Tag Archives: pikespines

Pikes/Pines | Marcescence: Why some Capitol Hill trees hold onto their leaves until winter’s bitter end (and maybe why you are completely justified in holding onto your favorite old jacket)

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(Illustration: CHS)

It seems that most people cannot help but plant trees whenever they have an opportunity. Over years, the settlers of Capitol Hill have cut down and replaced countless trees — native old growth firs and hemlocks turned to introduced oaks, ashes, elms, and maples. These new residents are mostly deciduous — but have you ever noticed that not every one of them drops their leaves?

They say nature abhors a vacuum. The typical understanding of this is that if there’s an opportunity to be had, some species will jump in and give it a try. Another similar way of thinking of this is that if there’s an adaptation to be had, some species might give it a go. Sometimes we might not know exactly why something is the way it is, but boy, do we like to equivocate when we aren’t quite sure. In this case, the focus of our equivocation are trees that demonstrate marcescence.

The root of this word tells a tale (as most words do if we bother to follow their trail) — marcere, is a latin word that refers to something drooping or withering. This is quite descriptive of a desiccated brown oak leaf still hanging on the tree that grew it, months after others have been shed, attached but no longer alive.

A tree demonstrating marcescence keeps some, or all of its leaves attached throughout the winter. Continue reading →

Pikes/Pines | Like rainwater off a duck’s back — Your Capitol Hill neighbor the Mallard might be common but still has some stories to tell: colorful attire, rough sex, and ladies with powerful voices

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A female Mallard speculum. (Image: Brendan McGarry)

“Just Mallards.”

That’s a phrase I’ve uttered far more than I probably know and certainly too often. Mallards, Anas platyrhynchos (literally “duck with a broad bill”), the most widespread and abundant duck in North America, don’t generally elicit excitement.

Even on the Hill, where there are few ponds, I doubt most of us would be surprised by a few Mallards paddling around Waterworks at Cal Anderson.

Of course, I wouldn’t bring them up if they weren’t worth considering. (Then again, what species isn’t?) Being one of the most common ducks in the world, they are immediately recognizable. So much so that we often overlook them while simultaneously celebrating them with the likes of Donald and Daffy Duck who are both undoubtedly of Mallard stock. How many people reading this went to the University of Oregon but can’t share much of note about Mallards?

One of my favorite things about Mallards are their links to human history.

As a wild species, Mallards have probably been food for humans as long as our species has shared their space. Their domestication dates to at least 4,000 years ago in Asia and the ease with which wild Mallards accept our presence and handouts it’s not hard to imagine how this relationship started. Ducks are not raised for eggs or meat in the US on the level that chickens are, but they are still raised widely and billions are eaten every year across the globe. Though I am less enamored with the way ducks are commercially raised enmasse, I do find their connections to human development and culture compelling. Practically all domestic ducks, aside from Muscovy Ducks, were bred from Mallards.

Domestic ducks that come from Mallard stock. Some even look almost like a “wild type” mallard. (Image: Brendan McGarry)

Like many domestic species, domestic ducks have been the focus of breeding efforts which have brought out favorable colors, different sizes, and morphological surprises that have happened while seeking out other desirable traits. Continue reading →