🌴 Scott Zona, Ph.D. 🌴
@scottzona.bsky.social
Personal account. Botanist. #TropicalBotany. 🌴 Author of "A Gardener's Guide to Botany.” 🐶 Henry's 2nd favorite dad. IG: Scott.Zona. Posting from North Carolina, USA. Trapped in Trumpistan. #IamaBotanist
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It’s Fascination with Plants Day! I wrote an entire book about why plants are so amazing & endlessly intriguing! Pollination, defense, dispersal, CAM, epiphytism, succulence, carnivory, parasitism, etc. It's all here. Available from your favorite bookseller. #plantday #Botany #PlantScience 🌾🧪🌱
This superb owl is courtesy of the National Diet Library of Japan. It’s a Blakiston’s fish-owl, the largest owl native to Japan. Painter: HATTORI Sessai in Kinka kin Fu (Pictures of Birds by Ito Keisuke), 1872, compiler: ITO Keisuke. vol.11 <寄別11-10> #SuperbOwl
February 8, 2026 at 11:04 PM
This superb owl is courtesy of the National Diet Library of Japan. It’s a Blakiston’s fish-owl, the largest owl native to Japan. Painter: HATTORI Sessai in Kinka kin Fu (Pictures of Birds by Ito Keisuke), 1872, compiler: ITO Keisuke. vol.11 <寄別11-10> #SuperbOwl
Pakaraimaea dipterocarpacea is an enigmatic tree Cistaceae from the Guianan Highlands. It was formerly placed in the Dipterocarpaceae. It lacks dimorphic sepals. I couldn’t find photos of it alive, but here’s a specimen, courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden Herbarium. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪
February 7, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Pakaraimaea dipterocarpacea is an enigmatic tree Cistaceae from the Guianan Highlands. It was formerly placed in the Dipterocarpaceae. It lacks dimorphic sepals. I couldn’t find photos of it alive, but here’s a specimen, courtesy of the New York Botanical Garden Herbarium. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪
The genus Crocanthemum has an unusual disjunct distribution: much of North America (incl. some of C. America & the Antilles) and southern South America. Here's C. corymbosum as encountered in the sand pine scrub along the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in S. Florida. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 6, 2026 at 11:14 AM
The genus Crocanthemum has an unusual disjunct distribution: much of North America (incl. some of C. America & the Antilles) and southern South America. Here's C. corymbosum as encountered in the sand pine scrub along the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in S. Florida. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Stamens of some Cistaceae are sensitive & flex outward when touched. I’d love to see that! Does anyone have a video? This photo by Sarah Gregg CCBYNCSA2 shows the glorious stamens of Helianthemum apenninum. I don’t know if this sp. has sensitive stamens. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 5, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Stamens of some Cistaceae are sensitive & flex outward when touched. I’d love to see that! Does anyone have a video? This photo by Sarah Gregg CCBYNCSA2 shows the glorious stamens of Helianthemum apenninum. I don’t know if this sp. has sensitive stamens. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
The flowers of Cistus monspeliensis (📷: Amadej Trnkoczy CCBYNCSA2) are large & showy. The leaves are strongly revolute (margins curl downward), a feature common in plants from dry habitats. This species is from the maquis & matorral shrublands of the Mediterranean. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 4, 2026 at 4:32 PM
The flowers of Cistus monspeliensis (📷: Amadej Trnkoczy CCBYNCSA2) are large & showy. The leaves are strongly revolute (margins curl downward), a feature common in plants from dry habitats. This species is from the maquis & matorral shrublands of the Mediterranean. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
A nice thing about the dark spots of C. ladanifer is that in sunny windless days they are a little warmer than the white petal area. I bet it's not by chance that the spots are the preferred standing places for ectothermic pollinators such as these flies (Stomorhina lunata and Eristalinus taeniops).
February 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Yesterday I forgot to post the flowers of Cistus ladanifer, which are fabulous. I love the crumpled petals with their basal spots. The flowers attract bees, beetles & flies, & they must be cross-pollinated to produce seeds. They can’t self. (📷: mxtivoli CCBYNC4) #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 4, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Yesterday I forgot to post the flowers of Cistus ladanifer, which are fabulous. I love the crumpled petals with their basal spots. The flowers attract bees, beetles & flies, & they must be cross-pollinated to produce seeds. They can’t self. (📷: mxtivoli CCBYNC4) #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Cistus ladanifer, from the western Mediterranean region, has shiny, sticky, resin-coated leaves. The resin contributes to the characteristic aroma of the garrigue and maquis shrublands. The resin, called labdanum, is used in perfumery. #perfume #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Cistus ladanifer, from the western Mediterranean region, has shiny, sticky, resin-coated leaves. The resin contributes to the characteristic aroma of the garrigue and maquis shrublands. The resin, called labdanum, is used in perfumery. #perfume #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Cistaceae often have petals crumpled in bud, & Cistus has large, attractive flowers that show the characteristic brilliantly. This is Cistus × incanus, a natural hybrid of C. albidus × C. crispus, native to the western Mediterranean region. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 3, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Cistaceae often have petals crumpled in bud, & Cistus has large, attractive flowers that show the characteristic brilliantly. This is Cistus × incanus, a natural hybrid of C. albidus × C. crispus, native to the western Mediterranean region. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Cistaceae are shrubby plants, often in dry, sunny areas on sandy or chalky soils. I first met Cistaceae in the form of Lechea spp. on the white sand of the Florida Scrub. This is L. minor in fruit. The capsules have parietal placentation, a characteristic of the family. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 2, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Cistaceae are shrubby plants, often in dry, sunny areas on sandy or chalky soils. I first met Cistaceae in the form of Lechea spp. on the white sand of the Florida Scrub. This is L. minor in fruit. The capsules have parietal placentation, a characteristic of the family. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
I don’t see the family very often, but I always enjoy seeing Cistaceae. This week, let's look at the family. They often have dimorphic sepals: 2, small, outer sepals & 3 larger ones. This Fumana ericoides (📷: Sonja Bouwman-Gringhuis CCBYNC4) shows the sepals brilliantly. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM
I don’t see the family very often, but I always enjoy seeing Cistaceae. This week, let's look at the family. They often have dimorphic sepals: 2, small, outer sepals & 3 larger ones. This Fumana ericoides (📷: Sonja Bouwman-Gringhuis CCBYNC4) shows the sepals brilliantly. #Cistaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Want to read more about palms that are variable in endosperm condition, homogeneous vs. ruminate? There is an old publication on the topic: Zona, S. 2003. Endosperm condition and the paradox of Ptychococcus paradoxus. Telopea 10: 179–185. #Arecaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 31, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Want to read more about palms that are variable in endosperm condition, homogeneous vs. ruminate? There is an old publication on the topic: Zona, S. 2003. Endosperm condition and the paradox of Ptychococcus paradoxus. Telopea 10: 179–185. #Arecaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
When I used a band saw to cut Nypa fruticans seeds in half, I was surprised to find ruminate endosperm. The literature said this palm has homogeneous endosperm. It turns out, it has both. Endosperm condition can vary within a species. #Arecaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 30, 2026 at 11:25 AM
When I used a band saw to cut Nypa fruticans seeds in half, I was surprised to find ruminate endosperm. The literature said this palm has homogeneous endosperm. It turns out, it has both. Endosperm condition can vary within a species. #Arecaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Endosperm condition (homogeneous vs. ruminate) can vary within a genus. The seeds of Yucca aloifolia are clearly ruminate, but many other species of Yucca lack rumination & are homogeneous. #Asparagaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 29, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Endosperm condition (homogeneous vs. ruminate) can vary within a genus. The seeds of Yucca aloifolia are clearly ruminate, but many other species of Yucca lack rumination & are homogeneous. #Asparagaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
What is the function of ruminate endosperm? How did it evolve? Nobody knows for sure. One hypothesis: The ruminations are distasteful to seed-boring beetles & prevent them from riddling the seed. Maybe.🤷♂️ 📷: Adonidia merrillii. #beetles #Arecaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 28, 2026 at 4:46 PM
What is the function of ruminate endosperm? How did it evolve? Nobody knows for sure. One hypothesis: The ruminations are distasteful to seed-boring beetles & prevent them from riddling the seed. Maybe.🤷♂️ 📷: Adonidia merrillii. #beetles #Arecaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
You might have some ruminate endosperm in your kitchen. Nutmeg is from the seed of Myristica fragrans, & that seed has ruminate endosperm. 🧵 📷: Dan Brekke CCBYNC2. #Myristicaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
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January 28, 2026 at 11:30 AM
You might have some ruminate endosperm in your kitchen. Nutmeg is from the seed of Myristica fragrans, & that seed has ruminate endosperm. 🧵 📷: Dan Brekke CCBYNC2. #Myristicaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
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As extraordinary & beautiful as the fruits of Raphia taedigera are, the endosperm ruminations are just as unusual: They are finger-like penetrations, quite unlike what I’ve seen in other palms. #Arecaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 27, 2026 at 4:51 PM
As extraordinary & beautiful as the fruits of Raphia taedigera are, the endosperm ruminations are just as unusual: They are finger-like penetrations, quite unlike what I’ve seen in other palms. #Arecaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
An endosperm is described as ruminate when it is penetrated by the seed coat. The nature of the ruminations varies somewhat across the plant kingdom. Sometimes the ruminations are plate-like or laminar, as in Asimina triloba. #Annonaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 27, 2026 at 11:31 AM
An endosperm is described as ruminate when it is penetrated by the seed coat. The nature of the ruminations varies somewhat across the plant kingdom. Sometimes the ruminations are plate-like or laminar, as in Asimina triloba. #Annonaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Seeds of some species, like peanuts, are mostly embryo (exalbuminous); others are mostly endosperm (albuminous). Adonidia merrillii, an albuminous species, has a tiny bullet-shaped embryo & endosperm penetrated by ingrowths of the seed coat. #seed #ruminate. #Arecaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 26, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Seeds of some species, like peanuts, are mostly embryo (exalbuminous); others are mostly endosperm (albuminous). Adonidia merrillii, an albuminous species, has a tiny bullet-shaped embryo & endosperm penetrated by ingrowths of the seed coat. #seed #ruminate. #Arecaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Two weeks ago, I posted this photo of Guiacum sanctum seed, which prompted a viewer to ask, What is the function of ruminate endosperm? This week, we’ll look at ruminate (not ruminant 🐄) endosperm. 🧵 #Zygophyllaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
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January 26, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Two weeks ago, I posted this photo of Guiacum sanctum seed, which prompted a viewer to ask, What is the function of ruminate endosperm? This week, we’ll look at ruminate (not ruminant 🐄) endosperm. 🧵 #Zygophyllaceae #seed #endosperm #ruminate #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
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Reposted by 🌴 Scott Zona, Ph.D. 🌴
These are the champions. Four bees and one hoverfly. The five most abundant pollinators in Cazorla, which account together for ~14% of all individuals and flower visits, yet they represent a tiny 0.6% of all species (845).
[Yep, no honeybee, lucky me]
Their names in the response post.
[Yep, no honeybee, lucky me]
Their names in the response post.
January 25, 2026 at 10:37 AM
These are the champions. Four bees and one hoverfly. The five most abundant pollinators in Cazorla, which account together for ~14% of all individuals and flower visits, yet they represent a tiny 0.6% of all species (845).
[Yep, no honeybee, lucky me]
Their names in the response post.
[Yep, no honeybee, lucky me]
Their names in the response post.
My most frequent interaction with Proteaceae is eating macadamia nuts! 😛
Here's Macadamia integrifolia. Note how the perianth curls back to reveal the exserted style. The tip of the style scrapes pollen from the anthers as it elongates & presents the pollen to visitors. #Proteaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Here's Macadamia integrifolia. Note how the perianth curls back to reveal the exserted style. The tip of the style scrapes pollen from the anthers as it elongates & presents the pollen to visitors. #Proteaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 24, 2026 at 11:28 AM
My most frequent interaction with Proteaceae is eating macadamia nuts! 😛
Here's Macadamia integrifolia. Note how the perianth curls back to reveal the exserted style. The tip of the style scrapes pollen from the anthers as it elongates & presents the pollen to visitors. #Proteaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Here's Macadamia integrifolia. Note how the perianth curls back to reveal the exserted style. The tip of the style scrapes pollen from the anthers as it elongates & presents the pollen to visitors. #Proteaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Mainland Africa is home to 107 spp of Protea. Again, having never botanized there, I know the genus only from cultivation. This is the magnificent Protea cynaroides at the University of California Botanical Garden in Berkeley, California. Spectacular! 😍 #Proteaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
January 23, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Mainland Africa is home to 107 spp of Protea. Again, having never botanized there, I know the genus only from cultivation. This is the magnificent Protea cynaroides at the University of California Botanical Garden in Berkeley, California. Spectacular! 😍 #Proteaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Few Proteaceae grew in the limestone soils where I lived in Miami, FL & none grows here in central NC, so I am always thrilled to see them in cultivation when I travel. #Proteaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
1. Banksia solandri in San Diego Botanic Garden
2. Leucospermum 'Scarlet Ribbon' Tresco Abbey Garden
1. Banksia solandri in San Diego Botanic Garden
2. Leucospermum 'Scarlet Ribbon' Tresco Abbey Garden
January 22, 2026 at 11:58 AM
Few Proteaceae grew in the limestone soils where I lived in Miami, FL & none grows here in central NC, so I am always thrilled to see them in cultivation when I travel. #Proteaceae #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
1. Banksia solandri in San Diego Botanic Garden
2. Leucospermum 'Scarlet Ribbon' Tresco Abbey Garden
1. Banksia solandri in San Diego Botanic Garden
2. Leucospermum 'Scarlet Ribbon' Tresco Abbey Garden
Reposted by 🌴 Scott Zona, Ph.D. 🌴
Banksia gardneri var. gardneri - the Prostrate Banksia
Inspired by @scottzona.bsky.social, here's a fire tolerant #Proteaceae found in the southwest of Western Australia. The large flower spikes of this banksia species grow very close to the ground.
#ozflora #wildoz #inaturalist #nature
Inspired by @scottzona.bsky.social, here's a fire tolerant #Proteaceae found in the southwest of Western Australia. The large flower spikes of this banksia species grow very close to the ground.
#ozflora #wildoz #inaturalist #nature
January 22, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Banksia gardneri var. gardneri - the Prostrate Banksia
Inspired by @scottzona.bsky.social, here's a fire tolerant #Proteaceae found in the southwest of Western Australia. The large flower spikes of this banksia species grow very close to the ground.
#ozflora #wildoz #inaturalist #nature
Inspired by @scottzona.bsky.social, here's a fire tolerant #Proteaceae found in the southwest of Western Australia. The large flower spikes of this banksia species grow very close to the ground.
#ozflora #wildoz #inaturalist #nature