Flowering plants are important areas of the natural world and hold key positions in the ecosystem and group of life. Teaching children about the wonders that flowers hide inside their petals can be an exciting introduction into the world around them.
Reproduction
Pollination is one of the most interesting processes that flowers proceed through. Although most flowers have both male and female components for others do not. Some blooms depend on insects to deposit the feces in the crucial places, but some rely on bats, bats or the end. Many flowers have evolved to possess exquisite colours, shapes and scents to help attract pollinators to them to help in their reproduction. Plants which are pollinated by the wind may have little, inconspicuous flowers, while those who rely on butterflies tend to be brightly colored.
Flower Characteristics
Many flowers have habits which help in their pollination. Some flowers, like the 4 O’Clock flower, open at night or in the day since they are pollinated by nocturnal insects and creatures. Some blooms produce sweet nectar to either attract pollinators or their food, like the carnivorous Venus flytrap. A flower’s shape, height and color determine what sort of animal pollinates it or feeds it. As an example, long, tubular-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds.
Food for Thought
Flowers compose a huge area of the food chain, both directly or indirectly. They’re the direct food or source of food for many insects, birds, mammals and other creatures. Therefore, they’re also important in feeding bigger predators since carnivores have to eat the creatures that eat the plants. People eat a few flowers regularly, but mostly consume different components of plants. Some edible flowers include hibiscus, roses, nasturtiums and broccoli.
Protection
Some flowering plants have evolved to possess built-in security features for either themselves or the creatures that feed them. Raspberries and roses, by way of example, have thorny stems which can help protect them from being destroyed or eaten. Other flowers may be toxic to certain animals but not many others. Poison oak, as an example, contains a certain chemical that creates a allergic reaction in most people.
Cultural Significance
Flowers have been used by different cultures for different events or circumstances for many centuries. Chrysanthemums, as an example, are considered funeral flowers and some cultures believe them unlucky if they are within a home. Daisies symbolize innocence and loyal love, while distinct colored roses symbolize several kinds of love. Many flowers hold distinct cultural meanings, which is precisely why certain flowers are provided as gifts for a variety of events.