Plants, MON-PAC
Life on Earth owes much to plants. The vast majority of plants carry out photosynthesis to transform light energy into chemical energy, which is the way that virtually all energy in the biosphere becomes available to living things (including us humans). Plants occupy the base of Earth's food webs and are consumed directly or indirectly by all higher life-forms, thereby functioning as the major source of food for humans and other animals. Plants' photosynthetic activity also produces the air that we breathe: almost all the oxygen in the atmosphere is due to the process of photosynthesis. Still not convinced about the merits of plants? Consider the fact that many plants not only serve up crucial nutrients and breathable air but also look good doing it. Many plants are admired for their striking aesthetic qualities, and flowers such as tulips, lilies, sunflowers, and daisies beautify fields, gardens, windowsills, and bouquets the world over. Plants are also a primary source of consumer goods, such as building materials, textile fibers, and pharmaceuticals.
Plants Encyclopedia Articles By Title
monkshood, (genus Aconitum), genus of more than 200 species of showy perennial herbs of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).......
monocotyledon, one of the two great groups of flowering plants, or angiosperms, the other being the eudicotyledons......
monstera, (genus Monstera), genus of nearly 50 species of flowering plants of the arum family (Araceae), native......
Monterey pine, (Pinus radiata), economically important conifer species (family Pinaceae), the most widely planted......
Moon tree, colloquial name for any of several trees grown from seeds that were flown around the Moon during the......
moonlight cactus, (genus Selenicereus), genus of about 20 species of cacti (family Cactaceae), native to tropical......
moonseed, any of three species of woody vines constituting the genus Menispermum of the family Menispermaceae (order......
Moraceae, the mulberry family of the rose order (Rosales), with about 40 genera and some 1,000 species of deciduous......
Moreton Bay pine, (Araucaria cunninghamii), large evergreen timber conifer of the family Araucariaceae. The Moreton......
moringa, (Moringa oleifera), small deciduous tree (family Moringaceae) native to tropical Asia but also naturalized......
Robert Morison was a Scottish botanist whose work, along with that of his contemporary John Ray, served to elucidate......
morning glory, any of several herbaceous twining vines or shrubs in the genus Ipomoea (family Convolvulaceae).......
mosquito fern, (genus Azolla), genus of six or seven species of aquatic ferns of the family Salviniaceae. Members......
moss, (division Bryophyta), any of at least 12,000 species of small nonvascular spore-bearing land plants. Mosses......
moth orchid, (genus Phalaenopsis), genus of about 60 species of orchids (family Orchidaceae), native to southeastern......
mountain ash, (genus Sorbus), genus of several shrubs or trees in the rose family (Rosaceae), native to the Northern......
mountain laurel, (Kalmia latifolia), Flowering evergreen shrub of the heath family, occurring in most mountainous......
mountain mahogany, (genus Cercocarpus), genus of five or six species of North American shrubs or small trees in......
mousetail, any of about 15 species of small, annual, herbaceous (nonwoody) plants constituting the genus Myosurus......
mud plantain, any aquatic annual or perennial plant of the genus Heteranthera of the pickerelweed family (Pontederiaceae),......
Sir Ferdinand von Mueller was a German-born Australian botanist and explorer who was known for his studies of the......
muhly, (genus Muhlenbergia), genus of about 150 species of range grasses in the family Poaceae, native to North......
mulberry, (genus Morus), genus of about 10 species of small to medium-sized trees in the family Moraceae and their......
mullein, any of the 360 species of the genus Verbascum (family Scrophulariaceae), large biennial or perennial herbs......
mung bean, (Vigna radiata), legume plant of the pea family (Fabaceae), grown for its edible seeds and young sprouts.......
Musaceae, the banana family of plants (order Zingiberales), consisting of 2 genera, Musa and Ensete, with about......
musk cucumber, (Sicana odorifera), perennial vine of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), native to the New World......
musk mallow, (Abelmoschus moschatus), annual or biennial plant of the mallow family (Malvaceae), native to India.......
muskmelon, any of several varieties of netted-rind melons in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), noted for their......
mustard, condiment made from the pungent seeds of either of two main herbs belonging to the family Brassicaceae.......
José Mutis was a botanist who initiated one of the most important periods of botanical exploration in Spain. After......
Myricaceae, the wax myrtle family of dicotyledonous flowering plants, in the beech order (Fagales), found throughout......
Myristicaceae, the nutmeg family of the magnolia order (Magnoliales), best known for the fragrant, spicy seeds......
Myrtaceae, the myrtle family of shrubs and trees, in the order Myrtales, containing about 150 genera and 3,300......
Myrtales, the myrtle order of flowering plants, composed of 9 families, 380 genera, and about 13,000 species distributed......
myrtle, any of the evergreen shrubs in the genus Myrtus, belonging to the family Myrtaceae. Authorities differ......
napa cabbage, (Brassica rapa, variety pekinensis), form of Chinese cabbage, belonging to the mustard family (Brassicaceae),......
narcissus, (genus Narcissus), genus of about 40 species of bulbous, often fragrant, plants in the amaryllis family.......
narra, (genus Pterocarpus), genus of timber trees of the pea family (Fabaceae), native to Asia and Africa. Narra......
nasturtium, (Tropaeolum majus), annual plant of the family Tropaeolaceae, cultivated as an ornamental for its attractive......
Natal grass, (Melinis repens), tufted grass of the family Poaceae, native to southern Africa. Natal grass is cultivated......
National Botanic Gardens of South Africa, one of the world’s largest botanical gardens, occupying a 1,305-acre......
nectar, sweet viscous secretion from the nectaries, or glands, in plant blossoms, stems, and leaves. Nectar is......
nectarine, (Prunus persica), smooth-skinned peach that is grown throughout the warmer temperate regions of both......
nectary, a plant gland in many angiosperms that secretes nectar. Floral nectaries are usually located at the base......
needlegrass, (genus Stipa), genus of about 150 species of grasses in the family Poaceae, characterized by sharply......
neem, (Azadirachta indica), fast-growing tree of the mahogany family (Meliaceae), valued as a medicinal plant,......
Nelumbonaceae, the lotus-lily family of the order Proteales, consisting of two species of attractive aquatic plants.......
Nemophila, genus of annual herbs of the family Boraginaceae. The 11 species, most of which bear blue or white,......
Neoglaziovia, genus of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae), containing two species of perennial South American......
Neoregelia, genus of about 40 species of epiphytes (plants that are supported by other plants and have aerial roots......
Nepenthes, genus of carnivorous pitcher plants that make up the only genus in the family Nepenthaceae (order Caryophyllales).......
Nidularium, genus of about 25 South American plants of the pineapple family (Bromeliaceae) that grow upon the branches......
nightshade, (genus Solanum), genus of about 2,300 species of flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae).......
Norfolk Island pine, (Araucaria heterophylla), evergreen timber and ornamental conifer of the family Araucariaceae,......
Thomas Nuttall was an English naturalist and botanist known for his discoveries of North American plants. Nuttall......
Nyctaginaceae, the four-o’clock family of flowering plants in the carnation order (Caryophyllales) containing about......
Nymphaeales, the water lily order of flowering plants, containing 3 families, 6 genera, and 74 species. Members......
oak, (genus Quercus), genus of about 450 species of ornamental and timber trees and shrubs in the beech family......
oat grass, any of the perennial plants of two genera of grasses, Arrhenatherum and Danthonia (family Poaceae).......
oats, (Avena sativa), domesticated cereal grass (family Poaceae) grown primarily for its edible starchy grains.......
Ochnaceae, a family of the order Malpighiales, comprising 27 genera and some 495 species of tropical trees and......
ocotillo, (Fouquieria splendens), flowering spiny shrub (family Fouquieriaceae) characteristic of rocky deserts......
Odontoglossum, genus of some 150 species of orchids (family Orchidaceae) that are primarily native to mountainous......
oil grass, (genus Cymbopogon), genus of about 70 species of aromatic oil-containing grasses in the family Poaceae.......
oil palm, (Elaeis guineensis), African tree in the palm family (Arecaceae), cultivated as a source of oil. The......
oil plant, any of the numerous plants, either under cultivation or growing wild, used as sources of oil. Oil plants......
okra, (Abelmoschus esculentus), herbaceous hairy annual plant of the mallow family (Malvaceae) and its edible fruit.......
old man cactus, (Cephalocereus senilis), columnar species of cactus (family Cactaceae), native to central Mexico.......
Oleaceae, the olive family, belonging to the order Lamiales and named for the economically important olive tree......
oleander, any of the ornamental evergreen shrubs of the genus Nerium, belonging to the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)......
oleaster, small deciduous tree of Eurasia, about 4.5 to 6 m (15 to 20 feet) high. It has smooth, dark brown branches......
olive, (Olea europaea), subtropical broad-leaved evergreen tree (family Oleaceae) and its edible fruit. The olive......
Omphalea, genus of tropical shrubs or trees of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), comprising 15 species; 12 are......
Onagraceae, evening primrose family of flowering plants, belonging to the myrtle order (Myrtales), comprising 18......
Oncidium, genus of some 300 species of tropical and subtropical American orchids (family Orchidaceae). Oncidium......
onion, (Allium cepa), herbaceous biennial plant in the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) grown for its edible bulb.......
Ophioglossaceae, family of four or five genera and about 100 species of primitive ferns (order Ophioglossales).......
Ophrys, genus of about 30 species of orchids (family Orchidaceae) native to Eurasia and North Africa. All have......
opium poppy, (Papaver somniferum), flowering plant of the family Papaveraceae, native to Turkey. Opium, morphine,......
Opuntia, large genus of 150–180 species of flat-jointed cacti (family Cactaceae) native to the New World. Opuntia......
orange, any of several species of small trees or shrubs of the genus Citrus of the family Rutaceae and their nearly......
orchard grass, (Dactylis glomerata), perennial pasture, hay, and forage grass of the family Poaceae. Orchard grass......
orchid, (family Orchidaceae), any of nearly 1,000 genera and more than 25,000 species of attractively flowered......
Orchis, genus of about 20 species of terrestrial orchids (family Orchidaceae) native to Eurasia and northern Africa.......
oregano, (Origanum vulgare), aromatic perennial herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae) known for its flavorful dried......
Oregon grape, any of several species of the genus Mahonia, evergreen shrubs of the barberry family (Berberidaceae)......
organ-pipe cactus, (Stenocereus thurberi), large species of cactus (family Cactaceae), native to Mexico and to......
Ornithogalum, genus of about 100 species of bulbous herbs (family Asparagaceae, formerly Hyacinthaceae) native......
Orobanchaceae, the broomrape family of flowering plants (order Lamiales), comprising about 100 genera and some......
Osage orange, (Maclura pomifera), thorny tree or shrub native to the south-central United States, the only species......
Osmunda, (genus Osmunda), genus of around 10 species of ferns distributed in wet areas from Canada and Europe into......
Osmundaceae, the royal fern family, the only family of the fern order Osmundales. A primitive group consisting......
Explore other Botanize! episodes and read about sea otters, tropic cascades, kelp, and eelgrass. Melissa Petruzzello:......
ovary, in botany, enlarged basal portion of the pistil, the female organ of a flower. The ovary contains ovules,......
ovule, plant structure that develops into a seed when fertilized. A mature ovule consists of a food tissue covered......
Oxalidales, the wood sorrel order of dicotyledonous flowering plants, containing 6 families, 58 genera, and 1,810......
Oxalis, genus of small herbaceous plants, in the family Oxalidaceae, comprising about 850 species, native primarily......
oxeye daisy, (Leucanthemum vulgare), perennial plant in the aster family (Asteraceae), commonly grown as an ornamental.......
Pacific yew, (Taxus brevifolia), an evergreen timber tree of the yew family (Taxaceae). It is the only commercially......