reported to suppress hunger and thirst and have been used in western and central Africa for thousands of years. Kola nut extract was reportedly used as a source of caffeine in pharmacist John Pemberton’s ‘French Wine Coca’, a forerunner of the soft drink Coca-Cola. Frank M. Robinson’s first advert for Coca-Cola in the Atlanta Journal on 29 May 1886 read ‘Coca-Cola ... containing the properties of the wonderful Coca plant and the famous Cola nut.’ Natural kola nut extract has now been replaced by synthetic citrate caffeine in many leading brands of cola drink, although some advertised as ‘natural cola’ include kola nut in their ingredients. Kola nuts are used in many African ceremonies, for example the welcoming ceremony of the Igbo culture of Nigeria. The seeds are passed among visitors to a village and then blessed by the village elder, before a seed is given to each visitor with the words ‘Öjï luo ünö okwuo ebe osi bia’ (When the kola nut reaches home, it will tell where it came from), proof to the visitor’s people of his visit to the other village. Kola nuts are central to many other ceremonies in western and central Africa including marriage, child naming, investiture of tribal chiefs, funerals, and sacrifices to deities. http://i.imgur.com/X3Gfd9a.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/CBdXqVr.jpg?1 Sapling: http://i.imgur.com/zdxkQp8.jpg Mature tree in Africa: http://i.imgur.com/wynFr6Y.jpg Pods containing kola "nuts" (seeds): http://i.imgur.com/Dstbp8r.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/9va0aEe.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/GgRmBAB.jpg Kola nuts at a market in Mali: http://i.imgur.com/AH8BZyK.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/FeI3sIK.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SvymhgW.jpg http://www.worldagro...Cola_nitida.PDF https://www.igboguid...HT-chapter8.htm I've never seen kola nuts before and had no idea what they looked like. The flowers are so pretty. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 11 October 2016Tuesday Kola Nut (Cola nitida) A tropical tree from West African rainforests, Cola nitida is best known for its caffeine-containing seeds, known as kola nuts. Raw seeds are chewed as a stimulant and have a bitter taste. Kola nuts are used in a variety of local ceremonies and also to produce kola nut extract, which is an ingredient in some soft drinks. Cola nitida is native to West Africa (from Guinea to Ghana) and has been introduced throughout the forested areas of West and Central Africa. Commercial crops are grown mainly in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone, and also to some extent in India, Brazil, and Jamaica. Cola nitida seeds, known as kola nuts, are used as a foodstuff locally. They contain caffeine, theobromine, tannins, fructose and kolanin (a heart stimulant). They are chewed as a stimulant and are especially favoured as a snack by African Muslims when fasting in the month of Ramadan. Kola nuts are reported to suppress hunger and thirst and have been used in western and central Africa for thousands of years. Kola nut extract was reportedly used as a source of caffeine in pharmacist John Pemberton’s ‘French Wine Coca’, a forerunner of the soft drink Coca-Cola. Frank M. Robinson’s first advert for Coca-Cola in the Atlanta Journal on 29 May 1886 read ‘Coca-Cola ... containing the properties of the wonderful Coca plant and the famous Cola nut.’ Natural kola nut extract has now been replaced by synthetic citrate caffeine in many leading brands of cola drink, although some advertised as ‘natural cola’ include kola nut in their ingredients. Kola nuts are used in many African ceremonies, for example the welcoming ceremony of the Igbo culture of Nigeria. The seeds are passed among visitors to a village and then blessed by the village elder, before a seed is given to each visitor with the words ‘Öjï luo ünö okwuo ebe osi bia’ (When the kola nut reaches home, it will tell where it came from), proof to the visitor’s people of his visit to the other village. Kola nuts are central to many other ceremonies in western and central Africa including marriage, child naming, investiture of tribal chiefs, funerals, and sacrifices to deities. http://i.imgur.com/X3Gfd9a.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/CBdXqVr.jpg?1 Sapling: http://i.imgur.com/zdxkQp8.jpg Mature tree in Africa: http://i.imgur.com/wynFr6Y.jpg Pods containing kola "nuts" (seeds): http://i.imgur.com/Dstbp8r.jpg?1http://i.imgur.com/9va0aEe.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/GgRmBAB.jpg Kola nuts at a market in Mali: http://i.imgur.com/AH8BZyK.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/FeI3sIK.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SvymhgW.jpg http://www.worldagro...Cola_nitida.PDF https://www.igboguid...HT-chapter8.htm I've never seen kola nuts before and had no idea what they looked like. The flowers are so pretty. Kola is closely related to cacao (Theobroma cacao), and the two crops are sometimes interplanted since they thrive under the same conditions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 13 October 2016Thursday Bombardier Beetle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 13 October 2016Thursday Bombardier Beetle :eyeroll: Not again... this entry appeared fine in the preview. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomesickAlien Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 13 October 2016Thursday Bombardier Beetle (Brachinus crepitans) The bombardier beetle is famous for its remarkable explosive defence system, in which a volatile liquid is ejected from the anus with an audible popping sound. Indeed, the specific part of the Latin name for this species, crepitans, derives from the Latin for 'crackle', and refers to this noise. This beetle is usually seen in May and June; the details of the life-cycle of this species are not fully understood, but it is thought that the larvae are external parasites on the pupae of other species of beetle, particularly those of the ground beetle Amara convexiuscula and a staphylinid beetle, Ocypus ater. The pulses of volatile liquid that are expelled from this beetle when it is threatened are released from the anus and aimed at potential predators. The liquid is produced explosively when the contents of two glands mix in a chamber known as 'the firing chamber'. One gland contains hydrogen peroxide, the other contains hydroquinone; enzymes are then added. The resulting liquid contains irritant chemicals known as p-benzoquinones, and is released at 100°C; it causes a sensation of burning if it comes into contact with skin. This beetle occurs in central and southern Europe and North Africa, reaching as far north as central Sweden. http://i.imgur.com/1fL5cB1.jpg?1 http://i.imgur.com/92tXMew.gif http://i.imgur.com/rccEALX.png?1 http://i.imgur.com/9IMLgdI.jpg?1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babycat Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 13 October 2016Thursday Bombardier Beetle13 October 2016Thursday Bombardier Beetle :eyeroll: Not again... this entry appeared fine in the preview. It's got an added feature: camouflage. Or an Invisibility Cloak... ;) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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