Re: the question of how the seed is dispersed, some things are poisonous to humans but not to birds. Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is one plant which comes to mind. The roots, stems, and berries are poisonous to humans, yet birds carboload on them before migrating. At least, that's what I've concluded after years of observation. I can't believe they eat the berries then die; natural selection would have stopped that behavior long ago. I would have noticed a sudden die-off of robins and catbirds, too, but all I notice is the vivid purple droppings. Nice...
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2011-05-14 07:40 pm (UTC)Re: the question of how the seed is dispersed, some things are poisonous to humans but not to birds. Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is one plant which comes to mind. The roots, stems, and berries are poisonous to humans, yet birds carboload on them before migrating. At least, that's what I've concluded after years of observation. I can't believe they eat the berries then die; natural selection would have stopped that behavior long ago. I would have noticed a sudden die-off of robins and catbirds, too, but all I notice is the vivid purple droppings. Nice...