A seed is a baby plant (embryo) enclosed in a protective outer covering known as the seed coat. Seeds are produced by the flowers of the plant. A seed begins to grow when it gets proper amount of water, air and warmth. This process is called sprouting or germination. The baby plant that comes out […]
Every part of a tree or plant receives water and nutrition in the form of sap. This sap comes from roots. Roots absorb sap from soil. The transport of sap from roots to the various parts of plants is based on different scientific principles such as: osmotic pressure, transpiration and cohesion of water. First, water
Lichens are plant-like organisms that do not have roots, leaves or flowers. Lichens are colourful and their colour ranges from pale grey to bright green in moist conditions. There are about 15,000 species of lichens exist on the Earth. They grow in waste places, on bare rocks, bare soil, dead wood and tree bark. They
Soil is the upper layer of earth. It is one of the three major natural resources besides air and water. It is formed by weathering of rocks into very small and minute fragments. It can be of different colours such as yellow, red, black or dark brown. It is composed of a mixture of organic
Pollination is the process of the transfer of pollens from stamens to pistils. Stamens and pistils are parts of flowers that help produce new seeds. In a flower, stamen is the part that produces pollen. The pollen is usually yellow in colour and is released as fine dust. It is then transferred to pistil and
Weeds are unwanted plants grown in lawns and gardens. They are not sown intentionally by farmers. Weeds are harmful to other plants. They reduce crop yield by competing for water, light, soil nutrients and space. Some of them are poisonous to cattle and horses. They act as carriers of disease-causing organisms for plants. Wild mustards,
Herbs are plants with weak non-woody stems. Most of these plants have strong smell and medicinal uses. Leaves, seeds or flowers of these plants can be used as flavouring agents, food, medicine or in perfumes. Some of the common examples of herbs are parsley, basil, rosemary, thyme and dill. They can be used in fresh
There are many different types of plants but typically they are divided into two major groups that are vascular and non-vascular plants. Vascular are the plants that have specific tissues that help to move food and water through the plant. These plants are further divided into non-flowering plants and flowering plants. Non-vascular are smaller plants
The term botany comes from the ancient Greek word ‘botane’ meaning herb. Botany is the scientific study of plants. It is also called ‘Plant Science’ or ‘Plant Biology’. Botany includes the study of plant structures, their classification, properties, diseases, etc. Plants refer to a wide range of living organisms, i.e. from the smallest bacteria to
• Common name : Silver Maple, Red Maple • Scientific name : Acer saccharinum/Acer rubrum • Family : Sapindacea • Native land : Eastern North America (White Maple)/ Eastern and Central North America (Red Maple) The dark green leaves of silver maple have silvery undersides that are easily exposed in the slightest breeze, giving this
Acalypha • Common name : Jacob’s Coat • Scientific name : Acalyphawilkesiana • Family : Euphorbiaceae • Native land : Fiji and neighbouring South Pacific Islands It is an evergreen, often suckering, tropical shrub, annual outdoor houseplant. It can grow up to 10-15 feet tall in frost‑free areas. The leaves are coppery green with red
• Common name : Glossy Abelia • Scientific name : Abeliagrandiflora • Family : Caprifoliaceae • Native land : Eastern Asia (Japan west to the Himalayas) and Southern North America (Mexico) Abelia is a perennial deciduous shrub. It was first raised in 1886 at the Rovelli nursery at Pallanza (now Verbania), on Lake Maggiore in
The world of plants is very fascinating. We see a variety of plants around us. Human beings, other animals and plants are the living organisms that exist on Earth. Plants are adapted to nearly every environment on Earth. Some grow in frigid, ice-bound polar regions and others grow in hot, dry deserts. All plants need