April 23, 2008

love each other

(another biology lesson)

Eastern skunk cabbage

Breaking or tearing a leaf produces a pungent odor.

(not considered an attractive trait

and may discourage some from approaching it)

however...

This property lends itself to the 'skunk'

in the common name.

While not considered edible,

the plant is not poisonous to the touch.

Though unpleasant, the smell is not harmful.

in fact...

The foul odor attracts its pollinators,

scavenging flies, stoneflies, and bees.

Those that are necessary for producing fruit.

The odor in the leaves may also serve to

discourage large animals from disturbing

or damaging this plant

which grows in soft wetland soils.

Helps to keep the predators away, as well,

that would lead to the destruction of the plant

as it tries to grow in soil not usually considered

optimal for most growth.

Skunk cabbage is notable for its ability

to produce heat of up to 15-35° C above air temperature

by cyanide resistant cellular respiration

in order to melt its way through frozen ground,

placing it among a small group of plants exhibiting thermogenesis.

Although flowering whilst there is

still snow and ice on the ground

it is successfully pollinated by early insects

that also emerge at this time.

Some studies suggest that beyond

allowing the plant to grow in icy soil,

the heat it produces may help to spread its odor in the air.

Carrion-feeding insects that are attracted by the scent

may be doubly encouraged to enter the spathe

because it is warmer than the surrounding air,

fueling pollination.

The heat that this plant generates

crying out for help

allows it's cry to be more clearly heard

and to be recognized

by those searching early for such an opportunity

while many rest and wait until conditions

are just right (or at least) more convenient.

Eastern Skunk Cabbage has contractile roots

which contract after growing into the earth.

This pulls the stem of the plant deeper into the mud,

so that the plant in effect grows downward,

not upward.

Each year, the plant grows deeper into the earth,

so that older plants are practically impossible to dig up.

By growing... the plant more firmly anchors itself

into whatever it feels is necessary

for it's continued growth,

reproduction, and seed bearing fruit.

They reproduce by hard, pea-sized seeds

which fall in the mud

and are carried away by

animals or by floods.

This fruit, once formed,

produces very hard (weather resistant) tough seeds

that will be spread throughout their environment

by others or by surrounding conditions.

- taken from Wikipedia

(the bold, italicized print is mine)

Brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus...

There are a lot of people in the world

living in a prison (many not of their own making)

that are crying out for help

and that are potentially

some of the greatest (and staunchest) witnesses

for spreading the faith (the good fruit) of the Word.

Are you someone who recognizes their need early

and have the desire to help,

going out of your comfort zone

(not waiting until what others feel is the "right"

... more convenient... time)

to act?

"If I speak in the tongues

of men and of angels,

but have not love,

I am only a resounding gong

or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy

and can fathom all mysteries

and all knowledge,

and if I have a faith

that can move mountains,

but have not love,

I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor

and surrender my body to the flames,

but have not love,

I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres."

- 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 NIV

"Now about brotherly love

we do not need to write to you,

for you yourselves

have been taught by God

to love each other."

- 1 Thessalonians 4:9 NIV