Sometimes, a law is just nuts!
By Chelsie Vandaveer
May 1, 2002
Sponsored By: AAA Holiday Fruit Baskets—>Click here.
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killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.
Killer Picks: Executive Wine, Fruit & Gourmet, Royal Fruit and Gourmet Basket—>Click here.
Colossal Fruit Basket, Holiday Fruit Tray, Grande Gourmet Fruit Basket<—>Click here.
In Peru, it is illegal to cut down a Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa Humboldt and Bonpland). [ber thol let' ee a ex sel' sa] The well-meant law is to protect the Brazil nut industry. Consequently, the trees are left standing
when all else has been clear-cut.
Brazil nut trees have a unique relationship with bees and orchids in the rainforests. The trees must be pollinated by the metallic-colored Euglossine bees, particularly the female bees. Only the females have sufficient strength to navigate the curled androecium (stamens) of the Brazil nut flowers.
Euglossine bees are best known as orchid bees since over 650 species of orchids depend upon the 175 species of Euglossines for pollination. But the orchids are pollinated only by the male bees. The male bees are attracted to the orchids by the osmophores, specialized scent-producing glands.
The male bees scrape the scent oils from the flowers. These scents either attract female bees or the males convert the scents to pheromones which attract the females. While the males are busy collecting the oils, the orchid attaches its pollinia (pollen sacs) to the back of the bee. The next flower the bee visits gets pollinated.
When the rainforest around Brazil nut trees is clear-cut, the male bees no longer have the orchids. The mating rituals of the Euglossines fail for lack of scents. The bees die out within a generation or two. Without the female Euglossines, the Bertholletia flowers do not get pollinated. The trees, protected by law to protect the nut industry, cease producing pods of Brazil nuts.
The New York Botanical Garden has a great herbarium drawing of Bertholletia excelsa. To view the drawing, click on the link:
http://www.nybg.org/bsci/braznut/Illustration.html 
Note the cross-sectional illustration of the tightly curled androecium (stamens) at the top of the page.
Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 |
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Sometimes, a law is just nuts! Renfield's Garden - May 1, 2002
Why are Brazil nuts dangerous to harvest? Weird Plants - May 2, 2002
How did the Brazil nut tree get its name? What's in a Name? - May 3, 2002
Killer Savings Links:
Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
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Executive Wine, Fruit & Gourmet
AAA Fruit Baskets®
Our Executive Basket will please the whole office. We fill it with a superb selection of local fruit, such as shiny apples, juicy oranges, grapes, bananas and nectarines.
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Royal Fruit and Gourmet Basket
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We pack a large wicker basket with only the finest fresh seasonal fruits and gourmet specialtites for a truly royal treat. Hand delivery ensures this basket will arrive at its peak of flavor.
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Colossal Fruit Basket
AAA Fruit Baskets®
Wonderfully displayed in a handsome basket, our Colossal Fruit Basket contains the most luscious domestic and tropical fruits available.
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Holiday Fruit Tray
AAA Fruit Baskets®
Fresh fruit is always a welcomed gift.
Fresh fruits such as pineapple, apples, oranges and bananas are selected at their peak of freshness, hand packed and hand delivered for an impressive holiday gift.
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Grande Gourmet Fruit Basket
AAA Fruit Baskets®
When you want to send thanks in a Grande way, send this basket filled with fresh fruit, biscuits and tea. Nothing's grander. Fresh fruits, biscuits, chocolates and tea, along with a charming teapot, arrive in an impressive wicker tray.
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