Plants+everywhere

PLANTS EVERYWHERE From the frozen wastes of Antarctica to the hot springs of New Zealand plants of all shapes and sizes can be found. Over 300 million years ago, plants were the first colonisers of land and since then have diversified and evolved enormously to live successfully in even the most inhospitable of environments. The more primitive plants including algae and mosses* are restricted to water or damp areas and reproduce with spores rather than flowers and seeds. More developed flowering plants* have adapted to live in almost all habitats worldwide. Different plants have evolved very different and ingenious mechanisms to survive in hostile conditions. The waxy, leathery water repellent leaves of the giant Amazonian water lily; the tiny, hairy sun protective leaves of high mountain plants; and the water retaining spine leaves on succulent stems of desert cacti are just a few examples, together with stilts and snorkels to cope with regular flooding, and fire resistance for lands sometimes swept by flames. But there is much more to their adaptations, especially for reproduction. Flowers with very different shapes, colours, textures and scents are designed to attract bees, butterflies, and moths, and sometimes even birds, bats, possums, mice or even slugs to pollinate* them. Once seeds* are formed, plants have evolved very effective ways of spreading them. Wind and water disperse flying and floating seeds, sometimes from exploding seed pods. Other seeds stick to birds beaks or hook onto mammals’ fur whilst others with protective coats make a tasty meal, passing through the digestive system of animals unharmed. Carried in such ways by animals these seeds can germinate* at some distance from the parent plant. The majority of plants make their own food energy from sunlight through photosynthesis*. Some plants have modified their leaves to create climbing aids like hooks, suckers and tendrils to climb out of shady places towards light. Plants living in waterlogged soils that lack nitrates and other essential minerals may supplement photosynthesis by trapping and digesting insects on sticky leaves of sundews or in fluid filled containers of pitcher plants. Others, such as the world’s largest flowering plant, Rafflesia in South East Asia, avoid photosynthesis altogether as they are parasites*. And to prevent animals from feeding on them, plants have devised protective mechanisms from poisonous leaves, spikes and stings, camouflage and mimicry*. Some have even developed symbiotic relationships* with insects, who act as army defenders and attack invaders. Plants really are quite amazing. TASK Find out about some wonderful plants that grow in your locality. Choose a creative method of presenting your examples, their adaptations and the environmental conditions that they have adapted to. You could contact a local wildlife or plant research organisation to find your examples and go on a nature ramble in your local area. There may be a plant specialist within your school – ask your teachers, parents, and governors.