Tag: Pollinators

While prized by early-emerging pollinators, purple dead nettle has earned a negative reputation among farmers and gardeners due to its aggressive spreading habits. Understanding why is purple dead nettle bad requires separating its invasive qualities from its surprisingly beneficial traits.

Nectar, the sugar-rich liquid produced by plants, is not a uniformly thin or thick substance but rather varies significantly in its viscosity. This inherent variability in nectar thickness is a crucial biological adaptation that directly influences which pollinators a plant attracts.

Despite their diminutive size, wild strawberries offer a flavor experience far more potent and aromatic than their cultivated cousins, a testament to their inherent purpose beyond mass-market production. These tiny berries, and the resilient plants that bear them, play a critical and often-overlooked role in supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Native to Europe and Asia, dead-nettle (Lamium species) is a widespread plant with surprising nutritional and medicinal properties. This unassuming herb, often mistaken for its stinging cousin, is a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and healing compounds, making it far more than just a common weed.

According to a 2017 study published in the journal *Science*, researchers found that 75% of honey samples collected from around the world contained at least one type of neonicotinoid pesticide. This finding highlighted the widespread presence of pesticides in the global honey supply and raised significant questions about food safety and pollinator health. But is honey contaminated with pesticides at levels that pose a risk to human health?

According to gardening experts, strategically planting certain fruits and their companions can boost yield by as much as 20%, naturally managing pests and enhancing flavor. To understand what fruits grow best together, you must first embrace the ancient practice of companion planting, which creates a beneficial ecosystem right in your backyard.

Nectar is a sweet fluid secreted by plants, and its sugar content can range dramatically from as little as 3% to as high as 80%, depending on the plant species and environmental conditions. This wide variation highlights the complex nature of what does nectar contain, revealing it to be far more than just a simple sugar solution.

With an estimated 1,063 species distributed worldwide, the Allium genus encompasses a diverse group of plants, including flavorful kitchen staples and visually striking ornamentals. These versatile plants have been cultivated for centuries for their medicinal properties, pungent flavor, and attractive, showy flowerheads,.

According to the USDA Plants Database, the hollyleaf cherry (Prunus ilicifolia) is a dense, evergreen shrub native to California. In addition to its attractive foliage, what is the benefit of hollyleaf cherry, and why is it so valuable for both home gardens and natural ecosystems?

Over 40 subspecies of sulphur-flower buckwheat exist across western North America, showcasing its wide adaptability and variation. Although traditionally used for medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples, its edibility is a complex topic that differs significantly from common buckwheat. This article investigates the safety and history behind the question, 'Is sulphur buckwheat edible?'