‘Plants of the World’
‘Plants of the World’ by Claire Llewellyn, published by Franklin Watts
1. The world’s largest forest is the huge coniferous forest that stretches 12000 km across the north of Russia. It is known as the taiga.
2. Although a coniferous forest lies south of the tundra, the climate here is still a harsh one. The summers are warmer than in the tundra but the winters are long, with heavy snow and freezing winds. During the cold months, the ground is like an iceberg and plants are starved of water.
3. The plants best adapted to this climate are coniferous trees such as spruce and pine. They have a small, needle-shaped leaf, whose tough, waxy coat is resistant to frost and locks in the tree’s precious water. The trees, most of which are evergreen, shed their leaves slowly throughout the year instead of losing them all in one go. This helps the trees to conserve energy and absorb sunlight all through the year.
4. In the temperate zone, deciduous tree grows very quickly in spring. Broad, flat leaves unfold and stretch out in the sunshine, which provide energy for the tree to produce flowers, fruits and seeds. As the days shorten in autumn, there is not enough light to make food for the tree. The leaves dry out and fall to the ground. The tree stops growing and rests until spring.
5. Woodland flowers have adapted to the trees’ seasonal growth. In early spring, before the trees have leaves, they use the energy from the available light to flower and set seed.
6. Grasses are tough flowering plants. Their stems grow horizontally along the ground. Buds on the stems put out shoots that grow into long, narrow leaves called blades. Grass plants produce a mass of stringy roots that bind the soil into a tough mat. When it rains, the roots suck up water from the soil before it can sink under ground.
7. With its deep, salty water and pounding waves, the sea is a difficult place for plants to grow. Along the coast plants face a special challenge. Twice a day the tide goes out and plants that grow there risk drying out. Seaweeds are the largest kind of algae. They are covered with a slimy coating that stops them drying out when the tide is low.
8. Seaweeds have strong, rubbery stems called fronds. They are flexible and can ride the waves. Some species have air-filled pockets called bladders which help to keep their fronds afloat, allowing them to absorb light and make food for the plant.
Source: http://www.art-katalog.com/en/artwork/7393
Source:http://www.art-katalog.com/en/artwork/9107
