Dr. Phyto (she/her) *Micro/Molecular biologist Looking for Work*
@drphyto.bsky.social
Rachelle Lapham, Ph.D. Mom, wife to
@takkun363, Research Scientist (pathogens, plants, gene editing, sustainable ingredients, biofuels), Lab Manager, DM/GM, Musician, Novelist, Cocktail enthusiast.
Banner by Eldritch Smite.
@takkun363, Research Scientist (pathogens, plants, gene editing, sustainable ingredients, biofuels), Lab Manager, DM/GM, Musician, Novelist, Cocktail enthusiast.
Banner by Eldritch Smite.
#PhytoFacts
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Common Evening Primrose!
This North American wildflower has a lifespan of 2 years and can grow up to 5ft or 1.5m tall. It is great for pollinators and has some medicinal properties.
Oenothera biennis - Wikipedia share.google/W84P34g1t9ps...
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Common Evening Primrose!
This North American wildflower has a lifespan of 2 years and can grow up to 5ft or 1.5m tall. It is great for pollinators and has some medicinal properties.
Oenothera biennis - Wikipedia share.google/W84P34g1t9ps...
October 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
#PhytoFacts
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Common Evening Primrose!
This North American wildflower has a lifespan of 2 years and can grow up to 5ft or 1.5m tall. It is great for pollinators and has some medicinal properties.
Oenothera biennis - Wikipedia share.google/W84P34g1t9ps...
Your Flower Friday is brought to you by the Common Evening Primrose!
This North American wildflower has a lifespan of 2 years and can grow up to 5ft or 1.5m tall. It is great for pollinators and has some medicinal properties.
Oenothera biennis - Wikipedia share.google/W84P34g1t9ps...
#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!
This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.
share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!
This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.
share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...
October 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!
This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.
share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by Quinine!
This anti-malaria compound was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in Peru. Bark extracts have been used since at least 1632 to treat malaria.
share.google/yeooGpcAFpq6...
#PhytoFacts
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!
With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.
www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!
With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.
www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...
October 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
#PhytoFacts
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!
With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.
www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Broomrapes!
With a staggering 150 species, these parasitic plants sport gorgeous flowers with tiny seeds. No leaves. No chlorophyll. They get all their food and nutrients from their host.
www.britannica.com/plant/broomr...
#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!
This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.
share.google/ZiMl9n7J5PEQ...
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!
This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.
share.google/ZiMl9n7J5PEQ...
September 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
#PhytoFacts
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!
This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.
share.google/ZiMl9n7J5PEQ...
Your Medicine Monday is brought to you by squalane!
This hydrating oil is used to promote skin health and reduce signs of aging. Although shark livers are an abundant source of it, most squalane is now derived from plants such as olives or by fermentation.
share.google/ZiMl9n7J5PEQ...
#PhytoFacts
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!
Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.
Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!
Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.
Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...
September 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
#PhytoFacts
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!
Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.
Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...
Tree Thursday is brought to you by the Northern Catalpa!
Commonly planted as an ornamental, this native North American tree has a thick trunk, big heart shaped leaves, long seed pods which resemble cigars, and gorgeous flowers.
Northern Catalpa share.google/XnFXsIf5aPei...
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Dodders!
These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.
Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...
These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.
Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...
September 24, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Weird Wednesday is brought to you by Dodders!
These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.
Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...
These plants have no leaves or roots and have specialized stems which burrow into the tissues of other plants to steal sugar and water. Imagine a web of evil silly string.
Dodder www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gard...
Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by lichen!
Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.
Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...
Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.
Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...
September 23, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Tiny Tuesday is brought to you by lichen!
Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.
Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...
Lichen is a colony organism that is a hybrid of cyanobacteria (algae), multiple filamentous fungi, and bacteria. Pictured is the leafy Flavoparmelia caperata, one of my favorites.
Lichen - Wikipedia share.google/mBHglEEIrtU1...
Medicine Monday: Paclitaxel
Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.
Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...
Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.
Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...
September 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Medicine Monday: Paclitaxel
Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.
Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...
Derived from the yew tree, this drug is now commonly used to treat a variety of cancers, but was a revolutionary treatment when it was first discovered.
Paclitaxel - Wikipedia share.google/MvnnUElzwMJc...
Flower Friday: Chrysanthemums!
These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.
Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...
These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.
Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...
September 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Flower Friday: Chrysanthemums!
These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.
Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...
These popular flowers bloom in the fall and are members of the Daisy family. They originate from East Asia, but the majority of the horticultural varieties come from China.
Chrysanthemum - Wikipedia share.google/rw2vjiTUNWR3...
Tiny Thursday: Rhizobium
No fertilizer? No problem!
In exchange for room and board, these soil microbes capture nitrogen from the atmosphere and give it to their plant landlords who make apartments for them out of their roots.
share.google/pRXl5WlhXrfE...
No fertilizer? No problem!
In exchange for room and board, these soil microbes capture nitrogen from the atmosphere and give it to their plant landlords who make apartments for them out of their roots.
share.google/pRXl5WlhXrfE...
September 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Tiny Thursday: Rhizobium
No fertilizer? No problem!
In exchange for room and board, these soil microbes capture nitrogen from the atmosphere and give it to their plant landlords who make apartments for them out of their roots.
share.google/pRXl5WlhXrfE...
No fertilizer? No problem!
In exchange for room and board, these soil microbes capture nitrogen from the atmosphere and give it to their plant landlords who make apartments for them out of their roots.
share.google/pRXl5WlhXrfE...
Flower Friday:
Is it a tree?
Is it a bush?
No, it's a vine!
Wisteria! The power, the poise, the presence!
Will eat your house if given the opportunity.
Wisteria - Wikipedia share.google/a2LQJKOr1DMn...
Is it a tree?
Is it a bush?
No, it's a vine!
Wisteria! The power, the poise, the presence!
Will eat your house if given the opportunity.
Wisteria - Wikipedia share.google/a2LQJKOr1DMn...
September 5, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Flower Friday:
Is it a tree?
Is it a bush?
No, it's a vine!
Wisteria! The power, the poise, the presence!
Will eat your house if given the opportunity.
Wisteria - Wikipedia share.google/a2LQJKOr1DMn...
Is it a tree?
Is it a bush?
No, it's a vine!
Wisteria! The power, the poise, the presence!
Will eat your house if given the opportunity.
Wisteria - Wikipedia share.google/a2LQJKOr1DMn...
Tiny Thursday (I accidentally flipped Tuesday and Thursday. Oh well):
Cyanobacteria aka blue-green algae are not plants, but photosynthesizing bacteria that grow in long chains. They are thought to be the first organisms to produce oxygen and are thus the originators of our modern atmosphere.
Cyanobacteria aka blue-green algae are not plants, but photosynthesizing bacteria that grow in long chains. They are thought to be the first organisms to produce oxygen and are thus the originators of our modern atmosphere.
September 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Tiny Thursday (I accidentally flipped Tuesday and Thursday. Oh well):
Cyanobacteria aka blue-green algae are not plants, but photosynthesizing bacteria that grow in long chains. They are thought to be the first organisms to produce oxygen and are thus the originators of our modern atmosphere.
Cyanobacteria aka blue-green algae are not plants, but photosynthesizing bacteria that grow in long chains. They are thought to be the first organisms to produce oxygen and are thus the originators of our modern atmosphere.
Weird Wednesday:
(To the Tune of "SpongeBob SquarePants")
🎶 What's red in color and has no leaves?🎶
🎶RAF-FLE-SI-A🎶
🎶What smells like a corpse and makes its own heat?🎶
🎶RAF-FLE-SI-A🎶
Rafflesia - Wikipedia share.google/CmvnWUEP62wH...
(To the Tune of "SpongeBob SquarePants")
🎶 What's red in color and has no leaves?🎶
🎶RAF-FLE-SI-A🎶
🎶What smells like a corpse and makes its own heat?🎶
🎶RAF-FLE-SI-A🎶
Rafflesia - Wikipedia share.google/CmvnWUEP62wH...
September 3, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Weird Wednesday:
(To the Tune of "SpongeBob SquarePants")
🎶 What's red in color and has no leaves?🎶
🎶RAF-FLE-SI-A🎶
🎶What smells like a corpse and makes its own heat?🎶
🎶RAF-FLE-SI-A🎶
Rafflesia - Wikipedia share.google/CmvnWUEP62wH...
(To the Tune of "SpongeBob SquarePants")
🎶 What's red in color and has no leaves?🎶
🎶RAF-FLE-SI-A🎶
🎶What smells like a corpse and makes its own heat?🎶
🎶RAF-FLE-SI-A🎶
Rafflesia - Wikipedia share.google/CmvnWUEP62wH...
Tree Tuesday: Minnesota Bur Oak
It's big! It's beautiful! Tough and resilient and will happily grow in the shade. It makes tiny, spiny acorns which sound like a gun going off every time they hit my roof.
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) | Minnesota DNR share.google/LV2YF5FiyLGO...
It's big! It's beautiful! Tough and resilient and will happily grow in the shade. It makes tiny, spiny acorns which sound like a gun going off every time they hit my roof.
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) | Minnesota DNR share.google/LV2YF5FiyLGO...
September 2, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Tree Tuesday: Minnesota Bur Oak
It's big! It's beautiful! Tough and resilient and will happily grow in the shade. It makes tiny, spiny acorns which sound like a gun going off every time they hit my roof.
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) | Minnesota DNR share.google/LV2YF5FiyLGO...
It's big! It's beautiful! Tough and resilient and will happily grow in the shade. It makes tiny, spiny acorns which sound like a gun going off every time they hit my roof.
Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) | Minnesota DNR share.google/LV2YF5FiyLGO...