Well , l never knew that ! ……

Strongylodon Macrobotrys , the Jade Vine is pollinated by bats.

 

Nor did I

 

Everydays a schoolday

 

No Philippino bats as it's only found in the rain forest there.
Apparently the flowers are edible.

 

Small pockets of air inside cranberries make them bounce and float in water.

 

No bats on me!!!

 

Growing Saffron led to the Essex town of Saffron Walden being so called.

 

The juice from bluebell flowers was historically used to make glue.

 

I’d assume from that Tomcat, that juice from the Spanish bluebell was used to make glue that didn’t stick to anything. Making it as effective a contribution to the world of adhesives, as the bulb and flower itself is to the world of gardening.

I await the coming spring with the usual sense of expected disappointment, but with renewed vigour to finally rid the borders of this wretched thing(s).

 

Carrots were originally purple.

 

@Tomcat Have to disagree they were originally pale in colour. See here Wild carrot | Kew
At one time white carrots were grown as animal food as they were too tough for people to eat.
What I want to know is if you are selecting for taste, colour and edibility and so eating the roots how do you get seed of the best for next year?

 

Ahh … l was thinking of the very early ( 10th century or so ) cultivated carrots.
That’s a very interesting question you raise @NigelJ , re. the selection for taste etc , it’s a bit like the chicken and egg ……..it’s fascinating and I’m still pondering on it.