Ephemera And Ephemeroids

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Observing the life of nature, you see how the Creator of life, by trial and error, gropes and paves the way to perfection. He does not have a clear plan, and therefore all the conversations of people who do not like to be responsible for their actions, about the predestination of being, fall apart if you walk along the steps of development, slowly and in a state of vigilance. Let's observe the plants, which are called "ephemera" and "ephemeroids"

Lyrical digression about the "predestination of being"

English theoretical physicist Stephen William Hawking, a contemporary of ours, made a funny conclusion about the destiny of life. Observing the behavior of people who claim that everything in this world is predetermined for a long time, and nothing can be changed, he noticed that, when going to cross the road, they will definitely look around.

Ephemera

The word "ephemera" was invented by the ancient Greeks, observing the transience of life. The meaning of the word in Russian can be explained as “living a short period”. Literally it is translated as "daily" or "for a day", which is symbolic, but does not correspond to reality.

Ephemeral plants, of course, live for more than one day, but their full life cycle is very short, estimated at several weeks. During such a period of time, they manage to develop, decorate the world with flowers, bear fruit for procreation and die with a clear conscience.

Plants of small sizes that grow in very unfavorable places on our planet, for example, in deserts, where their growing season coincides with the humid period of autumn or spring, are forced to be content with such a short life.

Ephemera are also encountered here. For example, Krupka is oak, growing in most of our country. In June, its pale yellow flowers bloom, seeds are formed, and all parts of the plant die off. Grass and seeds of oak groats are used by traditional medicine in the treatment of many diseases, and the Chinese treat leukemia with an infusion of herbs.

Ephemeroids

Ephemeroids are slightly higher on the evolutionary ladder. They also have a very short growing season, but after feeding their fruits, the plant does not die completely. Only its aerial parts die off, and rhizomes, bulbs, root crops remain underground, which are storehouses of nutrients accumulated by the plant in order to, after waiting for suitable conditions, again reveal its leaves, flowers and fruits to the world.

Such plants, unlike annual ephemerals, although they do not please the gardener for a very long period, are perennial, saving time and human strength.

It's amazing how all plants have a place in the soil of the same plot. For more than a dozen years I have been going to the country house, never ceasing to be surprised and admire the change of scenery outside the car window. In April-early May, the roadside and glades and meadows flashing between pines, spruces, birches are painted with white snowdrops, yellow primroses, and lilac kandyks. In some places, the purple-blue caps of the lungwort are visible.

Later, the picture will turn bright orange from the swimsuit, which we in Siberia call "lights". Small bright orange "roses", indeed, like bright lights flare up against the backdrop of greenery.

Then there will be blue bells, white and yellow hats of cornflower and chamomile, tall bright purple brushes of Ivan-tea will rise like a wall, and many more different flowers will take over the summer relay from each other, relying on their own strengths and the help of the surrounding nature.

Representatives of ephemeroids

Among the perennial ephemeroids, there are many of our old decorative acquaintances. Some of them love to show their beauty in early spring (yellow goose onions, anemone, kandyks, crocuses, colorful tulips), others are a company of autumn gold (crocus).

No matter what time of the year they come, we are always glad for their beauty, stamina and vitality.

Summary

How often do we postpone simple possible pleasures, citing lack of time, postponing "until tomorrow." Ephemera and ephemeroids set an example for us not to do this. Life is so fleeting. Perhaps tomorrow there will be time, but there will be no strength, and the day after tomorrow morning for someone will not come at all.

Enjoy every second given by fate. Live "here and now", as all nature lives on our wonderful planet!