We get acquainted with the amazing inhabitants of the Flora of our planet - unexpected, inventive and simply beautiful flowers. We have a lot of heard about some of them, others will open and pleasantly surprise - nature does not cease to strike us by fantasy and a variety of forms created by it!

Spreading fire

Banksia (BAnksia) is a representative of the protein family, and as all the conifers, it has a fantastic bright look. Belong to K. evergreen trees up to 20-30 meters high, sometimes sharpening in such a way that the stalks are hidden under the ground. They are an amazing form of inflorescences, resembling huge fluffy candles. The type of inflorescence is a brush, and at the same time it can hold up to four thousand small tubular flowers. Inhabits banksia, mainly in the southern arid areas of Australia, and is one of the symbols of the continent along with the eucalyptus.

Almost 80% of the Australian continent occupy rocky deserts, so the climate is characterized by severe dryness. In the harsh conditions, long periods of exhausting drought, and sharp nightly cooling, ordinary for deserts, can only survive the plants in their endurance. Therefore, the beauty of the prairies is extremely worn and unpretentious. Banksia leads mainly a night lifestyle: with the onset of twilight, flowers begin to highlight the essential oils, which attracts insects, small rodents of opossums, and bats that pollinate the plant. The flowers of banksia are wonderful turbines, and the indigenous inhabitants of the continent of ancient times use them in food, they have always been hardly the only source of natural sugars (since the aborigines did not engage in agriculture).

As the majority of Australian plants, banksia is pyrophythitis, it is multiplied with the help of ... fires occurring during the self-ignition of dry plants at the temperature peak. The seed box of these plants is so dense that it bursts solely when exposed to ultrahigh temperatures, which is released by seeds. Australian Aboriginals often to facilitate hunting deliberately burned the vegetation deserts in dry seasons, and soon the vegetation cover was updated, since the population of these colors was rapidly restored from the seed. This is another example - if the fire is akin to the northern forests or steppes, then amazing banksis is just waiting for!

The first Europeans got acquainted with these filaments in 1770 after disembarking the expedition of Cook on the Australian coast, and gave them the name of one of the nerds located in the expedition - Joseph Banks.

The biggest predatory flowers

Rafflesia is notable for its huge red flowers, some of which reaches the diameter of more than one meter and the mass of over ten kilograms, and they do not have any organs capable of photosynthesis, as well as roots, stems and leaves. It is explained by the fact that the flower most of his life spends in the tissues of the host plants, most often different Lian, from where it gets everything they need for its development. Flower Forest Fly Flys, which attracts the view (Distracy color - poisonous red or brown background, light irregular stains incorrect form) And the smell of rotten. Rafflesiya develops rather slowly: from seeding seeds before the appearance of buds goes around three years, then from nine to eighteen months it takes a bud to dismiss, but the time of blossoms of Rafflesia is very short: just two-four days.

The inhabitants of Sumatra have long used this plant for drugs: the extract from Ruffle's buds was used to restore an attractive female figure after the birth of children, and the flowers themselves were famous for the ability to strengthen the sexual function of men.

Edible flowers

It will be about a well-known fig, which is often referred to as the same flag. Southern fruit surprise is that from the point of view of nerds he is, though somewhat peculiar - but still a flower! On our table, the fig is already falling in the rock form - therefore, few people know that the external thin skin with small hairs (yellow, green, purple or purple - depending on the variety) is only the basis and protection for a plurality of small unbelievable separatogne flowers, turned over inward Spherical flower formation has a hole on the top and cavity inside. In the "peephole", covered with scales, fly-babes, pollinating figs. Crispy seeds are microscopic nuts. Moreover, only women's inflorescences are turning into the pear-shaped juicy and squeezing fruits - figs, and smaller men's (capsifics) develop on neighboring male trees. In cooking it is believed that the smallest the fruits, the fizhr tastier. For example, if in each gram of pulp more than 900 seeds, then the fig is very good, and if less than 500 is mediocre. In addition, an inadematic variety of FIG was removed, which does not need pollination - but its fruits are inferior in compatibility and taste. Nature, no matter how cool, do not shake.

Figs refer to the most ancient cultural plants With a story more than three thousand years, whose healing properties Long ago studied. Calcium, phosphorus, iron, other minerals and vitamins are saved even in the fruits dried in the sun, and they are used when overwork, inflammation of the lungs, indentation of the stomach, urinary system diseases. In ancient Greece, the fig was considered the third in value (after olive and grapes). Ellina attributed to her supernatural qualities, so the fruit of figs was considered a symbol of well-being and fertility. In America, the figva got only at the end of the 16th century, and on the ground of Rus - even after a couple of centuries. And the name "Ficus" (general for thutwood trees, including figs), it was somewhat changed to "Figu" - from here and the "fig tree" occurred.

Flowers with the biggest cigarette

Amorphophallus (Amorphophallus) refers to the family of aroid, and was opened on the island of Sumatra Florentine scientist in 1878.

His impressive size flower is a dissected in the middle of huge leaves, of which the patch of various colors leaves, mostly brown-violet or whiteish green. On the inside of the scene there are growing or irregularities that serve as traps for - but the case is at all in the predatory lifestyle, and in the exceptional ingenuity of amorphofalus. These are one-bedroom plants, ie contain flowers of both sexes: on the base of the patch - tiny female flowers (no more than one pestle), then - the totality of the stamens of men's flowers, as well as empty "sterile" areas called "adding" and consisting of especially large, In essence, useless colors. As you know, for evolution it matters only cross pollination (from a flower on a flower), and self-pollination is a dead end in the development of the species. To avoid this, Amorphofallus "developed" a cunning plan. Women's flowers bloom for one day, and half insects have been pollinated insects, drawn dubious nimble aroma of rotten fish (often visitors to botanical gardens are forced to wear respirators on excursions). Another half of the unlucky Moshcar, pouring the first thing to the male colors of the same card, is captured on the current day - these flowers are closed. When the next day, women's flowers become no longer susceptible to pollen, men's flowers are revealed, producing literally sprinkled insects to all four sides (which, however, lead just to others in the same short-lived). Amorphofallus lives for about 40 years - and for all this Time blooms only a couple of times. Blossom lasts about two weeks, and during this time the size of the club plant is significantly reduced due to the need for a lot of expensive nutrients To form such a huge infloresception. These tubers are widely used in traditional Japanese cuisine - for the preparation of soups and stews, flour for noodles, as well as the desirable substance from which special "Tofu" is prepared. Polled flowers are then developing in red, orange, white, yellow or blue spherical berries. Also, amorphofaluses serve as praying moths and scraped butterflies.

Underwater flowers

Are you sure to meet golden buttercups and other alpine flowers under water is impossible? - as possible! If you are armed with aqualing and go to May-July to the Commune of Tragia, located in the mountains of Austria, you have a chance to visit the amazing water-in-green lake ("GR? NER SEE").

Its most of it exists only three months in a year, when the spring of melting water from pure mountain sources flood the forest glade - and then paths on the lawn, trees, benches and emerald dispersed with all fragrances of colors are immersed under water. Its crystal clear and transparent layer, in a depth of eight meters, comes down to the end of summer, and local inhabitants, as well as tourists, with regret they remove the flips and indulge in walking along the paths, enjoying the singing of birds. \\

Especially pleased with the environmental culture of vacationers, as well as vigilant attention of the authorities to paradise: Neither a single cigarette or empty plastic bottle You will not find in the district, and nothing will spoil the delicious charm of the green lake.

For plantsliving in reservoirsWater is not only the necessary environmental factor, but also the immediate habitat. Among them are representatives of various departments: seaweed, mossa, chewy, fern, flower plants . The prevail is usually algae, but a lot among hydrophists and flowering plants.

Classification

Water plants A varied structures and its position in the reservoir. Depending on the fitness for life outside the water they are divided into gedatrophitov or hydrophitis. However, quite often instead of these two terms, all aquatic plants are combined under the name hydrophitis.

Gedatrophits.:

• fully immersed in water: rogolitnik submersible (CeratophyllumdEMERSUM), Elodea Canadian (Elodea.canadensis);
• free float on the surface of the water: small rock (Lemna.minor) and triochdol (L.trisulca), waterframe frogs (Hydrocharis.morsus-ranae);
• floating on the surface of water leavesbut their rhizome is attached to the bottom: kubya yellow (Nuphar.lUTEA), the water lily purely (NYMPHAEA.Candida) (Fig. 184).

Hydrophitis:

• immersed only with their lower part - common Rollist (Sagittaria.sagittifolia), Refaughter lazy (Scirpus.lacustris).

Features of plant fixtures for water medium

The aqueous medium is significantly different from the ground. It has special temperature and light modes, other gas and mineral compositions, other density of the medium.

Light and depth

There is always less light in the reservoir than on land, since part of the sunny rays is reflected from the water surface, the other is absorbed in its thickness. The intensity of penetrating light depends on the transparency of water. Thus, 1% of radiation falls into the depth of 140 m in the oceans with a large transparency, and in small lakes with muddy water to a depth of 2 meters - the tenths of the percent. With depth, the spectral composition of the light is changed. In the deep layers of water reach mostly green, and even deeper - blue and purple rays. Submersible plants have to adapt not only to a lack of light, but also to change its composition by developing additional pigments. It is known that algae living in different depths have a different color: in shallow zones prevail green algae in deeper meet brown, and even deeper red algae. In the low-voltage waters of the plants are found mainly in surface layers, and in reservoirs with transparent water - at a depth of up to 100 m or more.

Gas composition of water (oxygen content)

An important factor in the life of aqueous plants is the content of oxygen water. It enters the water from the air and is released by plants at photosynthesis. In water, it is usually a little oxygen, especially at the bottom of the reservoir, where water is not moved by trends, therefore, the aquatic cavity system is developed in all organs.

Mineral water composition

Mineral salts necessary for the nutrition of plants are contained in water in minor quantities. They are absorbed by all the surface of immersed plants, or their parts. For absorption with aqueous plants of dissolved gases and mineral substances, a large surface of contact with the aqueous medium is necessary. Therefore, the leaves of aqueous plants immersed in water are strongly dissected on narrow filamental shares ( rogolitnik (Fig. 185), bubble ordinary — Utricularia.vulgaris (Fig. 186)), or have a very thin translucent plate (submersible leaves redesov). They have absolutely not developed cuticle and there is no dust. In some submersible plants, roots are reduced ( rogolitnik, bubble), others have weakly developed (Elodea Canadian) And do not play a significant role in the absorption of nutrients. The roots of rooting hydrophists are weakwear, without root hairs. At the same time, a number of species have thick and durable rhizomes ( kubashka, Luga), who play the role of "anchors", storage of spare storage facilities and organ of vegetative reproduction.

Fig. 186. Ordinary Bubble (Utricularia Vulgaris)

In plants, partially immersed in water, well expressed disgrace -the difference in the structure of surface and underwater leaves on one plant. The first have features, ordinary for leaves of land plants, the second - dissected or very thin leaf plates (Waterlink, Kubashka, Roll, UniversitySiUm.latifolium) Material from site.

Density of water

Water differs from the air greater density, which is reflected in the structure of the body of hydrophitis. They are strongly reduced mechanical tissues, since plants are maintained by water itself. Mechanical elements and conductive beams are often located in the center of the stem or leaf cutting, which gives the ability to bend when water moves.

Submersible hydrophitis have good buoyancy, which is created as special devices (air chambers, bloating) and increasing body surface.

Water temperature

Temperature regime in water is characterized by a smaller flow of heat and greater stability. Water slowly heats up and cools, and this is reflected in the development of plants: spring hydrophitis awakens much later than land plants. Daily and annual temperature fluctuations are less than on land. The temperature does not fall less than +4 ° C.

Reproduction of aquatic plants

The aqueous medium creates specific conditions and for seed reproduction of plants. Pollen some hydrophitis is transferred with water. The water plays a big role in the spread of fruits and seeds, which in many aquatic plants have the ability to remain on the surface of water for a long time.

Wintering water plants

The aqueous medium determines the specifics of the plants overreving. Many hydrophists formed special organs of vegetative reproduction in the form of winter kidneys, called tURIONI. In the autumn, these kidneys, heavy nutrients accumulated in them, are lowered to the bottom. In the spring, the kidney germinate and give rise to new plants (waterfronts frog, ridezes). Many aquatic plants winter in the form of rhizomes located at the bottom of the reservoir.

On this page, material on the themes:

• Abstract on the topic of guidophytes

• Gidatopit rogolistnik

• Short report on hygrofitis guitophytes and hydrophits

• Anatomical features of aquatic plants briefly

• Gedatoes Representatives

Questions about this material:

Underwater, as in the most well-kept garden suddenly, extraordinary beautiful features are blooming. This is an actania! What is this plants? But not the plants at all played by all the colors of the rainbow at the bottom of the sea - these are animals, and the most real underwater predators - Actinia (Actiniaria). Actinia is a miracle of nature. So what is it?

Strange creatures of these multicellular animals, they include countless colorful species, some of them externally resemble the terrestrial flowers of the anemone, hence the other name of this detachment.

Although among the actinium there are several pelagic species, most sea anemones belong to the class of coral polyps and lead a settling lifestyle, attaching to any solid surface with a special suction cupboard. The body is a cylindrical case. On the opposite side of the sole side, the rotter disk is located, surrounded by fancy tentacles. The tentacles are armed with blocking cells that the animal actively uses to paralyze its victim.

Not everyone falls the ability to sneak with aqualing to watch the behavior of the actinium in nature, but I recently saw them in the reef aquarium in one solid company.

Attractive in the dazzling outfit "Sea Flowers" - Actiia, not to find more beautifully their beings among underwater inhabitants, but the beauty of them is deceptive, these predators are very cunning. Will blossoms in the water fan of his bright tentacles anemone and waiting. And fish, or wraps, as if the butterflies rushed to it. Actinia Share of a second is enough Actini to deal with the bold prey. Some beautiful predators and for a person are unsafe. Actinium burns do not pass long, painful. The skin is covered with bleeding ulcers, and during a reload, the fingers in their hands stop bending. But among them there are such species that are quite coming in aquariums.