Plants
Types of plants, including flowers, trees, water plants and weeds- Explore more »
How Trees Defined America
Historian Erik Rutkow argues in a new book that forests are key to understanding how our nation developed and who we are today
June 14, 2012 |
By Amy Crawford
Climate Change Means More Wildfires in the West
A new study indicates that temperate regions will experience more fires, while equatorial areas will see fewer
June 13, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
The Noah's Ark of Plants and Flowers
Scientists at a British laboratory are racing to preserve thousands of the world’s threatened plants, one seed at a time
June 2012 |
By Rob Sharp
Capturing the Moment: A Rainbow this Morning on The National Mall
Smithsonian Institution staff photographer Eric Long captured the moment this morning on his way to work
May 23, 2012 |
By Beth Py-Lieberman
Ten Extremely Rare Seeds on the Brink of Extinction
The Millennium Seed Bank has set out to collect 25 percent of the world's plant species by 2020—before it is too late
May 14, 2012 |
By Megan Gambino
Events May 11-13: Gardening for Healthy Living, Bolivian Festival, Steinway Series for Mother’s Day
Celebrate living well with Mom this weekend at Garden Fest, the Bolivian Festival and at the Steinway series with Mendelssohn Piano Trio.
May 10, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
Events May 1-3: Ripley Garden Tour, the Multi-colored Universe, and Roni Horn
This week, take a garden tour, discover the universe through cutting edge developments in X-ray telescopes, and meet acclaimed artist Roni Horn.
April 30, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Events April 3-5: Spring Break, Let’s Move! and Baseball Presidencies
This week, spend spring break at the National Portrait Gallery, explore the Smithsonian gardens, and learn about baseball's special place in our presidential history.
April 02, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Why Does Grapefruit Mess With Your Medicine?
The juicy fruit can cause negative side effects with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medicines
March 08, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
Trees Weathered the Ice Age
Pine and spruce trees managed to survive in certain spots in Scandinavia, according to DNA analyses
March 02, 2012 |
By Virginia Hughes
Svalbard Global Seed Vault Turns Four
Four years ago this week, researchers opened the "Doomsday Vault" to store frozen seeds in case of disaster
February 29, 2012 |
By Virginia Hughes
Do Wildlife Corridors Really Work?
A new crowd-sourced project aims to identify and evaluate pathways that connect bits of wildlife habitat
February 22, 2012 |
By Virginia Hughes
President Obama to Speak At Groundbreaking for African American History and Culture Museum
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Smithsonian's newest museum, scheduled to open in 2015, will feature Obama, Laura Bush and others
February 16, 2012 |
By Joseph Stromberg
How Much the Hope Diamond is Worth and Other Questions From Our Readers
From American art, history and culture, air and space technology, contemporary art, Asian art and any of the sciences from astronomy to zoology, we'll find an answer
February 07, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
The Orchid Olympics
Breeders from 19 countries put their creations to the test at the 20th World Orchid Conference in Singapore
February 2012 |
By Somali Roy
Why Not All Chili Peppers Are Hot
Being spicy helps a chili plant protect its fruit from fungal rot, but it has a downside in dry conditions
January 05, 2012 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Mistletoe: The Evolution of a Christmas Tradition
Why does this parasitic plant remind us of romance?
December 21, 2011 |
By Rob Dunn
What Was Killing the Aspens?
Scientists determine it was lack of water, not food, that was responsible for sudden aspen decline
December 19, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
The Columbines and Their Pollinators: An Evolutionary Tale
New research provides insight into an evolutionary concept introduced by Charles Darwin
December 02, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
Wildflower, Magnified
Imagery from the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition ranges from the fantastical to the freaky
October 14, 2011 |
By Sarah Zielinski
