Pollination - A Nature Meditation

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• published: 03 Sep 2016
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We could not survive on earth without pollination. Relax and contemplate an hour of a pollination frenzy of bees and butterflies in a stand of freshly blooming Devil's Walking Stick trees near the edge of a forest high in the Great Smoky Mountains. Despite the evil name, this rare native plant is an important source of nutrients for bees and butterflies in August and the birds go crazy for the ripe tasty purple berry fruit in September. Watch: Robin, Goldfinches, Juncos, and Towhees Eating Devil's Walking Stick Berries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GkqcedZ-Tg Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa)is widespread in the eastern United States, ranging from New York to Florida along the Atlantic coast, and westward to Ohio, Illinois, and Texas. It prefers a deep moist soil. The plants typically grow in the forest Understory or at the edges of forests, often forming clonal thickets by sprouting from the roots. This tree was admired by the Iroquois because of its usefulness, and for its rarity. The Iroquois would take the saplings of the tree and plant them near their villages and on islands, so that animals wouldn't eat the valuable fruit. The fruit was used in many of the natives' foods. The women would take the flowers and put them in their hair because of the lemony smell. The flowers could also be traded for money. The young leaves can be eaten if gathered before the prickles harden. They are then chopped finely and cooked as a potherb. Aralia spinosa was introduced into cultivation in 1688 and is still grown for its decorative foliage, prickly stems, large showy flower panicles [clusters], and distinctive fall color. These plants are slow growing, tough and durable, do well in urban settings, but bear numerous prickles on their stems, petioles, and leaflets. These plants can be propagated from seeds or root cuttings. New HD videos uploaded frequently. Subscribe at: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=MyBackyardBirding More info at: http://screech-owls.blogspot.com/ Ambient music provided by: Light Awash by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100175 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Drone in D by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200044 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ The Dark Glow of the Mountains by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/darkglow/ Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/