Mind-Boggling Plants of Kingdom Plantae

Plants That Defy Evolution

Jimson Weed

 

 

Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium)
Source: http://www.hear.org/starr/images/images/plants/full/starr-110201-0463.jpg

 

Jimson Weed (D. stramonium)
Source: http://smallspacebigharvest.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/datura_stramonium4.jpg

 

Scientific Classification:
     Kingdom: Plantae
          Order: Solanales
               Family: Solanaceae
                    Genus: Datura
                         Species: D. stramonium
Binomial Name: Datura stramonium

     The  Jimson weed (D. stramonium), a foul-smelling, erect, freely-branching herb of the family Solanaceae, is believed to have originated from the Americas. This angiosperm has been used for centuries in relieving the symptoms of asthma and as an analgesic during surgery. It possesses long, thick, fibrous white roots, stout, erect, smooth stems and long, toothed, irregularly undulate leaves. The Jimson weed (D. stramonium) is a basic plant growing in the wilds of various parts of the United States. The roots, stems and leaves of this plant contain trace amounts of natural poisons as well as several alkaloid compounds. Its most toxic part is found in the seed pod that is about the size of a walnut and covered with prickly thorns. According to Joseph Alden, this plant defies evolution in that it possesses thorns that serve no practical purpose in its growth at any stage of its life cycle.

Sources:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura_stramonium

* http://idexposed.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/plants-that-defy-evolution-datura-stramonium-jimson-weed/

Honey Locust Tree

Honey Locust Tree (Gleditsia triacanthos)
Source: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6800-11

Honey Locust Tree (G. triacanthos)
Source: http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/8084/honeylocustblsms2.jpg

Scientific Classification:
     Kingdom: Plantae
          Order: Fabales
               Family: Fabaceae
                    Genus: Gleditsia
                         Species: G. triacanthos
Binomial Name: Gleditsia triacanthos

      The honey locust tree (G. triacanthos), otherwise known as the thorny locust tree, is a deciduous tree native to central North America. This fast-growing plant can reach a height of about twenty to thirty meters. It has a typical life span of one hundred twenty years although some can live up to one hundred fifty years. The honey locust tree (G. triacanthos) possesses compound leaves that are bipinnate when the tree is young and pinnate when the tree is old. According to Joseph Alden, this plant is often promoted by evolutionists as an organism that has evolved in order to adapt to its surroundings. It is claimed that the tree coevolved with the mastodon. As a means of self-defense, the honey locust tree (G. triacanthos) developed large thorns that are about several inches in length and are attached along its trunk. However, Alden questioned such explanations with the following concepts: How did the honey locust tree (G. triacanthas) develop its own defense mechanism especially considering that mutations occur randomly in nature? The context of coevolution itself contradicts the notion underlying the randomness of mutations. Moreover, why did the other trees ravaged by the mastodon not grow large thorns on their trunks for protection?

Sources:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_locust
* http://evolutionfacts.com/New-material/Alden%27s.htm

Horsetail

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
Source: http://www.evitamins.com/healthnotes/support-files/images/Main/Herb/master.k.m.us.Horsetail.jpg

Horsetail (E. arvense)
Source: http://www.traderscreek.com/Survival_Guide/Edible_Plants/horsetail.gif

Scientific Classification:
     Kingdom: Plantae
          Division: Pteridophyta
               Class: Equisetopsida
                    Order: Equisetales
                         Family: Equisetaceae
                              Genus: Equisetum
                                   Species: E. arvense
Binomial Name: Equisetum arvense

     The horsetail (E. arvense), otherwise known as snake grass or puzzlegrass, is the only living genus in the Equisetaceae family, a group of vascular plants whose reproduction is via spores rather than by seeds. This plant is an herbal remedy used in ancient Roman and Greek medicine primarily to stop bleeding, heal ulcers and wounds, and treat tuberculosis and kidney problems. Horsetail (E. arvense) contains silicon and for this reason, it is sometimes suggested in the treatment of osteoporosis. According to Alexander Williams, Lynn Margulis noted that although the horsetail (E. arvense) has an excellent fossil record, it does not have any known ancestral group!

Sources:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetum
* http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/horsetail-000257.htm

Ginkgo Tree

Ginkgo Tree (Ginkgo biloba)
Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/GINKGOBAUM-2.jpg/220px-GINKGOBAUM-2.jpg

Ginkgo Tree (G. biloba)
Source: http://www.localecology.org/images/ginkgo_fruit_2.jpg

Scientific Classification:
     Kingdom: Plantae
          Division: Ginkgophyta
               Class: Ginkgoopsida
                    Order: Ginkgoales
                         Family: Ginkgoaceae
                              Genus: Ginkgo
                                   Species: G. biloba
Binomial Name: Ginkgo biloba

      The Ginkgo tree (G. biloba), a large tree normally twenty to thirty-five meters in height, with some reaching fifty meters, is a unique tree species with no close living relatives and is native to China. It has been used traditionally in medicine and also as a food source. This relatively shade-intolerant species grows best in well-watered and well-drained environments and shows a preference for growth in disturbed sites. According to Alexander Williams, this tree is the only living species of the genus Ginkgo, family Ginkgoaceae, order Ginkgoales, class Ginkgoopsida. Its fossil history extends down to the Permian rocks. Yet, they seem to appear suddenly in the fossil records, fully formed, leaving no clue as to their origin or evolutionary stages.

Sources:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo_biloba
* http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v24/n1/plants

California Redwood

California Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Giant_Sequoia_Sequoiadendron_giganteum_Tyler_Tree_2000px.jpg

California Redwood (S. sempervirens)
Source: http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/california/images/s/california-giant-sequoia-trees.jpg

Scientific Classification:
     Kingdom: Plantae
          Division: Pinophyta
               Class: Pinopsida
                    Order: Pinales
                         Family: Cupressaceae
                              Subfamily: Sequoioideae
                                   Genus: Sequoia
                                        Species: S. sempervirens
Binomial Name: Sequoia sempervirens

      The California redwood (S. sempervirens), otherwise known as the coast redwood or giant redwood, is an evergreen, long-lived monoecious tree that is capable of surviving for up to one thousand eight hundred years. This species includes the tallest known trees in the planet even reaching heights of up to three hundred seventy nine feet. According to Lynn Margulis, conifers which include the California redwood (S. sempervirens), are likely to have descended from the progymnosperms. The problem here is that the progymnosperms are considered to be imaginary evolutionary ancestors; no evidence is present to prove that they have even existed. Moreover, the conifers also gave rise to no other plant phyla. Currently, there is no evidence of them having evolved!

Sources:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoia_sempervirens
* http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v24/n1/plants

Astonishing Organisms of Kingdom Animalia

Animals That Prove Creation

Platypus Duckbill

Platypus Duckbill (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
Source: http://www.ansci.wisc.edu/jjp1/ansci_repro/misc/project_websites_fa06/wed06/Platypus/platypus.jpg

Platypus Duckbill (O. anatinus)
Source: http://images.protopage.com/view/1011865/9jvj5almf88urxtdag9cgcqtk.jpg

Scientific Classification:

     Kingdom: Animalia

          Phylum: Chordata

               Class: Mammalia

                    Order: Monotremata

                         Family: Ornithorhynchidae

                              Genus: Ornithorhynchus

                                   Species: O. anatinus

Binomial Name: Ornithorhynchus anatinus

     The platypus duckbill (O. anatinus), the only living representative of the family Ornithorhynchidae, genus Ornithorhynchus, is a semi-aquatic, fur-bearing mammal endemic to eastern Australia. It is one of the five extant species of monotremes, the only mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to their young. This organism defies evolution in several aspects. For one, the platypus duckbill (O. anatinus) lays eggs and yet suckles its young. It possesses a duck-like bill, within which are heat-sensitive worm finding radar. It has a furry tail although it is flat like that of a beaver. Moreover, it has webbed feet in front and clawed feet in the rear. Although mostly mammalian in nature, the platypus duckbill's (O. anatinus) reproductive system is uniquely different from the rest of the animal world. Surprisingly, currently, there are no fossil records that provide clues as to the origin of this animal. In spite of its unusual features, the platypus duckbill (O. anatinus) fares well in its natural environment. Looking at the organism alone, it would appear to be something pieced together from completely different animals!

Sources:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platypus

* http://www.rae.org/pdf/revev5.pdf

Koala

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Source: http://s5.favim.com/orig/51/koala-ears-grass-animal-Favim.com-485062.jpg

Koala (P. cinereus)
Source: http://www.koraorganics.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/sleeping-koala.jpg

Scientific Classification:

     Kingdom: Animalia

          Phylum: Chordata

               Class: Mammalia

                    Infraclass: Marsupialia

                         Order: Diprotodontia

                              Family: Phascolarctidae

                                   Genus: Phascolarctos

                                        Species: P. cinereus

Binomial Name: Phascolarctos cinereus

     The koala (P. cinereus), an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, is the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae. This organism, whose physical appearance resembles that of a wombat, has a weight range of 14 kilograms for a large southern male to about 5 kilograms for a small northern female. It spends nearly its entire life high in eucalyptus trees, with its diet consisting of the aforementioned tree's leaves. The koala (P. cinereus) can survive without drinking water or shelter. It can withstand high temperatures via panting. It is protected from the cold by its well insulated thick coat. This organism defies evolution in several ways, one of which is that it possesses an opposable great toe and two opposable digits on each hand. Astonishingly, the first digit of the foot lack claws but the second one possesses two claws! Evolutionists often argue that such a feature is due to the claw's migration from one toe to another over eons of time or that a double mutation has occurred, one that had deleted a gene from one place and pasted it elsewhere. Nonetheless, it could just be noted that the koala (P. cinereus) was created in such a manner. Another characteristic of this organism that defies evolution is that it has a unique pouch. This feature is similar to that of the wombat which is a completely different animal than the koala.

Sources:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koala

* http://www.rae.org/pdf/revev5.pdf

Dolphin

Dolphin
Source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8zYmJzBt8OJo19kzxMHpekAzD9xPzF5sN2xOw8TLxfnvk0_g_mMdgnFa2JzkBy2OcTcM8fQko7BzJmOY228SINGWymmnQ1kqgZsY85YCz3Aab2d7sQ-Zkz9pi_X3sO2mCODKRDLgXmo/s1600/Dolphin.jpg

Dolphin
Source: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2008/04/17/dolphin11a.jpg

Scientific Classification:

     Kingdom: Animalia

          Phylum: Chordata

               Class: Mammalia

                    Order: Cetacea

                         Family: Delphinidae

     The dolphin is a marine mammal closely related to whales and porpoises, with a size range that varies from 1.2 meters up to 9.5 meters. There are almost forty species of dolphin in seventeen genera. Specifically, there are thirty-six recognized species, thirty-two of which strive in marine habitats and the other four in rivers. The dolphin is among the most intelligent of all animals. This organism is believed to defy evolution in a number of ways. For one, the dolphin bears live young and breathes air, yet spends its entire lifetime in aquatic habitats, primarily the sea. Presumably, in order for such features to have resulted, the animal must have originated from a land mammal that returned to the water and developed into a sea creature. However, the dolphin possesses so many characteristics upon which its survival depends that it couldn't have evolved. The following are transitions that have to take place for the dolphin to evolve from some unknown, land-dwelling organism to the creature that it is today: (1) The nose would have to move to the back of the head. (2) Feet, claws or tails would be exchanged for fins and flippers. (3) It would have to develop a torpedo shaped body for efficient swimming in the water. (4) It would have to be able to drink sea water and desalinize it. (5) Its entire bone structure and metabolism would have to be rearranged. (6) It would need to develop a sophisticated sonar system to search for food. Could the dolphin have acquired these features gradually one at a time over a period of millions of years? What about the transitional stages? Would they have survived with just some of these features? Why is there a total absence of transitional forms fossilized? These questions serve as reasons as to why it is believed that the dolphin defies evolution.

Sources:

* http://www.dolphins-world.com

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin

* http://www.rae.org/pdf/revev5.pdf

Water Ouzel

Water Ouzel (Cinclus mexicanus)
Source: http://www.mendosa.com/fitnessblog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/th__MG_8142-1.jpg

Water Ouzel (C. mexicanus)
Source: http://damnerd.com/Wildflowers/images/water-ouzel-DSC_9838.jpg

Scientific Classification:

     Kingdom: Animalia

          Phylum: Chordata

               Class: Aves

                    Order: Passeriformes

                         Family: Cinclidae

                              Genus: Cinclus

                                   Species: C. mexicanus

Binomial Name: Cinclus mexicanus

     The water ouzel (C. mexicanus), otherwise known as the American dipper, is a stocky dark grey bird whose head is sometimes tinged with brown and is found in the hilly and mountainous regions across North America. This bird is equipped with an extra eyelid called a "nictitating membrane" allowing it to see underwater. It also possesses scales that close its nostrils when submerged. Compared to most birds, the water ouzel (C. mexicanus)  produces more oil allowing it to retain its warmth when seeking food underwater. Moreover, this organism also has an extra layer of downy feathers. As it dives to capture prey, it uses the pressure of the water on its wings and tail to help keep itself down while searching for insect larvae and other small animals on which to feed. The water ouzel (C. mexicanus) is thus a bird that is capable of both flying in the air and swimming underwater. Air sacs provide buoyancy to the animal, enabling it to rise to the surface. On the other hand, it "blows its tanks" in order to submerge. Because it doesn't have webbed feed, the water ouzel (C. mexicanus) uses its wings as underwater oars. This bird normally makes its nest of living moss behind a waterfall, through which he must pass. The water ouzel (C. mexicanus) is an amazing organism that is also believed to defy evolution. Aside from its feathers, it has a special ability of mastering the delicate balance of the air and water environments. How many eons did this ability take? The water ouzel's (C. mexicanus) unique air sacs will either work, or they won't. These functions would have to be perfected before the bird would ever discover the juicy morsels on the bottom of the stream.

Sources:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dipper

* http://www.oregonrafting.com/index.cfm?pid=27

* http://www.rae.org/pdf/revev5.pdf

Anableps

Anableps
Source: http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Anablebnasphoto.jpg

AnablepsSource: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/Anableps_anableps_(Linnaeus_1758).jpg

Scientific Classification:

     Kingdom: Animalia

          Phylum: Chordata

               Class: Actinopterygii

                    Order: Cyprinodontiformes

                         Family: Anablepidae

                              Genus: Anableps

     One of the strangest fish in the world, the Anableps or four-eyed fish possesses eyes raised above the top of its head and divided in two different parts, enabling it to see below and above the surface of the water at the same time. This fish has unique mating requirements as four-eyed fishes only mate on one side. Hence, "right-handed" males mate only with "left-handed" females and vice versa. Anableps inhabits freshwater, brackish water and rarely, coastal marine environments. The Anableps defies evolution mainly because of the unique configuration of its eyes. The eyes of this fish are large and bulging. At the waterline, the eyes are divided by a band of epithelium into upper and lower parts, with separate corneas and retinas. The lens is more egg-shaped than convex and it is capable of focusing two images simultaneously. Overall, the Anableps is a fish that spends its life on the surface of the water. Although rather small, it poses a big problem for evolutionists due to the division in its eyes. What were the transitional forms like? What kind of evolutionary "pressure" could have caused half an eye to gradually evolve to see out of the water?

Sources:

* http://creation.com/the-fish-with-four-eyes-anableps#endRef1

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-eyed_fish

* http://www.rae.org/pdf/revev5.pdf