The Art of PlantsBy Mrs. Brock’s Brockstars

A Closer Look…

It is important to see things as they actually are. Sometimes what we see is not exactly the way it is.

By looking at plant parts close up, we hope to get a better understanding of how they work.

If we understand how they work better, we hope to learn how to take care of them better.

We hope to find a new appreciation for how beautiful and complex plants are.

Aloe Vera Leaf

This is the inside of an aloe vera leaf. We learned that aloe vera is commonly used in medicine to cool burns and itchy skin. In this closer look, we can see the healing juice in the leaf. Below are more pictures of a closer look at the plant’s adaptation of protective thorns.

Analysis of the Aloe Plant

This thick viscous juice in the aloe plant acts as a cooling, soothing medicine for the skin.

Succulents survive in dry climates because they store the water they drink in their leaves.

If they are so juicy in a dry climate, they are excellent prey for thirsty predators. They have had to develop adaptations like thorns to protect them for being eaten.

A Rosebud

At first, the leaves look smooth and the thorns look straight and yellow. When we took a closer look, we saw the veins of the leaves, and discovered the tiny purple balls at the end of the thorns. We think this is the budding stage of future sharper thorns.

Analysis of the Rosebud

The rose is not just pretty to humans. The flowers are attractive to insects also.

The leaves surrounding the bud protect it so it can develop into an adult flower.

The thorns of the rose protect it from predators.

The tiny purple balls on the end of the young thorns are there to cushion them from forces to allow them to grow in to mature thorns.

Succulents Up CloseThis button cactus looked like a green button with small tufts of white cottony fibers. A closer look revealed a spider web of hairs and tiny hairs on each of the fibers too!

Healthy vs. Unhealthy

This picture to the left is of a succulent leaf that is moist and healthy. You can see the shine of the juice inside.

The picture to the right is of a succulent leaf after it was left out for a few days with no water. It is dehydrated. The skin looks thirsty and dry.

The Health of Plants

Plants need sunlight, water, and nutrient-rich soil to survive.

The leaves of a plant often show the health of the plant.

Dry, brittle leaves show a thirsty plant.Soft, plump leaves show a healthy plant.

A New Bud on a Tree

This tiny green bud looked more like a small caterpillar than a budding leaf. As we look closer, we see the new life.

A Rose Bush Leaf

This closer look at the rose

leaf shows why it feels so

soft to the touch. Tiny soft

fibers cover the leaf and

give it the soft feel. We

think this is to help keep

water in and slow down

the transpiration process.

A Tree Leaf Torn

This leaf was torn. You can see the fibers that hold the leaf together, the veins that carry water to the leaves and the cells that make up the leaves.

The fibers

The veins The cells

The Art of Plants

We think the following slides are examples of just how beautiful our natural world is…

Enjoy!

The Rose

Purple Flower

~Make a Wish~

A Budding Weed