February 7, 2018

Peeling ice from a leaf.

7 comments:

Big Mike said...

My sidewalks could use your attention next!

Rick.T. said...

That's interesting. Somewhere quite a bit far south of you judging from the shrub. Not quite the same but just as interesting, I usually see "frost flowers" a time or two a winter near the side of the road as I'm out driving in the country.

Coincidentally enough, pretty close to the site of this video of them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBnXHgAyaVg

Mrs Whatsit said...

That caused me to exclaim out loud, "Oh! That's amazing!" Fortunately I'm working at home today due to a big snowstorm, so nobody heard me. Anyway, how surprising and beautiful.

paminwi said...

Pretty amazing.

JohnAnnArbor said...

Leaf looks tropical.

Rockport Conservative said...

Looks like a schefflera to me. It won't be pretty when it thaws.

Rick.T. said...

“Looks like a schefflera to me. It won't be pretty when it thaws.”

My guess as well. Actually the thin coating of ice can protect the leaf for reasons a bit complex. It’s why they spray orange trees down in Florida when they expect a freeze. Some schefflera can take below freezing temps as long as it’s not too long.

Broad leaf evergreen plants don’t do well much north of the Ohio River as much for the frozen ground as the air temperature. The leaves transpire too much and the plant can’t take up more water to replace that which is lost. This is why all the evergreens up North have needles - to reduce surface area and limit water loss during the winter.