Erica H

Seeing lots of really STINKY flowers in the greenhouse today. #botany #cacti #cactus #plants #euphorbia

I checked to see if the surface sterilization of my root nodules worked, and lo and behold I see that I likely have four samples that still have some kind of microbial presence. Maybe the nodules got damaged… or there were too many nooks and crannies. #labwork #science #plants #microbio

I’ve been thinking about it! Especially since I learned there were a couple of big Lupin projects in Australia… I bet there would be good support for my research. We’ll see…

I’ve been growing them under a dimmer light and they’ve really been enjoying that light level! I’m very pleased with how they’re doing and that I can use this light for something. lol.

My firefly petunia seedlings are finally putting some flowers out! Most of this tray glows, but I’m hoping the flowers are BRIGHT! We’ll see as soon as the flowers open.

#biology #gmos #plants #plantscience

Here’s some cat picks for your Friday afternoon.

Thankfully I personally am not affected…. Yet. I worry about if our department will be dissolved though, at the rate we’re going. Then where would my PhD program be? Not sure.

Agreed, and it’s harder and harder to write grants taking into account the new list of words and topics we can’t write for!

My department has been losing more and more faculty - lay offs, retirements, moving to other universities. How many faculty can we lose before the department is nonfunctional? Will we make it through 3 more years?

Do I see tree of heaven, some type of wild lettuce and… a grass?

My research involves lupine root nodules. If you’ve never seen a root nodule before, here you go! This specimen of Lupinus lepidus includes the root system and several nodules. These structures house nitrogen fixing bacteria and others. #botany #science #plants #biology

Our euphorb collection has been plagued with mealy bug… so today we’ve released the destroyers. Cryptolaemus is a mealy bug specialist. #bugs #greenhouses #botany #ipm #insects #plants

PSU also has this interesting Peace Tree on campus, which I believe is the ginkgo. Right next to the ginkgo are two suspiciously fake looking “trees” that I’ve recently verified are definitely alive but look very strange… what are they?? #botany #trees #plants #portland #oregon

The Portland State Copper Beech Heritage Tree has lived through a lot of turmoil and change on this campus. Planted in the 1890s, the current library had to be built AROUND this giant. #trees #botany #plants #horticulture #portland #pdx

Attempt number three with a hanging glass piece from goodwill. I like how this one came out! Much less bubbling and I tried multiple layers. Inspired by @botanymanor.bsky.social logo. #painting #arts #crafts

Thank you! It’s one of my favorites.

Correction, this is WASHINGTON county!

At the Multnomah County Courthouse, these Sequoiadendron giganteum have been standing since 1880. Now at nearly 150 years old, these things are GIANTS. #trees #plants #botany #horticulture #coastalredwoods #redwoods #oregon

Thank you! Making these (I made several more) this past term really got me interested in making more. I’m hoping to do a whole lupine collection with collected seed from a number of varieties.

For me personally, it’s about the size of the plant and what would best help in ID. For Lupinus, flower morphology is super important. This plant was also very large and not in a place where I could dig up the roots.

As part of my research I started learning how to prepare herbarium specimens of my research plants. Here’s one of a Lupinus rivularis flower spike, collected from the field. I’ve also included two individual flowers with some of the keel peeled away to show the interior. #botany #science #plants

I would have guessed some type of gall as well. Very interesting!

My second attempt with the glue paint media went a little better. Fewer bubbles, but there were some spaces I had to fill in after everything dried. Still, this craft is fun and easy! I’m liking it. #arts #creative #crafts #painting

I collected three seeds from one euphorb recently, and I’m thinking about germinating them. I’ve never started euphorbs from seed though. Exciting! #plants #botany #seeds #science #gardening #portland

On of the other collections I’m responsible for this summer (and beyond??) is our Euphorbiaceae collection. I’ve been seeing a lot of flowers and even some seed production happening, which is cool to see with such slow growers. #greenhouses #botany #botanicalgarden #plants

Looking at other examples of m. spinosissima, it could be this but I’m not 100% convinced. Identification can be so difficult! we’ll have to wait for flowers to show up 😩

Not yet! I’ve just taken over caring for this collection in the last month. I’ll be keeping my eyes open for flowers!

Calling all cacti enthusiasts! I need some identification help. We’ve lost the ID to this plant in the collection. I think it may be a type of mammillaria, but I’m not 100% and have no guess on species. Ignore the green leaves, those are “weeds”. Ideas? #plants #help #botany #plantscience #cactus

I’ve just been too busy for video games at all, and that also kept me from posting on social media a bit. I’m pivoting for post more about my work and research since that’s what’s taking up my time now.

The Portland International Rose Garden should be nice, if you want to be outside, and it’s free.