Great green trees
The jojoba is an evergreen desert shrub that grows in South west America. It is drought –resistant. Its seeds are composed of liquid wax which is used as a substitute for sperm oil (a lubricant).
The redwoods are among the tallest trees in the world. Found on the central coast of California, the world’s highest tree is simply known as tall tree. It stands 112 meters high in the Redwood National Park. Redwoods have the ability to grow from stumps. It is record that a cabin built of redwood timber regularly sprouted leaves and the owner had to clip it like a hedge form a circle. This is known as the cathedral tree under which Californians often choose to be married.
Presented to and named after Queen Victoria of England, the royal water lily or Victoria amazonica is the largest water plant in the world. Discovered in the Amazon, it was successfully cultivated in England by gardeners who used a special greenhouse with a tank. Veins criss-cross the plant and help it to float and carry enormous weight. Its leaves grow to around two meters in diameter. The bears perfumed flowers which open at night for two nights only. The colors change from white on the first night to pink or red on the second.
The enormous traveler’s tree is indigenous to Madagascar and was brought into Europe. Its leaves are similar to that of the banana, but are spread out. The tree produces white flowers in a spray up to 12 meters high. The base of the long stems collects water which spurts out if pierced. It is quite unlikely that this tree saved people from thirst, as it grew in areas which had plenty of water.
The largest seed on earth is that of the coco-de-meter or the sea coconut palm. The seed averaging 20 kilogram weight and 30 centimeters in diameter is often used as a container. The sea coconut palm is an endangered species and faces extinction.
Mangroves are tropical trees that grow on muddy shorelines and mouths of rivers. They can grow in saline water. They have stilt-like, aerial roots which support them and can be seen when the water goes down at low –tide. They are a reserve of plant, marine and animal life. They cover 7% of the world’s area and act as a buffer against encroachment by the sea when a tidal storm hits the shore.
The two –pronged root of the mandrake usually looks like the legs of a human being. Long ago, people believed that the mandrake was a magical plant and would scream if you pulled it up.
The sugar maple tree found in North America produces a sweet sap called maple syrup-used as a desert accompaniment. The leaves of the tree turn a beautiful shade of red in autumn before they fall.
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