Weird plants 2011

Weird plants 2011

• 1.
  Weird PlantsPlants ofthe DayUnit 8STS Biology
• 2.
  Baseball Plant (EuphorbiaObesa)Succulent – stores waterRound shape has optimal surface area/volume ratio to prevent water lossNative to the Great Karoo desert in S. AfricaVery endangered in the wildSeparate male and female plants produce flowersPollinated by insects and produces a capsule fruitHas a taprootMaleFemaleCapsules
• 3.
  Venus Fly Trap(Dionaea muscipula)Carnivorous - insectivoreInsects provide minerals and nutrients for the plant – mainly nitrogenTrigger hairs inside the trap cause the “jaws” to closeDigestive enzymes break down insectsNative to N. and S. CarolinaProduces white flowersFound is acidic soils
• 4.
  Spider Plant (Chlotophytumcomosum)Self-propagating“Plantlets” (aka “spider babies”) can take root in soilProduces fleshy tuberous rootsNative to South AfricaCommon houseplantProduces white flowers
• 5.
  Living Stones (Lithopsfulleri)Succulent – plant which has the ability to store waterTwo fused leaves with few stomata, modified to prevent evaporationMimics the color and appearance of rocks – less obvious to foraging animalsProduces yellow or white flowersNative to S. Africa and Namibia
• 6.
  Sensitive Plant (Mimosapudica)Leaves fold inward when touched (thigmonasty)Mechanism believed to related to changes in osmotic pressure in cells where leaflets joinThought to be a defense mechanism against grazersNative to BrazilProduces purple flowersIn the pea family – nitrogen fixer
• 7.
  Marimo Moss Balls(Aegagropilalinnaei)Not moss!!!A filamentous algae that forms balls in specific lakes in Japan, Iceland, Scotland, and Estonia Wave currents, lake morphology, and sediment at the bottom of the lake form algae into ballsAdapted to low lightChloroplasts inside the ball are dormant unless the ball breaks apartAn annual festival at Lake Akan in Japan honors them and raises awareness about conservation issues
• 8.
  Air Plant (Tillandsiastricta)Epiphyte– plants that are not rooted in soilGrow in rocks, loose bark, or on treesObtain water and nutrients from the airTrichomes – gray scales on the leaf surface which store water and reflect intense sun to prevent water loss due to transpirationSame family as the Bromeliad and pineapple Native to Mexico & Central America
• 9.
  Madagascar Palm (Pachypodiumlamerei)Asucculent, not a palm!Has prickly spines like a cactus AND foliage like a palm Looses it’s leaves and goes dormant in the winterProduces white flowers and cucumber-like fruitsNeedles prevent foraging animalsCan grow up to 15 ft. in natureSurvives in a diverse climates
• 10.
  Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia hybrid)Carnivorous
• 11.
  Leaves mimic flowers,tricking insects to crawl in
• 12.
  Insects drown inpitcher-shaped leaves
• 13.
  Bacteria within theplant break down insects with digestive enzymes - symbiosisDownward pointing hairs prevent insects from crawling outProduces burgundy flowersNative to bogs of northeastern USA
• 14.
  String of Pearls(Seneciorowleyan)SucculentSame family as a sunflowerNative to dry regions in SW AfricaLeaf shape reduces surface area to prevent water lossExternal “window” of transparent tissue allows light to enter and be absorbed by the photosynthetic cells inside. The central core of each leaf contains non-pigmented water storage cells.
• 15.
  Banana Plant (Nymphoidesaquatica)Hasbanana shaped roots called rhizomes which store nutrientsAquatic, related to water liliesNative to shallow waters in the Southern region on the USA along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic OceansCommon aquarium plants