Despite common sense, orchids are not parasites - roots wrapped in logs naturally give us that impression. Most of them use tree trunks to attach themselves or look for decomposing material in the soil. Some orchids ask for a little less: a small space between two stones is enough to fix their roots and wait for nutrients carried by the wind, rain or insects. Colors, shapes, smells and tricks to attract pollinators are amazing! Even if it looks like a Sci-Fi allien...
It sounds more like one of the famous April 1st articles. The biggest clue is hidden under the four Italian "scientists" - Capelli, Ricciuto, Pelato, and Sbaglio - or if you prefer, Hair, Curly, Peeled (Bald?) and Mistake. Deliciously funny!! Intentionally or not! At 1983 “VEJA”, the magazine with the largest circulation in Brazil “bought” the following story as purê science and published it: a revolutionary plant-animal hybrid made by German scientists - Barry MacDonald and William Wimpey (a reference to the two chains of fast food) - who have fused cells of Lycopersicon esculenium with cells of Bos taurus, actually tomatoes and cattle. The original "discovery" was published at New Scientist (31 march 1983, a day before 1st of April) - the brazilian editors did not realize the article was a traditional joke of the British magazine. More: they called the new hybrid as BOIMATE, something like (free translate) COWMATO. The embarrassed denial was published two months later… Hilarious.
At 1983 “VEJA”, the magazine with the largest circulation in Brazil “bought” the following story as purê science and published it: a revolutionary plant-animal hybrid made by German scientists - Barry MacDonald and William Wimpey (a reference to the two chains of fast food) - who have fused cells of Lycopersicon esculenium with cells of Bos taurus, actually tomatoes and cattle. The original "discovery" was published at New Scientist (31 march 1983, a day before 1st of April) - the brazilian editors did not realize the article was a traditional joke of the British magazine. More: they called the new hybrid as BOIMATE, something like (free translate) COWMATO. The embarrassed denial was published two months later… Hilarious.