TROPICAL PLANTS
There are many plants that thrive in the tropical rainforest biome. During my trek to this lush environment, I got the opportunity to study Bengal bamboo, bougainvillea, curare, the coconut tree, and the Kapok tree.
BENGAL BAMBOO
BOUGAINVILLEA
CURARE
Scientific Name: Chondodendron tomentosum
Common Name: curare, grieswurzel, pariera brava, pareira, vigne sauvage
Adaptations/Special Features: its leaves are smooth so it can get rid of water
Interesting Fact: D-tubocarine, the active ingredient that can be found in this plant, is used in medicines for treatment of edema, fever, kidney stones, and more
Common Name: curare, grieswurzel, pariera brava, pareira, vigne sauvage
Adaptations/Special Features: its leaves are smooth so it can get rid of water
Interesting Fact: D-tubocarine, the active ingredient that can be found in this plant, is used in medicines for treatment of edema, fever, kidney stones, and more
COCONUT TREE
KAPOK TREE
Scientific Name: Ceiba pentandra
Common Name: kapok, ceiba, silk-cotton tree
Adaptations/ Special Features: has flowers that open with an unpleasant odor, but the smell is assumed to attract bats to pollinate
Interesting Fact: kapok, which comes from the fruit of the tree, was used to stuff furniture cushions before synthetic fibers were created
Common Name: kapok, ceiba, silk-cotton tree
Adaptations/ Special Features: has flowers that open with an unpleasant odor, but the smell is assumed to attract bats to pollinate
Interesting Fact: kapok, which comes from the fruit of the tree, was used to stuff furniture cushions before synthetic fibers were created