#plants of Alaska

[thebashfulbotanist]

Leaf mines from a larva of the aspen leafminer moth, Phyllocnistis populiella, on a quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, in Denali National Park in Alaska. Aspen leafminer larvae feed on the epidermal tissue of plant leaves; while they don’t eat photosynthetic material, they indirectly disrupt photosynthesis by destroying guard cells around leaf stomata. Guard cells control when stomata are opened or closed, so they can end up stuck in one position and either prevent carbon dioxide uptake or allow excess water loss. Leaves affected by aspen leafminers often die.  Aspen leafminers tend to experience population increase during warm, dry years, so while they’re native to Alaska, researchers are keeping an eye on them and their impact as climate change warms up the region.

[lionfloss]

Anchorage, AK

[candymoonstoned]

“I think the party should split up”

[corvidist]

Alaska Corvids

[twoobirdsonestone]

Some more bits from my summer in Alaska

[highways-are-liminal-spaces]

Great Sundew, Eaglecrest, AK

Take July 2023

[scooby-doo-exploration]

beautyphotography000 - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA - by Ian Plant

TAG on ‘Archive’: https://scooby-doo-exploration.tumblr.com/archive

[seasonalwonderment]

Red Baneberry, Talkeetna, Alaska ~ Photography by Pam Braswell

[bithegarden]

Alpine forget-me-not, Myosotis asiatica 🌱

[poop-me-a-flower]

Back on my bullshit, we’re doing nasturtium ‘Alaska’ again.

[thebashfulbotanist]

In the past, we’ve posted about Toxicoscordion death camas genus, particularly how the genus Zigadenus was split up and the species within it were divided into other genera. When we visited Alaska, we found yet another death camas formerly in Zigadenus that’s been moved, this one to Anticlea. This is Anticlea elegans, commonly called mountain death camas, alkali grass, elegant death camas, and camas wand lily. It’s named for the Anticlea of Greek mythology, queen of Ithaca and mother of Odysseus. 

Like Toxicoscordion,  Anticlea  death camases have a large, yellowish green gland at the base of their tepals. 

These plants were really dangerous for early European colonists (as well as their livestock), who would mistake them for edible camas and Allium species, and subsequently wind up poisoned. Anticlea poisoning is pretty unpleasant, and causes vomiting and serious respiratory issues. 

[lionfloss]

Tongass National Forest

[colorsoutofearth]

Tundra vegetation in autumn, Denali National Park, Alaska

Photo by Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott

[slutdge]

what's everybody's favorite breaking bad and/or better call saul scenes or episodes im on a rewatch rn and getting obsessed all over again

[abigailkart]

June 4, 2023

Nasturium Alaska doodle

[introvertedswimmer]

Foxglove in Alaska