A Darwinian look at N.C. plant life

N.C. Botanical Garden celebrates the scientist's legendary curiosity

CHAPEL HILL -- Many people don't associate Charles Darwin with plants. But Darwin's interest in how plants adapt contributed to his theory of evolution, said William Kimler, associate professor of history at N.C. State University.

As part of "Darwin Day," an international celebration of the naturalist's life and discoveries, Kimler spoke at the N.C. Botanical Garden on Tuesday night.

Celebrated on Darwin's birthday, Feb. 12, Darwin Day recognizes the accomplishments of the man who first defined biological evolution in terms of natural selection. The theory, which says species that change with their environment have a better chance of surviving and reproducing, remains controversial nearly 150 years after the publication of his groundbreaking "On the Origin of Species" in 1859.

Darwin did not claim to be a botanist; he was a scientist who noticed changes in the plants and animals around him and sought answers using his own experiments and observations, Kimler said.

"Darwin couldn't stay away from the curiosity of it all," he said.

Darwin continuously questioned how plants move, where they get the ability to climb and how their parts evolve. He fashioned his own tests to find out how the plants on the Galapagos Islands got there and tested his own hypothesis of their possible transportation methods, such as by the sea or by birds, Kimler said.

Darwin's work with plants helped support his claim that through natural selection, the parts of a species essential to its survival will adapt to the environment in which the species lives.

Johnny Randall, assistant director for conservation at the Botanical Garden, showed visitors on a tour Tuesday how local plants have adapted to their environment.

The tour started at the Totten Center, continued through the Piedmont habitat garden and ended at the carnivorous plant collection.

Randall explained how the longleaf pine has adapted to fire by having flame-resistant bark and by spreading its seeds over a long range after a fire in order to produce the most possible offspring. The carnivorous Venus' flytrap has adapted to its nutrient-poor habitat by feeding on insects rich in minerals and nitrogen, he said.

People can visit the Botanical Garden weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. The garden, located off U.S. 15-501 in Chapel Hill, will be open until 6 p.m. on weekends during daylight-saving time.

This year marks the celebration of the 199th birthday of Charles Darwin.

"Next year's the party," Kimler said.