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Why do iceberg lettuces last so much longer than other vegetables? Of all the vegetables I buy, whole iceberg lettuces have the greatest longevity. They are edible up to three weeks after their "best before" date. Other vegetables succumb sooner. Why does it last so long compared with, say, tomatoes, broccoli or radishes? Finn de Boer, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Editorial status: In magazine. (no votes) There are 10 answer(s) for this question. View answers \| Submit an answer

Asked by Moderator
on 2010-02-03 11:26:47

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Categories: Domestic Science, Plants, Unanswered.

Tags: Food, vegetable, bestbefore, iceberglettuce, lettuce.

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What makes water turn red when it comes into contact with a mushroom? I was watering my plants and some of the water spilled onto a mushroom that was growing in the pot. The water turned red shortly after making contact with the mushroom. What caused this?
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Asked by vjhendrickx
on 2010-01-28 21:35:47

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Categories: Plants.

Tags: water, red, mushroom, fungus, reactions.

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Can 'Molten Wood' be obtained? I am aware that, upon heating wood would normally combust, however if it were heated in, say a vacuum, would it melt? Is it possible?
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Asked by aldridge
on 2010-01-27 13:30:35

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Last edited on: 2010-01-27 13:31:04

Categories: Plants.

Tags: Wood, Naturallife, Molten.

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Does Padina gymnospora, a species of brown algae, exhibit thigmonasty, like plants? I touched a young specimen of Padina gymnospora and its'wings' folded up, presumably to protect itself from predation.What is the mechanism behind this action?
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Asked by sgeeves
on 2010-01-06 09:54:44

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Categories: Plants.

Tags: plants, algae.

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Does Padina gymnospora, a species of brown algae exhibit thigmonasty? I saw a young specimen of Padina gymnospora fold its 'wings' when I touched it. Is this thigmonasty, as in plants?
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Asked by sgeeves
on 2010-01-05 09:17:17

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Categories: Plants.

Tags: plants, algae.

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Why does the stone of an avocado vary so much in size, regardless of the size of the fruit?
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Asked by paf.48
on 2010-01-03 16:38:54

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Categories: Plants.

Tags: avocado.

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Why do trees and shrubs not reject grafts from other individuals?
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Asked by kincaid
on 2009-12-06 00:05:22

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Categories: Plants.

Tags: plants.

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From an evolutionary point of view; why do humans find the scent of flowers appealing?
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Asked by blaahh
on 2009-11-22 05:43:55

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Categories: Plants.

Tags: evolution.

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Silly snails - why would they do this? We found huge numbers of snails on two trees close together by the side of the road on a recent holiday to the South of France. Grouping together in such a large and visible way seems like a crazy idea for an animal that must be prey - so why would snails be displaying this sort of behaviour?
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Asked by Robert_myGengo
on 2009-11-21 14:14:35

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Last edited on: 2009-11-21 14:15:18

Categories: Animals, Plants.

Tags: snails.

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Are any human or animal diseases caused by plants? People can be infected by bacteria, viruses, fungi and animal parasites, but are any human or animal diseases caused by plants? Is it possible to suffer a moss infection, come down with a bad case of the ferns, or contract wisteria? If not, why have no plants taken advantage of us in this way? Bevan Tattersfield, London, UK
Editorial status: In magazine. (no votes) There are 12 answer(s) for this question. View answers \| Submit an answer

Asked by Moderator
on 2009-11-11 12:15:22