Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Callipygian Boll

mthew

5 responses to “Callipygian Boll”

  1. choose kindness

    Not many opportunities to write ‘callipygian’–it’s all Greek to me 😉

    Reply
  2. Monica M

    What’s in this boll?

    Reply
    1. mthew

      Just wood, usually. Unlike galls, they don’t harbor developing critters within. They can be taught of as tumors, irregular growths, often caused by viruses. Or, in the case of burls, they’re actually bud or root tissue growing in the “wrong” place.

      Reply
      1. Monica M

        Oh, thank you Mthew. Your posts are always interesting.

  3. Allie C

    Just saw the same thing on a tree near my home and was wondering what it was. Thank you for helping me figure it out!

    Reply

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