Plants, Plants, Plants, and More Plants!

Biodiversity of Life

Plant Biodiversity

• What are some examples of plants?

Plant types

• Non-vascular vs. vascular plants• Non-seeded vs. seeded plants• Non-flowering vs. flowering plants• Herbaceous vs. Woody

– Grasses, forbs, and herbs– Vines, shrubs, bushes, and trees

Giant Sequoia – worlds largest

plant

Titan Arum

Duckweed – worlds smallest flowering plant

Paw Paw Trees in Arkansas

Pickin' up paw-paws, put 'em in your pockets,Pickin' up paw-paws, put 'em in your pockets,Pickin' up paw-paws, put 'em in your pockets,Way down yonder in the paw-patch.

Swamp or Bald Cypress Trees

Why is this plant called a bald cypress tree?

Water Lilies

Cactus – desert plantArizona State Flower: Saguaro Cactus

Blossom

African Euphorb – desert plant

Gymnosperms

Though plants are essential to life on

this planet; some are deadly!

What is an example of a killer plant?

Carnivorous Plants

Indian Pipe - Heterotroph

The plant that ate the South

Kudzu – Invasive & Exotic

Kudzu – Invasive & Exotic

Exploration, Experience, and Discovery

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• Take-home message: Plant Biodiversity is high; plants have adapted to live in diverse habitats

• What are some attributes that all plants possess that allow us to recognize them as a cohesive group?