9/16/08

[wispfox]

there are animals that look like plants; are there plants that look like animals?

Comments

[kightp.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! Tidepools are full of plants that look like animals (and animals that look like plants), and IIRC, so are some deserts.

Not to mention the bee orchid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophrys_apifera) ...

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was thinking of sponges with the animals that look like plants thing; what plants look like animals in tidepools?

I should probably have noted that I meant the entire organism, not just parts of it (lots of flowers look like insects, for example, to encourage pollination). But that still counts, since it's just _neat_. :)

[kightp.livejournal.com]

I can't recall the species off the top of my head, and my Google-fu is failing...Sea anemones (animal) look very much like another tidepool denizen (plant) - but which "looks like" the other?

Try googling "animals that look like plants"?

[ratatosk.livejournal.com]

My bet is that biologists have reclassified most tidepool organisms out of the plant kingdom by now, in the same way Pluto is not a planet. It gives them excuses to go to conferences where they can go to parties and hit on other biologists. Then they get drunk and reclassify everything.

[ratatosk.livejournal.com]

Disclaimer: My version of reality might not be widely shared.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

*laughing* Pluto is not a plant!

Or something. :)

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

but which "looks like" the other?

Aaaaah, I see. Interesting point. :)

Plants/animals

[staircasewriter.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I try not to speak ill my any of my ex's!
C

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

Well, there are plants that look like animals that look like plants. Does that count?

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

Dude. Now I want pictures. :)

Here's one...

[ratatosk.livejournal.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_orchid

Re: Here's one...

[ratatosk.livejournal.com]

More:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophrys_insectifera

And... I found the search term you want

[ratatosk.livejournal.com]

Pseudocopulation. I'm not kidding. :P

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudocopulation

Re: And... I found the search term you want

[ratatosk.livejournal.com]

When discussing flowers specifically, another term is "Pouyannian mimicry".

[corivax.livejournal.com]

Only tangentially related, but if you haven't seen stuff about the mimic octopus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8oQBYw6xxc&feature=related), you really should. That is a video with sound, so may not be worksafe.

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

That is _really_ _cool_. Thank you!

[leiacat.livejournal.com]

Are you familiar with How To Tell The Birds From The Flowers (http://www.geocities.com/vienna/2406/rww/contents.html)?

[wispfox.livejournal.com]

I am not! And now I am very amused. :)