Arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia)

Sidaguri or arrowleaf sida (Sida rhombifolia) is a species of plant in the Malvaceae, shrub, cylindrical stem, erect to broad and branched, up to 120 cm high, woody, bark scaly, top dark green or red, underside light brown .

S. rhombifolia has elongated oval leaves, dark green, arranged alternately along the stem, 4-8 cm long, pointed or rounded ends, serrated margins and sometimes has a dark red band.

Single flower on peduncle arising from the area between stem and petiole, 5 petals 4-8 cm long, cream to orange-yellow in color, and may be slightly reddish in center. The petals overlap asymmetrically and have a long lobe on one side. The stamens are united in short columns.

The fruit is a ribbed capsule that breaks into 8 to 10 segments.

Sidaguri grows in agricultural lands, roadsides, rocky areas, cattle pens, savannas, shrubs, hillsides and swamp forests at elevations below 2000 meters.

This plant is used to treat ulcers, asthma in infants, high fever, antidiarrheal, lung colds, anticrotal, serum venom of rattlesnakes and black widow spiders, a substitute for marijuana.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Malvoideae
Tribe: Malveae
Genus: Sida
Species: Sida rhombifolia
Subspecies: Sida rhombifolia ssp. insularis, Sida rhombifolia ssp. rhombifolia Variety: Sida rhombifolia var. scabrida, Sida rhombifolia var. serratifolia

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

NEWS - Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) create bubble net tools while foraging, consisting of internal tangential rings, and actively control the number of rings, their size, depth and horizontal spacing between the surrounding bubbles. These structural elements of the net increase prey intake sevenfold. Researchers have known that humpback whales create “bubble nets” for hunting, but the new report shows that the animals also manipulate them in a variety of ways to maximize catches. The behavior places humpbacks among the rare animals that make and use their own tools. “Many animals use tools to help them find food, but very few actually make or modify these tools themselves,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP), University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Humpback whales in southeast Alaska create elaborate bubble nets to catch krill. They skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form a web with internal rings. They actively control details such ...

Purhepecha oak (Quercus purhepecha), new species of shrub oak endemic to the state of Michoacán, Mexico

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Cempaki (Termitomyces microcarpus)

Cempaki ( Termitomyces microcarpus ) is a species of fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. It grows wild in tropical Asian forests near termite nests. It is rarely reported in urban areas. It is edible and known for its deliciousness, high nutritional value, and difficulty in cultivating. In Indonesia, it is used as an alternative food ingredient. T. microcarpus is the smallest of the Termitomyces species, umbrella-shaped, plain white, measuring 5 cm tall and 2.5 cm wide. It grows in dense clusters on surfaces and forms a mutualistic relationship, requiring the metabolic activity of termites as a substrate for growth. This species is known for its deliciousness, rich in nutrients, and has potential bioactive properties, such as helping lower cholesterol and acting as a tonic. Currently, it is difficult to cultivate on a large scale, and people rely solely on wild harvests. This mushroom is highly favored for its savory, delicious flavor and soft, chewy texture. It is often stir-fried ...

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