For questions pertaining to plant life (trees, flowers), not industrial plants (which may fall under e.g. [economics] or [technology])
Questions tagged [plants]
45 questions
6
votes
1 answer
Can one generate enough electricity from a plant to power a cellphone?
This company is marketing a product which uses the photosynthesis of a single houseplant to charge a phone.
http://www.bioo.tech/
IIRC the theoretical maximum efficiency of photosynthesis is about 10%, so at best the plant would be able to act as a…
Steven Gubkin
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votes
2 answers
Is it possible for a pine tree to grow in your lungs?
This question came up at lunch today, and I didn't believe my friend when he said someone had a pine tree growing in his lungs.
I have found several sources: 1, 2, 3
Source #2 has a key note:
There was no independent verification of the surgeon's…
SSumner
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5
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Does watering plants with purified water yield better results?
I watched a commercial for the Aquaguard Enhance RO+UV water purifier recently.
In that commercial, a science teacher assigns an experiment to students. The students bringing a plant to school, and observe its growth over several days.
One…
Nog Shine
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5
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1 answer
Do some GMO plants provide bigger yields and more efficient use of land?
I was told that some Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) provide bigger crop yields and a more efficient use of land compared to unmodified crops.
Monsanto claim:
These [GMO] seeds grow into plants that might use water more efficiently, require…
Trey Jenkins
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5
votes
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Are roses popular on Valentine's Day because they are durable to transport?
In Episode #603 of Planet Money, it is claimed that giving roses is a recent phenomenon. They claim roses are popular due to their toughness (and the fact they bloom close to Valentine's Day)
Roses were the perfect choice' pretty much…
user30467
5
votes
3 answers
Is the mustard seed the smallest of seeds?
From Matthew 13:31-32,
31 He [Jesus] put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs…
user19593
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5
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2 answers
Do the trees follow Fibonacci series? How?
Does the number of leaves on a branch follow Fibonacci numbers from top to bottom?
Or is there more to nature than I really see it.
This question came up after reading this article:
Aidan Dwyer took a hike through the trees last winter and took…
Filip
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4
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0 answers
Does catnip repel rats, mice and cockroaches?
Cat-world claims that catnip can repel rats, mice and cockroaches.
It was also discovered that catnip repels cockroaches too!
and
Rats & mice are also believed to have a strong dislike of catnip & will avoid places where it grows.
Is it true?
Larry Morries
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4
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Is the fruit of Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig) poisonous?
Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig) is a popular house plant. The leaves and sap are generally considered toxic. However, I found conflicting information about the fruit.
Some sources claim the fruit is not toxic:
Garden Guides – "The small fruits of the…
sleske
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4
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Does the Kiri Tree reduce carbon dioxide emissions ten times more than the average tree?
The About section of the Kiri Tree website says:
The tree is known to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions ten times
more than the average tree and also in return produce ten times more
oxygen (O2). It loves toxic waste and can be used to…
Mauricio Arias Olave
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4
votes
1 answer
Does Impatiens capensis (a.k.a. jewelweed) relieve symptoms caused by poison ivy or other irritants?
As a kid, I was taught during my summer camp that jewelweed, a plant commonly found throughout North America, is an effective treatment for poison ivy and stinging nettle.
Indeed, I've used it myself after touching stinging nettle, and felt…
Beofett
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Does Aloe Vera help pass drug test?
The news which is flashing says that usage of Aloe Vera products like juice, gel or shampoo may avoid traces of drugs from the body. It is rumored that Aloe Vera consumption gets you negative for Drug abuse test, disguising the traces or could…
Dudey
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2
votes
1 answer
Has the Javan devil leaf nettle (urtica urentissima) been shown to cause any deaths?
According to Sir Stephen Tallents, writing in The Spectator, 12 March 1943:
The sting of a certain Java nettle, for example, may last for a year and is reputed even to cause death.
Mrs. M. Grieve, writing on Botanical.com repeats the claim but…
gerrit
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Will plant-life on Earth end due to too little CO2?
According to a 2013 Daily Mail article :
greater evaporation and chemical reactions with rainwater will take away more and more carbon dioxide.
In less than a billion years, its levels will be too low for photosynthesising plants to survive, say…
DavePhD
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vote
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Does Asclepias gigantea cause blindness?
It is a widespread bilief that Asclepias gigantea or the "Arka" or "Jilledu" tree is poisonous and causes blindness.
The general belief is that
If the milk of the plant falls into the eye, you go blind.
If the leaf is consumed, you go blind.
I…
Dudey
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