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Agroforestry As the population grows, the need for better crops and soil increases. Agroforestry studies plant growth and nutrition in an effort to find crops and soil that are compatible with each other and with the rest of the surrounding environment. Web:
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Botanical Gardens I belong to the local botanical garden where I live. I find that there is nothing more relaxing than sitting beside a rushing brook under a large tree, or reading a good book while sitting in a field of wildflowers. If you like gardens and plants, here are lists of arboretums and botanical gardens around the world, wonderful places to visit when you get a chance to slow down and enjoy life. Web:
Botanical Glossary When someone calls you a reniform acaulescent stomium, don't get mad, get even. Check with the Botanical Glossary and soon you will be able to reply, "Yeah, well, your mother is a vegetative (lacking reproductive organs) perispore (wrinkled spore covering)." Web:
Botany Images Here are thousands of pictures of plants, flowers, trees, fungi and other vegetation. If you are a student or researcher of botany, these are sites you should explore. However, even if you don't really care about botany, I suggest that you browse around and see what's here. There are fabulous pictures that would be great to dress up your Web page or to use as a background. Web:
Botany Resources Botany, a branch of biology, is the study of all forms of plant life, from tiny microscopic organisms to large long-lived trees. The roots of botany stretch back to Greek and Roman times. However, modern botany began in the 16th century with the systematic study of plants for medicinal uses. In 1623, the Swiss scientist Gaspard Bauhin published a book in which he described 6,000 different species of plants. The most renowned botanist of all time was the Swedish scientist Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778) who developed the modern system of nomenclature. Today, botany consists of a large number of specialized disciplines based on six fundamental areas of study: structure, properties, biochemical processes, classification, diseases and environment. There are also a number of applied botanical sciences, the most important of which are agriculture (crops, livestock), horticulture (fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants), and forestry (forests). Web:
Botany Talk and General Discussion How does your garden grow? Discover the myth and mystery of plant growth and reproduction. Discussion of all aspects of plant biology is encouraged. You'll never have a guilt-free salad again. Usenet:
Carnivorous Plants A carnivorous plant is one that eats animal matter of some type (usually insects, but sometimes very small animals like frogs). Carnivorous plants have adapted to live in an environment which is lacking in nutrients, for example, a bog or the surface of a cliff. Worldwide, there are more than 600 different species of carnivorous plants, many of which can be grown right in your very own home or garden. What is fascinating about them is that they are so unexpected. Normally, we assume that plants will sit quietly and leave the animal kingdom alone. To find a plant that can actually attract, capture and digest an animal of some type is a complete biological non sequitur. In case you want to explore these monarchs of the botanical world, here are some Internet resources to help you learn about these plants before they learn about you. Web:
Ethnobotany Ethnobotany is the study of how people in a particular region of the world make use of the indigenous plants. Ethnobotany involves not only botany, but many other disciplines such as archaeology, anthropology, biochemistry, pharmacology, history, sociology, mythology, and so on. Ethnobotany is especially important to us as a source for native plants that might have important pharmacological and medical uses. Web:
Ferns I have a big fern next to my desk, and, no doubt about it -- ferns are cool. But actually, ferns are a lot more cool than you might think. Just consider how they reproduce. Ferns grow as a collection of fronds, out of stems called rhizomes. A frond has many small leaflets or pinnae. On the underside of the pinnae, the plant produces small, round containers called sporangia. Within the sporangia are very tiny, dust-like spores. During its lifetime, a fern will drop millions of spores, and if one of them happens to fall in a suitable environment (which must be moist), it will grow into a small (less than a centimeter wide) heart-shaped plant called a gametophyte. On its underside, the gametophyte will grow tiny male organs (antheridia) and female organs (archegonia). In the presence of water, a sperm cell from the antheridia will swim to the archegonia where they will attempt to fertilize an egg cell. (And you thought you had it tough.) The fertilized egg will then grow into a sporophyte, a brand new fern plant. Thus, ferns reproduce by creating a new plant which then produces the child fern. And, just in case there isn't enough water, ferns can also reproduce by growing new plants from their rhizomes or having the gametocyte produce a sporophyte without fertilization. Now tell me, are ferns cool, or what? Web:
Forests A forest is a large area containing a dense growth of trees, underbrush and other plants. Forests are actually complex biological systems where the plant life interacts with a large number of animals (mammals, birds and insects) and microorganisms. For hundreds of millions of years, much of the Earth's land mass was covered by forests. However, with the rise of civilization, many forest areas were destroyed. As early as two thousand years ago, much of the area surrounding the Mediterranean sea had already been deforested, either for fuel (wood was Man's first fuel) or to clear the land for farming or grazing. As a result, these ancient regions suffered a decline in fertility, which had an enormous effect on the people who lived there, contributing to a decline in prosperity, which has persisted to this day. In the Middle Ages, Western Europe suffered from gradual but constant deforestation, and in more modern times, much of North America has suffered the same fate, but faster. Today, there are few large tracts of virgin forests remaining in the world, and one of largest, the rain forests of South America, is under constant assault. It is important for us to understand the role of our forests: how they work, how they interact with the global environment, and how they affect the lives and cultures of people in the area. Web:
Lichens Lichens are so cool. You've probably heard of them, but do you know what they really are? Lichens are organisms made up of a combination of algae and fungus living symbiotically. The fungus collects the water that is needed by the algae. The algae uses the water for photosynthesis, which produces the food needed by the fungus. Cool, huh? And not only that, when the algae and fungus reproduce, they usually do so simultaneously (although experts suspect that the fungus will sometimes fake it). Lichens are found all over the world, from the deserts to the polar regions, so there's a good chance you can find some near you. They make great pets, especially for people who can't handle the responsibility of caring for children or cats. Web:
Paleobotany Paleontology is the study of the history of life on Earth as reflected in the fossil record. Paleobotany is the branch of paleontology that concentrates on plant fossils and ancient vegetation. The most common type of plant fossils are the impressions of leaves. Other parts of the plant, such as stems, seeds and wood are more often petrified. Petrified wood is formed over millions of years as silica dissolved in groundwater replaces the organic material in pieces of wood. Thus, petrified wood is really a mineral that has been formed within the pattern of the wood. Web:
Palynology Resources Palynology is the study of spores and pollen. My advice is to visit this Web site as often as you can and brush up on your knowledge of tiny things that float around making people miserable. Then, when you meet someone at a party and they ask about your hobbies, you can say, "Oh, I am something of an amateur palynologist. Do you like spores?" I guarantee you will be invited back again and again. Web:
Photosynthesis Photosynthesis is the process whereby sunlight is used as an energy source to synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water. As a byproduct, photosynthesis also produces oxygen. Photosynthesis takes place in most plants, as well as algae and some bacteria. In plants, photosynthesis requires the use of chlorophyll, a pigment that gives plants their characteristic green color. All foods, fossil fuels (such as oil and coal), and plant products are indirect products of photosynthesis. Thus, without photosynthesis, there would be no paper to print this book and no pizza to eat as you use the Net. Web:
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Plant Fossil Database For some reason, when you read about extinct and endangered species, animals get all the press. However, there are a large number of extinct plant species, many of which have left fossil remains. This database contains a wealth of research information relating to thousands of extinct plants. Web:
Plant Hormones A plant hormone is a chemical that, when produced in one part of the plant and transmitted to other parts of the plant, can, in small amounts, affect various biological processes. The most common plant hormones are auxin, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid and ethylene. Hormones control processes such as cell growth, branching, apical dominance, the differentiation of vascular tissue, root creation and signaling. Apical dominance, for example, occurs when a terminal bud produces an auxin that moves down the branch and inhibits lateral budding. Plant hormones are even important in the home. When you have a piece of fruit that you want to ripen quickly, put it in a paper bag with an unripe banana. As the banana ripens, it will emit ethylene (a gaseous hormone), which will cause the other fruit to ripen more quickly. Web:
Plant Pathology Plants get sick. However, unlike people, plants rarely have adequate insurance and must almost always depend on the kindness of strangers. If you have a sick plant, or if you happen to be a plant pathologist doing research or wondering what your peers are up to, here are some Web sites specializing in botanical diseases and related topics. Web:
Plant Taxonomy Plant taxonomy refers to the scientific classification of plants. There is a wealth of information on the Net that can help you identify and name the plant of your choice. For example, say your significant other gives you a Phyllanthus acuminatus for Valentine's Day. Most people wouldn't know what to make of it, but as one of my readers, it will be the work of a moment for you to check with the Net and find out that your gift is actually a Jamaican gooseberry tree. (Wow!) Web:
Succulents and Cacti Succulents are fleshy plants that are characterized by being able to survive with minimal water. Succulents typically have thick leaves, covered with a waxy material called cutin that acts to reduce the evaporation of water. These plants -- including many species of cactus, aloe and yucca -- are commonly indigenous to naturally dry regions, such as the semi-arid areas of the world. Personally, I like succulents, and I have a number of them in my office and outside in my garden. One such plant that I recommend for everyone is the aloe vera. It is easy to grow, and the slimy substance inside the leaves is useful for treating mild burns and skin irritations. Web:
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