Scientists studying the bunchberry dogwood (Cornus Canadensis) have dubbed it the world's fastest plant. Using a camera capable of capturing 10,000 images per second, researchers from Williams College have timed the opening of the bunchberry flower at 0.5 milliseconds. The purpose of this explosive opening is to launch pollen grains so that they embed themselves into the insect that has touched the plant, and caused the flower to open.
The rest of the story here, under the fold has nothing to do with the article. Read on if you're interested in wild edibles:
This is interesting to note, as I often come in contact with bunchberries while hiking and camping throughout the Northeast US. In fact bunchberry is widely distributed through out the entire US. The berries of the bunchberry, which come to fruition in July and August are actually quite tasty. They are lightly sweet and mildly astringent. They can be eaten as is or whipped into a tasty cream. While the cream won't make you give up cool whip, it is very nutritious and a decent substitute for cream with your morning coffee. (Among my many projects, I am working on a guide to wild edible plants)
Trebuchet
