While you’re reading this, an unknown number of people are blaming their allergies on the misunderstood Canadian Goldenrod. For about 30 seconds of your day, we can provide you with some interesting knowledge about our very own Canadian Goldenrod so you can see its importance and beauty. Goldenrod is typically thought of as a source for allergies, but ragweed is the reason for your late summer sniffles. What is interesting about the goldenrod, is that it plays a role in many biotic interactions. The plant acts as a home for the European gall fly larva, which resides in small bulb-like expansions of the stem. It is also known as a late summer food source for several insects and as a last source for nectar for bees. In the past, goldenrod has been used by Canadians for its medicinal properties, and for other things like dyes and potpourri. #Canada150 #Biodiversity150
A field of Goldenrod. Photo Credit: Ian ThompsonA bee resting on a Goldenrod inflorescence. Photo Credit: Ian Thompson
Here’s the barcode sequence information for this species:
Nemertea, also known as “ribbon worm” is a phylum of marine invertebrate worm-like animals that are characterized by their eversibleproboscis. The proboscis is used to catch prey and comes out of the nemertean’s body and stabs its prey with a venomous tip. Nemertean worms may be the longest animal on Earth, however it is difficult to measure them, they have been found at over 30 m long and estimated to grow to 60 m, longer than a Blue Whale! They also have regenerative properties and can grow back parts of their body or even whole new worms after a predator attack. #Canada150 #Biodiversity150
Specimen BN2010-009 – Intertidal mudflat on eelgrass bed, British Columbia, Canada – 12-Jun-2010. Photo Credit: CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity GenomicsIllustration of Lineus longissimus, one of the longest animals on Earth. Photo Credit: Helena Samuelsson goo.gl/cKdegh
Here’s the barcode sequence information for this species: