#gnetum

[sillovain]

I heard a while back was that you could increase success of Pine germination/seedling survival by using soil from around an adult. The idea being that since Pines are ectomychorizzal (as is standard for their Clade), soil from near adult roots should contain fungal bodies etc. (Not scientifically proven, but one of those things old nurseryman swear by).

Anyway, I recently found a few of my Gnetum gnemon seeds had germinated by accident. All my previous attempts in a controlled environment all failed, this lone success was a few random seeds I threw at the foot of a larger (but still immature) specimen. Just an anecdote (sample size ~3).

Germination time for this species is also quite long, stated to be 3-12 months, and I did throw the seeds there ~1 year go. Typically seeds rotted (or were bored into by insects) after 3-4 months, but not this set I guess? Its also possible that these were the only fertile seeds and the rest were duds.

[phytophiliac]

Gnetum gnemon is a fascinating species from the perspective of plant anatomy and convergent evolution. It is a gymnosperm so therefore not a flowering plant and more related to conifers than the broad leaved trees it resembles. The edible seeds resemble fruits or berries and are even commonly called melinjo fruit but botanically are female strobili.

[phytophiliac]

Gnetum gnemon. Gnetum is a fascinating genus. It is the only genus in the family Gnetaceae and is much more closely related to Welwitschia (one of the weirdest plants on the planet) and Ephedra than to the Angiosperms that it superficially resembles. Convergent evolution fascinates me. Some species have been proposed to have been the first plants to be insect-pollinated as their fossils occur in association with extinct pollinating scorpionflies. How awesome is that? I've been waiting for a while to get a decent photograph of these male strobilii. Think gymnosperm "flowers". I've photographed the female strobilii but to me they are visually less interesting. This is about as good as it gets for a geek like me. If only it ate bugs :-(.

[paleoplant]

Male cones of Gnetum, using the new microscope to see the pollen sacs up close #plantlove #gnetum #gnetophyta #gymnosperm #botany #plantsrule #microscope (at New York Botanical Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByssZvagwBh/?igshid=17b3z7fndjmnx

[paleoplant]

Many thanks to @orchidmarc for the Gnetum specimens! A gymnosperm that poses as an angiosperm. Male and female cones with some seeds to boot 🤓🤩🤗 #plantlove #gnetum #gnetophyta #gymnosperm #botany #plantsrule (at New York Botanical Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxlB7q6F40i/?igshid=s87qvzwr1qdw

[mohandoshi]

Gnetum gnemon: Gnetaceae

Gnetum gnemon is an evergreen tree native to southeastern Asia and the western Pacific Islands. It grows from tropical lowland forests to lower montane forests, ranging in elevation from near sea level to 1700 meters. It prefers well-drained sites in areas that receive about 3000 to 5000mm of mean annual rainfall.

Gnetum gnemon, commonly called melinjo, is used extensively in cuisine.

1.      In Malaysian-Indonesian cuisine the young leaves, strobili, and young and ripe fruit are used in cooked dishes. The seeds are consumed raw, boiled, roasted, or processed by pounding the kernels into cakes or crackers.

2.      In Malaysia it is common to see young leaves and shoots in seafood dishes.

3.      In Vanuatu, the leaves and male strobili are boiled and flavoured with coconut cream.

4.      In Fiji, young leaves are cooked in coconut milk and the fruits are also consumed.

5.      In the Philippines, you will find the fruits used as a substitute for coffee.

6.      In Papua-New Guinea, the leaves and young cones accompany meat and are often served with a sauce made from the red pulp of Pandanus conoideus.

Gnetum gnemon also has medicinal and practical uses.

Ø The sap has been used in traditional medicine to treat eye complications.

Ø The timber from the wood is utilized for beams for houses, tool handles, and box-making.

Ø The wood may also be made into paper or used for fuel.

Ø In Papua-New Guinea, the bast fibres (phloem fibre) under the outer bark are sometimes used for making cordage for string bags, bowstrings on musical instruments and fishing lines.