2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Why is hot pepper? How do plants protect insects? Are there non-acidic lemons? Here are some interesting facts about plants and insects
Why is "kindergarten" called that?
As a rule, this is what preschool institutions are called in many countries of the world. This common name came to us from the 19th century, thanks to the German teacher Friedrich Febel. In 1837, he was one of the first to open an organization where townspeople could bring their young children. There, the kids were not only looked after, but also were engaged in their development, upbringing, gave the necessary knowledge about the world around them. Friedrich suggested calling this institution "Kindergarten", which literally means "kindergarten" from German. He drew an analogy with tree gardens, which must be cared for and grown with patience and love for the plants.
Plants in symbiosis with insects
Each plant has its own survival methods. Some grow thorns, others synthesize poisonous juice, but there are those who keep an entire army of defenders under their control. For example, acacia (Acacia cornigera) can attract a queen ant with its aroma. It settles at the base of one of the plant's thorns to deposit ant larvae. This type of acacia has hollow thorns, in which ants (especially their varieties Pseudomyrmex ferruginea) successfully settle. The plant itself provides insects with both shelter and food, and in return the ants drive insect pests from its territory that want to feast on its leaves. Ants even pull out sprouts of neighboring plants that encroach on the territory of their "home".
Pest tree with tenacious roots
In distant Western Australia, there is a tree called Nuitsia blooming profusely, or it is also called the "Christmas tree." Surprisingly, it is completely devoid of its own root system. In order to develop, the plant acts as a parasite and attaches itself with its shoots to the roots of neighboring plants. This is how Nuitsia gets the water, nutrients and minerals it needs. Surprisingly, the tenacity of this tree is such that there were often cases when the plant literally cut the wires of telephone and television cables.
What is the reason for the hotness of red pepper?
The pungency of red pepper lies in a special substance in its composition - the alkaloid capsaicin. Botanists suggest that the concentration of this substance in pepper is explained by evolution. This was necessary so that birds, rather than mammals, would eat pepper more. In birds, there are no receptors that respond to the reaction of the pungent qualities of this plant, and its seeds pass through the bird's stomach unchewed. This contributes to its growth in different places visited by birds. This is how the pepper spreads over the ground.
The secret of sweet lemon
The unique world of flora has given birth to a "magic tree" called Sweetish Touria (Synsepalum dulcificum), which is also called Wonderful Berries. After eating its small reddish fruits, the receptors in the human mouth, which are responsible for the perception of sour taste, become noticeably dull. And if you eat a regular lemon within an hour after the “wonderful berries”, it will taste … sweet, while retaining its aroma.
One of the first "brands" of rubber shoes
The first "galoshes" were invented by the South American Indians, who simply dipped the soles of their feet in the juice of the hevea. After all, it is Hevea that is the main supplier of rubber in the modern world.
A plant with an "iron" character
In the middle zone of immense Russia, a plant grows with an amazing stiffness of the stem. We are talking about wintering horsetail. This plant, whose stems have been used for a long time as an abrasive material, accumulates silica. Even a steel surface can be scratched with this plant. This is where you don't need to drive your car for a picnic.
Why do some oranges have no seeds?
One of the varieties of oranges is funny called "orange with a rib" or "navel" (Navel orange). All this is due to the slight elevation on the fruit. This fruit is seedless. It is the result of a random mutation that occurred in 1820 in Brazil. This type of fruit can only be propagated by grafting.
These are far from all the amazing facts about plant life. Botanists every year make new discoveries that confirm the mystery and greatness of nature.
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