Howdy, my name is Rick. I am a 23 yr old fulltime student currently living on campus. I was raised in Newport News, Virginia and I have moved up to Fairbanks only recently. While I am currently pursuing a degree in Wildlife Biology, I am debating switching over to a different nature related major. I enjoy hiking/various outdoor activities, going to the gym, playing video games, and writing in general.
My botanical journey to this point has been nonexistent. This is my first plant biology related college course. I also haven’t had the opportunity to forage, hunt, or maintain a garden. As I have always lived in heavily urbanized residential sectors. After spending some years abroad for work, I have found a new appreciation for nature and I would like to get into foraging/gardening in the future. My favorite plant would have to be the Oxeye Daisy. Nothing too unique or interesting, but they always spark a sense of familiarity and warmth whenever I see one.
Welcome Rick, what a beautiful picture. There is something calming about these very symmetrical flowers in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). As one of the largest and most diverse plant families, the flowers are highly variable, and there is a beautiful range of colors and forms. If you like to read more about the evolution of the flowering head of Asteraceae, check out this paper https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.19590 The figure is from this paper, hot off the press from 2024.