150-200 Word Discussion

This week we will investigate the importance of plants in our everyday lives – in ways other than just for oxygen.

Photosynthesis  is arguably one of the most important processes on Earth – essentially  all life depends on it. Humans and other animals depend on plants to  capture the energy of the sun and use that energy to manufacture  carbohydrates – subsequently releasing the oxygen that we breathe. But  plants are vital to our lives in other ways as well. Think about the  pencil you write with (or used to), the toothpick you used last night,  the cotton T-shirt you wore today or the maple syrup you had on your  pancakes this morning. These all came from plants! Ethnobotany  is the study of the relationship between plants and people – plants  used for practical, ceremonial, spiritual, medicinal, decorative,  edible, etc. purposes.

• You are to find a plant product that we use every day, and do not pick one that your classmates have already chosen.
• Make sure to include the product name in the title of your discussion post so that others can quickly see what you have chosen.
• Do some research and address the following: 
  • From what plant does your product come? Include the common and scientific name (properly formatted).
  • What is the product? What does it do? How do we extract it from the plant. Describe in detail.
  • What is the primary use: medicinal, ceremonial, etc.?
  • Are there commercial fields for the plant? Where?
  • Are there any substitutes for your product? If there is no information, feel free to take an educated guess and support it.
  • What is the most fascinating thing you learned about your product?

Follow the discussion grading criteria, guidelines and instructions for posting and replying to peers.

For More Information:

Missouri Botanical Garden: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plant-conservation/plant-conservation/conservation-in-action/plants-and-people.aspx

New York Botanical Garden: https://www.nybg.org/plant-research-and-conservation/explore/plants-and-people/

TEDX Video: https://youtu.be/st4K_RYw16E