. Chemical Composition of the Plants

Plant body is made of material units, cells. Each cell has proto­plasm usually surrounded by a rigid wall. Protoplasm undergoes metabolic changes and produces many ergastic substances. As plants cannot take solid food, they manufacture complex organic matters out of simple substances. We know that the whole animal kingdom, including human beings, has to depend on plants for the supply of food.

Chemically, protoplasm is a very complex matter having proteids, carbohydrates, fats, and other inorganic substances in composition. Proteids are made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and in addition, often sulphur and phosphorus; carbohy­drates and fats are composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Cell wall is primarily made of insoluble carbohydrate, cellulose.

An idea about the chemical composition of the plant body can be had by the following method. A plant is dried at a high temperature. Naturally it will lose water. The percentage of water in plants is very high, often as much as 95%. The proportion of water can be determined by proper weighing. The dried plant gets charred forming a black mass of charcoal.

That is mainly carbon which forms almost half the dry weight of the plant. Now it is burnt. The combustible matters like proteins, carbohydrates and fats are converted into carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, water vapour, and other gases and thus escape, which may be properly collected and composition noted.

The white in­combustible residue left behind is ash, which is nothing but the oxides of the metals constituting the plant body. The percentage of ash varies; but on the average, it forms nearly 5 per cent, of the total weight of the plant. On proper analysis ash is found to be composed of quite a large number of elements, many of them, of course, being present only in minute traces.

The following elements are, however, always present in ash: potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), sulphur (S), phosphorus (P), chlorine (CI), and silicon (Si). Elements like manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and molybde­num (Mo) may be present in slight traces.

the Strange plant

When you think of plants, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Beautiful bouquets? Delicate, fragrant petals?

This is typically what people think of when they think of plants.

But, Mother Nature knows no bounds and you may be surprised by the weird and wonderful types of plants she has created.

For example, Titan arum or the “Corpse Flower” is the largest flower in the world but smells like rotting meat, hence its name. Or, what about the Parrot Flower found in Southeast Asia? When viewed from its side, it looks like a parrot.

We’ve hand-picked five plants that’ll be sure to grab your attention and inspire you. These species don’t look like your typical plant but that’s what makes them so interesting

1. Monkey Orchid – Dracula simia

This rare orchid is found in the Ecuadorian and Peruvian cloud forest at high elevations. Orchids can be found in all shapes, sizes and colors but this one looks like an animal. It received its name because its petals and design depict that of a monkey’s face. When the monkey orchid blooms, it has a ripe orange smell.

 Happy Alien Flowers – Calceolaria uniflora

Without even looking at a picture, you can just tell this flower will look unique just by its name! It was given their name due to its unearthly shape. This flower was originally discovered by Charles Darwin and grows in cold climates, near the Southern tip of South America close to Antarctica. Happy Alien Flowers typically grow near or on rocks due to their short roots. The flower’s shape attracts hummingbirds and its pollen rubs off on these birds to help with pollination.

 Bee Orchid – Ophrys apifera

The petals on this orchid resemble that of its pollinator, the bee! Though it is a self-pollinating plant, male bees are tricked by its fragrance thinking it’s a female bee. These orchids aren’t typically found in the U.S. because they require a Mediterranean climate. Orphrys means “eyebrow” and apifera means “bee-bearing”, referring to the flower’s bee-shape.

Bat Plant – Tacca chantrieri

This eerie looking flower has multiple names, Devil Flower, Cat’s Whiskers or Bat Head Lily. The plant was originally found in Southern China, where it’s warm climate and the tropical forest of Yunnan Province provide optimal growing conditions for this flower. The Bat Plant can grow up to 36 inches! The Bat Plant’s dark aesthetic compliments Halloween decor and will be sure to spark a conversation.

Giant Pelican Flower or Giant Dutchman’s Pipe – Aristolochia gigantea

Native to Brazil, Costa Rica and Brazil, this flower has a pungent smell to humans but certain insects are instantly attracted to it. Flies become temporarily trapped in the center, with one-way hairs directing it to pollinate. Known by its scientific name as  Aristolochia gigantea, the genus name comes from the Greek words aristos meaning best and locheia meaning “childbirth.” In the past, this plant was used for treatment of pain and infections from giving childbirth.