Plants

Plants are one of the most diverse and abundant group of organisms on Earth. Their ability to convert light energy, in the form of sunlight, into chemical energy, in the form of glucose, has given them an advantage over other organisms for billions of years. Plants were among the first organisms to move from a totally aquatic lifestyle to a totally terrestrial lifestyle. The oldest organisms alive on Earth are a type of shrubby plant, which is a few thousand years old. Among the largest organisms on Earth are the Redwood trees in Northern California.

Plants are of enormous importance to humans. Most of our food, mainly in the form of fruits and grains, comes from plants. Cotton, a main source of clothing, comes from a plant. Approximately 25% of all drugs comes from about 2% of the plants that we are aware of. And of course around Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, many of us are dependent upon plants to show our love for those near to us.