<strong>Bofiyu (Esenbeckia cornuta) </strong>-- This endangered species from the citrus family is now restricted to a small area of dry forest in northern Peru, which is under further threat from overgrazing. It is one of 100 seeds and fruits that were specially selected from the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden's herbarium by photographer Levon Biss, in collaboration with the institution's botanists -- to bring attention to the wonders of these tiny natural marvels.
Bofiyu (Esenbeckia cornuta) -- This endangered species from the citrus family is now restricted to a small area of dry forest in northern Peru, which is under further threat from overgrazing. It is one of 100 seeds and fruits that were specially selected from the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden's herbarium by photographer Levon Biss, in collaboration with the institution's botanists -- to bring attention to the wonders of these tiny natural marvels.
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Abrus precatorius (Rosary pea) </strong>-- The seeds of the rosary pea are used as decoration in necklaces and as beads in percussion instruments, but they are highly toxic and eating only one can kill an adult -- something that the plant visually communicates with its edgy looks.
Abrus precatorius (Rosary pea) -- The seeds of the rosary pea are used as decoration in necklaces and as beads in percussion instruments, but they are highly toxic and eating only one can kill an adult -- something that the plant visually communicates with its edgy looks.
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica)</strong> -- The coco de mer, also known as double coconut or sea coconut, is a palm native to the Seychelles that produces the world's largest seed. Traded for centuries for its exotic looks and qualities, it is now highly endangered, with just over 8,000 adult palms left in the wild.
Coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica) -- The coco de mer, also known as double coconut or sea coconut, is a palm native to the Seychelles that produces the world's largest seed. Traded for centuries for its exotic looks and qualities, it is now highly endangered, with just over 8,000 adult palms left in the wild.
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman's pipe) </strong>-- The Aristolochia genus of plants includes over 500 species that live all over the world. This particular seed is one of photographer Levon Biss' favorite subjects from the exhibition: "It is a clear illustration of how nature has evolved to create adaptations that are purely functional; you can clearly see how it's made for flight and wind dispersal, and it's a beautiful object," he says.
Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman's pipe) -- The Aristolochia genus of plants includes over 500 species that live all over the world. This particular seed is one of photographer Levon Biss' favorite subjects from the exhibition: "It is a clear illustration of how nature has evolved to create adaptations that are purely functional; you can clearly see how it's made for flight and wind dispersal, and it's a beautiful object," he says.
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Luffa sepium (Sponge gourd) </strong>-- Native to South America, this plant produces small fruits, and this specimen shows a dried-up interior. "What I'm trying to do with my work is show things to the public that are invisible to the eye, and I think it's is quite incredible to actually see inside the fruit itself," says Biss.
Luffa sepium (Sponge gourd) -- Native to South America, this plant produces small fruits, and this specimen shows a dried-up interior. "What I'm trying to do with my work is show things to the public that are invisible to the eye, and I think it's is quite incredible to actually see inside the fruit itself," says Biss.
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Pterocymbium tinctorium (Melembu) </strong>-- This large tree (which can grow up to 160 feet in height) and the shape of the fruit has given it its scientific name, Pterocymbium, meaning "winged boot" in Greek. "Another one of my favorites, and a good example of a specimen that gives you options to play with light," the photographer says. "If you looked at it at in real life, it wouldn't look like that, but I'm playing with light to make the viewer see things they wouldn't normally see."
Pterocymbium tinctorium (Melembu) -- This large tree (which can grow up to 160 feet in height) and the shape of the fruit has given it its scientific name, Pterocymbium, meaning "winged boot" in Greek. "Another one of my favorites, and a good example of a specimen that gives you options to play with light," the photographer says. "If you looked at it at in real life, it wouldn't look like that, but I'm playing with light to make the viewer see things they wouldn't normally see."
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Pyrus pashia (Himalayan pear) </strong>-- This close relative to the common pear can be found throughout the Himalayas. "This a dried fruit and I think one of its nicest features is that it's slightly wrinkled and crumbled," explains Biss. "We live in a digital world where everything's quite clinical, and when I see these very soft, subtle textures and patterns, I find them quite appealing. This particular specimen has beautiful earthy tones, and the actual fruit itself is visually quite arresting."
Pyrus pashia (Himalayan pear) -- This close relative to the common pear can be found throughout the Himalayas. "This a dried fruit and I think one of its nicest features is that it's slightly wrinkled and crumbled," explains Biss. "We live in a digital world where everything's quite clinical, and when I see these very soft, subtle textures and patterns, I find them quite appealing. This particular specimen has beautiful earthy tones, and the actual fruit itself is visually quite arresting."
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Shorea fallax (Seraya Duan Kasar) </strong>-- This seed comes from a species endemic to the island of Borneo, whose trees can grow to a height of 200 feet, towering above the forest. The wings work like helicopter blades and use the wind to disperse the seeds.
Shorea fallax (Seraya Duan Kasar) -- This seed comes from a species endemic to the island of Borneo, whose trees can grow to a height of 200 feet, towering above the forest. The wings work like helicopter blades and use the wind to disperse the seeds.
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Trapa natans var. natans (Singhara nut) </strong>-- The spines on this water chestnut are asymmetrical, with two of them larger than the others. It comes from a floating aquatic plant and the seed can remain viable in water for up to 12 hours.
Trapa natans var. natans (Singhara nut) -- The spines on this water chestnut are asymmetrical, with two of them larger than the others. It comes from a floating aquatic plant and the seed can remain viable in water for up to 12 hours.
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021
<strong>Eriosyce aurata (Sandillon) </strong>-- This seed comes from a cactus found in Chile. "This was selected because it's got visual personality, with the spikes protecting the seed. You don't see that in a normal day," says Biss.
Eriosyce aurata (Sandillon) -- This seed comes from a cactus found in Chile. "This was selected because it's got visual personality, with the spikes protecting the seed. You don't see that in a normal day," says Biss.
The Hidden Beauty of Seeds and Fruits, Copyright Levon Biss 2021