The Ohio Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 5, March, 1901Ohio State University. Biological Club
History
The Ohio Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 5, March, 1901
Ohio State University. Biological Club
Natural history -- Ohio -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
Quantities of charred papaw seeds, Asimina triloba, (L.) Dunal, and the
wild Hazelnut, Corylus americana Walt. were found in a number of pits
showing that these were largely used for food.
Quite a quantity of the seeds of the wild red plum, Prunus americana
Marsh. was also taken from the pits. These were, in a number of
instances, associated with papaw seeds and the shells of the chestnut,
Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.
Great quantities of the broken shells of the butternut, Juglans cinerea
L. and the black walnut, Juglans nigra L. were discovered. These were
usually found associated together, but in several instances they were
found separated, the butternuts being more abundant than the walnuts.
Three species of hickory nuts were procured but none of these were in
such quantities as the butternut and black walnut. The three species
found were as follows: Hicoria minima (Marsh.) Britt., Hicoria ovata
(Mill.) Britt., Hicoria laciniosa (Mx.) Britt.
Several specimens of beans, Phaseolus (sp) and also a specimen of the
grape, Vitis (sp.) were found in the material, but it was not possible
to tell whether the beans were one of our wild species or cultivated.
SPROUTING FLOWER BUDS OF OPUNTIA.
DR. V. STERKI.
In June of last year I took some Opuntia plants home, and also some top
joints heavily set with large buds. The former were planted in the
garden, the latter set in an Oleander tub. When, after a month, none of
the flower buds had opened, it was thought that they were too many, as
the joints bearing them were without roots, and most of them were cut
off and left lying on the ground, where a part of them later on became
partly or entirely covered with soil. In September, I was surprised to
find them all green and fresh; most of them had rooted, and a few even
sprouted, sending up shoots from half an inch to over an inch high,
being perfect little joints. At the present writing (Jan. a. c.) all are
alive, and, no doubt, will grow out to plants next summer. They will be
watched closely and further report be given.
It might be added that the Opuntia calyx-tube, which is later the fruit,
has “eyes,” that is buds, of the same character as the ordinary buds of
the plant, with clusters of bristles; and out of these the young shoots
grew, when the bud took root.
Evidently these buds retain more of the nature of the mother plant than
is common in flowers. It is unknown to me whether similar observations
have been made before. But it would be of interest to make experiments
with different plants. Would the receptacles root and sprout if detached
after flowering and fertilization have taken place? Would the buds
sprout when left in situ on the mother plant, after the flowering parts
had been removed, the receptacle only left in place? Will the buds of
other genera of Cacteae, and other similar succulent plants behave in
the same way, under favorable conditions?
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