Phalanx, or phalanges, are long bones found in the fingers, toes, paws, wings, hooves, and fins of animals. They are connected to each other at hinge-like inter phalangeal joints that can be used for either flexion or extension. Plants start the majority of food and energy chains, providing oxygen, food, and medicine. Plants can be divided into two groups: plants 1 1 and plants 2 2. When the distance between ramets in a clonal plant is short, it presents a “phalanx”-like growth form, whereas if the distance is greater, a “guerrilla”-like growth form is realized, with shoots able to infiltrate. Phalanx clonal plants, which form compact structures, are better suited to habitats with homogeneous resources. Wetland clonal species with the guerrilla clonal structure benefit more from soil nutrient.
Lovett Doust used the term phalanx strategy to describe clonal plants with closely spaced ramets resulting in an unbroken advancing front and slow spread into new areas. Phalanx clonal plants, which form compact structures, are better suited to habitats with homogeneous resources. Thus, wetland clonal species with the guerrilla clonal structure benefit more from soil nutrient.
The influence of nodal rooting on branching was studied in three evolutionarily and morphologically diverse species of prostrate clonal herbs. The phalanges are digital bones in the hands and feet of most vertebrates. In primates, the thumbs and big toes have two phalanges while the other digits have one.
Clonal plants are important in maintaining wetland ecosystems. The main growth types of clonal plants are the guerrilla and phalanx types. A phalanx growth form enables clonal plants to make better use of resource-rich patches, whereas a guerrilla growth form provides them with opportunities to infiltrate new areas. Phalanx clonal plants produce short stolon or rhizome internodes and thus closely packed ramets, while guerrilla clonal plants form long stolon or rhizome internodes.
📹 The FlyPaper Plant of South Africa (South Africa Series – Ep. 5)
This episode features what is probably one one of the most evolutionarily interesting plants to have been encountered in the Cape …
What is the phalanx also known as?
Phalanges are the bones that form the fingers of the hand and the toes of the foot. There are 56 phalanges in the human body, with fourteen on each hand and foot. Each finger and toe has three phalanges, except for the thumb and big toe, which have only two. The middle and far phalanges of the fourth and fifth toes are often fused together, known as symphalangism. The phalanges of the hand are commonly known as finger bones, while the phalanges of the foot are often shorter and more compressed, especially in the proximal phalanges.
Phalanxes are named based on their location and associated finger or toe. The proximal phalanges are closest to the hand or foot, with prominent, knobby ends called knuckles. The intermediate phalanges are intermediate in location and size, while the thumb and large toe do not have a middle phalanx. The distal phalanges are the bones at the tips of the fingers or toes. Each phalanx consists of a central part called the body and two extremities.
Why is phalanx effective?
The hoplite phalanx, a formation in Greece during the Archaic and Classical periods (c. 800-350 BC), was a strategic formation where hoplites lined up in close order, locking their shields together and projecting their spears over the first rank of shields. This made frontal assaults against the phalanx difficult and allowed a higher proportion of soldiers to be actively engaged in combat.
Battles between two phalanxes usually took place in open, flat plains, where it was easier to advance and stay in formation. Rough terrain or hilly regions would have made it difficult to maintain a steady line, defeating the purpose of a phalanx. Consequently, battles between Greek city-states would not take place in just any location, but often found the most suitable piece of land where the conflict could be settled.
The phalanx usually advanced at a walking pace, although it is possible that they picked up speed during the last several yards. This slow approach was used to maintain formation, as losing the phalanx would render the formation useless and make it easier for an enemy force to break through. If the hoplites of the phalanx picked up speed towards the latter part of the advance, it was to gain momentum against the enemy in the initial collision.
Historical accounts suggest that the Greeks at the Battle of Marathon were the first to charge their enemy at a run, likely due to their desire to minimize losses from Persian archery.
What is a phalanx and its purpose?
The Greek city-states developed the phalanx as a defensive strategy to protect their settlements from enemy attack. This formation, comprising hoplites—lightly armored infantrymen armed with a large circular shield and a long spear—was designed to minimize casualties on the battlefield.
What are the three types of phalanx?
Phalanges are small bones that constitute the fingers and toes. They are divided into three categories: proximal, middle, and distal phalanges. With the exception of the big toe and thumb, each finger contains all three types of phalanx.
What is an example of a phalanx?
The phalanx evolved significantly during the ancient Greek wars, with the most famous example being the oblique order in the Battle of Leuctra. The Theban general Epaminondas thinned out the right flank and center of his phalanx, deepening his left flank to fifty men deep. This allowed the Thebans to assault elite Spartan troops on the right flank of the opposing phalanx, while the center and right flank of the Theban line were echeloned back, keeping the weakened parts of the formation from being engaged. This localised the attacking power of the hoplites, allowing them to defeat an enemy previously thought invincible.
Philip II of Macedon, who spent several years in Thebes, drew inspiration from Epaminondas’ innovations and raised a revolutionary new infantry force, the Macedonian phalangites. These phalangites were the first force of professional soldiers seen in Ancient Greece apart from Sparta, armed with longer spears and more evolved tactics and manoeuvres. The Macedonian phalanx was used to pin the center of the enemy line, while cavalry and more mobile infantry struck at the foe’s flanks.
The hoplite phalanx was weakest when facing an enemy fielding lighter and more flexible troops without its own supporting troops. The Battle of Lechaeum demonstrated the strength of the Athenian contingent in the Battle of Lechaeum, where they routed an entire Spartan mora.
What is the benefit of phalanx?
The hoplite phalanx, a formation in Greece during the Archaic and Classical periods (c. 800-350 BC), was a strategic formation where hoplites lined up in close order, locking their shields together and projecting their spears over the first rank of shields. This made frontal assaults against the phalanx difficult and allowed a higher proportion of soldiers to be actively engaged in combat.
Battles between two phalanxes usually took place in open, flat plains, where it was easier to advance and stay in formation. Rough terrain or hilly regions would have made it difficult to maintain a steady line, defeating the purpose of a phalanx. Consequently, battles between Greek city-states would not take place in just any location, but often found the most suitable piece of land where the conflict could be settled.
The phalanx usually advanced at a walking pace, although it is possible that they picked up speed during the last several yards. This slow approach was used to maintain formation, as losing the phalanx would render the formation useless and make it easier for an enemy force to break through. If the hoplites of the phalanx picked up speed towards the latter part of the advance, it was to gain momentum against the enemy in the initial collision.
Historical accounts suggest that the Greeks at the Battle of Marathon were the first to charge their enemy at a run, likely due to their desire to minimize losses from Persian archery.
What is a phalanx plant?
Phanx clonal plants Acorus calamus, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, and Butomus umbellatus are perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous clonal plants that exhibit phalanx growth form. These plants grow few short spacers, resulting in closely packed ramets called “clumping ramets”. This research article, published in BMC Ecology volume 20, highlights the importance of these plants in plant growth.
What is the function of phalanx?
Each finger is composed of all three types of phalanx, with the exception of the big toe and thumb, which lack the middle phalanx. This particular phalanx is responsible for the ability to grip and hold onto objects.
What is the disadvantage of phalanx?
The hoplites’ heavy armor and long spears constrained their mobility, impeding their ability to adapt to evolving battlefield scenarios or engage in hit-and-run tactics. Furthermore, their susceptibility to flanking maneuvers represented a substantial vulnerability.
What does phalanx mean?
A phalanx is a noun that refers to a massed arrangement of persons, animals, or things. It originated from ancient Greece and was used in military formations, including a tight block of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder, several rows deep, often with shields joined. The term “phalanx” means “log” and was used for both this line of battle and a bone in a finger or toe. The word and its senses passed into Latin and were adopted into English in the 16th century. Today, a phalanx can be any arranged mass, whether of persons, animals, or things, or a body of people organized in a particular effort.
Recent examples on the web include a solid phalanx of armed guards standing in front of a castle, a woman having to go through a phalanx of television cameras, and a phalanx of paparazzi perched above on a hillside. The front segments of each chain replicate the phalanges (toe bones) while the segments behind them replicate the metatarsal bones. The skeleton includes part of the creature’s skull, its entire mandible, two vertebrae, 12 ribs, two gastralia, multiple phalanges, metatarsals, and digits.
What is a phalanx in biology?
Phalanges are the bones of the fingers and toes, with 14 in each hand and foot, resulting in a total of 56 phalanges in the body. Each phalanx of the thumb comprises two elements, the proximal and distal phalanges, while each phalanx of the great toe is also composed of two elements.
📹 Lifestyles of the Lewd & Gypsophilous
At 6000 feet in Nuevo León we see a community of plants that grow on the sediments if a Cretaceous Ocean in a seasonally dry …
Jorge Luis Borges has a short story about a guy who has this weird obsession with the line between real and fake things and how our perception can be tricked. In particular, after noting how we spend all this time trying to make flowers that look real but are actually fake, he spends all this time looking for real flowers that never the less look like they’re fake. I mentioned this in my plant ID class, and one of the teachers comes in a couple days later with one of those goddamn paper daisies. Extremely weird, but very cool plants!
Interesting side note: the winter rainfall stops and transitions quickly into all year rainfall from around about there further east except for the highest mountain peaks. From Mosselbaai eastward the summer half gets more rainfall than the winter half but only slightly. From East London it turns into a almost complete summer rainfall pattern. Hope you’re trip goes all the way to Knysna forest and the Big Tree.
Argh my gawd! Those little frigging Brunia flower-head, fruity knobs @ 0:40! OHH! They look, almost, like little Lycoperdon mushrooms, supported, erect, not too thick, but not too tall, upon a wispy stem! JESUS! My cousin makes his living growing carnivorous plant beasts, basically owning title as the fly trap king of the east, here in NC, and I send him your wonderful friggin articles, from god-damn time to time, and what not.
Did you find some local guides Joey? “You phucking weirdo” is an expression of endearment in our home, glad to see others. Love how you appreciate the little shit, ya gotta have something special when you’re tiny. Damn cool shit, as always. Been sending candidates to kill their lawn, hopefully not Karens! If you pick one anywhere near Atlanta/ N. Georgia, you’re welcome to stay here. UGA is a handy resource & there’s a growing native push happening, about 50 years late though. Thank you sir for all you do, gfys