natural history

Our first idea for insect pollination is usually bees, but those insects didn’t come along until much later than magnolias, which rely on beetles for that function.

Our first idea for insect pollination is usually bees, but those insects didn’t come along until much later than magnolias, which rely on beetles for that function.

Honey locust seed pods have a sweet nutritious substance surrounding the seeds, but not many animals these days can eat through the tough pods.

Honey locust seed pods have a sweet nutritious substance surrounding the seeds, but not many animals these days can eat through the tough pods.

Gleditsia triacanthos is the scientific name for honey locust, Gleditsia for a German botanist and triacanthos means "three-spined."

Gleditsia triacanthos is the scientific name for honey locust, Gleditsia for a German botanist and triacanthos means "three-spined."

Some scientists theorize the reason that honey locust trees developed thorns is because of the mastodon.

Some scientists theorize the reason that honey locust trees developed thorns is because of the mastodon.

Early human inhabitants of our continent did interact with mammoths, mastodons, saber tooth tigers, and even horses that are no longer here.

Early human inhabitants of our continent did interact with mammoths, mastodons, saber tooth tigers, and even horses that are no longer here.