1. WHAT’S SO COOL ABOUT PLANTS?
Insects Vs. Plants

2. WHAT’S SO COOL ABOUT PLANTS?
…AND OTHER STUFF YOU PROBABLY NEVER KNEW ABOUT PLANTS!!!!!

3. The Importance of Plants
Without plants, life on earth could not exist!
Plants are the primary source of food for humans and animals

4. The Importance of Plants continued…
Plants also:
Provide oxygen
Provide shade
Supply us with medicines
Renew the air
Slow down the wind
Hold soil in place
Are a home for wildlife
Furnish building materials and fuel

5. ENERGY: Obtain energy through: PHOTOSYNTHESIS
One of the most unique groups of living organisms
Obtain energy through: PHOTOSYNTHESIS

6. Carnivorous Plants: Meat eating plants include: Venus Fly trap
Pitcher Plant

7. Sundew

8. Venus Fly Trap in Action!

9. Extreme Survival Skills:
Plants can survive in the desert much longer than humans….
“XEROPHYTES”

10. Reproduction without SEX:
Vegetative reproduction…

11. Very Powerful Plants:
a. Opium Poppy: dried sap used as drug source (morphine/codeine)

12. Very Powerful Plants:
b. ginseng: illness recovery

13. Very Powerful Plants:
c. coca: Indians chewed leaves to dull pain and prevent tiredness (cocaine)

14. Deadly Plants: a. Deadly Nightshade Native to Europe
All parts are poison
ESP. ROOTS!
Atropine
3 berries have killed children

15. Deadly Plants: b. Dumb Cane: Dieffenbachia Popular house plant
Poison sap
Mouth/throat swelling

16. Plants used for BEAUTY:
a. JOJOBA: soothing oils, pleasant smells

17. Plants used for BEAUTY:
b. Aloe Vera: soothing gels

18. Life-Saving Plants: Willow Trees: aspirin-salicylic acid
Foxglove: heart medication- digitalis
Rosy Periwinkle: anti-cancer drugs

19. What is the world’s fastest growing plant??????
BAMBOO
47.6” in 24 hrs.!!!
Mrs. Hadley=61”

20. Can you think of other unique/interesting/useful examples relative to plants??