Nova..The first Flower

[yellow22]

Look good on PBS..saw Dan Hinkley's name...I'm watching on Tuesday. NOVA | First Flower | PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/flower/)

[Bernie]

ME TOO. Can't wait. I havethe VCR programed just in case something happens and I can't watch.
Bernie

[sweetpea]

Somewhat interesting~ I set the timer & then watched the last 1/2 hour.
My husbands laughs at my choice of programs,Also taped is the Monarch Butterfly Migration special a few weeks ago~ I love those kind of shows.

[MrSeedy]

I did watch it though not all parts we equally interesting to me. I guess the insatiable curiostiy of man is at work about past inhabitants of the plant world, though in truth I'm not sure sure of the relevance to todays plants or especially our use and appreciation of them. It does help to know the relationships of various plants in regards to them being related in genera and families, though that doesn't always mean that related plants are all similar in their appearance or even their use. Take legumes, and sweet peas come to mind, which are poisonous, while their close relatives , garden peas, are of course excellent and healthy to eat. Why the difference would be the question for evolution?

[boo]

When Dan Hinkley excitedly climbed around the flowers discovering new beauties I was wondering what his big feet were stepping on. :lol:

It made me want to plan a trip there someday. A dream location for anyone who loves to take flower pictures. :drool:

[Ginny42]

When Dan Hinkley excitedly climbed around the flowers discovering new beauties I was wondering what his big feet were stepping on. :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol: Me too!
It was nice to see someone as enthusiastic as I am when I'm finding or looking at new plants though.

I couldn't believe some of the genetic testing which showed plants, that I would never think in my wildest dreams, were actually related.
So in the end, we still don't know when the first true flowers began.:( :lol:
I think that guy had a little obsession with sex too.:lol:

[boo]

I think they had fun with that sex part and the lily. It was a little riska in the beginning. :lol:

[MrSeedy]

I do wonder considering the "sex" question, if there's a version of "Viagra" for reluctant pollen producers! I have read regarding some plants being described for use in hybridizing, that some are said to be "poor" in their pollen production, so perhaps that would help!!


KIDDDING!

[yellow22]

A lot of those question other than the first flower might have some answers in a Book Botany of Desire. And just like what humans have done to cats and dogs they have done to plants. The apple is a good example. Maybe not intentional at first but when mixing up the gene pool something usual is bound to happen. Notice how after the First Flower, maybe local, a dog promo played about an upcomming show. How I wish my weeds looked like they were like china's. There are places I've been to that it just looking different in what's growing is beautiful, that maybe a person from some where wouldn't see my weeds. What have we got in the Us that China does? Dandelions!?

[boo]

:lol: I didn't see any Dandelions. I have to admit that its been such a long winter I've been enjoying the Dandelion sightings...all over my yard. :blush:

I saw the dog promo. Something about important pooches in history or the importance of pooches. Can't remember. I think we should all take a field trip to China.

[MrSeedy]

BTW, but though it wasn't mentioned, I do recall them picturing the Opuntia Cactus in one scene, and as far as I know, those are natives to north and south America, and shouldn't be there, unless they've become "invaders" even in China? Seems for the most part, that area in China has managed to keep it's native flora, without all the invading species that most parts of the world are now contending with, and that's of course a major threat to native plants and agriculture almost everywhere in the world nowdays. It seems in most cases the Opuntias have intentionally been carried all the way around the world and are found in nearly all tropical continents nowdays, and of course have become invasive "naturalized" species! they do have their uses of course even where they're not native, and in some tropical countries are used as living "barbed" living fences to keep the predatory animals from eating goats and other livestock, once theyre brought inside for the night!