Ever wonder why redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregano) leaves appear to wilt in the sun? The leaves fold downwards when sun flecks shine onto patches of this tiny plant that carpets the coast redwood forest floor. This is a protective response because this shade-loving plant will get sunburned with prolonged exposure to sunlight. What is remarkable about this to me is that … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: January 2013
Barking Salamanders
Every time I talk to a researcher who works in the redwood region, I learn something that makes my jaw drop. It happened again just a few days ago when I was speaking with Prof. David Wake of U.C. Berkeley. We were talking about the animals that live under the redwoods, and he told me there is … Continue reading
Wyoming Redwood
I just returned from a New Year’s trip throughYellowstone National Park, where I hiked out to see one of the petrified redwoods still standing on the forest slopes of Wyoming. This ancient redwood has been through an amazing transformation—its wood has turned to stone and the landscape around it has experienced dramatic changes over the millions of years it’s been standing. … Continue reading
