Nanking Cherry

Pioneer trees seek to defend themselves in other ways, as well. They grow quickly, so their trunks get thick fast, and they put on a massive layer of rough outer bark. You

perennial kale that seems really quite attractive, near-neon tubers of oca, and amusing but hopefully useful walking onion.

The color is the result of a metabolic disorder. Young developing leaves on normal trees are often tinged red thanks to a kind of sun block in their delicate tissue. This is anthocyanin, which blocks ultraviolet rays to protect the little leaves.

feet high and produce enormous quantities of seed. Oddly, most plants can’t make their own nitrogen; instead, they get it from ammonia in the soil, where it’s created by various microorganisms. A

This means both sides of the leaf can photosynthesize.