North American Nature Vanguard
Amwoga Khalwale Softwood trees are not defined by a specific botanical classification but rather by the quality of the wood. Softwood is essentially wood from gymnosperm trees (Trees that produce seeds that are not enclosed in a fruit). Softwood woods are lighter in weight than hardwoods. Their woods have straight grains and can be pale to reddish in color. Some of … Read more
As the name suggests, red mushrooms are characterized by reddish hues. The shade of red can be from bright and vibrant red to more subdued or deep crimson. Red mushrooms have cap shape that can be convex, flattened, or even irregular in form. Some may have a wavy or contorted appearance. The gills, pores, or … Read more
While there are many species of mushrooms that can appear green, they are not as common as mushrooms of other colors, such as white, brown or red. The green color of these mushrooms is a result of their unique pigments. Green mushrooms can be found in habitats like forests, woodlands, grasslands and even on decaying … Read more
The term “orange mushroom” is a general description of mushrooms that have an orange color in their fruiting bodies, that is, their caps, stems and gills. However, this color can be pale yellow-orange to deep, vibrant orange and sometimes even reddish-orange or brownish-orange hues. Orange mushrooms belong to different fungal genera, including Amanita, Hygrocybe, Lactarius, … Read more
Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not butterflies. While butterflies usually take the spotlight with their colors, moths are equally diverse and interesting in their own right. Moths are incredibly diverse, with over 160,000 species known to science. The species can be of different shape … Read more
White caterpillars are actually white or pale in color and are the immature stage (Larvae) of diverse moth and butterfly species. Many of these caterpillars usually have elongated bodies with multiple segments, and they can be of different sizes. Many white caterpillars have a soft and fuzzy appearance (tiny hairs or setae covering their bodies). … Read more
Yellow caterpillars are the immature forms of moths or butterflies that are undergoing transformation into beautiful winged insects. Among these yellow caterpillars, some have a furry appearance, while others feature smooth, segmented bodies as is with many caterpillar species. Occasionally, the fuzzy yellow caterpillars can contain toxins that might not be lethal, but can lead … Read more
In the intricate tapestry of the natural world, spiders are among the common creatures. Spiders are arachnids, a class of arthropods that also includes scorpions, mites and ticks. There are more than 45,000 known species of spiders, found in habitats all over the world, (Source: National Geographic). There’s a spider with a cartoonish butt, spiders that can jump … Read more
Sea vegetables, also known as seaweeds or marine algae, are edible plants that grow in or around saltwater environments such as oceans and seas. The history of human consumption of sea vegetables is as extensive as the oceans themselves. In other words, they have been consumed for centuries in many coastal regions around the world. … Read more
Lemon cypress, scientifically known as Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest,’ is a type of cypress of shrubby nature commonly grown indoors or commercial landscapes. It is also commonly referred to as the Goldcrest Monterey Cypress. It is a specific cultivar of the Monterey cypress with an upward-growing branches and golden-foliage that emits a lemony scent. This article … Read more