Plorok (Gloxinia perennis)

Plorok (Gloxinia perennis) is a plant species in the Gesneriaceae, tropical herb, has rhizomatous, erect stem up to 60-120 cm, tubular, branched, green and red spots, grows wild in shady and humid places, rocks, river banks and slopes wet.

G. perennis has leaves arranged sitting opposite on a stalk, slightly rounded, heart-shaped base, pointed tip, serrated margin and has a thin maroon line. A bone in the middle and white with many pinnate veins.

The leaves are thick, the top surface is dark green and a yellow tinge, shiny, bumpy and sometimes have small rashes. The bottom surface is bright green and maroon.

The flower is striking, bell-shaped, about 4 cm long, horizontal, has fine hairs, is pale purple on the outside and dark purple at the base of the hallway, smells minty, clustered and solitary. The fruit is round to elliptical and contains many small seeds.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Gesneriaceae
Subfamily: Gesnerioideae
Tribe: Gesnerieae
Subtribe: Gloxiniinae
Genus: Gloxinia
Species: Gloxinia perennis

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

NEWS - Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) create bubble net tools while foraging, consisting of internal tangential rings, and actively control the number of rings, their size, depth and horizontal spacing between the surrounding bubbles. These structural elements of the net increase prey intake sevenfold. Researchers have known that humpback whales create “bubble nets” for hunting, but the new report shows that the animals also manipulate them in a variety of ways to maximize catches. The behavior places humpbacks among the rare animals that make and use their own tools. “Many animals use tools to help them find food, but very few actually make or modify these tools themselves,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP), University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Humpback whales in southeast Alaska create elaborate bubble nets to catch krill. They skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form a web with internal rings. They actively control details such ...

Purhepecha oak (Quercus purhepecha), new species of shrub oak endemic to the state of Michoacán, Mexico

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Cempaki (Termitomyces microcarpus)

Cempaki ( Termitomyces microcarpus ) is a species of fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. It grows wild in tropical Asian forests near termite nests. It is rarely reported in urban areas. It is edible and known for its deliciousness, high nutritional value, and difficulty in cultivating. In Indonesia, it is used as an alternative food ingredient. T. microcarpus is the smallest of the Termitomyces species, umbrella-shaped, plain white, measuring 5 cm tall and 2.5 cm wide. It grows in dense clusters on surfaces and forms a mutualistic relationship, requiring the metabolic activity of termites as a substrate for growth. This species is known for its deliciousness, rich in nutrients, and has potential bioactive properties, such as helping lower cholesterol and acting as a tonic. Currently, it is difficult to cultivate on a large scale, and people rely solely on wild harvests. This mushroom is highly favored for its savory, delicious flavor and soft, chewy texture. It is often stir-fried ...

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