https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/plants/RSS feed for PlantsenFri, 15 May 2026 15:07:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-rare-dove-hatchlings-are-a-source-of-hope-for-the-extinct-in-the-wild-birds-and-a-step-forward-in-the-ambitious-project-to-save-them-180988730/The Socorro dove has not been recorded in the wild since 1972, but that could change within only a few years, conservationists say, thanks to a long-term reintroduction effortFri, 15 May 2026 15:07:38 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-rare-dove-hatchlings-are-a-source-of-hope-for-the-extinct-in-the-wild-birds-and-a-step-forward-in-the-ambitious-project-to-save-them-180988730/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-marine-algae-glow-when-waves-disturb-them-their-bioluminescence-could-power-electricity-free-lamps-of-the-future-180988721/The single-celled organisms usually shimmer for mere milliseconds, but researchers figured out how to sustain their illumination. The technology could one day be used to light robots' ways in the deep sea or spaceWed, 13 May 2026 15:43:33 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-marine-algae-glow-when-waves-disturb-them-their-bioluminescence-could-power-electricity-free-lamps-of-the-future-180988721/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-15-stunning-images-that-won-the-german-society-for-nature-photographys-annual-contest-180988711/From a lunging frog to the majestic movements of penguins, the honored photographs capture the wonder of wildlife and beauty of natural landscapesMon, 11 May 2026 14:42:35 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-15-stunning-images-that-won-the-german-society-for-nature-photographys-annual-contest-180988711/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/david-attenborough-has-inspired-countless-scientists-to-mark-his-100th-birthday-here-are-ten-living-things-theyve-named-after-him-180988693/Researchers around the planet grew up watching documentaries hosted by the English broadcaster and naturalist, which sparked their love of the natural world. Now, their discoveries become tributes to his legacyThu, 07 May 2026 20:07:28 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/david-attenborough-has-inspired-countless-scientists-to-mark-his-100th-birthday-here-are-ten-living-things-theyve-named-after-him-180988693/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hummus-made-from-moon-grown-chickpeas-might-be-on-the-menu-for-future-lunar-residents-180988320/Researchers successfully grew and harvested chickpeas in simulated moon dirt—with a little help from worm poop and a beneficial fungus. However, they're still testing whether the legumes are safe to eatFri, 01 May 2026 17:23:35 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hummus-made-from-moon-grown-chickpeas-might-be-on-the-menu-for-future-lunar-residents-180988320/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/australia-has-a-surprisingly-successful-truffle-industry-this-new-study-could-explain-why-180988653/Researchers examined hundreds of soil samples to uncover why the expensive fungi are thriving in the countryThu, 30 Apr 2026 17:43:43 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/australia-has-a-surprisingly-successful-truffle-industry-this-new-study-could-explain-why-180988653/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-planet-needs-prosperous-forests-these-scientists-are-planting-more-than-33000-trees-to-find-the-perfect-species-blends-180988618/Forests provide myriad benefits, including timber, wildlife attraction, local cooling and climate resilience. At the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, ecologists are testing which tree combinations might create flourishing woodlandsFri, 24 Apr 2026 18:43:50 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/the-planet-needs-prosperous-forests-these-scientists-are-planting-more-than-33000-trees-to-find-the-perfect-species-blends-180988618/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-japan-a-new-steward-for-1200-years-of-cherry-blossom-data-has-been-found-sustaining-a-climate-change-research-project-180988607/Climate scientist Yasuyuki Aono, who died last summer, learned to read ancient Japanese script to compile records on peak bloom dating back to the ninth century C.E.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:56:07 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-japan-a-new-steward-for-1200-years-of-cherry-blossom-data-has-been-found-sustaining-a-climate-change-research-project-180988607/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-hell-creek-formation-is-north-americas-legendary-boneyard-see-the-top-five-discoveries-found-in-the-iconic-fossil-bed-180988545/From preserved plants to T. rex, the material found in these Late Cretaceous rocks has resulted in countless breakthroughs for paleontologistsWed, 15 Apr 2026 11:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-hell-creek-formation-is-north-americas-legendary-boneyard-see-the-top-five-discoveries-found-in-the-iconic-fossil-bed-180988545/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/born-to-a-family-of-sharecroppers-this-topiary-artist-overcame-discrimination-to-become-the-picasso-of-plants-180988544/Self-taught artist Pearl Fryar, who died this month at age 86, got his start when he tried to win an award from his local garden club. He ended up becoming a celebrity in the horticultural worldTue, 14 Apr 2026 19:44:14 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/born-to-a-family-of-sharecroppers-this-topiary-artist-overcame-discrimination-to-become-the-picasso-of-plants-180988544/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/shakespeare-gardens-around-the-world-honor-the-playwright-and-hold-their-own-storied-history-180988497/The curated plots of flowers, herbs and trees serve as windows into Shakespeare’s work and lifeWed, 08 Apr 2026 15:36:23 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/shakespeare-gardens-around-the-world-honor-the-playwright-and-hold-their-own-storied-history-180988497/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/earths-smells-are-disappearing-because-of-climate-change-and-its-a-vast-cultural-loss-180988496/A triple threat of pollution, extinction and warming temperatures is altering the way the planet smells. Scientists are only beginning to understand the stakes for humansWed, 08 Apr 2026 12:57:09 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/earths-smells-are-disappearing-because-of-climate-change-and-its-a-vast-cultural-loss-180988496/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/australian-cherfs-farmers-rediscovering-new-restaurants-australia-incorporate-ingredients-been-there-all-along-180988427/From kangaroo grass to Kakadu plums, native foods are redefining diners' taste buds and deepening their connection to the landWed, 08 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/australian-cherfs-farmers-rediscovering-new-restaurants-australia-incorporate-ingredients-been-there-all-along-180988427/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-engineered-tobacco-plants-to-produce-five-mind-altering-psychedelic-compounds-180988488/The substances have been used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years, but they've recently become popular as possible therapeutics for mental health conditionsTue, 07 Apr 2026 15:58:12 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-engineered-tobacco-plants-to-produce-five-mind-altering-psychedelic-compounds-180988488/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/did-neanderthals-use-birch-bark-tar-as-an-antibiotic-to-treat-wounds-and-infections-180988393/Scientists created samples of the black resin using three methods and tested their effectiveness against two common bacteriaMon, 30 Mar 2026 20:55:01 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/did-neanderthals-use-birch-bark-tar-as-an-antibiotic-to-treat-wounds-and-infections-180988393/