Wild Ginger is known as Wild ginger because it tastes and smells similar to the root of the same name even though there is no other relationship between the two plants. Wild Ginger grows best in rich moist soil where leaves and other plant matter has degraded and as such usually grows in deciduous forests. Wild Ginger has distinctly fuzzy heart-shaped leaves that are easily denoted from surrounding plants. Wild Ginger has been reported to have medicinal properties and can be used as a seasoning if prepared correctly.
Leaf Litter Decomposition
When leaves fall from plants, and especially trees, it creates a layer of leaves on the floor of the area around the plants called leaf litter. When leaf litter decomposes it creates CO2 and other minerals which are absorbed into the soil. This means that leaf litter decomposition is a major contributing factor to how rich in nutrients the soil is in a given area.
The Southern Pine Beetle
Located mainly in the Southern US, Mexico, and central America the Southern Pine Beetle is one of the most devastating destroyers of pine trees on the planet. The insect both grows and reproduces rapidly leading in immense outbreaks that are quick and hard to predict. The Southern Pine Beetle feeds on pine trees and usually leads to the destruction of a localized area before migrating to a new area to feed on more trees. The Southern Pine Beetle will eat any pine tree of any kind but generally seems to prefer Virginia, Pond, and Pitch Pines. It is easy to note where a Southern Pine Beetle has been at work because it leaves small tunnels in the pine tree which are usually slightly larger than a pencil.
No comments:
Post a Comment