From the archive
In 1841, a 12-year-old enslaved boy named Edmond Albius on the island of Réunion invented a practical way to hand-pollinate the vanilla orchid, which until then could only be pollinated by certain bees.
Source: Smithsonian Gardens, Orchid Innovation: The Vanilla Orchid
Today’s design
PH Artichoke
Seventy-two leaves in twelve rows — no matter where you stand, no bulb is visible.
See the real PH Artichoke →A new fact every morning.Saturday, 5 September 2026