Plants, their diversity, structures, and biological processes. Cultivation and plant care belong in Gardening; fungi belong in Mycology.
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
What makes up a fully open dandelion's yellow flower head?
Each tiny flower can produce one seed, which is why a single dandelion puffball holds so many seeds.
Which dandelion structure can regrow the plant if part remains after weeding?
A dandelion's taproot stores food, so cutting off the leaves may leave enough reserves for new growth.
What color is the sap released when a dandelion's stem is broken?
The sap is latex, a sticky liquid that helps protect the damaged plant tissue.
Dandelion comes from French for "lion's tooth." Which feature inspired the name?
Dandelion leaves grow in a low circle called a rosette, helping the plant survive mowing.
What mainly makes the dark bands in many temperate tree rings darker than the pale bands?
Trees form the pale band during rapid early growth, then add smaller, thick-walled cells as growth slows.
What are the "eyes" on a potato tuber?
A cut piece of potato can grow into a new plant if the piece has an eye and enough stored food.
What usually carries pollen between the underwater flowers of seagrasses?
Some seagrasses release threadlike pollen that can snag on female flowers as the water moves.
Which spice is made from the dried inner bark of trees?
The bark curls into quills as it dries, which is why cinnamon often comes as hollow sticks.
Where does a red mangrove seed start germinating?
The long seedlings can float to a new shore before taking root, giving tides a role in spreading red mangroves.
In forests where water limits growth, unusually narrow tree rings often suggest which condition?
A shortage of water slows wood growth, leaving thinner layers that can preserve a record of past dry years.