Why plant diversity is so important
Plants have evolved into many diverse forms that define and sustain ecosystems.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Transcript
Plants like these primroses have experimented with polymorphism, exhibiting the well-known pin-eye and thrum-eye forms. Petals may well be fused, producing features like this daffodil corolla.
This orchid shows even greater sophistication of color and pattern, together with clever separation of its male and female parts, aiding pollen transfer.
Leaves and stems are also continually experimenting with new forms.
Over millions of years these experiments have produced a huge diversity of form in the plant kingdom. Such diversity helps to sustain life for every other creature on the planet.
Plants can provide both the habitats and the food sources for other organisms. From the earliest and simple forms, the evolution of plant life has laid down the pathways for other organisms to follow. A rich diversity in the plant kingdom means that these pathways are many and varied.
This orchid shows even greater sophistication of color and pattern, together with clever separation of its male and female parts, aiding pollen transfer.
Leaves and stems are also continually experimenting with new forms.
Over millions of years these experiments have produced a huge diversity of form in the plant kingdom. Such diversity helps to sustain life for every other creature on the planet.
Plants can provide both the habitats and the food sources for other organisms. From the earliest and simple forms, the evolution of plant life has laid down the pathways for other organisms to follow. A rich diversity in the plant kingdom means that these pathways are many and varied.
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