Inquiry Research Paper Every plant is different. There are no two plants that are the same, nor are there two that grow the same way. Some plants grow in hot, dry environments while others grow in cold, damp environments. Some plants grow in the tropical rain forests while others grow in prairies. Even plants that are in the same family can grow in different climates and environments. Plants can be as similar as they are different. Plants need certain factors to be able to thrive in an environment. They need certain levels of water and sunlight. They need a certain type of soil and certain amount of shade. Plants are very picky on how, when and where they grow.
The Beavertail Cactus, African Lilly, and Boston fern are three plants that are very different in many ways. They all grow in different regions and require different levels of abiotic factors. They are each unique in their own way and are ever different then the species in their families. The Beavertail Cactus is a part of the cactaceae, cactus family. It has a scientific name of Opuntia basilaris. The cactus is the state cactus of Texas. The lifespan of it is over twenty years. Another name that the Beavertail Cactus is referred to is “Prickly Pear.” It is referred by that name because of the fruit that grows on it. Spanish-American culture influenced a nickname for the fruit, “tuna.” The Beavertail Cactus is flat and pancake like with no leafs. It is a dull green color. The cactus can reach up to seven feet tall while the pads can be three to sixteen inches wide (seven to forty centimeters). On the pad, there are spikes. These spikes come in bundles and can be a yellow to brown color. The spikes, or spines as they are often referred to, are about an eighth of an inch (three millimeters). The spikes, you may assume, are sharp and painful. Most of the species in its genus have sharp spikes. At the top of the pad on the cactus, flowers grow. These flowers are very colorful and vibrant, especially when compared to the grey-green of the rest of the cactus. The flower is a pink or red color. In some cases, the flower could be yellow or white however that is rare. These flowers are large. The petals of the flower can grow to be two to three inches wide (fifty-five to seventy-five millimeters). The flowers grow between January and February. They typically bloom between March and June. The Beavertail cactus are typically found in Eastern California, through Utah, and Arizona. They are native to Southwest Utah, Southern California and Northern Mexico. Even though they are found in California, they do not live near the coast. The cactus typically thrive in hot and dry climates. They like to live in rocky and sandy deserts or canyons. They prefer sand like soils and they love the sunlight. The cactus does produce some fruit. The fruit can be a pink, magenta color to green. When it matures, it becomes a dull brown color. The “barrel” shaped fruit can be one to two inches long (twenty-five to fifty millimeters). It can also be a half an inch to one inch wide (twelve to twenty-five millimeters). Many brown, round seeds fall from the cactus. An animal uses the cactus as protection. Packrats build their dens at the bottom of the plant. The spikes that are on the cactus protect the rats from their predators. The Beavertail cactus is a truly amazing plant that thrives in dry, rocky areas. It requires little water and a lot of sunlight. It produces vibrant flowers and juicy fruit and provides protection for other creatures. The African lily is a part of the liliacea family and the agapanthus genus. Its scientific name is Agapanthus africanus. This plant is also referred to as “Lily of the Nile.” There are two types of this flower. Type A: Agapanthus africanus and Type B: Agapanthus waslshii. The length of both stems is twenty to seventy centimeters and the length of the leaf is twenty to thirty-five centimeters. It is the hardest plant in the Agapanthus species to grow. The flower does have a fragrance to it. The plant has been grown internationally since the 1600’s. It was, and still is, used mainly for decoration. The African lily is a very colorful flower. Type A’s petals are very open and open. It is usually a blue or a white color. Type B’s petals are narrow and closed in and are always a light blue color. They grow in December to March. The flowers usually bloom between January and February. The flowers also tend to grow rapidly after vegetation is burned. Both types are native to Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, and this is the only place where they are found in the wild. Type A goes from the southern peninsula to the Langeberg Mountains and can be at altitudes one thousand meters above sea level. Type B is more restricted. It can only be found in the Palmiet river valley and can be at altitudes six hundred meters above sea level. Both types thrive in habitats that are humid and have an abundance of plant diversity. The plants also require regular water. The different types also have different ways of pollination. Type A stays bunched together in large groups and it pollinated by carpenter bees. While Type B stays in smaller clumps and is pollinated by orange-breasted sunbirds. Type B is being threated now by houses being built in the area it thrives in. The African lily is a beautiful and unique flower. It is originally from South Africa and come in blue to white colors. The two types have many things in common and many differences as well. Boston ferns are a part of the Lomariopsidaceae family. Its scientific name is Nephrolepis exaltate. This plant is a familiar fern to most people. It is a typical, non-toxic, hanging houseplant. It is typically two to three feet long wide, however in its native environment it can get up to seven feet. It is common in forests and swamps. There are specific areas where it is common; like Northern South America, Mexico, Central America and Florida. The Boston fern likes humid and moist environments with shade. It grows in damp soil. Temperatures below forty-five to fifty degrees Fahrenheit will freeze the plant to death. The plant likes bight light but not direct sunlight and the plants requires an average size amount of water. The Boston fern is a basic houseplant. People everywhere have one of them. They are non-toxic and they typically do not get larger than three feet in a home. They require an average amount of sunlight and water. The plants likes areas that are like a rainforest setting and they thrive in moist areas. In conclusion, plants are very different. You have some plants that require little to no water to thrive, and then you have some that require an excessive amount of water to thrive. No two plants are alike. Just like the African lily; both types are very similar but they do have some small differences. The Beavertail cactus requires dry land while the Boston fern requires damp soil. All plants are different and unique and diverse.