The ways in which bulbs multiply often seem to be adaptations to environmental conditions. For instance, the production of numerous tiny, loosely attached offsets (such as "rice grains" in some Fritillaria) is often associated with predation by digging animals such as bears and humans (e.g., consumers of Fritillaria camtschatcensis, Brodiaea californica, Camassia). The interesting bulb of Lilium pardalinum, which is elongated with very numerous scales, may reflect its typical habitat near mountain streams, where the bulb might be dislodged and distributed in spring. In both cases, the forms that bore many viable bulblets or scales would tend over time to dominate the population. Mark mentions Crocus and its subterranean ovary. You can tell when crocuses are ready to have their seed harvested because the capsule rather suddenly rises above soil level on a stem, so that the seeds will scatter. In nature one usually sees crocuses growing as scattered individuals, not the tight clonal clusters found in cultivation -- perhaps a respnse to burrowing predators. Jane McGary, Portland, Oregon, USAOn 2/7/2019 10:30 AM, mark akimoff wrote: > On Feb 7, 2019, at 9:28 AM, mark akimoff <makimoff76@gmail.com> wrote: >> Hello, >> >> I'm wanting to put together an introductory power point on the evolution of >> geophytes to be used in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) >> outreach at local schools. I'm interested in the story telling aspect of >> it, and Martyn Rix' "Growing Bulbs" has a great introductory chapter on the >> evolution of flowers that covers things like the Crocus, and subterranean >> ovaries as an adaptation to grazing pressure. Or for instance, fall >> blooming speciation as an adaptation to seasonal migration of grazing >> herds across elevational gradients. >> >> Beyond that book does anyone have any other books, articles, ideas, >> theories, etc? That might be useful in introducing evolution of geophytes >> as a curriculum? I'm leaning towards tying it in to current issues like >> zeric adaptations for changing climate or pollution tolerance, that sort of >> thing. >> >> Any help from this brain trust would be much appreciated! >> >> Thanks, >> Mark Akimoff >> illahe >> Salem, Oregon >> _______________________________________________ >> pbs mailing list >> pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net >> http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… >> _______________________________________________ >> pbs mailing list >> pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net >> http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… >> > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…