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 plant
Arizona 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
O

• 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?