SEXLESS PLANTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6322, 27 February 1922, Page 3

SEXLESS PLANTS.

BRIGHT BLOSSOMS MAY BECOME

extinct:

Since Darwin said that man developed from the ape. nothing ’ more astonishing in Darwin’s science has been observed than a strange feature in certain plants which is being investigated afresh by botanists. The most flourishing plants in the world—the dandelion and ha wkweed—have quite “given up sexuality.” .' Their fine flowers, which were developed to attract insects and cause fertilisation, are alleged to he wholly uselees. The pollen they produce is not wanted, as the plants can produce fertile seed without any sexual relationship at. all and without pollen. The plants that made this discovery have discovered themselve« and arc increasing in every part of the world; and other plants- may follow to keep up p'-ninj competition. j\ ;-| eminent plant, phys’ o avJio has studied the subject suggests that this development may mean the- eventual extinction of bright flowers, and in isißotlw age colour and size of flower Tnny.be wholly given up liv plants aa nu unueedecl or even exhausting sn-ne-rfhwty. ’ Tu this case how pleased we all ought to he that, we live in ffthe floral" ago,” as this may <>n* day be called!. • This unsexual development of plant's is contrasted by one investigator with the- increasing. *pxuality of animals, indicating that the animal and vegetable kingdoms are growing ..farther and I farther apart.