Questionable... But awesome!!!

Bosco Verticale

Literally translated from Italian, that means 'Vertical Forest'  and it's a real idea, and it's being constructed in Milan, Italy.

It's either a great idea, or a disaster waiting to happen.  I've asked some architecture people I know about green buildings, and they always talk about how tricky it is to a) account for the weight of plants and watering and such, and b)make sure the plants don't destroy EVERYTHING.

The concept and idea came from an architect named Stefano Boeri, who wants to use it as a way to bring the forest back to an urban environment.

I like this idea.  I want to go see it, so it's a darn good thing I know some Italian, because I'm going to be there, gosh darn it.  My hang up is that plant roots are destructive.  There isn't a lot that can withstand it.  We've all seen cement upturned by growing tree roots (sidewalks, for example).  So I'm not sure how the architect is going to prevent that from happening.  I feel like it would be a serious concern.

Not sure how many people heard of this before me, I am rather late in the game on current news and this isn't even current.  The design was created way back in 2006.  The architect stated in one article that he actually tested trees in a wind tunnel to make sure they wouldn't get blown down by the wind if they were up at a great height.  I didn't even think of that, but now all I can picture is an oak tree falling down on my car as I'm driving in stop and go traffic.

I hope it works out.  I really do.  The apartments will cost a lot, but it's an awesome idea.

Cycads and why we should care more

Another plant post!

Rare, for sure, but I just got to see a guest lecture done by Dr. Paul Alan Cox, who is an Ethnobotanist. A truly brilliant man, who I just enjoyed so much, and he's doing mind blowing research with Cycads, specifically, on how cycads can cause ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.  This work is done as the Institute for EthnoMedicine, and if you want the smart version, go check it out here.

In a nutshell, he discovered this protein [called BMAA] when he was checking out a village in Guam that had a really high percentage of all these diseases.  He found out that it was produced by a known group of cyanobacteria [which are really cool themselves, their photosynthetic and nitrogen fixing, and they created Earth's oxygen atmosphere, they're one of the reasons we live on this planet, so before you think I'm blaming all these diseases on cyanobacteria, take that into account], and that these cyanobacteria can be found in the roots of cycads.  Anything that eats cycad seeds gets some of this BMAA protein.  Over time the accumulation increases risk of or causes these diseases.

This means that exposure to cyanobacteria may be one of the causes of ALS/Alzheimer's/Parkinson's.  So that means that no matter where you live, don't eat things that eat cycad seeds.  For the Chamorro people in Guam, that means no more fruit bats and deer, as well as the flour they make from the seeds themselves.  Cycads aren't commonly consumed in such high quantities, and they're a largely tropical species, so most people don't have to worry about it, and all these diseases are probably cause by other things anyway, but it's worth the heads up.  And don't just willy nilly chop your cycad down because you think it's trying to kill you.  As long as you're not eating/licking it, you're fine.

The important stuff I'm hoping you'll take away from this article is that plants, while not cognizant like we are, have a far superior arsenal than we have.  It's called biochemistry.  BMAA protein is thought to have been developed as a defense against the dinosaurs [the herbivorous ones].  These plants have been around far longer than us, and we should be aware that their defenses are just as complicated and beautiful as ours.  Also, this research has the potential to develop into drugs and cures, so you guys should really check it out.  It's an extraordinary discovery.

Photo Credit to nybg.org

Botany of Desire

I am not a fan of plants. I'm just not. The coolest ones are the carnivorous ones, and once the plant stops killing insects and small frogs and cool things, I run out of interest. That being said, plants are kind of important. I suggest reading The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan. To be sure, it won't be everyone's cup of tea, but plants are important. I am learning. Also, I broke down and bought a field guide to trees. It's ruining my life, because I'm not good enough to classify anything without the help of flower blooms.

Anyway, if you want the short version, Michael Pollan also gives a truly wonderful talk on TED [GREAT WEBSITE, CHECK IT OUT] which I'm including a link to, so that way you can be lazy and take the easy way out.

Please do consider actually reading it, though, Michael Pollan is a brilliant guy, and we should all appreciate plants a little bit more.