Snap, crackle and pop

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Snap, crackle and pop

by EllieGant @ 09/08/2009 – 19:54:23

We had our lunch outside this weekend, sitting comfortably on the patio . And it was unusually peaceful except for some crackling and popping sounds in the border. We assumed it was the blackbird scrabbling around - not that I've seen any birds in the garden for weeks. But the noise carried on, so I got up to investigate.

Ker-pow! Another pop and something flew towards me. Eh? A blackbird hurling soil at us? Ker-ping! Another pop and another missile. Then a whole series of popping and ker-pinging.

Eventually I saw what it was. A small round black seed from a Euphorbia mellifera bush. So we picked some of the seedcases and put them in a bowl with a clear plastic lid over it. And, as the temperature rose, they all exploded like popcorn.

They did the same today, but only when the temperature rose to a certain level.

Never known it before. Climate change, anyone?
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Tags:
- gardening
- seeds

13 Comments to Snap, crackle and pop

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- Bushka ^Pro
- Bushka
- 09/08/2009 @ 19:58:51
Natural dispersal of seeds..Luv! Some can shoot quite far! xx
- - EllieGant
  - 10/08/2009 @ 16:01:24
  I've never know a Euphorbia spread so many seeds though! Maybe it has just reached maturity. x
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- xmillyxxx ^Pro
- 09/08/2009 @ 20:22:46
Sorry..You lost me there! I had to google most of that x
- - EllieGant
  - 10/08/2009 @ 16:02:23
  Sorry! I never can remember the ordinary names of plants. I think it might be called Honey Splurge but I'm not sure. I could just have made that up!
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- QueeneMab
- 09/08/2009 @ 20:34:22
Wow, sounds a bit dangerous.

X
- - EllieGant
  - 10/08/2009 @ 16:03:17
  It was like being attacked by someone with a peashooter - or how I imagine a peashooter attack to feel like! x
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- miramaze
- 09/08/2009 @ 21:07:47
Wow !!!

I shall google Euphorbia mellifera

meanwhile stay out of firing range

XX
- - EllieGant
  - 10/08/2009 @ 16:04:12
  I don't know it's common name but it is a large euphorbia and the flowers smell of honey - it's really attractive. Did't know it produced seeds though. x
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- brokendownangel ^Pro
- 09/08/2009 @ 21:43:26
I would stay indoors under cover until all the seeds have popped for fear of losing an eye
- - EllieGant
  - 10/08/2009 @ 16:04:52
  Yes, I was getting a bit worried about the idea of having to extract one from someone's nose! x
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- pompeycaulkhead
- 10/08/2009 @ 20:47:30
Euphorbia mellifera??????? I thought he played for AC Milan!!!!!!!!!
- - EllieGant
  - 11/08/2009 @ 15:59:43
  He certainly has a lethal aim!
  - - pompeycaulkhead
    - 12/08/2009 @ 13:55:18
    No doubt Real Madrid are offering £80 million for his services as we speak then!!!!!!!!!!
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