Author Archives: Oliver

About Oliver

Botany student with an interest in communicating and raising awareness of the curious world of plants!

The bitter sweet story of sugar cane Saccharum officinarum

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Oliver

The dramatic story of sugar cane is a somber reminder of human greed, exploitation and slave labour. The events continue to unfold today, as sugar cane is implicated in contentious issues such as human health, addiction and fair trade. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Monocots, Species, Students | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Tillandsia usneoides Spanish Moss

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Oliver

Lacking ideas this Movember? Why not take inspiration from Spanish Moss and the great Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto, from whom the plant was thought to originate. Well at least as the legend goes… Apparently Hernando De Soto pursued an Indian maiden through the forest … Continue reading →

Posted in Americas, Learning and Teaching, Neotropics, Species, Students | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments