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» Botany Photo of the Day » Ericaceae

Ericaceae

The flowers of Rhododendron thomsonii

Rhododendron thomsonii subsp. thomsonii

Published by Daniel Mosquin on March 26, 2020

Researching the plant featured in today’s photograph seems to have helped resolve much of a long-standing mystery: why is there a Beer Trail in UBC Botanical Garden? And what does that have to do with a photo of Obama in Asheville, North Carolina?

Read More | 18 Comments

Cold temperature response in the leaves of Rhododendron calophytum

Rhododendron calophytum

Published by Daniel Mosquin on November 29, 2018

It seems next week will see the appearance of the first significant span of freezing temperatures this winter in our region. Snow isn’t in the immediate forecast, so I won’t have the opportunity to improve upon this photograph, but the cold temperatures will likely be enough to start the seasonal leaf-rolling and -drooping of many […]

Read More | 6 Comments

Inflorescence of Kalmia angustifolia

Kalmia angustifolia

Published by Daniel Mosquin on September 14, 2018

Common names range from the poetic to the descriptive to the eminently practical. A number of common names for Kalmia angustifolia land in the latter part of the spectrum: lambkill, sheepkill, and even calfkill.

Read More | 8 Comments

The diminutive flower of Vaccinium oxycoccos

Vaccinium oxycoccos

Published by Daniel Mosquin on June 20, 2018

The diminutive bog cranberry or small cranberry is wide-ranging across northern Europe, Asia, and North America. As one of its common names implies, it is a species of bogs–and also fens, muskeg, and arctic-alpine tundra.

Read More | 8 Comments

Rhododendron tomentosum subsp. decumbens, showing its decumbent nature

Rhododendron tomentosum subsp. decumbens

Published by Daniel Mosquin on June 11, 2018

Bark-sniffing? Check. Mushroom-licking? Yep. Indumentum-licking? Not yet, but maybe next time. Apparently, the hairs on the underside of the leaves of northern Labrador tea give a buzz when licked (see the indigenous knowledge section), which opens up an entirely new way of experiencing rhododendrons that I hadn’t considered before. Perhaps I should add it to […]

Read More | 9 Comments

Leptecophylla tameiameiae in lava field habitat

Leptecophylla tameiameiae

Published by Daniel Mosquin on May 4, 2018

Leptecophylla tameiameiae, or pūkiawe, is a member of the heath family (Ericaceae) native to the Hawaiian islands and Marquesas Islands. It is variable in appearance, perhaps related to its ability to grow in habitats ranging from the semi-arid lava deserts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to montane wet forests.

Read More | 6 Comments

Agapetes miniata in bloom

Agapetes miniata (tentative)

Published by Daniel Mosquin on March 29, 2018

This colourful gem is from a genus that is closely related to Vaccinium–the blueberries. Agapetes means “beloved” or “desirable”. Some readers may recognize its similarity to the Greco-Christian type of love known as agape.

Read More | 19 Comments

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