Plants

Plants are the life support system of ecosystems and every food chain in nature starts with plants. They are some of the only organisms that are able to convert energy from the sun into food and in turn provide, directly or indirectly, all the food that we eat. In addition to providing food, they absorb carbon dioxide and release vital oxygen into the atmosphere.

 

Approximately 25% of medications prescribed today originated from wild plants and many people also rely on herbal medicines for their health and well-being.
In addition to holding onto rain water and capturing carbon, wildflower meadows can be biodiversity hotspots and are important habitats and food sources for invertebrates that also pollinate our food crops.
 

Looking beyond the ecological importance of plants and wildflowers, the green spaces within urban environments can help to reduce both air and noise pollution, helping to promote healthier living and increased well-being by encouraging more active lifestyles and by reducing stress.

There is something so beautiful about seeing wildflowers growing along roadsides, in fields and in our gardens, and walking through a wildflower meadow is a wonderful experience for all the senses. Amongst the more typically beautiful plants, there are also the semi-parasitic and carnivorous plants, not necessarily beautiful by average standards, but in every way fascinating and curious subjects of study.