Not all dead; some just interesting natural items. The butterfly we've seen before; the beetle will be covered in a later post. The acorn was just there and very pretty.
The root I found (already detached from its plant or tree) on the Appalachian Trail. I forget where I found the nuts, and I don't know what kind of nut they are.
No idea what tree or plant this is from, but I love it. It's beautiful! I brought home all the items in this post, except the beetle, who was not dead. Yet. But possibly is now.
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That last item is a seed cone(pod?) from a Magnolia tree. When it dropped from the tree, the holes were filled with bright red, oddly soft, bean-like seeds. If you try to pull the seeds out before they're ready, a strange silky string pulls out from the seed, keeping the seed attached it to the cone. (When the seeds are ready they dry and fall out on their own.) Love the Magnolia. Not crazy about raking the huge leaves and cones when fall comes.
More from Miz Research-Mad:
The fruit of the magnolia looks like a cone. Is it actually a cone or what is it?
Although it may look like a cone, it is actually an aggregate fruit that is woody. This flowering structure has changed little over millions of years. As the fruit matures, scale-like areas on it split apart and the seeds, covered in a red fleshy aril, are exposed.
Do birds like to eat the seed of magnolias?
Yes, songbirds especially like the seed. The seed of a magnolia is surrounded by a brightly colored fleshy aril that is high in fat. This provides migrating birds with a good source of energy as they migrate to the south. Evergreen species of magnolia also provide shelter for birds and wildlife that stay for the winter.
Last one, I promise. I learned something today thanks to you!
http://home.att.net/~velvet-hammer/evolution.html
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