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Plants

Most orchid bees, like this Euglossa paisa, have metallic coloration.

The Evolution of the Orchid and the Orchid Bee

Which came first—the plant or its pollinator?

Sweet sorghum may be grown for biofuel

How To Choose What To Plant For Biofuel

Some species proposed for bioenergy have the potential to become invasive

Kogod Courtyard is a 28,000-square-foot space with seating, free Wi-Fi and a Courtyard Café.

The List: Five Study Nooks in and Around the Smithsonian Museums

Calling all students, finding it hard to concentrate on your studies, we recommend five cool places to hit the books

Ancient cultures used an array of ingredients to make their alcoholic beverages, including emmer wheat, wild yeast, chamomile, thyme and oregano.

The Beer Archaeologist

By analyzing ancient pottery, Patrick McGovern is resurrecting the libations that fueled civilization

Before there were fruit patents, there were pictures. Shown here is The Red Astrachan apple.

How to Trademark a Fruit

To protect the fruits of their labor and thwart “plant thieves,” early American growers enlisted artists

The Vine With Its Own Bat Signal

Specially shaped leaves lure the flying mammals. The bats get a meal, and the flowers get pollinated

Scientists use satellite images of the kelp canopy (here, as seen from underwater) to track this important ecosystem over time.

A New View Into California’s Kelp Forests

Satellite imagery is providing new insight into an important ecosystem just off the California coast

Asian carp, imported from China in 1973 to clean algae from Southern ponds, broke from their confines and infested the Mississippi River waterways.

Making the Best of Invasive Species

Garlic mustard and Asian carp can wreak havoc on their ecosystems, but do they have a future on your dinner plate?

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The List- Five Must-See Butterfly Spots Around the Mall

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Weekend Events: Asian Pacific American Heritage, Garden Fest, Mother’s Day

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It’s Time to Garden at the Smithsonian

May 2-6 Events: Written in Bone, Smithsonian Garden Fest and More

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Going To The Park May Make Your Life Better

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Back Away From the Carnivorous Plant!

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The Smithsonian Museums and The National Zoo Are Open

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A Flowering Plant, Set in Stone

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The List: Five Secret Gardens Around the Smithsonian

It seems that the weather is finally breaking and spring temperatures might be here to stay

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Orchid Mimics Carrion to Attract Flies

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Tips From A Smithsonian Gardener for Creating a Beautiful Valentine’s Day Arrangement

Eight steps from the horticulturalist Melanie Pyle for a bouquet that will last long past the lover’s holiday

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“Orchids: A View from the East” Opens This Weekend at Natural History

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