How does the whistling-thorn react to being eaten?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
February 7, 2002
Sponsored BY: National Geographic—>Click here.
Also Sponsored BY: NOVICA—>Click here
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
'Savannah Elephant', The Amateur Naturalist—>Click here.
The Acacia of the Americas and Africa have a number of similarities and distinct differences. The bull's-horn acacias and the whistling-thorn acacias both have close interrelationships with ants. The spines on both types provide domatia (communal nests) for the ants, both have extrafloral nectaries, and both depend to differing degrees upon ants
for defense.
The bull's-horns of the Americas have hollow spines that appear to develop whether the plant is subject to mammalian herbivory or not. (See Plant of the Week, February 4, 2002. The photographed tree was not subject to herbivores.)
The whistling-thorns of Africa have inflated bases on about one-fifth of the paired spines. These inflated bases develop even if no ants are present. The spines with the inflated bases generally grow much longer than spines without inflated bases. But, it has been noted by naturalists the whistling-thorns of Africa do not grow long spines when herbivorous mammals are absent.
In a study of acacias at Mpala Research Center, plots were created that excluded different mammalian herbivores. After 22 months of allowing the trees to grow, in those plots that excluded
megaherbivores (elephants and giraffes), the spines were about one-fifth shorter than on trees subject to the big browsers.
On acacias subject to herbivores like gazelles, elands, and oryx, but not the megaherbivores, the spines were longer on those areas of the trees the smaller mammals could reach. The acacias left unprotected from all the animals had the longest spines of all.
A group of acacias where herbivores had been excluded for a number of years had the shortest spines. The spines averaged 70% shorter than spines on the open ranges. The growth of the spines of the whistling-thorns of Africa is induced by the herbivores that prey upon them.
The Serengeti National Park has a beautiful website. To visit "the place where the land moves on forever", click on the link:
http://www.serengeti.org/
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
What is cassie? Herbal Folklore - February 9, 2004
Ant Wars and a Whistling Tree Renfield's Garden - February 6, 2002
What is the mystery of acacia? What's in a Name? - February 8, 2002
What is khaki? Herbal Folklore - May 26, 2003
What is shellac? Renfield's Garden - May 28, 2003
What is henna? Herbal Folklore - October 6, 2003
NOVICA's Mission
NOVICA®
In association with National Geographic, Novica today serves as an online arts agent for more than 1,700 artists in countries around the world. Visitors to the Novica Web site can read about the artists, explore their cultures, view photographs of their work and select from more than 8,500 handcrafted works.
Novica arts and technology teams (staffing Novica offices in El Salvador, Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Thailand, Venezuela and Zimbabwe) interview each artist, photograph their artwork, post the interviews and photographs online, and handle all packing and shipping on behalf of the artist. International couriers deliver the artwork directly to customers, eliminating numerous middlemen and transferring the savings to creator and customer alike.
Click here fo read more...
|
|
|
|
Ebony statuette, 'Savannah Elephant'
NOVICA®
Wide ears listening for distant danger, an African elephant moves proudly across the savannah. Emmanuel Obimpeh selects precious ebony wood to capture the majesty of the wild animal, patiently carving the ridged trunk and long, sharp tusks. Obimpeh finishes this extraordinary piece with dark tan mansion polish.
Click here for price and more info...
|
|
Emmanuel Obimpeh, founder of Akpeh-Craft, was born in the Volta Region on August 8, 1963. After elementary school, he furthered his education at a vocational training institute. Obimpeh had been interested in arts since childhood and especially enjoyed molding clay, hence his affection for ceramics and other genres such as wood carving. After graduating from the institute, He went to work with his uncle, a carver. Due to financial problems, Obimpeh decided to dedicate himself fulltime to carving. He undertook a three-year apprenticeship from his uncle and later worked for him for another two years.
Click here to view all West African Products...
|
|
|
The Amateur Naturalist
National Geographic®
National Geographic naturalist Nick Baker brings you the ultimate how-to guide for exploring nature. An education in natural science unto itself, it's filled with page after page of fascinating secrets, surprising facts, and inspiring commentary that encourage the whole family to see the many sides of nature they've never seen before.
From communicating with wildlife to reading the forest's hidden signs, the hands-on activities, beautiful photos, and detailed illustrations enthusiastically reveal everything you need to know to fully experience our beautiful world.
Click here for price and more info...
|
|
|
Wollemi Pine
National Geographic®
This survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.
|
|
Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area.
Click here to view canyon, trees and fossil record.
You can assist in the conservation effort and enjoy the unique opportunity to ensure the continued survival of this rare species by giving the tree as a gift or growing your own. Suitable for indoor container gardening. Can also be used as a landscape tree in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 7, which includes New England, the Midatlantic states, and much of the Midwest.
Comes with a care manual with the full story about the discovery and fascinating history of the Wollemi pine. Tree will be approximately 8"H when shipped. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plants will fund ongoing conservation research.
Click here to get your Wollemi Pine and assist in the conservation effort.
|
National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic®
|
|
You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.
Additional benefits include:
- As many as five wall map supplements throughout the year in issues of the magazine
- A personalized Membership Certificate
- Special discounts on selected products
- The opportunity to examine special Society products free in your home before deciding to purchase
- The privilege of traveling the world with the Society's educational travel tour programs
- The satisfaction of supporting important research, conservation, education, and exploration projects
|
|
Join the Society and bring the adventure of National Geographic into your home!
Click here for price and more info...
|
| |
killerplants Recommended Smart Stores
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 BACK TO TOP
|
|
