Ambling with Sam

When you look at a forest, patch of grass, or lake shore, what do you see? It can be all too easy to see nothing but an undifferentiated wall of green, and leave it at that. Once you begin to look closely though, a fascinating diversity begins to appear.

Plants that produce antifreeze. Mushrooms that devour tiny creatures. Plants that mate with bees. Mushrooms that melt into ink. Plants that catch insects for other insects to eat. Mushrooms that let trees communicate and share resources with one another. Plants that mass-coordinate fruit production across whole forests, in order to control squirrel populations.

Amble with me and delve into the fascinating world of plants, mushrooms, and everything that calls this world home.