1. Sugarcane is an important industrial crop. It belongs to the grass family. Today, sugarcane is grown in over 110 countries. It is estimated that its production rose to around 1,683 million metric tons in 2009 worldwide. About 50 per cent of its production occurs in Brazil and India.
2. Dandelion is a large group of flowering plants. It is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium and zinc. Dandelion leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas.
3. Bamboos are some of the fastest growing plants in the world, as some of its species have been recorded as growing up to 100 cm (39 in) within a 24 hour period. Soft bamboo shoots, stems, and leaves are the major food source of the giant panda of China, the red panda of Nepal and the bamboo lemurs of Madagascar. Bamboo is used in Chinese medicine for treating infections and healing.
4. Rattan is the name for the roughly 600 species of palms. It is found in Africa andAsia. Rattans are also superficially similar to bamboo. Unlike bamboo, rattan stems are solid and most species need structural support and cannot stand on their own.
5. Lime blossom is a very powerful and useful medicinal plant. Its flowers, inner bark and leaves have been collected and used to treat a variety of illnesses for ages.Though it is native to the eastern part of North America, it is not found in the western half. It is also found in several parts of Europe and Asia. It is a very large deciduous tree and can grow to be anywhere from 70 feet to over 100 feet tall.
6. Papyrus or paper reed is a tall, robust, leafless aquatic plant. It is found in Africa. It can grow 4 to 5 m (13 to 16 ft) high. It forms a grass-like clump of triangular green stems. Egyptians used the plant for many purposes, most famously for making papyrus paper.
7. Willows are valued as ornamentals for their shade, erosion control andtimber. Certain species of willow tree are yield Salicin, the source of Salicylic Acid used in pain relievers. Willows are often planted on the borders of streams because their interlacing roots may protect the bank against the action of the water. Its roots are much larger than the stem which grows from them. |