Getting Spatial with Plant Biology
In this first part, I’ll explore a basic example of what supplementing educational websites could look like using only the web. 🌸
Additional content can be part of standard websites like this!
Later I hope to add more interactivity to the example. I’m exploring ways we can achieve this with the advice of Colin Keenan, Experimental Learning Services Librarian at NC State University Libraries and plant biologist.
We can explore more interactions and cross-device compatibility in part two. Model provided by NC State VRPlants Makers Pack
Demo
Lily (Lilium) Profile
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Liliales
Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Lilium
Lilies are perennial herbaceous flowering plants that are known for their large, showy, and often fragrant flowers. They grow from bulbs and can be found in various colors including white, yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple.
Morphology:
Bulb: Lilies grow from a scaly bulb which serves as an underground storage organ. Stem: The stem is erect, leafy, and can range from short to tall, depending on the species. Leaves: Leaves are spirally arranged, linear to lanceolate in shape, and have smooth edges. Flowers: The flowers are large, often fragrant, and come in a trumpet, bowl, or bell shape. They typically have six petal-like tepals and six stamens. Fruit: After pollination, lilies produce a capsule or sometimes a berry-like fruit containing numerous seeds.
Reproduction: Lilies reproduce both sexually through seed production and asexually through bulb division. The flowers are often pollinated by insects, especially bees and butterflies.
Habitat and Distribution: Lilies are native to temperate areas in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in Asia, Europe, and North America. They prefer well-drained soils and can be found in meadows, woodlands, and grasslands.
Cultural Significance: Lilies have been cultivated for thousands of years for their ornamental value. They are popular in gardens and as cut flowers. In various cultures, lilies symbolize purity, renewal, and transience.
Ecological Role: Lilies serve as a food source for various herbivores, including deer and rabbits. Their flowers provide nectar for pollinators, and the seeds are consumed by birds and small mammals.
Conservation Status: While many lily species are common and widespread, some are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, over-collection, and other human-induced factors.
Interesting Fact: The Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum) is one of the oldest cultivated lilies and has been associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian iconography.