These days I only subscribe to one print garden magazine, Gardens Illustrated, which is published in the UK. I love its large format and variety of gardens and information. Besides, I am an Anglophile from way back.
One of the most intriguing articles in the last issue I got (the U.S. is always a bit behind the current issue with home delivery) was titled "Cracking the Code." It was a short piece about genomic experts unlocking the common tulip's (Tulipa gesneriana) genetic code in hopes of being able to improve breeding. The Dutch consortium which sequenced the tulip's genome notes it has about 34 giga base pairs.
Guess what? That is "almost 11 times bigger than that of humans." Apparently the "entire human genome fits into one tulip chromosome." Who knew?! Maybe that's why humans have always been so fascinated by tulips. On some level we knew there was more going on behind the scenes than we could possibily imagine.
I love this! I didn't know that, either. Thanks for sharing the awesome display photo and the info!
Posted by: Beth @ PlantPostings | Friday, April 06, 2018 at 01:41 PM
I think all that scientific knowledge is interesting but I prefer to think of flowers as miracles. Beautiful miracles. When I want to know science it is just to keep them alive and well.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Friday, April 06, 2018 at 04:10 PM