Plant of the Week: Dec 30

Biscuitroot
Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) C. & R.
other common names: 
yellow wild parsley, hairy parsley, lomatium, carrot-leaf lomatium, Indian biscuit, cowas or cows
Lomatium: from the Greek, meaning “a little border,” referring to the winged borders on the fruit
Foeniculaceum: meaning “like fennel”
Parsley family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Photograph by Thomas Rosburg, Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie: The Upper Midwest, Second Edition 

This Week in Iowa Nature: Dec 28

Scan the sky for bright constellations: the Northern Cross (Cygnus the Swan), Gemini, Aquarius, Cassiopeia, and others.

Jean C. Prior and James Sandrock, The Iowa Nature Calendar

Happy Holidays from the University of Iowa Press!

Midwest Nature Quote of the Week: Dec 22

Of all the dynamic forces of nature, the most relentless and persevering is the force of erosion. Continuously the power of flowing water is washing away the crust of the earth. Erosion is an endless and inevitable process, and it will never cease as long as any point of land juts above the level of the sea. Looking at the earth and its resources from a cosmic standpoint we can all ask: “What is the difference if our soil is being washed away and our lands flooded. Such things have always been and always will be. We cannot change the laws of nature.”

Robert Marshall, The People’s Forests

Last Minute Gifts for the Nature Lovers in Your Life

If you're still looking for that perfect gift for the holiday, please stop by the University of Iowa Press annual Holiday Sale!

Here are a few of the nature titles we have on sale:

 

Plant of the Week: Dec 16

Prairie smoke
Geum triflorum Pursh
other common names
: old man’s whiskers, Johnny smokers
Geum: the ancient Latin name used by Pliny for this group
Triflorum: from Latin, meaning “three-flowered”
Rose family: Rosaceae

Photograph by Thomas Rosburg, Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie: The Upper Midwest, Second Edition 

This Week in Iowa Nature: Dec 14

Saw-whet and long-eared owls roost in coniferous groves; "whitewash" on tree bark may indicate their location, while the ground beneath may yield owl pellets of bones and fur.

Jean C. Prior and James Sandrock, The Iowa Nature Calendar