Ecotype can be defined as a physiologically induced variation initiated by long term occupation within a definable ecological community but one that is not genetically distinct from other members of the species that occur in other ecological communities. Such variations may not be significant enough to warrant taxonomic recognition. Among these variations may be the amount of pubescence on the stems, internode spacing, and even the amount of occurrence of stomates. Whatever the variation is it can be related to some significant environmental stress in the habitat.

Ecotypes can have structural differences (morphological) and/or functional differences ("eco"physiological) which are genetically induced by habitat location. This may result in visibly discernible differences in the same plant species, i.e., leaf color(plain or patterned), stature (short or tall, bushy or slender) or functional differences, such as extracts of different types of oils and chemicals. Ecotypes do not necessarily occur as a function of widely separated geographical locations and can occur in a single population or in nearby populations. In a recent observation of a native Asarum species population, there were leaves with prominent white venation, some with very little venation and others with solid green leaves. Although Ecotypes may have appearance and functional differences, they are still able to cross-pollinate and produce offspring. Rb

Well...actually a circle contains the greatest volume with the least perimeter enclosure. So folks on an extremely tight budget, who want to build, should investigate circular structures. Folks on an extremely tight budget should probably not be thinking of a custom home. An existing home often sells for less than a new, custom home. A double-wide is even less expensive. That said, it's useful for folks who are early in their journey of selecting land, designing a home and building it to consider issues which may add to the cost of a house. For example, in many cases, a similar 2-story plan may be less expensive than a similar 1-story plan. Rules of thumb, however, are simply hypotheticals which don't take into account any of the specifics of a given family, land, design and construction. But it's important to understand...and it's a really, really important but...the design, construction and living in a custom home is more--much more--than simply "what is the cheapest thing I can build?" Cost, of course, is very important. But so is site selection, home orientation, function, aesthetics, plus all of the intangibles--how does the house make me feel; is it a joy to come home to even after ten years; do I feel sheltered, refreshed and invigorated by living here? If cost is the major and overwhelming priority, far outweighing any other issue in the selection of land and the design and construction of a new home, then a custom home may not be the best selection option. A custom home is many, many things. Cost is just one very important element in the puzzle. The goal should be to create a custom home which supports all of the important priorities for living and avoids all the non-essential, faddish ones. Le Corbusier said, "Design is a patient search". A patient search is what is required. There are no surefire shortcuts or simple 1, 2, 3 and 4 solutions. It's just not that simple or easy! :-)

I miss him. I think there were different versions of his Hippy Dippy weather reports. I remember one when he was standing in front of a map holding a pointer and said "We have various conditions that will be influencing us in the coming hours. Don't confuse a Canadian low with a Mexican high. " There are some videos of his performances on YouTube and I'll watch him when I feel like I need a laugh.