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The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Country diary: Common milkwort looks light enough to take flight
I glimpse a lilac in the green. A hushed colour that suits the early hour. This common milkwort amid the grass is delicate and slight. The flower has an unusual structure, with an outer set of green sepals and an inner set of wing-like purple ones enclosing the tubular fused petals. The effect is intricate and poised, as if the bloom has landed for a moment in the grass but is equally capable of taking flight. Still holding the morning's dew, it is ephemeral, light. The blooms can also be found in blue, pink or white – leading to another of the plant's names, 'four sisters', for the four possible colours – but here it is a pale purple accent in the green. A number of its other common names reveal a past use in Christian processions – 'rogation flower,' 'cross flower', 'Christ's herb'. Then it was picked for garlands, but today it is better left where it is. While locally frequent and widespread in grasslands, particularly those with chalky soils, and in terrains including cliffs and rock outcrops, verges and alkaline-to-neutral fens, this 'common' milkwort has become rarer as agricultural intensification has reduced and degraded its habitats. As the sun strengthens, the complexion of the grass changes and a spill of yellow dominates. The flowers of the silverweed beam gold up through frosted leaves. Scattered buttercups glow in all directions, while the sunlight coaxes the grass itself into a more fiery palette. There is a temptation to look away, drawn by the brighter shades, yet the milkwort maintains its own attraction. The wing-like inner sepals act as flags, advertising the flower to pollinators, while the front petal serves as a landing platform. It takes a degree of strength to open this flower to reach the pollen and nectar within, giving bees an advantage over other pollinators. While such detail may be missed from human height, the flower still draws, and rewards, the human eye. All too easy to walk past, this quiet treasure in the grass is a feat of daedal elegance. Under the Changing Skies: The Best of the Guardian's Country Diary, 2018-2024 is published by Guardian Faber; order at and get a 15% discount
Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The Chelsea Frock Show: the best looks
It was once just for Sloane Rangers and Home Counties green-finger-philes, but these days the Chelsea Flower Show is as much of a fashion as flora and fauna showcase — if you know where to look. Weed through the thick hedgerows of floral midis and denim jackets and this vibrant corner of SW3 can prove fertile ground for wearable, on-point summer trends. Yes, frocks are still very much the uniform — but which styles are right for now take root here. On opening day there were plenty of equally easy alternatives, too: trouser suits, co-ords and elegant linens. The most exclusive accessory? A posh pooch. Only certain VIPs were allowed to bring their furry best friends to visit Monty Don's hound-centric garden this morning, and
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- Irish Times
A Wonderful Life
I hear birds chirp as I open my eyes, a gentle breeze caresses my face. The sky is blue, free from clouds. I stretch my legs and prepare for my day ahead. Vibrant flowers surround me, swaying in the wind. Towering trees enclose the area; the bright, warm sun peeks through their leaves. Butterflies soar through the air, occasionally landing on the unusual, rich-coloured bushes and flowers. The gentle sway of the flora can be heard all around. Up in the trees, the birds thrive. Mothers feeding their newborns, others attempting to fly. Squirrels run about, their bushy tails weaving through branches. A feeling of peace encases the area. My stomach begins to rumble, its time to forage for food. I sniff around, looking for sweet delights. In the corner of my eye, I see deep purple berries. I dash over to them and inspect them. Slowly opening my mouth to bite into them, their flavours exploding in my mouth. They're the nicest berries I've ever eaten. I quickly devour them all. I hop about, taking in the smells and sounds around me. The day is hot, and my tongue is dry, I wander towards the glistening lake. Ducks glide on the clear water, ripples appearing as they move. I dip my mouth into the lake and begin to drink. I feel refreshed. READ MORE I look up to see the orange skies, it's almost time to sleep. I scan the area for a comfortable place to rest. I make my way over to a tree with a cavity in its base. I squeeze my way in, it's just big enough to fit me. I lay in a ball, looking out at the other animals, birds returning to their nests and squirrels climbing up their trees. The sun sets and my eyes begin to shut. What a wonderful day to be alive.
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
A Biologist Spotlights The Biggest Bird The World Has Ever Known. Hint: It Went Extinct During The Dark Ages
Madagascar is home to some of the world's most unique flora and fauna. And, up until about a ... More thousand years ago, it was home to the world's largest known bird species. Meet Madagascar's legendary elephant bird. The name pretty much sums it up – this bird was a true gargantuan. Weighing 2,000+ pounds and measuring up to 10 feet tall, a quick glance at one of these impressive animals might leave you wondering if you just saw a dinosaur. Unlike dinosaurs, however, humans of Madagascar frequently crossed paths with elephant birds, until their extinction around 1000 A.D. Here's the story of these flightless behemoths, from beginning to end. The elephant bird, or Aepyornis maximus, was a member of the ratite group — a classification that includes ostriches, emus, and kiwis. But the elephant bird made even the ostrich – which holds the title as the world's largest extant bird – look petite. With its massive legs and thick body, the elephant bird was built for power, not speed. It couldn't fly, but it didn't need to. With few natural predators on Madagascar, it ruled the island's forests and plains for millennia. An elephant bird — the extinct giant of Madagascar. Fossil records show that these gargantuan birds laid gargantuan eggs. A single elephant bird egg could reach over 13 inches in length and hold about two gallons of liquid – equivalent to 150 chicken eggs. These eggs remain among the largest ever discovered and have been found intact centuries after the bird's extinction, occasionally washing up along Madagascar's coasts or unearthed by farmers and archaeologists. Despite their intimidating size, elephant birds were likely herbivores, browsing on fruits, leaves, and low-lying plants. They moved slowly through the forest, using their sheer bulk to navigate through thick vegetation. (Sidebar: While the elephant bird was the heaviest bird to ever walk the Earth, it wasn't the tallest — see here to learn about New Zealand's towering, wingless wonder.) Surprisingly, scientists believe the closest living relatives of elephant birds are not ostriches or emus, but the much smaller, flightless kiwi of New Zealand — based on ancient DNA analysis. These genetic studies have also revealed that elephant birds comprised several distinct species on Madagascar, with deep evolutionary splits that justify placing them into two separate families. The elephant bird's disappearance coincides closely with the expansion of human settlement in Madagascar, estimated around 500 to 1000 A.D. This timeline suggests that human activity played a major role in their extinction. Although there's little direct evidence of elephant birds being hunted to extinction, the impact of human settlement – deforestation, habitat loss, and egg harvesting – would have drastically reduced their population. The enormous eggs, in particular, were easy targets. A single egg could feed an entire family, making them a highly attractive resource. Burning and land-clearing practices for agriculture may have further disrupted their breeding grounds and food supply. An elephant bird egg (left) compared to a chicken egg (right). The extinct elephant bird laid the ... More largest eggs of any known vertebrate — capable of holding the equivalent of more than 150 chicken eggs. Today, elephant birds live on only in legend, bones and the occasional egg in a museum. They've also inspired fantastical tales – Marco Polo wrote of enormous birds in Madagascar capable of lifting elephants, likely a distorted memory of elephant bird lore. These stories helped fuel the myth of the Roc, a giant bird from Middle Eastern mythology. Scientists continue to study elephant bird remains to better understand Madagascar's prehistoric ecosystem, and the consequences of rapid human-induced environmental change. Their story serves as a cautionary tale: even the most powerful creatures can vanish when faced with the pressures of habitat destruction and overexploitation. And yet, there's a great sense of awe and wonder surrounding these creatures. Their eggs are coveted by collectors and researchers alike. Their bones continue to yield new insights into ancient biodiversity. And their image – massive, mysterious, and extinct – reminds us of the fragility of life on islands, where evolution often runs wild but cannot always outrun human presence. Does thinking about the extinction of a species instantly change your mood? Take the Connectedness to Nature Scale to see where you stand on this unique personality dimension.
Arab News
09-05-2025
- Science
- Arab News
Teucrium Oliverianum plant helping mitigate desertification in Saudi Arabia's north
RIYADH: The perennial herbaceous plant Teucrium oliverianum has spread extensively throughout the Saudi Arabia's Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, indicating a balanced ecosystem, the Saudi Press Agency has reported recently. Citing experts, the report noted that the reserve has seen a remarkable expansion in its vegetation cover and "has now reached its best condition since its establishment in 2018." It also indicates a healthy, stable vegetation cover, and soil free from erosion or desertification. Variedly known to locals as al-aihlan or ahneh, the plant is characterized by long, thin stems and delicate leaves, coated with fine bristles that help minimize water loss, adding to its adaptability to harsh environments. Native to the Arabian Peninsula, the plant is highly valued for grazing. It also provides shelter and sustenance for various small desert animals and insects, making it an essential part of the natural food chain. In an earlier report, SPA quoted wild plant expert Abdullah Al-Barrak as saying Teucrium oliverianum is also a valuable food source for honeybees. Renowned for its evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves and striking blue-violet flowers, the plant has become an iconic symbol of the flora of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve. The 91,500-square-kilometer reserve, formerly known as Al-Taysiyah Natural Reserve, is the second-largest royal reserve in the Kingdom, spread across regions of Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf, Northern Borders and Eastern Province. The reserve's vegetation cover has surged from 1.5% in 2018 to an impressive 6.7%, and now boasts over 179 plant species, including 113 seasonal and 66 perennial varieties, officials have said.
