this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2026
429 points (97.1% liked)
Science Memes
18406 readers
1736 users here now
Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!
A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
This is a science community. We use the Dawkins definition of meme.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
That's not heather.
And I don't get the meme. Is the joke that these plants don't indicate anything except that there is soil?
Some of these plants indicate nothing (dandelion and clover), not even that there is soil to begin with.
But the heather and lavender indicate (very) nutrient poor soil. The soil heather grows on is very acidic and for lavender it is basic, calcium rich soil.
The stinging nettle soil is very rich in nitrogen.
So there are some easy indicators?
Dandelions and nettles indicate "rabbits haven't got here yet"
Poppies indicate "the CIA hasn't sent the US Army here yet"
Clover indicates that leprechauns haven't got here yet. Return after Saint Patrick's day to find loose chunks of gold.
Lavender indicates that artisanal soap makers haven't got here yet.
Heather indicates - oh, it's gone. They're here.
Trust the moss lover to know. Get back to the bog, old man.
(Kidding. It's part of the joke.)
The meme removed what they actually indicated for just "soil". It's absurdist, though technically correct.