Latest news with #Gypsophila
CTV News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Andre Pettipas channels grief into new song about SIDS
Andre Pettipas released his new single, Gypsophila, in honour of his niece Blake who passed away from SIDS. (Source: Andre Pettipas) East Coast rocker Andre Pettipas is showing a softer, more vulnerable side with the release of his new single, Gypsophila. The song was written in memory of his niece Blake, who died at just three months old from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Known for his high-energy performances and carefree spirit, Pettipas says this track is unlike anything he's released before. 'It's emotional. Every time I perform it, it takes me back to that moment – but there's healing in it too,' he said in an interview with CTV Atlantic's Katie Kelly. The song's title, Gypsophila – also known as baby's breath – is a nod to the flower that symbolizes SIDS awareness. What makes the track even more meaningful is the collaboration behind it. Pettipas worked with Jeremy Taggart, former drummer for Our Lady Peace and one of his longtime musical heroes. Andre Pettipas, Jeremy Taggart and Kara Gillis (Blake's Mom) Andre Pettipas, Jeremy Taggart and Kara Gillis (Blake's Mom). (Source: East Coast Dna) 'I reached out to Jeremy, told him about the song and what it meant to me – and he didn't hesitate,' Pettipas said. 'He jumped in to help, and that really meant the world.' The release of Gypsophila coincides with Giantstock, a local festival Pettipas created, that is held in Merigomish, N.S. 'Giantstock is a non-for-profit and any money made after expenses goes to baby's breath which is the only national foundation for SIDS awareness.' 'I hope it connects with people,' Pettipas said. 'I'm trying to raise awareness and healing.'
Arab News
11-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
How conservation efforts are helping Saudi Arabia's northern deserts bloom
RIYADH: Following an unusually wet season, Saudi Arabia's northern desert has erupted into a sea of wildflowers. Among the most striking sights is Silene arabica, a rare species once on the brink of extinction, now thriving thanks to a national commitment to conservation. Part of the Caryophyllaceae family — commonly known as the 'pink family' — Silene arabica is one of 3,000 species within the group, which also includes the sun-loving Dianthus and the delicate Gypsophila, better known as 'baby's-breath.' What sets Silene arabica apart is its remarkable resilience. Unlike its thirstier relatives, this hardy desert dweller thrives in clayey soils and stores water internally, making it uniquely suited to Saudi Arabia's arid northern border region. Its natural range spans desert and semi-desert ecosystems stretching from North Africa to southern Iran, but this year's extraordinary bloom has made it a poster child for Saudi Arabia's expanding efforts to protect its native flora. Beyond Silene arabica, countless other wild plants are enjoying a resurgence — the result not only of rainfall, but also of determined national efforts to rehabilitate and safeguard the Kingdom's biodiversity. One of the driving forces behind this green renaissance is the Saudi Arabia Botanical Society, co-founded by Munira Al-Hazani and Joshua van Alstine. Al-Hazani is the first woman in the world to found a national botanical society. The organization's goals include preserving native species, building a national botanical garden and institute and cultivating environmental awareness across the country. 'We are doing this as a service to human beings through nature,' Texas-born van Alstine told Arab News. 'We are not doing this only to walk around and say, 'we do plant research, we do plant conservation.' We are doing this to make life better for humans.' A longtime admirer of Saudi Arabia, van Alstine said his passion for the Kingdom's natural environment led him to become part of its sustainable development journey. 'I really want to make the biggest impact possible,' he said. 'I thought, how can I do something, really, in the service of the Kingdom, and I thought of serving Saudi Arabia's soil and plants. I really see Saudi Arabia becoming the world's first fully green state.' Among the native species championed by the society is Horwoodia dicksoniae, commonly known as Saudi lavender. Yet protecting these desert-adapted plants requires an understanding of their unique survival strategies — and the fragile conditions that sustain them. 'What do plants need? Plants need carbon in their soil, they need minerals in their soil, and they also need to be in a place where water is going to be stored after it rains,' said van Alstine. This is where the desert's hidden geology plays a critical role. 'We see native plants in a lower area, rocky areas, in the desert,' he said. 'No matter where you are in the desert, if you see native plants, there is most likely going to be rocks either under the sand or above the sand, but you will see these plants are kind of growing in areas that don't get very much wind, in comparison to the rest of the desert … and they have some sort of shade from the rough desert conditions.' These rocky pockets act like underground rain barrels, collecting water that can sustain plants through long dry periods. Native species like Silene arabica have evolved long, deep roots to reach these hidden reserves. • Silene arabica is typically found in areas that retain rainwater, such as valleys and clay soils. • The native plant species flowers during the spring and after periods of heavy rainfall. • Caryophyllaceae has 89 genera and 3,000 species found all over the world. But resilience alone is not always enough. Over the years, Silene arabica has become increasingly scarce, in large part due to overgrazing. 'That is what made them disappear. There is overgrazing,' said van Alstine. Grazing animals, especially camels, are drawn to the flower's grassy stems and white blooms. Their popularity among foragers has taken a toll on the population. In response, the National Center for Vegetation Cover has taken steps to limit grazing in sensitive areas, allowing native species the chance to recover. The impact is already visible. From plains to rocky valleys, wild plants are reclaiming their place in the landscape — a transformation that is being noticed not just by scientists and conservationists but by residents and visitors alike. Silene arabica may be one of the stars of this year's desert bloom, but it is far from the only beneficiary. Thanks to coordinated efforts to curb destructive practices and promote responsible land stewardship, Saudi Arabia's desert is alive once again with color and life. And for those working to make it happen, this is just the beginning.
Al-Ahram Weekly
12-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Al-Ahram Weekly
In Photos: Floral Designer Injy Teymour shares recipe for perfect Valentine bouquet - Style - Life & Style
Nothing says 'I love you' quite like red roses, which silently take over flower kiosks, shops, and studios in the lead-up to Valentine's Day. The red rose is the queen of romantic flowers, representing sacrifice, passion, health, and immortal love. The abundance of red, however, can get boring fast and designing a V-day bouquet presents a real challenge for florists, who constantly strive to create innovative and unique arrangements. Veteran floral designer Ingy Teymour spills the tea on what makes a good, great, and grand flower arrangement for Valentine's Day in an Ahram Online exclusive. Teymour, who founded a floral design school a decade ago, has a few tricks up her sleeve. With decades of experience, the designer believes that adding bursts of colour — orange, yellow, and white — to predominantly red bouquets can make an arrangement memorable and infuse it with more meaning. 'These four colours, red, orange, yellow, and white are the only ones I find suitable as a maximum combination for Valentine's bouquets,' Teymour tells Ahram Online. The veteran florist explained that white roses, representing sanctity and purity, create a visually striking contrast with red. On the other hand, orange roses imbue the bouquet with fiery energy and symbolize life and excitement. Finally, yellow roses are a silent expression of joy and hope, like the sun finally breaking through gloomy clouds. 'Pink or purple flowers do not match well with red for this occasion,' Teymour adds. 'The colour wheel tells us that red does not harmonize with purple or pink, making orange or white preferable.' Several factors influence the shape and size of a Valentine's bouquet, including budget, quantity, and the recipient. After all, Valentine's Day celebrates both romantic love and love in its broader sense. She highlights that the red rose is available in multiple varieties, with differing petal arrangements, bloom sizes, and stem lengths. The price of a rose increases the longer the stem and the larger the bloom. Flower prices triple on Valentine's Day due to import costs and a massive surge in demand. Teymour notes that over 98 percent of consumers in Egypt express interest in purchasing floral gifts on this day. As a result, arrangements dominated by red roses are pricey, so florists often incorporate complementary flowers such as calla lilies, gerbera, eustoma, baby's breath (Gypsophila), and tulips to accommodate people's budgets. Teymour emphasizes that Valentine's Day is particularly challenging for floral designers due to the limited range of colours and elements that suit the occasion. Thus, creating distinctive bouquets requires constant innovation. In contrast, occasions like Mother's Day allow for greater creative freedom, enabling designers to use a broader spectrum of colours that align with personal preferences. To personalize a V-day bouquet, Teymour recommends asking florists to combine flowers with chocolates or small gifts. Even simple details, such as a heartfelt card, can elevate the gift's impact and make it more memorable. She argues, however, that 'A single rose is enough.' She suggests simplicity can often speak volumes, and a lone rose can be as meaningful as an elaborate bouquet. Teymour aspires to see floral design incorporated into Egyptian school curriculums. The designer believes such an initiative would enhance artistic appreciation, promote relaxation, and encourage the enjoyment of nature's beauty. She revealed that her greatest sense of achievement comes from seeing her students transform their passion into successful careers. Short link:
