If knowledge is power, then it is time for you to know how your own Department of Agriculture mislabels veggies. What a provocative topic! The main issue is how veggies are defined by the USDA. Okay, I’ll admit that maybe ignorance of this truth won’t ruin your life. In fact, it may be a bother only to botanists like me.
The core topic here used to be part of a fun lecture that I gave in my classes at Arizona State University. I even gave it one time to a preschool class, although I toned down a bit for the 4-year-olds. The main point is that veggies are comprised of plant parts that do not produce seeds. The USDA, however, has different ideas about that definition. Some of the so-called veggies in the photos below do, indeed, produce seeds. There are, therefore, actually fruits. Isn’t this exciting already?
For fun, maybe you can make a little quiz out of these photos. Identify which of the so-called veggies in each of the photos below are not really veggies. HIINT: For the sake of simplicity: 2 of the 9 veggies in the righthand photo are not veggies. Which ones are they? How many non-veggies do you see in the lefthand photo? You ought to get some kind of reward for getting the right answers. So let me know what you come up with, either by commenting here or contacting me directly by phone or email. I don’t have plan for award. Students used to get point on exams for correct answer, although that won’t do you much good. So my offer is just a couple of Atta-boys or Atta-girls, or even some huzzahs if you wish.
My Ulterior Motives
Today I am testing a social bookmarking service, so I wanted to see how far and wide this silly little post goes. Aren’t all my posts silly and fun?
In addition, I just wanted to get these photos out, since I paid a dollar each for them.
Finally, this post is a small peak into the mindset of a professional botanist, so you can see how folks like me think. I really think this topic of veggies vs. the USDA is pretty neat. As a happy hour topic, it sure beats talking about how lousy the Diamondbacks are again this year.
All the best,
Dennis
by Mark Haub
I like your approach, but wish you would have put corn in one of the pictures
The issue you have with the USDA seems to transfer into the other areas they cover.
Thank you — Mark
by Dr. Dennis Clark
Point well-taken, Professor! Indeed, as much as I suspected the magnitude of influence of the corn industry on our lifestyle, I still underestimated it by a long shot. My eyes were opened when I watched the movie, “Food Inc.” Wow! The list of corn-based products, not just foods, that flashed by during that movie was astounding. “Children of the Corn” is not the only thing that is scary about corn.
Thanks again, Mark, for your professional approach to these important issues.
All the best,
Dennis