The science of succulents

[RachelTurner]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently doing a health sciences degree with the Open University, and I've been taking part in an "online summer school" over the last few weeks which is completely optional, during which we've been investigating how to tell how long Kombucha's been fermenting for, silver nanoparticles and their use as antimicrobials, and how the calorific value of different foodstuffs is calculated. The final part of the summer school is producing a poster (the kind of poster with 'infographics' such as these) on any aspect of science we want.

I've decided to do mine on 'The science of succulents', and my question is, what would you expect to see/like information about on such a poster? The list of things to include that I've got so far is:
- where in the world they're found
- how they store water
- how they purify air/CAM
- why they often change colour in strong sunlight
- what scientists can learn from succulents.

I should make it clear that I'm not asking you to do my homework for me - the ones I've listed above are things I already know about/have identified sources of information on. I was just wondering what you'd expect to see on such a poster, though any fabulous cactus/succulent facts you think the wider world should be aware of would also be appreciated.

I will of course share the results of my endeavours with you all.

Thanks,

[Colin Walker]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently doing a health sciences degree with the Open University, and I've been taking part in an "online summer school" over the last few weeks which is completely optional, during which we've been investigating how to tell how long Kombucha's been fermenting for, silver nanoparticles and their use as antimicrobials, and how the calorific value of different foodstuffs is calculated. The final part of the summer school is producing a poster (the kind of poster with 'infographics' such as these) on any aspect of science we want.

I've decided to do mine on 'The science of succulents', and my question is, what would you expect to see/like information about on such a poster? The list of things to include that I've got so far is:
- where in the world they're found
- how they store water
- how they purify air/CAM
- why they often change colour in strong sunlight
- what scientists can learn from succulents.

I should make it clear that I'm not asking you to do my homework for me - the ones I've listed above are things I already know about/have identified sources of information on. I was just wondering what you'd expect to see on such a poster, though any fabulous cactus/succulent facts you think the wider world should be aware of would also be appreciated.

I will of course share the results of my endeavours with you all.

Thanks,

Hi Rachel,

I'm delighted to hear that you're an OU student. Before retirement I was an OU lecturer and spent many summers as a Course/Module Director at summer schools at the University of Nottingham.

So first off, good luck with your studies.

Since you're studying Health Sciences rather than Natural Science, I strongly recommend a health slant so here are a few pointers:
- Certainly you must explain what succulents are and how they differ from all other plants.
- One of my own research interests is aloes, so you could certainly include Aloe vera since this is THE most famous succulent with medicinal uses and it's also the basis of a multi-billion dollar cosmetic and toiletry industry. There are centuries of history of its use as a herbal remedy.
- Other succulents also appear in the early printed herbals such as sedums, aeoniums, etc.
- Agaves are used for the production of various alcoholic beverages, notably Tequila.
- The cactus Lophophora williamsii is famous/infamous as the source of the psychoactive drug peyote. You could do a poster just on this plant alone.

How's that for starters?

[MikeT]

How's that for starters?

For the next course, you could try Dioscorea elephantipes; this has been used as food (but needs some sort of processing to remove toxins) and also as a source of steroid precursors for the pharmaceutical industry.

[ralphrmartin]

Hoodia was a fad for a slimming aid for a while, too, as it contains an appetite suppressant, but also has side effects.

[Colin Walker]

Hoodia was a fad for a slimming aid for a while, too, as it contains an appetite suppressant, but also has side effects.

FYI Ralph, Pfizer's interest here disappeared pretty quickly although they applied for the patent of a protein (P57). There are also all sorts of ethical issues here me thinks.

[Paul in Essex]

The genus Agave could keep you in projects for a while, being used for drink, food, fibre, medicine etc.

The Agave Pages, written by my pal Jan Kolendo, has some beautifully reseached material as to the ethnobotany.
Click on articles:
http://www.agavepages.co.uk/

[Colin Walker]

How's that for starters?

For the next course, you could try Dioscorea elephantipes; this has been used as food (but needs some sort of processing to remove toxins) and also as a source of steroid precursors for the pharmaceutical industry.

Mike, great point. I completely overlooked this aspect. Plant source of sex hormones is a catchy, sexy topic.

But correction: I don't think D. elephantipes is the sp. of interest here, but instead other Dioscorea spp. I'd need to check on this because this genus isn't top of my Master Mind specialist subjects.

[habanerocat]

This book is a wealth of knowledge on such topics if you can find a copy.

Clipboard01.jpg (27.55 KiB) Viewed 359 times

[Tina]

wasn't dioscorea used by chemists for cortisone ? or a bimbo moment

[Colin Walker]

wasn't dioscorea used by chemists for cortisone ? or a bimbo moment

OK, I've just done a quick check and this is what I've come up with: Dioscoreas produce diosgenin in significant amounts (up to 15% dry weight in some species) which is used as a starting compound for the manufacture of cortisone and other corticosteroids.

I don't think that D. elephantipes the well-known elephant's foot, is a significant source though since the drug comes more from your average yam.

They're also a source of sex hormones and have been use in the production of oral contraceptives.

So guys, I think we're all right.