celina-abowu's Journal

For my observation on the lemon grass, I saw this organism in the front of the house. Initially, I could not decide what plant it was. I initially assumed lemon grass but I had other interesting suggestions to work with, and expert feedback that led me to eventually concluded it is most likely a hybrid plant. I did not have many challenges observing this plant. My major struggle was obtaining clear professional photos.
My biggest challenge during this experiment in general was actually learning to take professional photos; that were clear and could properly show my observations. Eventually I got a hang of it. Personally one thing I like about this plant is though it is quite small, it adds to the beauty of the front yard. I may be the only one who think so- the last time I showed my aunt a photo to assist me decide on the specie name she called it weed. I laughed so hard. Although it may seem like weed to some, I definitely think waking up every morning to a small beautiful plant sitting in the front yard- adds to that fresh morning feel. The taxonomy of this plant is listed below:
Plants Kingdom Plantae
Vascular Plants Phylum Tracheophyta
Flowering Plants Subphylum Angiospermae
Monocots Class Liliopsida
Grasses, Sedges, Cattails, and Allies Order Poales
Grasses Family Poaceae
Subfamily Panicoideae
Tribe Andropogoneae
Subtribe Anthistiriinae
Genus Cymbopogon
Lemon Grass Cymbopogon citratus

My second observation was the Tigrosa Annexa spider. For this observation, I had to carefully stand closest I could to the organism to avoid getting discovered. The organism was moving across the dining corners at night. I tried as best I could to take clear photos using my flash and zoom options on my phone. As soon as I the light hit the organism the organism stopped moving and remained in one position. I assumed this was a response to the sudden change perceived as imminent danger. I was intrigued by the body cover of this specie (considering I had never seen a spider up close). It had beautiful black markings on its back. This organism is extremely quiet, moves swiftly and is barely seen. Evidence of physical presence may be from the presence of spider eggs which I recently just saw, webbing or physical view. It is not easily spotted owing to its body size. Below is the taxonomy for this organism. Personally, I do not like spiders. I am a bit content the organism is difficult to identify.
Animals Kingdom Animalia
Arthropods Phylum Arthropoda
Chelicerates Subphylum Chelicerata
Arachnids Class Arachnida
Spiders Order Araneae
Typical Spiders Suborder Araneomorphae
Entelegyne Spiders Infraorder Entelegynae
Wolf Spiders and Allies Superfamily Lycosoidea
Wolf Spiders Family Lycosidae
Subfamily Lycosinae
Genus Tigrosa
Tigrosa annexa

The periodical cicadas are another very exciting specie. These organisms do not appear until a 13-17 year period. The cicadas in my direct environment had round, red slightly bulging eyes. Their motion is swift and loud, wings leathery and clear. I had never seen the periodical cicadas before this year and remember wondering what they were. I was out in the sun taking photos when one flew so loudly by me and made me jump up in fear. I followed it and saw it rest on grass. I took my phone and carefully recorded it's motion on the grass. It was not challenging to record as organism stood clear in the day light. Although the organism flew swiftly, its motion on the grass was observable and I could see its distinct external features. Aside being absolutely everywhere almost like a locust invasion, the periodical cicadas were extremely loud with their buzz. Coming home every afternoon it sounded like there was a cicada music festival coming from the woods behind the house. It was extremely loud and rhythmic; not loud enough to interrupt an afternoon nap but loud that one can follow the sound tapping feet.
Taxonomy
Animals Kingdom Animalia
Arthropods Phylum Arthropoda
Hexapods Subphylum Hexapoda
Insects Class Insecta
Winged and Once-winged Insects Subclass Pterygota
True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies Order Hemiptera
True Hoppers Suborder Auchenorrhyncha
Spittlebugs, Cicadas, Leafhoppers and Treehoppers Infraorder Cicadomorpha
Cicadas Superfamily Cicadoidea
Typical Cicadas Family Cicadidae
Largeclasper Cicadas Subfamily Cicadettinae
Widehead Cicadas Tribe Lamotialnini
Periodical Cicadas Genus Magicicada.

The next observation I will be discussing is the mushroom, Agaric bisporus. This mushroom was found in the refrigerator of my home. It was a newly purchased packet of edible mushroom from the grocery store. I easily took photos of this but was intrigued by the sliced form; there appeared to some cilia like black structures on the left piece of mushroom in the packet. I kept wondering what that was and comparing the image to a photo of a mushroom I had seen in the text book. There seemed to be no real similarity but again, there are different species of the same organism. This mushroom was used by my adopted sister to make casserole, oh my! I absolutely loved it. Before that day, I was reluctant to try mushrooms in a dish and often refused soups my mom made back in Nigeria. I did not realize there were mushrooms in the casserole when I started eating it and when I did, it was too late to turn back. I absolutely think mushrooms are delicious in food.
Kingdom Fungi (Fungi Including Lichens)
Fungi Phylum Basidiomycota (Basidiomycete Fungi )
Higher Basidiomycetes Subphylum Agaricomycotina
Class Agaricomycetes
Subclass Agaricomycetidae
Common Gilled Mushrooms and Allies Order Agaricales
Suborder Agaricineae
Field Mushrooms and Allies Family Agaricaceae
Field and Button Mushrooms Genus Agaricus
Agaricus Subg. Pseudochitonius Subgenus Pseudochitonia
Agaricus Sect. Bivelares Section Bivelares
White Button Mushroom Agaricus bisporus

Genus Rosa is my final discussion in this journal post. It is a hybrid plant (as advised by an expert) so I was unable to get down to the specie. For this observation, I was drawn to use this plant because it was colorful and the only pink plant within the yard. I stared closely wondering what plant it was; it was difficult to tell because my plant way dying and the edge turned brown. This plant did not have a fragrance, but still attracted bees, wasps and several other insects. In the first week of this class we had an online assignment where we had to identify arthropods. I saw a good number of arthropods I learned about on this plant. From bees to wasps to bug. It was a very interesting time watching the insects perch and fly or sometimes rest on longer periods.

Plants Kingdom Plantae
Vascular Plants Phylum Tracheophyta
Flowering Plants Subphylum Angiospermae
Dicots Class Magnoliopsida
Roses, Elms, Figs, and Allies Order Rosales
Rose Family Family Rosaceae
Subfamily Rosoideae
Tribe Roseae
Roses Genus Rosa

For this observation, I saw this organism in the front of the house. Initially, I could not decide what plant it was exactly. I had assumed lemon grass but I had many other interesting suggestions to work with.

My biggest challenge was learning how to take professional photos that were clear and could properly show my observations. Eventually I got a hang of it and took clear photos.