Did you know鈥ycopodium powder, made from the spores of club mosses like Lycopodium clavatum, has been used for centuries in pyrotechnics and theatrical displays!
These ultra-fine spores are highly flammable, producing bright, flash-like bursts when ignited鈥nce even used in early photography and stage effects before electric lights.
Other plants have also lit up history:
路聽聽聽聽聽Willow wood is traditionally burned to produce the charcoal essential for black powder.
路聽聽聽聽聽Sumac and alder have been used to make specific types of charcoal that affect burn rate and brightness.
路聽聽聽聽聽Even rice husks and cornstarch are used today to shape and stabilize modern fireworks.
From spores to sparks, plants have always played a role in celebration. Happy Independence Day!
p.s. Don鈥檛 try this at home! 馃槀
#independenceday #fireworks #plantbased