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Seed of the Week: Pineapple Seeds
It is not surprising that no one recognized our mystery seeds from last week, because they came from a plant that isn’t known for its seeds: the pineapple, Ananas comosus. I was more than a bit...
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Seed of the Week: Blue Hibiscus
Last time our seeds were from a plant from Africa, the natal plum. This week our mystery seeds are from an Australian native: the blue hibiscus, Alyogyne huegelii. Blue hibiscus is a large, perennial...
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Seed of the Week: Hooker’s Evening Primrose
Our mystery seeds from last week were from a Hooker’s evening primrose, Oenothera elata subsp. hookeri. The first thing that catches your eye when you see this plant are the brilliant yellow flowers....
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Growing Chemistry: Plant Compounds for Studying pH
Each Tuesday we generally celebrate plants with “Seed of the Week” posts. Today we’ll look at chemicals found in plants for Chemistry Week. Plants contain an encyclopedia of different chemicals, which...
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Seed of the Week: Sweet Pea
Our mystery seeds from last week were from the sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus. The sweet pea is a vining annual plant. Originally from Southern Italy, the wild plant has been transformed into numerous...
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Zinnias: Flower Cycles and Parts
If you have been following Growing With Science, you know that we have been closely observing the insects on a small planting of zinnias for the last few weeks (posts about zinnia insects 1, 2, and 3)....
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Butterfly Gardening With Children: The Basics
The butterfly is a flying flower, The flower a tethered butterfly. ~Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun Butterflies are colorful, interesting insects. Many children find them fascinating. In fact, butterflies...
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For Arbor Day: Trees in Books and Butterfly Gardens
For our regular STEM Friday feature we recommend two books about trees for children, just in time for Arbor Day, next Friday April 24, 2015. (Read the rest of the reviews and see a video book trailer...
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Seed of the Week: Red Maple
Our mystery "seeds" from last week were from a red maple, Acer rubrum. The word "seeds" is in quotes because the winged maple keys are technically samaras. The seed itself is within the oval thickened...
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Seed to Seed: Where We Go Next
After 257 Mystery Seed of the Week posts, it seemed like it was time for a change. But what to do next? The answer was inspired by a book, Seed to Seed: The Secret Life of Plants by Nicholas Harberd....
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Intro to Plant Science: What is a Plant?
As we embark on a grand adventure into plant science, let's start by thinking about what we mean by the term "plant" (links go to prior posts here at Growing With Science or to Wikimedia, as...
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Plant Science: What is a Seed?
Today let's learn about seeds. Seeds are the way certain plants reproduce. Only gymnosperms (conifers, ginkgoes, etc.) and angiosperms (flowering plants) produce seeds. A seed consists of a plant...
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Plant Science: Seed Dispersal
The majority of plants can't move from where they are planted once they start growing, yet we see plants almost everywhere. How do they get there? Many plants travel as seeds, which have many different...
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Plant Science: Germination of Seeds
Today we are going back to visit the book Seed to Seed: The Secret Life of Plants by Nicholas Harberd for more insights. (Image is affiliate link) The author, Nicholas Harberd, has run into a bit of a...
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Plant Science: In Space
This week our plant science lessons are taking a bit of a detour and going on a long trip. In fact, is honor of World Space Week we're investigating growing plants in space. You may have heard some of...
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Plant Science: Plant Parts
For today's lesson, we are going to backtrack a bit to define and investigate the functions of various plant parts. Let's learn more about roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit. In the book Seed to...
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Plant Science: Investigating Flowers
Not all plants have flowers, but those that do are widespread and abundant. Flowers are important because they attract pollinators and are where the seeds develop. Our post today is inspired by the...
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Plant Science: Inside the Plant
Up to now we've been looking at the exterior of plants. It is time to delve more deeply inside. What do you see when you look closely at a leaf? Take this oleander leaf, for example. You can see that...
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Plant Science: Chlorophyll and Other Leaf Pigments
Plants have chemicals in their leaves that can convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to food in the form of sugars. The process is called photosynthesis. The chemicals in the leaves that absorb...
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Plant Science: Plant Families I: The Food Crops
In a previous post, we have discussed the Classification of Organisms. Now might be a good time to learn about some of the common plant families. Learning the characteristics of common plant families...
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