The Fastest Flower in the Forest

Matthew 6:28
“And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin…”

The peace and serenity of North America’s spruce forests is occasionally broken by little other than the rustle of a deer passing by. At least that’s what most people think. In truth, there are things going on which would cause us profound wonder.

The bunchberry dogwood flower stands only about one-tenth of an inch tall. Scientists knew that the flowers opened explosively. The flowers do this to propel their pollen further. The scientists decided to find out precisely how fast the flowers really opened. So they decided to tape a flower opening with a high speed camera that is capable of taking 1,000 pictures a second. But the camera proved to be too slow. It was only with a camera that takes 10,000 pictures a second that they could clearly see what was going on. They saw that the petals opened, and in a separate action, the stamens unfold so fast that they catapult pollen into the air. All of this happens in four tenths of a thousandth of a second. That’s more than a hundred times faster than a chameleon’s tongue captures lunch. The stamens unfold so fast that they subject the pollen to 2,400 times the force of gravity.

There are no limits to the wonders God can conceive and create. His greatest wonder is His mercy which resulted in forgiveness and salvation.

Prayer: Father, Your wonders are generously spread about the creation. Thank You for the wonder they inspire. Amen.

Author: Paul A. Bartz

Ref: Creation, 3-5/09, pp. 32-34, David Catchpoole, “Bunchberry Bang!” Photo: Bunchberry Dogwood Flowers (PD)