Word of the Day: 'phytoremediation'

(sdpb.org)

Again with class stuff. On our field trip with my Environmental Biology class to the land fill, our guide pointed out some trees bordering the property and said they were Cottonwood trees, which absorb toxins from the ground. Once the trees have reached capacity for the toxins, the land fill cuts them down and uses them like they would any other wood. Awesome.

Other plants known to take specific toxins out of the ground through phytoremediation:
clover - motor oil
mustard plants - lead
ferns - arsenic
alpine herbs - zinc

Chia report #2

The cilantro is beating out the parsley, chives, and basil by a landslide. They're fast little suckers, too. My roomie Rachel commented on how strange it is that they are growing down.

Ch-ch-ch-Chia!

My mom often gives group gifts, as in, giving each of us one thing. This Christmas, she gave all the ladies Chia Herbs. I was more than excited. What pleased me most were the charming directions, teaching me how to create a "mini-greenhouse" with sandwich bags over the clay pots and warning against "exposing the little buds to their new environment too quickly" when it becomes time to take off the plastic bags.

I feel like I have a relationship with these plants, and I haven't even eaten them yet.

And, yes, that is a Troy Bolton/Zac Efron sticker on my refrigerator.