Citrullus vulgaris C. P. Snow , also known as glacier line of descent , is a curiously pink - tinged phenomenon found In frozen parts of the planet . And , like jaundiced snow , you do not want to feed it .
It ’s the solvent of a character of alga present in the Baron Snow of Leicester , and only get its characteristic pink coloration when the Sunday is out . peculiarly , watermelon snow is said to have a fruity aroma , but unless you want a case of The Poops , you ’d best leave it well alone .
What is watermelon snow?
Watermelon snowis the effect of the algaChlamydomonas nivalis , a type of green algae found in fresh water surround . “ Green algae ? ” we hear you outcry . “ That ’s not pinkish . ” No , at least , not until it ’s cheery .
Why is watermelon snow pink?
Chlamydomonas nivalisreleases a paint to protect itself from UV radiation . That pigment includescarotenoids , which are found in carrot , Lycopersicon esculentum and Madagascar pepper . It ’s these pigment that give plants , alga and bacteria their yellow , orange and – you guessed it – sometimes pinkish characteristics .
The algae thrive in the cold , nutritious - poor environment that is C and keep themselves secure from the Dominicus during the colder months by take on the form of a microscopical watermelon vine - colored jelly bean . If things wake up enough for the snow to thaw , they scoot about as a nomadic fleeceable cells , but when locked in the trash they are blushing watermelon vine .
Is watermelon snow bad for the environment?
Where watermelon vine snow becomes a minute problematical is the gist it has on the snow . Turning garden pink aid theChlamydomonas nivalisalgae remain dependable from the sun ’s rays , but it also makes the snowfall less good at reflecting ultraviolet light light . This means itmelts faster , and if there ’s one matter the planet ’s frozen environment do n’t need , it ’s more melting .
Is it safe to eat watermelon snow?
No . Not unless you ’re really dire . A various casting of mintage like to eatChlamydomonas nivalis , including rotifers , nematodes , ice-skating rink worms and collembolan . On top of which , it ’s said to have a laxative event when eat on , and that ’s something you probably do n’t need when walking out in the pristine snow where cool zephyr threaten to freeze out your nether region .
As a general convention , it’snot secure to eat up snow . lily-livered , watermelon or otherwise .
It might smell good and look good, but watermelon snow won’t make you feel good. Image credit: Bryant Olsen/Flickr,CC BY-NC 2.0
