Cacti are usually found in deserts. Cactus spines are modified leaves. They protect the plant from predators. These spines also provide shade to the surface of the cacti by protecting them from the harsh sun. The shade created by the spines also helps to lower the temperature of the surface of cacti, which reduces the […]
Mushrooms are a type of fungi. They do not contain chlorophyll and hence cannot manufacture their own food. Most mushrooms are edible but there a few varieties that are also poisonous. Toadstools are traditionally poisonous or inedible mushrooms containing a poison which is lethal. However, scientifically, there is no difference between mushrooms and toadstools. Some
Plankton are a floating mass of life formed by billions of tiny living organisms. Some plankton are as big as large jellyfish whereas some are so tiny that they are not visible even under a microscope. Some common plankton are algae, bacteria, protozoan, etc. Two main categories of plankton are plant like, phytoplankton and animal
A vegetable is any part of a plant likes seed, root, tuber, bulb, stem, leaf, bud, fruit or flower, which can be eaten as food. Some common vegetables are beans, eggplant, potato, onion, capsicum, tomato, cauliflower, peas, cucumber, etc. Mushrooms and other edible fungi are also categorised as vegetables but they are not green plants.
A fruit is the fleshy part of the plant that contains a seed or seeds. It is eaten as food. The fleshy part is often covered by a peel. In some fruits, the peel can be eaten while in some it cannot be eaten. Nutritionally, fruits are an important source of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates
Paprika belongs to the Capsicum family. It is a spice made from the fruit of chilli pepper. It is generally referred to as sweet pepper. It is milder than many other kinds of pepper. The colour of the fruit ranges from orange-red to dark red. Paprika is used for seasoning food. It is native to
Aerial roots are roots that grow above the ground. An aerial root develops from a branch or stem above the surface of earth or water. These roots are found in plants, such as orchids, mangrove trees, banyan trees, ‘pohutukawa’ trees of New Zealand and vines like poison ivy and common ivy. Aerial roots have different
Algae are plant-like living organisms that are found all over the world. They can make food from sunlight by photosynthesis. Algae are aquatic and do not have leaves, roots and other organs-like land plants. Algae are of different types of colours such as red algae, blue-green algae, etc. They grow in clusters. The single cell
Forestry is the science and practice of wisely managing and using natural resources that are associated with forests. These forest resources are plants, wildlife, soil, wood, water, fish, etc. Forests are important for the survival of human beings. They provide us with oxygen, food products such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, medicines, and raw material for
Hybrid corn is a superior quality of corn. It is a combination of the best varieties of corns. About fifty years ago, plant scientists discovered a method of producing hybrid corn. This good quality corn was developed by repeating the process of cross breeding of different varieties of corns and saving only the best plants
Bamboo is a plant of the grass family. It has a hard, woody and hollow stem. It is an evergreen plant which means it stays green round the year. It is a fast-growing plant. Its shoot grows at the rate of 41 cm/day. This plant is used for: • making Chinese medicines.• building houses and
Chlorophyll is a green pigment. It is present as disc-like units in chloroplasts in the leaves of green plants. It plays an important role in producing food in the form of sugar in leaves. It is also found in the cells of stems and flowers. Chlorophyll makes sugar in the presence of sunlight, minerals, water
The bright colours and scent of flowers attract us. The fragrance of a flower is due to the presence of essential oils in its petals. These essential oils are complex substances. They produce volatile oils which keep on evaporating. The vapour of these volatile oils is fragrant in nature. This is the reason why we
Fungi are simple plants that grow on other living things. They do not have roots, stems and leaves like other plants. Fungi are much closer to animals than plants because of their biology. They are found growing in moist places as they need water for the digestion of food and growth. They lack chlorophyll and
A true annual is a plant that completes its life cycle in one year. They grow from seed, bloom, produce seeds, and die in one growing season. Annual plants provide beautiful colourful flowers from spring through fall. Some most famous annuals are petunias, marigolds, and zinnias. Plants that live for two years are called biennial