Chorioactis Geaster: The Devil's Cigar and Texas Star
Chorioactis geaster, or Devil's Cigar, is a rare fungus found in Texas and Japan. It hisses when releasing spores and changes from a cigar shape to a star.
Nature
NatureThe Hidden Freshwater Lake Beneath the Ocean's Surface
Discover the Gulf of Mexico's brine pools—underwater lakes of extreme salinity and methane, home to unique marine life and key to studying life in harsh environments.
NatureDiscovering the Amazon's Mystical Boiling River Phenomenon
A unique geothermal phenomenon found deep within the Peruvian Amazon, known as Shanay-timpishka or 'Boiled with the Heat of the Sun'.
NatureNature's Harmonic Wonder: The Musical Magic of Sand Dunes
Sand dunes that produce low-frequency sound, termed as 'musical sand', 'singing sand' or 'barking sand'.
NatureThe Stunningly Colorful Chinese Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree
Eucalyptus deglupta, also known as the Rainbow Eucalyptus or the Chinese Rainbow Tree, is a strikingly colorful tree that actually sheds its bark to reveal a bright, multicolored trunk beneath.
NatureDiscover the Stinging Defense of This Unique Parasitic Plant
Did you know there is a plant that stings and sucks the life out of its host? Its name is Cuscuta reflexa, also known as Amarbel.
NatureRemarkable Growth Patterns of the Chinese Bamboo Plant
Despite being known for its impressive growth rate, the Chinese bamboo takes up to 5 years of nurturing before it begins its climb.
NatureMoonflower: Captivating Blooms That Light up the Night Sky
While most plants bloom during the daytime, the Moonflower plant (ipomoea alba) opens its blossoms only at night.
NatureOptimal Basil Growth: Trim at Every Three-Leaf Stage
Contrary to popular belief, the optimal time to prune a basil plant is when it has grown three pairs of leaves.
NatureThe Dual Significance and Implications of Hydrangeas
Hydrangea plants change color based on the soil they grow in due to their unique ability to absorb aluminum.
NatureBeware the Strid: England's Surprisingly Treacherous River
The Bolton Strid in Yorkshire, England, is a small, idyllic stream that is part of the River Wharfe, but it's considered one of the deadliest bodies of water in the world.
NatureDiscovering the Unique Beauty of the Antarctic Snow Cherry
A type of cherry named 'Antarctic Snow' that only blooms in winter with freezing temperatures.
NatureExploring the Transparent Mystique of the Natural Glass Sea
The naturally occurring glass fields in the Libyan desert, Libya.
NatureThe Secret Language of Trees: Communication in Forests
Scientific studies have found that trees in a forest can 'talk' to each other through a network of latticed fungi buried in the soil. This process is known as 'Wood Wide Web'.
NatureThe Perpetually Burning Waterfall of Eternal Flame Falls
A small grotto at the waterfall's base emits natural gas, which can be lit to produce a flame, thus named 'Eternal Flame Falls.' This flame is visible nearly year round, though it can be extinguished and must occasionally be re-lit.
NatureIntricate Designs: Exploring Snowflakes Through a Microscope
Snowflakes, when observed under a microscope, exhibit unique and intricate designs.
NatureSkunk Cabbage a Plant with Self-Heating Capability
The skunk cabbage, native to North American wetlands, is a unique plant that can generate its own heat, even melting snow around it in the winter.
NatureThe Rare Spectacle Known as the 'Fire Rainbow' Phenomenon
Contrary to its fiery name, a fire rainbow is an optical phenomenon that occurs when sunlight interacts with ice crystals present in high altitude clouds.
NatureExploring the Rare Phenomenon of the Green Flash at Sunset
A green flash is a rare optical phenomenon that can occur around sunrise or sunset, in which a temporary green spot is visible above the sun.
NatureWhen the Sahara Was a Lush and Thriving Fertile Landscape
Around 10,000 years ago, the Sahara Desert was not a desert at all. Instead, it was filled with lush green vegetation and was home to many large animal species
NatureThe Moth Orchid: Nature's Clever Insect Mimicry Masterpiece
Phalaenopsis amabilis, commonly known as the moth orchid, is a flower species that mimics the shape of insects to lure them for pollination
NatureEvergreen Strawberries: The Perpetual Fruit Generators
Day-Neutral or Everbearing strawberries, unlike their summer-producing counterparts, can bear fruit virtually year-round in mild climates.
NatureThe Quiet Drama Unfolding Within the Lives of Trees
Trees, contrary to popular belief, are not silent or passive organisms but have a complex communicative network beneath the soil.
NatureExploring the Hidden Ecosystem of Subterranean Plant Roots
In plant roots ecosystems, tiny insects and mites form a bustling ecosystem that is seldom noticed.