You may be surprised to learn some fascinating facts about plants. Plants are so common that they are often taken for granted. However, their importance to all life on this planet cannot be understated. You may have glossed over the chapter on plants in your Environmental Studies text in elementary school with perhaps somewhat of a passé attitude toward the process of photosynthesis and related topics, but it's time to take another look. Indulge me here for the remainder of these paragraphs. I promise, you won't be disappointed. You may be surprised to learn some fascinated facts about these under-valued organic wonders. Who knows, brings some of this information up at your next social function and you may be the life of the party.



The greatest varieties of plants are called "autotrophs. Autotrophs are simply organisms that obtain energy from sunlight or organisms that make their own food. The process they use to accomplish this is called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis occurs the chloroplasts of plants. A chloroplast is a specialized component of certain cells that contains chlorophyll and is responsible for photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis is defined as a process in which organisms, with the aid of chlorophyll (green plant enzyme), convert carbon dioxide and inorganic substances into oxygen and additional plant material, using sunlight for energy. When you think about it, the action converting carbon dioxide into oxygen is quite amazing. All life on this planet needs oxygen to sustain itself. Without the life giving by-products of photosynthesis carried out by all green plats, this would not be possible. In a plant the sugar and starches it needs to survive comes from sunlight.

Another significant aspect of plants is that they are constantly shedding leaves and bark which then mix with the waste of living forest animals and the carcasses of dead ones to form a rich layer of humus on the forest floor. All the gardeners reading this will know that humus is the brown or black organic part of the soil resulting from the partial decay of leaves and other matter. This rich black soil is best for growing thing and the organic compounds are extremely beneficial. Plants are very shade tolerant but growth is slower in dense shade. This means that a number of conditions must come together ecologically in order for plants to thrive so they can reduce carbon dioxide and release oxygen which we all need to survive. Collective humanity needs to that their colloquial "lucky stars" that plants do what they do.

You may not have thought about it, but Plants are cost effective in comparison to complex air conditioning filter systems and provide a means for discreet implementation of a solution to an environmental problem. Because, given the right conditions plant growth are sustainable and renewable, plants are a great means providing an environmental filtering system. Nature's way is always better than anything humanity can devise. It is much more efficient, does not break down and need repair like anything mechanical and is much more cost effective.

One example of a very important plant for more than just the benefits described above is aloe. Aloe is a softer product with bactericide properties, and even broad bean stem is strongly anti-fungal. It is used externally to treat a number of skin irritations. It has antiseptic and antibiotic properties that make it highly valuable in treating cuts and abrasions. This amazing plant is also used primarily as a beverage in different parts of the world. Aloe is effective for many inflammatory conditions of the digestive system and other organs. The healing properties of this plant have long been documented. Additionally, aloe an effective treatment for wounds, eczema, ringworm and poison oak and poison ivy rashes. Post pregnant woman can also be thankful for the aloe plant because it is one of the main ingredients in products to treat stretch marks, wrinkled skin and pigmentation.

Plants also play a substantial role in many economies. In Vietnam for example, the rural economy is provided with basic needs of food, fuel and shelter. Australian tree species, notably the acacias, casuarinas and eucalypts have become a common feature of Vietnam's rural landscape and provide considerable economic, social and environmental benefits.

In contrast to plants, weeds harm our environment significantly. Weeds degrade natural environments. This occurs in all areas from urban bush land to National Parks and wilderness areas by competing with and displacing native vegetation and indirectly affecting the fauna of invaded ecosystems by altering habitat opportunities. Fauna is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora. Weeds can be significant at a property, local, regional, state and/or national level based on their impact or potential impact.

It is clear that plants are an important natural resource that need to be protected, cared for, nurtured and replenished in a timely fashion if we are to survive and thrive, we are dependant on these wonderful organisms which are themselves living things that need to be treated with respect and not removed indiscriminately with little thought to the environment, micro and macro ecosystems and humanity in general. That is why, around the world specialized systems are being developed to help further this task. One example is a screen house that is fitted with interior, retractable, aluminised curtains at varying degrees of light emission, a fully automated irrigation system, a contained drainage system and air extraction fans. Such technologies in the care and preservation of plants abound. This is only one example.

So plants not only obtain their own foot using photosynthesis, but they also provide oxygen that we all need to survive. They provide filtering systems and shelter and they also contribute to the production of mineral and nutrient rich soil, which is need in agriculture and food production and growth in general. Plants are also essential in the economy and have healing and regenerative processes as has been seen. After reading this, perhaps you won't take plants, "nature's wonder" for granted. Clearly more than five things you didn't know about plants are outlined here, but this is far too important a subject to shorten or condense. It is hoped you have leaned something that will help you today. You can find information about this and other subjects and the websites given at the bottom of this article.

The miraculous properties of a vast variety of flora make our world a better place, contribute significantly to all life and exhibit healing and restorative elements, but they also make our world a much brighter and more beautiful place. The colours and textures are so amazing and varied. Bright vibrant colours and a panorama on a tropic rain forest, for example, make plants truly remarkable.