The Plant Facts of Life
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| Photo Credit: Bryce H. Lane |
| Besides bringing colorful joy to the garden, purple coneflower is commonly used in herbal remedies. |
Not long ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher and participated in a behind-the-scenes tour. While taking it, we visited an octopus tank and learned that octopi have the ability to put together a dismembered Mister Potato Head® doll. They can also open a closed jar to retrieve their food inside - then screw the lid back on. How cool is that!?
Cool facts, yes. But what do octopi have to do with plants, you ask? Truth be told, not much. But hearing about the creatures' astounding talents made me think about plants and some of their amazing capabilities, too. Here are just five of some of the unique characteristics plants have to offer: - Plants make their own food. You may remember this from your grade school science class: Although they need water and nutrients to grow, plants actually manufacture their own food. They serve up their daily meals by converting sunlight into usable energy for plant functions through the process of photosynthesis. (Sure, we can make our own food with the help of the stove and a few good pots and pans, but it's nowhere near as efficient or self-sufficient as the meals made by plants!)
- Some are edible. Yes, this likely seems a bit obvious, but if you really take a close look at your dinner plate, it's wonderful to think that when we eat our vegetables, we're eating different plant parts. Carrots, potatoes and turnips are roots. Celery is a stem. Lettuce and spinach are leaves. Corn kernels are seeds. And we can't forget that the reproductive structures of some plants become the fruits we so often enjoy. There's such an awesome variety of fruits and veggies to explore, too. From star fruit to gourds, the shapes alone can seem out of this world!
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| Warnings |
- If any part of a toxic plant is ever ingested, or if someone is experiencing a severe toxic reaction, call 9-1-1 or your Poison Control center immediately. (The National Capital Poison Center's toll-free number is 1-800-222-1222.)
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| Facts |
- Did you know that plants are used to make chewing gum, toothpaste and perfume? (And have you thanked them for our food and clothing?)
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| Tips |
- Although you'll find most carnivorous plants hanging out in boggy areas, try growing them indoors by planting them in a terrarium.
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| Faqs |
- Q: Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable?
A: Horticulturally speaking, it's a fruit. An easy way to remember the difference is that fruit always has a seed or seeds on the inside. A vegetable is any other edible plant part, like carrots, corn or potatoes. (Yes, squash, cucumbers and pumpkins are actually fruits!)
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Articles
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Back to Basics
It’s easy to get caught up in all the things we have to do in our gardens … plant, prune, water, weed. It’s enough to make your head spin – especially when something goes wrong. But by revisiting some basic gardening rules, we can keep our gardens lush and colorful – and our lives less stressful.
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Men are From Mars, Venus Flytraps are From the Carolinas
You bought a Venus flytrap as a fun plant “pet,” and now you’re wondering how to keep it alive. Well, forget about pampering it like your other houseplants. Learn what your interesting carnivore needs so you can enjoy it as long as possible. (Hint: It doesn’t involve hamburger meat.)
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Simple Terrariums
Looking for a neat indoor planting project? Give terrariums a whirl! Follow this easy step-by-step guide to creating an enclosed garden that can be as simple or intricate as you’d like. With the right preparation and follow-up, your terrarium might just care for itself for years!
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