#74 - Redbud Tree aka Judas Tree

I snapped a picture of this beautiful trio of redbud trees during my lunch walk today. Aren't they gorgeous?!

Today I learned an interesting fact about them. They are also called "Judas trees" because it's said that  Judas hanged himself from a redbud tree after betraying Jesus. The flowering redbud is said to "blush with shame". Poor little tree, why should it blush with shame? It did nothing wrong!

#70 - 10 Facts About Dandelions

Dandelion Watercolor by CKpigments on Etsy, $25

It's spring time and these pesky little flowering weeds will soon be invading gorgeous lawns everywhere!

Besides the fact that they ruin lawns each year, here's 10 cool facts about them:

1. Dandelions originated in Asia where they are used as both food and medicine. 

Heirloom Dandelion Seeds from seedsshop on Etsy, $1.79

2. The plant was brought to the US by the Spanish (New Mexico) and the German (Pennsylvania) for use in nutrition.

3.The word "dandelion" comes from the French name for the plant "dents de lion" which means "teeth of the lion" in reference to the jagged leaves of the plant.


4. On a breezy day, a strong wind can transport the tiny seeds of the plant miles away from the parent dandelion plant.

Dandelion Seed Necklace by ScrappinCop on Etsy, $15

5. Dandelion flowers are photosensitive; they bloom under the morning sun and close in the evening or in dull, gloomy conditions.

6. Dandelion is grown as a crop in Belgium.

7. In Chinese medicine, the dandelion plant has been used for over thousand years in treating various conditions like diabetes, cancers, as well as bacterial and fungal infections.

Dandelion and Nettle Herbal Tea by good4you on Etsy, $14

8. Dandelion is popular for its diuretic properties and it increases urine output.


 9. The entire dandelion plant is edible. (obviously it you're going to eat one, don't eat one that's likely been sprayed with pesticide or peed on by dogs, etc...just a thought)

10.  The dandelion is also an ingredient in root beer.

Root Beer Print by FlyGraphics on Etsy, $15

#37 - Marimo

One day while visiting the pet store, I notice moving moss balls! I'm not kidding! It caught me so off guard I had to go find out what they were. The moss balls were marimo moss balls. 

Today I saw this adorable little marimo ball aquarium on Etsy and decided it was time to learn more about these mysterious moving moss balls.

Zen Orb Marimo Ball by MyZen on Etsy, $28.50

• Marimo literally translates as "ball seaweed" in Japanese. 
• Marimo balls are a rare species of algae that grows round with a velvety texture. 
• Though called moss balls, they are unrelated to moss. 
• They've only been found growing in Japan, Iceland, Scotland and Estonia.
• Aquarium marimo balls grow at room temperature in tap water that's changed every 1-2 weeks.
• Marimo balls grow and grow and then split off into pieces to form new plants.
• Indoor lighting is enough for photosynthesis to occur in marimo plants. There's no need for plant lights.
• During photosynthesis, oxygen bubbles form around the marimo plant. These oxygen bubbles are what cause the plant to lift and move on its own.

Here you can watch some Marimo plants moving around. This aquarium has an aerator running, but they'd move even if the water wasn't moving. 

#6 - Four Leaf Clovers

According to Irish tradition, each leaf of a clover has a meaning.  The first is faith, the second is hope, the third is love and the fourth is luck. Only about 1 in 10,000 clovers have four leaves. So it's thought that finding one with four leaves (especially by accident) makes one lucky. It's unknown whether the fourth leaf is a genetically or environmentally caused mutation.

Irish tradition also says clover leaves represent the Holy Trinity. The first leaf being the Father, the second the Son, and the third the Holy Ghost. The fourth leaf is said to be God's Grace.


Need some luck? Check out these cool handmade four leaf clover items!!

By Green Ribbon Gems on Etsy

By DDivyne on Etsy

Clovers can have more than four leaves, of course. One with 56 leaves was found in Japan!! Many people believe finding a four leaf clover is lucky while finding a clover with more than four leaves is unlucky. Others believe the more leaves...the more luck.

Really lukcy OR unlucky?!

56 leaf clover from Japan (source: National Geographic)