Cerbera odollam: “The Suicide Tree” That Harms and Heals
Even before The White Lotus, people feared the poisonous pong-pong tree, Cerbera odollam. But there's another way to look at the plant and its effects.
Weird and Wondrous Sea Cucumbers
These spiny or slimy ocean creatures display an astonishing diversity of appearances, behaviors and lifestyles. Many are increasingly threatened.
Dogs of the Moscow Metro
The public attitude toward the adventurous dogs who have mastered the Moscow metro system has roots in an egalitarian Soviet culture.
Was Carl Linnaeus Bad at Drawing?
Linnaeus has often been thought of as a poor artist, but visualization was a core element of his analytical tool set.
Acacia: A Legacy of Artistry and Extraction
The thorny Acacia tree produces gum arabic, a versatile substance that’s been driving global trade for centuries.
The Fungi in the Carbon Jigsaw
Out of sight, below the soil’s surface, fungi play a vital role in the existence and health of our forests, woodlands, jungles, and prairies.
The Reptilian Renaissance
Think reptiles like crocodiles and caimans are slow learners? It’s probably because you’re human.
The Undying Unicorn
What role could a mythical animal play in our lives—centuries after its existence came into question?
Atlantic Sturgeon Were Fished Almost to Extinction
Ancient DNA reveals how the Chesapeake Bay population changed over centuries.
Tradition in Turmoil: Sugar Maple and Climate Change
With harvests dependent on the spring freeze-thaw cycle, the maple industry is seeking ways to mitigate damage wrought by a changing climate.