Note to Students

Commenting will be disabled today, 2.17, in order for commenting to be counted. It will be enabled later this evening or Saturday so that you can resume answering questions on your post.

Thanks,

Mrs. Hauck

P.Mondy

For my bad plant I choose poison oak. It is in the phylum Anthophyta and its scientific name is Toxicodendron diversilobum. Urushiol oil is what causes the rash produced by poison oak. Only 1 nanogram is needed to cause a rash. Just ¼ of an ounce is needed to give every person on the earth a rash. Urushiol can stay alive for 1-5 years on any surface including a dead plant. It is the most common allergy country and effects half the population. Rubbing the rash won’t spread it if you don’t have the urushiol oil on your hands. Poison oak has three leaves, same as poison ivy.

Poison Ivy, Oak, & Sumac - Fast Facts - (www.poisonivy.us).

" Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Information Center - (www.poisonivy.us). Web. 16 Feb. 2012. .

For my good plant I chose the Northern Red Oak. It can grow from 60 to 90 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet in diameter. It comes from the phylum anthophyta and its scientific name is Quercus rubra. This tree can live up to 500 years old and it reproduces from seeds and root sprouts. This tree can be found worldwide but it is very common in Minnesota and it is the New Jersey state tree. The Northern Red Oak has many uses. It is a good source of lumber and it is harvested and milled in Minnesota because they have an abundant supply of red oaks. It is often used for hardwood flooring, furniture, and for fence posts.

"Quercus Rubra." Welcome to the Illinois State Museum--Illinois State Museum. Web. 16

Feb. 2012. .

"Northern Red Oak: Nature Snapshots from Minnesota DNR: Minnesota DNR." Minnesota

Department of Natural Resources: Minnesota DNR. Web. 16 Feb. 2012. .

P.Kinnair

Bad


CASTOR PLANT Ricinus CommunisRicnius Castor oil makes up about 50% of the weight of the seeds. Star-shapedleaves can reach 3 feet in length. It Relies on the wind for pollination. it Containvaluable oil. Egyptian tombs indicate that the oil was used in medicine over6,000 years ago. Intact seeds may pass through the digestive tract withoutreleasing ricin. Symptoms of ricin poisoning begin within hours after exposureby ingestion or inhalation. There is no antidote for ricin poisoning. Castor plants are indigenousto the Mediterranean basin, eastern Africa and India. Humans are the most sensitive to theseseeds. It takes 1-4 to kill afull grown human, 11 to kill a dog and 80 seeds to kill a duck. It currently holds theGuinness World Record for most poisonous plant. The cause of death will be dehydration.One raw seed is enoughto kill a human in 2 days. A toxin called ricin is found throughout the plant,Itcauses an agonizing and unstoppable deathVrey, Christine. "Top 10 Plants ThatWill Kill You." Top 10 Lists - Listverse. 2 July 2011. Web. 13 Feb.2012..Ombrello, T. "Castor Bean Plant." Union CountyCollege Faculty Web Site. UCC Biology Department. Web. 14 Feb. 2012..

Good

Giant
panda BAMBOO
Gelidocalamus fangianus
Anthophyta
Bamboo grew on every continent exceptAntarctica and Europe. It is mostly found in Asia though. There are a lot ofinteresting things about bamboo. It was the first plant to re-green after theatomic blast in Hiroshima in 1945.The bamboo foliage can be up to 22% protein.
A grove of bamboo release 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees.
Ethanol and liquid diesel can be produced using bamboo as the raw material.
Becauseof the strength to weight ratio of bamboo it was used for some of the first
airplane designs. When wet bamboo cables increase in strength by as much as 20%.
Thedevelopment of gunpowder in China included the skin of bamboo. The most common
place for bamboo to grow is in Southeast Asia. Between 1,200 and 1,500 species
of bamboo have been found. Technically a “weed”,. Bamboo can grow up to 4 feet per day. Bamboo has a tensile strength greater than the same size piece of steel.
Bamboo has a very high rate of photosynthesis.
"Where Bamboo Grows." Bamboo Grove - All
Things Bamboo. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. .
Bamboo Fact Finder." Home. MagnaRack Corporation. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. " Bamboo Facts." Bamboo Plants
Lewis Bamboo. 3 Dec. 2002. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
.www.bamboogiftidea.com/18.html>.
Ann, Mary, and Bert
Silverman. "Totally Useless Facts about Bamboo." Welcome to
MidAtlantic Bamboo. Web. 13 Feb. 2012

S. Tumbleson

My first plant, which happens to have the scientific name, Echinopsis, is commonly known as a cactus. Cactus is actually a good plant, due to the fact that they are easy to care for. Cactus belong to phylum tracheoplyta. Cactus's belong to the cactacea family. This species of cactus happens to be more popular in Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. The stems of a cactus can be up to four to five feet in length and three to four inches in diameter.Each stem can possible have up to twelve ribs with are oles which are about half an inch apart. In the Summer, this species of cactus actually grows nocturnal, white flowers that attract moths and bats. The flowers bloom and open up at night and close early morning. If it's a cloudy day, sometimes the flowers will stay in bloom and opened all day long. Blooming time starts around April. Cactus's don't need much water, they are a low water use plant, but they prefer deep infrequent irrigation and likes well drained soils. This species can also grow fruits which are red in color, has a red pulp, and black seeds. Cactus's are usually found in sandy, flat land while being exposed to full sun. The cactus in some areas is also knows as 'Sea-Urchin' and 'Easter Lily Cactus'.

My next plant, which is also my 'bad' plant is commonly known as the Lily Of The Valley, or the scientific name is Convalloria Majalis. This plant belongs to the phylum anthophyta. This particular plant is commonly found in England. This innocent sounding plant is actually very poisonous. If ingested, it can cause irregular heart beat and pulse, digestive upset, and mental confusion. If the poisonous part of the plant, which is the leaves and the flowers, is eaten, you will need to be treated with charcoal. This sweet smelling, white plant blooms during May and has bell shaped blossoms, which come in pink and white. The plant grows in moist, but drained soil, and also spreads easily. This plant smells very sweet and is also herbaceous.

Works Cited

"Cactus Classification." Web. 13 Feb. 2012.

"Cactus Identification -The Top 10 Most Requested Cacti IDs On-line Guide to the Positive Identification of Members of the Cactus Family." On-line Guide to the Positive Identification of Members of the Cactus Family. CactusGuide.com, 2002. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

"Common Poisonous Plants and Plant Parts." Aggie Horticulture. Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .

"Echinopsis." Windowsill Cactus. Window Sill Cactus, 2004. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

"How Poisonous Is Lily of the Valley? - Mental Floss." Random, Interesting, Amazing Facts - Fun Quizzes and Trivia - Mental Floss. Mental Floss Inc, 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

"Lily of the Valley - Convallaria Majalis." Wiseacre Gardens. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

"Lily of the Valley." The Plant Expert. A. Steinbergs, 2008. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

Paun, Lou. "About Lily-of-the-Valley | EHow.com." EHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the Expert in You. | EHow.com. Demand Media, Inc, 1999. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

"What Is the Scientific Name for Lily-of-the-valley." The Q&A Wiki. Answer Corporation., 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

"What Is the Scientific Name for the Echinopsis (ECHIN11) Plant?" Plants Database Reference. Compare Reviews & Ratings. USDA Plants DataBase, 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

"Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment Pictures, Photos, And Information, Cactus, Echinopsis, Echinopsis Thelegona." George and Eve DeLange Homepage. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

T.Atkins

GOOD PLANT
The Northern Red Oak is from the family Fagacea. It is under the phylum name anthophyta. Its scientific name is Quercus rubra its commonly called a northern red oak. It is found in east
Canada and the Midwest US. The Northernred oak can grow potentially from 60-90 feet. The northern red oak is a large hardwood tree that has dark green leaves that turn to rusty orange and various shades of red in the fall. They reproduce from both seeds and root sprouts. They produce acorns. Redoak has light-colored, hard, close-grained wood that is used for a variety of
purposes from fence posts and flooring to furniture. Also used in medicinal uses for digestive
disorders, respiratory diseases, and skin infections. Generally, northern red oak is found on relatively moist sites with deep, rich soils. The tree has a single, lobed leaf with seven to eleven pointed or bristly-tipped lobes. These trees have been known to live 300-500 years. Acorns provide a food source for numerous birds and animals. The twig is red-brown in color, with large, multiple, terminal buds that are covered with scales. The bark develops flat ridges with shallow furrows. The bark is dark gray and sometimes a black color with the furrows being a reddish color. Red oak acorns are larger than any other acorn. This tree is the most widely used oak tree in the world!
"Oak Tree - Types of Oak
Trees." Oak Tree - All About Caring for Oak Trees. Web. 14 Feb. 2012.
.
"Find Northern Red Oak Trees Red
Oak Tree." About Oak Trees Quercus Species. Web. 14 Feb. 2012.
.

T.Atkins

Bad Plant

Poison sumac is in the phylum anthrophyta. Its scientific name is Toxicodendron vernix, commonly called poison sumac. It is often found in very wet areas of the eastern United States. It is a tree looking plant that can grow to be 30 feet tall. All parts of the plant contain a resin called urushiol that causes skin and mucous membrane irritation to humans. When burned, inhalation of the smoke may cause the rash to appear on the lining of the lungs, causing extreme pain and possibly fatal respiratory difficulty. Poison Sumac is not very common. Really woody and it actually grows into a tree instead of a small plant or shrub like poison ivy and poison oak. The leaves of the plant are smooth. There are no hairs on the stems. 7-9 leaves per stem. This plant is very bad. It only takes 1 nanogram of oil from this plant to cause a rash, and the average human get 100 nanograms of oil every time they come in contact with the plant. All parts of the plant are poisonous, including the bark. Some people are not affected by the plant. According to some people, poison sumac is the most dangerous plant in the United States.

"Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron Vernix)." Home Duke University. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/tove.html.

Untitled Document. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://poison-sumac.org/.

K.Ireton

GOOD
STAR APPLE
Round, baseball sized fruit that when cut has a core that takes on a star shape. Pulp is soft and sweet. The star apple usually comes in two forms, either the dark purple skinned variety with red-purple pulp, or the green skinned variety with clear-white pulp. The star apple is a very popular fruit in many tropical parts of the world.Description: A medium to large sized tree from 25-80ft high. Leaves are very pretty, with a glossy green surface, and a shimmering gold velvety underside.Hardiness: Star apples are tropical, and will not survive more than a couple of degrees of frost.Growing Environment: Young trees are highly susceptible to any kind of frost or cold wind. Trees need balanced watering throughout the year.Propagation: Either by seeds, which take 5-10 years to bear, or by grafting and budding, with trees coming to bear in 2-4 years.Uses: Star apples are eaten fresh. The pulp is usually spooned out as to avoid the bitter tasting rind. The fresh fruit is also often added to salads, drinks, and other dishes.Native Range: Native to tropical America, from the Caribbean through Central America. Is now grown commercially in Central and South America as well as tropical Asia and Africa. Occasionally grown commercially in parts of south Florida.

"Hawaiian Fruit - Star Apple." InstantHawaii - Your Big Island of Hawai'i Information and Activity Portal. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .
BAD
MOONSEED-very toxic to humans!!!!


Moonseed is a woody vine with cluster of several small fruits, or drupes, which
resemble grapes. It is native to eastern North America where it is found in
woods and hedges, but fortunately not commonly. The key to recognizing moonseed
drupes is that they have only one large crescent-shaped seed, while grapes have
many seeds. Birds eat the drupes with no apparent harm, which only shows that it
isn’t always safe to eat what birds eat. These drupes are poisonous, producing
severe abdominal pain and indigestion."Poisonous Plants — Moonseed.Moonseed, a deciduous climbing vine, is fairly common throughout North
Carolina in floodplain forests and other moist wooded areas.Drooping panicles of tiny white flowers appear in mid- to late-spring. The leaves and all other parts of the plant are toxic.

" Mount Lehman Llamas. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .

"Moonseed (Menispermum Canadense)." Home Duke University. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .

A.Iker

The good plant that I chose would be the redwood. The redwood tree belongs to the phylum coniferophyta. The scientific name for this tree is sequoia sempervirens. This tree is mostly
found off of California’s coasts. This tree is the world’s tallest and largest
living tree known to man. This tree can weigh in at up to 500 tons. It also has
an average life span of 500 to 700 years old. The reason these trees live for
so long is because the tree sap is mostly water based. The reason for it being
water based is because the tree holds up to 34000 pounds of water. Another
reason why this tree has such a long life span is because the tree cannot be
killed by a bug. This tree is truly amazing some interesting facts that
surprised me are that the bark grows between 10-20 inches thick also the roots
only grow 10-13 feet deep but once that deep they spread out and intertwine
with the other neighboring. Some of the uses for this tree are lumber, railroad
ties, and also used to make expensive furniture.

The bad plant that I chose would be the yard pest, the dandelion. The phylum name of the dandelion is anthophytaand the scientific name of this plant is taraxacum officinale. This plant is
found all over the world but mostly found in the US, Europe and Asia. The
dandelion is originated from Europe and Asia. This plant is known as a
perennial. The dandelion grows between 3-12inches long and has thick highly
branched taproots. The dandelion is traced back 30 million years and found
round the world. Even though the dandelion is known for many cures of sickness
and is a food source, it gets a bad name because of how it takes over yards.
The dandelion takes over yards so quickly because the way it spreads. The
dandelion spreads by it seeds that float through the air and land on the ground
and if the seed is in a favorable place it sprouts on the soil. The only way to
stop this plant from growing is by pulling it out of the ground or by using a
herbicide. Another disadvantage of this plant is that it attracts bees. The
dandelion is a bad plant because of outrageous reproducing habits

Jeffreys, Claire. "Facts About Sequoia Trees EHow.com." EHow How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the Expert in You. EHow.com. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.ehow.com/about_6305313_sequoia-trees.html.

Scott, Laura. "Facts About the Redwood Tree EHow.com." EHow How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the Expert in You. EHow.com. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.ehow.com/about_6362654_redwood-tree.html.

Beverly, Nancy. "Facts on Redwood Forest Trees Trails.com." Hiking Trails, Mountain Bike Trails & Trail Maps Trails.com. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.trails.com/list_2093_redwood-forest-trees.html.

"Dandelion Facts." Organic Lawn Care Guide. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.organic-lawn-care-guide.com/dandelion-facts.html.

Carpenter, Kate. "Dandelion Flower Facts EHow.com." EHow How to Videos, Articles & More - Discover the Expert in You. EHow.com. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .

A.Hardin

Aronia Berry; Scientific name: Aronia Melanocarpa. The common name is "the choke-berry". It's mostly considered a "good" plant. The most known location of the Aronia Berry is found in Northeast United States. The Aronia berry is packed with antioxidants. It is one of the eight "true" super fruits and also one of the eight that is native. The Aronia Berry belongs to the Rosaceae Family. It is low in Calories and Fat, and is rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. This berry offers health benefits against cancer, aging, neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infection. In black Aronia Berries, high amounts of Phenolic Flavenoid phyto-chemicals called anthocyanins are found. This berry can be eaten directly after simply washing them. It offers more protection than Blackberries and Cranberries. It has the highest concentration of antioxidants present in any fruit. It has very high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), value almost 80 units. This plant fights against viruses, carcinogens, and different types of allergies. It is known to improve the circulation of blood, and it also keeps blood pressure in check.

Cassava; Scientific name; Manihot esculenta Crantz. The common names are, "cassava plant, tapioca, tapioca plant, manioc". This plant is mostly considered a "harmful", or bad, plant. The Cassava plant produces Cyanide, which is a poison that can be deadly to humans if consumed. The most known location of this plant is mostly in regions of Africa and Latin America. Cassava can remain in the ground for up to two years. It needs relatively little water to survive. An unprocessed Cassava plant contains potentially toxic levels of a cyanogen called Linamarin. A cassave plant usually reaches 3 to 4 feet in height, though some can reach up to 13 feet. Chronic, low-level cyanide exposure is associated with the development of goiter and with tropical ataxic neuropathy, a nerve-damaging disorder that renders a person unsteady and uncoordinated. People who get little or no protein in their diets are particularly susceptible to cyanide poisoning, as they lack the proper amino acids necessary to help detoxify the poison. Cyanide forms when cassava is processed. But the toxin is volatile and is released into the air, rather than remaining in the food. Cassava leaves contain more linamarin than do the plant’s roots. Linamarin protects cassava from being eaten by insects or animals. Women are usually charged with processing the plant, which leaves them susceptible to inhaling cyanide gas. The shelf life of a cassava root is very short once it’s removed from the stem, so there’s an urgency to get the food to market. The rush to get cassava to the market may keep some batches of cassava from being processed properly.

Aronia berry Work Cited;

"Chokeberry ." Fruit Directory - Fruits, Health Benefits, Calories. FruitDirectory.com, 2010. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.fruitdirectory.com/chokeberry/.

Dominationtnn, PopUp. "Aronia Berry – What It Can Do For You." Be Well Buzz. Be Well Buzz, USA, 2010. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.bewellbuzz.com/nutrition/aronia-berry-what-it-can-do-for-you/.

Cassava Work Cited;

"Cassava." American Cancer Society :: Information and Resources for Cancer: Breast, Colon, Prostate, Lung and Other Forms. American Cancer Society, 01 Nov. 2008. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/DietandNutrition/cassava.

"Researchers Get To The Root Of Cassava's Cyanide-Producing Abilities." OSU Research News Index Page. Ohio State Research. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/cassava.htm.

D. Torok

The Common name for my 'good' plant is Coast Redwood. The Scientific name is Sequoia sempervirens, its phylum is Taxodiaceae. They are located in relatively narrow coastal strip from the big sur coast in central California about 450 miles north to extreme southwestern Oregon. What makes it good? It holds fern mats in tops of trees that hold small fresh water critters. It supports myriad lichens, byrophytes and mosses as well as other vascular plants like salmonberry, huckleberry and khamnus trees growing 240 feet above the earth. In the treetops, it also is home to endangered animals. It is simply the most productive ecosystems on earth producing a staggering 4,500 meters of wood per acre. About 82% of all coast redwoods are protected by parks and reserves. What are some facts about Coast Redwoods? Coast Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world, some topping over 375 feet which is taller than a 37 story building. It can grow from a seed to 100 feet in 5 years. The average diameter is about 20 feet. Even though the tree is so big, the seed is only 1 inch long. The oldest one still alive is dated to be around 2,200 years old. The name redwood comes from their reddish brown color which stems from high tannin levels in bark and heartwood. Because of its 12 inch thick bark, it is naturally fire and insect resistant.

Citations

1)"Coast Redwood Save the Redwoods League." Save the Redwoods League: Protecting Ancient Forests and Trees since 1918. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://savetheredwoods.org/education/coastredwood.shtml.

2)Jebens, Brandon. "Coast Redwood." Redirect. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://bss.sfsu.edu/holzman/courses/Fall99Projects/redwood.htm.

3)"Sequoia Sempervirens (coast Redwood) Description." The Gymnosperm Database: Home Page. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .

The common name for my 'bad plant' is snake plant. The scientific name is Sanseviaria trifasciata, phylum name is Sansevieria. They are native to tropical Africa. What makes this plant bad? This plant is toxic when eaten, terrible around animals and children. One of the hardest plants to kill. If one plant leaf is broken, 2 replace it. It is Invasive in a lot of places such as Southern Florida and spreads very fast, because it is so hard to kill, it is a very big nuisance. What are some other characteristics? It is about 6in-4feet tall, 6in-3feet wide. Contains heavy, swordlike leaves that shoot up from the dirt. Another common name is Mother-in-Laws tongue. Prefers moderate to bright light, also to be watered every 7-10 days. It prefers also to be pot bound and has dark green with lighter bands, has broad yellow stripe on both leaf margins.

Citations

1) Snake Plant. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.snake-plant.com/.

2) "Snake Plant - Plant Encyclopedia - BHG.com." Better Homes and Gardens - Home Decorating, Remodeling and Design Ideas, Gardening, Recipes. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/houseplant/snake-plant/.

3)"Mother-in-Law's Tongue Aka Snake Plant - Sansevieria Trifasciata - Care Tips." Guide to House Plants, Tips for Growing Plants Indoors - Guide-to-Houseplants.com. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .

K.Marlow

Many people believe that the Japanese Show Lily is a great house plant, but it is not if you have a feline friend that you love. The Lilium speciosum, from phylum Anthophyta, is bad for cats. They are toxic the cats when digested, but the bulb can be eaten by people after it has been cooked. Symptoms of ingestion of this plant are vomiting, kidney failure, and possible death.

This plant is native to East Asia, South China and Japan. They live in mostly woodland garden, sunny edges, and in dappled shade. The soil type has to be clay, loam, or silt. The acidity of the soil has to between 5.5 and 6.5 on the pH scale in order for the plant to live. They produce seeds to reproduce. They go through a delayed hypogeal germination. During pollination, bees are the common pollinators of this plant. The honey scent of this flower helps attract them. There are less than 100 known species of lily. The lily also is symbolic; it symbolizes purity of heart, majesty and honor.

In mostly China and Japan, there are trees called bonsai trees. These trees are called “bonsai” cause of the method of growing them. Bonsai comes from two Chinese characters meaning “tree” and “planted in a shallow container.” This is a form of art in horticulture. There are five different shapes of bonsai trees. Formal is a single up growth with an upright trunk that tapers at the top. Informal is similar the formal, but has a cured or leaning trunk. Semi or full cascade has an arching or cascading trunk. Group or forest method is where multiple trees symbolize a small landscape. The last form is free form, which has a sparse single growth.

These trees have many propagation methods of growth. They can grow from seeds, grafting, cutting, and layering. There is not one species of bonsai. Each bonsai plant is just a smaller, human affected tree. The Japanese maple bonsai is from the phylum Anthophyta and is Acer palmatum (the scientific name). This is the same as the original Japanese maple tree. This plant is used in spiritual healing. They help clam, to relax, and sooth people.

cites

ASPCA. "Japanese Show Lily." ASPCA. ASPCA, 2012. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.

lily.aspx>.

"Bonsai Facts." Pabonsai.org. Ed. Jim Gillespie and Ricardo Viera. Pennsylvania

Bonsai Society. Web. 9 Feb. 2012. .

"Lilies." The Flower Expert. 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.

.

"Lilium Speciosum." AussieGardening.com.au. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.

.

Putatunda, Rita. "List of Flower Names and Meanings of Flowers." Buzzle.com.

<Http://www.buzzle.com/articles/list-of-flower-names-and-meanings-of-

flowers.html>, 9 Dec. 2011. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.

"Red Japanese Show Lily - (Lilium Speciosum Var. Rubrum)." Gardenality.com.

WYW Group, LLC., 2008-2012. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.

Japanese-Show-Lily.html>.

Thunb. "Lilium Speciosum." Plants For A Future. 1996-2010. Web. 9 Feb. 2012.

.

T. Lee

Wild Quinine

Wild Quinine is in the phylum Asteracea. Its scientific name Parthenium integrifium. The common name is wild quinine. The location of wild quinine is very widespread, but a lot are found in the state of Illinois. Wild quinine is a good plant. Wild Quinine is a very valuable medicinal herb. It is used as an antiperiodic, emmenagogue, kidney, lithontripic, poultice. It has traditionally
been used in alternative medicine to treat debility, fatigue, respiratory
infection, gastrointestinal infection, and venereal disease.

The preference for wild quinine is full sun and mesic conditions. However, a small amount of
shade is tolerated, and the soil can vary from moist to slightly dry. A fertile
loamy soil is preferred, although the presence of some sand or rocky material is
tolerated. While established plants are fairly easy to grow, recent transplants
can be temperamental. It is important to put the transplants into the ground
after danger of hard frost has passed, but before the period of active growth
occurs during the late spring and early summer. Foliar disease isn't a
significant problem. During a drought, some of the lower leaves may turn yellow
and wither away.The flowers attract Halictine bees, wasps, flies, beetles, and plant bugs. The
beetles usually feed on pollen, while the other insects seek nectar primarily.
The fly visitors include Syrphid flies, Tachinid flies, Flesh flies, Muscid
flies, Anthomyiid flies, and others. Wasp visitors include Crabronine wasps,
Eumenine wasps, Cuckoo wasps, Braconid wasps, and others. Mammalian herbivores
appear to ignore this plant as a food source because the leaves are sandpapery
in texture and bitter-tasting.

Daphne
The phylum name of Daphne is Thymelaeaceae. The scientific name is Daphne mezeureum. Its common name is Daphne or Daphne Laurel. Daphne is a bad plant. The berries and leaves produced by the plant have a toxin in them. The daphne plant originated in Europe, and it is a landscape plant. The plant is poisonous if and by ingestion, Poisonous parts are the fruits and leaves. Symptoms if ingested can be swelled lips, thirst, and internal bleeding. Contains diterpenoid that can cause skin irritation. The daphne plant is also called spurge laurel and also called paradise plant. One berry swallowed of Daphne can cause severe
throat irritation. Daphne is grown as an ornamental plant. Some places it is found are in Ohio, Montana, and Alaska in the U.S.A. It is also found a lot in Ontario, Canada.
The berries are five centimeters in diameter. The habitat of Daphne is a shrub. It is a perennial which means it stays through out the year, and a shrub can grow up to five feet.

K. Buell

Bad Plant: Floating Fern (Salvinia molesta)

My bad plant is the floating fern. It’s scientific name is Salvinia molesta. It was originally found in South America. It is in phylum Hydropteridale. In the last half of the twentieth century the floating fern spread widely throughout the tropics and subtropics. It forms dense mats over lakes and slow moving rivers and causes large economic losses and a wide range of ecological problems to native species and communities. Mats of these ferns impede access to and use of waterways for commercial and recreational purposes and mats reduce habitats for game birds, limit access to fishing areas, and probably alter fisheries. These ferns can clog water intakes and interfere with agricultural irrigation, water supply, and electrical generation. It’s a vector for human disease with serious consequences. The harm from these fern mats to fisheries also can be very significant to communities dependent on fish for local consumption (sometimes as the main source of protein) or in areas where fish sales are the main source of cash income. Usually, these mats form a single layer over water, but with continued growth the mats become multi-layered and can reach up to 1 meter in thickness. Thick mats support other colonizing plants, and the mass and stability of these mats make them difficult to destroy. Plants and animals dependent on open water to gain sunlight, oxygen, and space for sustenance and growth, or for landing, fishing, nest building, or mating, are displaced by dense fern mats. Water under mats of salvinia has a lower oxygen concentration (due to reduced surface area of water available to oxygen). Through high growth rates and slow decomposition rates, floating ferns reduce the concentration of nutrients that would otherwise be available to primary producers and organisms that depend on them. Floating ferns provide ideal habitat for Mansonia mosquitoes, a principal vector of rural elephantiasis, and for other mosquito species involved in the transmission of encephalitis, dengue fever, and malaria. Losses include paddy rice, fishing, power generation, transportation of goods or people, washing, and bathing. Total costs associated with these ferns were estimated to be between 24.7 million and 56.7 million rupees for 1987. This information was used to determine the benefits from biological control over the following 25 years. This plant was an invasive species to Australia.

Good Plant: Celery (Apium graveolens)

My good plant is celery. The scientific name is Apium graveolens. It was first found in Egypt. It’s phylum is Magnoliophyta. Usually, celery is used in making salads, spicing up foods containing meat, and can be added to any food as a side with a dip. The roots, leaves, and seeds are used for therapeutic purposes in treating and preventing diseases. It has been used as far back as Ancient Greece when it was highly valued for its properties as an aphrodisiac as well as its medicinal properties. Celery was also used as a decorative herb by the Romans, who used the leaves for their "Winner's Crown". In traditional medicine celery was used to eliminate intestinal parasites. Chinese medicine recommended celery to be used as a medicine to treat high blood pressure due to its stabilizing components. This plant initially grew on humid grounds of Europe and Asia, until the beginning of the 19th century when celery began to be grown in the United States. Nowadays this vegetable is more commonly used in foods, due to the richness of its taste. It is useful in stomach illnesses, rheumatism, obesity and diseases of the urinary bladder. Celery keeps treats naturally at its best when it is consumed raw. When used as either a snack or as medicine, celery detoxifies the body, stimulates the nervous system and mineralizes the body. One hundred grams of celery has an energetic value equal to 18 calories and contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K, PP and minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc which have been known to stop oncological diseases from progressing. Vitamin C contained by celery strengthens the immunologic system and at the same time makes the body more resistant against new diseases. Celery is effective in alleviating the effects of anemia. Individuals with high cholesterol should add celery to their diets and is also effective for those who have lack of food appetite.

Citations
Celery Herb Health Benefits of Celery." Plants Medical Plants Medicinal Plants Medicinal Herbs. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/celery.html

"Untitled Page." Invasive Plants Home. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.

www.invasiveplants.net/monitor/2FloatingFern.aspx

T.Colwell

GOOD

A plant that greatly helps human kind in general is the Castor plant or Ricnus
communis. This plant belongs to the phylum’s Angiosperm and Magnoliophyta, it
is found in the tropics of East Africa. The Castor plant likes hot dry soil, so
it thrives in the tropics of Africa. It is a medium height, fruit bearing plant
with eight points on its leaves. The Castor plant reproduces through pollination.
Unlike some, it has a male and female flower on the same plant and can
reproduce on its own. The seeds or Castor beans, produced through reproduction,
are enclosed in a light-green, spiked case or shell. When the shell dries out
it, splits into three parts and the bean then falls out.

The plant also produces Castor oil on the leaves. This oil is very useful to
humans; we use it in art supplies, clothing material, and even for vehicles.
The first use of the oil was in oil paints. The pigments were mixed with Castor
oil and it creates a waxy or shiny color. Second, we use Castor oil in the
production of nylon. The Sebacic acid is one of the most basic ingredients in
the nylons production. Third, the Ricin in small enough quantities is known to
kill viruses that cause gastrointestinal problems. Fourth, and probably the
most important use, is in motor oil. This oil is a great lubricant even at very
high temperatures. It is also where they got the name "Castrol" motor
oil.

Ten percent of the feed for hogs, sheep, and horses is made of the Castor bean. The
bean is boiled at a temperature of 140 degrees for twenty minutes to inactivate
the toxic protein Ricin.

There is however some very poisonous parts of this plant as well. The oil can be
toxic if ingested, along with the beans. The toxic protein, Ricin, is the cause
of this. It is found traveling through the plant in the phloem. Scientists
found this out in January of 1970, when almost 10,000 Mallard ducks were found
dead due to the ingestion of the Castor beans. There was also a massive
decrease in insect population due to the oil on the leaves of the Castor plant.
It is also toxic to humans, in 1978 Bulgarian journalist, Georgi Markov, was
assassinated for speaking out against the Bulgarian Government. He was stabbed
in the leg by the hollowed out point of an umbrella, which had a pellet filled
with the Ricin toxin from the Castor plant.

Most of the adaptations to this plant have been induced by humans. One, a higher
production of oil; and two a shatter proof shell. The higher oil production is
very useful for the increasing dependence on vehicles. While the shatter proof
shell allows the bean to continue growing even after it falls from the plant,
and also provides protection during the harvest of the fruit.

BAD

The African Milk plant, Euphorbia lactea in the phylum Magnoliophyta, is a highly toxic plant
found in the tropical parts of Asia, the West Indies, and Florida. The African
Milk plant grows well in dry and porous soil, much like the loam and sand of
the desert wastelands. It is nick-named the Candelabra plant, due to the
structure of the "branches" or "arms". Some other names for
it are Dragon Bones (tree), Caper Spurge, and Candle-stick tree. Due to
hybreading, there is also a Ghost form of this plant, which would burn and wilt
if it was in the direct sunlight of the tropics. This plant is very tall,
resembleing a cactus, a dark-green in color, with many branches. The cactus has
three sides and a white milky liquid inside. All of this plant is poisonous.
The "milk" flows through the entire plant distributing nutrients
throughout, this is where the toxin, Diterpene, comes from. It may cause
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea if ingested; and redness, swelling, or blisters
if it contacts the skin. It can also cause blindness if it gets in the eyes.

The best way to reproduce this plant is through grafting. This is what causes all the hybrids;
it also explains why the cactus has such a slow growth rate. There are too many
hybrids to definitely know which one you have, just by looking. The three most
common hybrids are the; E. lactea "ghost", that have nearly white
stems. The E. lactea "giant" with a much larger stem, E. lactea
"crest", which comes with many different colored forms, and the
original E. lactea that stands around four and a half meters tall and is a dark
green color.
Even with all the
toxins running through it, it does still have some uses to help human life. The
African Milk plant fights of warts and tumors if placed directly on the source.

Cites

"Castor Bean (Ricinus Communis)." BioWeb
Home. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
.
Fats?, Eating Saturated. "Castor Bean
Plant." WAYNE'S WORD. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
.
"Poisonous Plants: Euphorbia Lactea." North
Carolina Cooperative Extension: Home. Web. 13 Feb. 2012.
.

pics
"Euphorbia Lactea." Cactuspedia.
Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .
"Castorbean." Department of Animal
Science - Cornell University. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. .

C.Fancher

Iris- Good Plant

The plant Iris belongs to the phylum Anthophyta. The scientific name is Iris Pseudacorus, and it's commonly called the "Bearded Hybrids." There is about 300 species of Iris and its very useful in many different ways. It can be used for treating dandruff, and even wounds. It can also be used in some affection such as asthma, bronchitis, and the common cough. Some people have even used Iris for acne. You compress a flower two or three times a day for about fifteen minutes. Iris is even used in some perfumes and cosmetics too. Fragments of rhizomes in this plant are sometimes given to babies to help with the teething process. This flower can grow anywhere from 3 to 4 feet, and usually bloom anytime between April and May. They come in several different shapes, sizes, and colors. The possible colors are blue, purple, white, yellow, pink, orange, brown, red, and even black. Iris has two major groups, Rhizome Irises, and Bulbous Irises. Rhizome Irises are thickened stems that grow horizontally, and underground. Bulbous Irises grom from bulbs that need a stage of dormancy after they have bloomed. One last interesting fact about Iris is that this plant was named after a greek goddess, which travels on a rainbow. Iris was named after this goddess because of the variety of colors that this flower comes in.

Black Locust- Bad Plant

A Black Locust is one of the first trees to be introduced from America into England. Black Locust belongs to the phylum Anthophyta. The scientific name is Robinia Pseudoacacia, and it's commonly called a Black Locust. This tree is found in sandy, rocky soil, found in fields, open area's, woods, and streamsides. The Black Locuse is a medium sized tree, and it usually grows up to 80 feet tall. This tree can live up to 60 to 80 years. The wood of a Black Locust is strong, hard, and very durable. Their leaves are compound, with thorns, or spines. Each leaf has seven to twenty five leaflets. A Black Locust usually blooms in late spring, sometime between May and June. A Black Locust invades dry or moist open woodlands, stream valleys, pastures, and roadsides. They are difficult to control because of how fast they grow. A Black Locust reproduces vegetatively by root suckering and stump sprouting. They produce a lot of seeds, but a thick seed coat affects the conistentely seed germination. This tree is usually planted so much because of it's nitrogen fixing abilities. It can also be used to control soil erosion. If bark off of the tree is ingested, it can be very poisionous to animals. Fatal cases are uncommon, but the recovery may take several days or even sometimes weeks.

Works Cited

Black Locust. Ohio State University. Web. 10. Feb. 2012. http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord/.asp?id=390.

Black Locust. Ostermiller. Web. 10. Feb. 2012. http://ostermiller.org/tree/blacklocust.html

Black Locust. University Corporation for Atmospheric Reserach. 2007. Web. 10. Feb. 2012. http://neoninc.org/budburst/plants/black_locust_PB.pdf

Black Locust. Web. 10. Feb. 2012. http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/black_locust.htm.

Facts About Iris Plant. Demand Medic, Inc, 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5796703_iris-plants.html.

Invasive Species- Black Locust. 101 S. Websiter Street Madison, Wisconsin. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/black/_locust.htm.

Iris Flower. Gifting Inc, 12 Feb 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/mostpopularflowers/morepopularflowers/iris.

Iris Plant. 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. http://www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/iris.html.

Z. Carter

An example of a good or usefull plant would be Yarrow. Yarrow is its common name. Its scientific name would be Achillea millefolium. Yarrow is found in the United Kingdom, Russia, California, Estonia, Ohio, Alabama, and North Dakota. Yarrow can endure dry impoverish soil and survive with little maintenance. Requires full sun to grow and be healthy. Yarrow is a true perennial taking two years to become established. It has a average hieght of about 1 to 3 feet. germination takes about 20 to 45 days. Yarrow is very common along roadsides and old fields, pastures,and meadows in the eastern and central United States and Canada.Yarrow can help plants growing around it also. It improves the health of plants nearby and enhances their essential oil content. It has a single stem that is fibrous and rough. The leaves alternate 3 to 4 inches lon and 1 inch broad. Yarrow is fern-like and dark green with a feathery apperareance. The segments are very finely cut on a yarrow. Yarrow belongs to the Phylum Anthophyta.

An example of a bad or harmful plant would be the Tearthumb. The common name is Tearthumb. Its scientific name is Polygonum sagittatum. You can find Tearthumbs in marshes and wet thickets. Most of these plants have a average height of two to four feet. Its flower size is 1/8 inch across and are mostly pink or white.This plant flowers around june to october. It is a native plant. The Tearthumb uses backward pionting hooks on the stem and leaves to help it climb over other plants. The hooks are also responsible for the name Tearthumb. Arrow tearthumb and halberd-leaved tearthumb can be distinguished by the shape of the leaves. It is a group of annual vining plants. The stems are branching with many prickles turned oppositely from the direction of the stem. This plant also belongs to phylum Anthopyta.

Works Cited

"Arrow Tearthumb (Polygonum Sagittatum)." Connecticut Botanical Society. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. ."Facts about Yarrow - True Knowledge." True Knowledge - the Internet Answer Engine. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. ."Tearthumb." Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology, and Weed Science Virginia Tech. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. ."Yarrow." Aggie Horticulture. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .

A.Iding

Mistletoe

Known as the holiday romance, the common name is the American Mistletoe. There are 1300 different species of mistletoe, only two are native in the U.S. There is twenty species that are endangered, there scientific name is Loranthacea. In greek Mistletoe means "thief of the tree". The mistletoe uses a host but it still makes its own photosynthesis. Mistletoe really means "dung on a twig". they say its found bird poop because it sticks on the birds and they actually carry the seeds. They are healthy for the forest even though its a parasite. they are toxic to people, high in protein for animals though. They belong in the phylum Magnoliophyta.

Black Berry

The Black Berry peaks growth during June in the south, and peaks in July in the North. For the growth of the black berry to be at the right grown you need to have ideal spring and summer conditions. Black berries have been know to be used for many things suck as black berry tea being used for a cure of Dysentry. Black Berrys are full of antioxidents know to fight cancer. They are known to mold very fast and are also known as black caps. one cup of black berrys are about 62 callories. the black berry bush is a flowering plant in the division of Spermatophyta, Trachlorophyta, and Magnoliophyta. They come from the family Rosaceae and the genus Rubus. The scientifical name is Rubus Fiuctosis.

Works CitedEasyBib: Free Bibliography Maker - MLA, APA, Chicago citation styles. 14 Feb. 2012 ."Fun Facts/Strawberries and Blackberries." Welcome to Southern Grace Farms: A Georgia Farm Market and Country Store! 14 Feb. 2012 ."Mistletoe - Fun Facts About Mistletoe." Environmental Issues - News and Information about the Environment. 14 Feb. 2012 .

S. Sanders

Circuta virosa is located in marshes, lake shores, sloughs, and wet places. It is from the phylum Anthophyta. Its common name is Mackenzie's Water Hemlock and is a bad plant. The roots in a Water Hemlock are poisonous. The poison from this plant can cause nervousness, salivation, frequent urination and sometimes birth defects in humans. Animals may become paralyzed by the poison when they consume the plant. A lethal dose for animals would be four to five pounds of leaves. There is no treatment for this poison and it is one of America's most poisonous genus.

A Water Hemlock is a flowering plant and is native to Alaska and Canada. Its growth habitat is forb or herb and is a perennia which means that it grows ever year. A Water Hemlock is slightly furrowed and the stem is up to four feet long. It has a tuberous root and is tripinnate-subdivided.

Lavandula officinalis is located in mountainous zones of the Mediterranean and flourishes throughout southern Europe, Australia, and the United States. Its common name is lavender and is from the phylum Angiosperm. This plant is good and has been used for over 2,500 years. It is often used for massages, acupuncture, and chiropratic manipulation. Scientific evidence has shown that armotherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improve sleeping quality, promote relaxation, and lift the mood in people suffering from people with sleeping disorders. Lavender may be used in diluted concentrations to treat skin infections and injuries such as cuts and scrapes and prevent midge and mosquito bites. It is used also to moisturize skin and is used in healing baths for healing joint and muscle pains. It is considered the premier of all perfume. In tudor times, lavender brew was sipped by maidens on St. Lukes day to divine the identity of their true loves. Lavender grows as a compact bush up to 30 inches and can treat microbial activity on gums. Egyptians also used lavender for mummification. Charles VI of France demanded lavender filled pillows wherever he went to relax and help with sleep.

Http://www.euronet.nl/~jonkr/, Ron Jonk-. "Lavender." University of Maryland Medical Center Home. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lavender-000260.htm.

Times, Tudor. "The History of Lavender." Welcome to Lavender Farm. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.lavenderfarm.com/history.htm.

"WolframAlpha: Species Information: Mackenzie's Water Hemlock." WolframAlpha: Computational Knowledge Engine. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. http://www.wolframalpha.com/entities/species/mackenzie's_water_hemlock/9u/re/aj/.

"When Does Mackenzie'S Water Hemlock (Cicuta Virosa) Plant Bloom?" Plants Database Reference. Compare Reviews & Ratings. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. .

J.Planck

An example of a good plant is the Sugar Maple tree. The Sugar Maple is in the phyla Magnoliophyta and its scientific name is Acer saccharum. The Sugar Maple tree is found in the New England area and in most parts of Canada and across the great plains . The Sugar Maple tree is very interesting and has one main use, maple syrup. The sap of the Sugar Maple has 2-3% sugar concentration. That sap is then boiled down to remove excess water, and produce the syrup. The Sugar Maple is the state tree of New York and the maple leaf is on the national flag of Canada. The Sugar Maple tree is a simple leaf (pictured above). The Sugar Maple can grow up to 100 feet tall and grow as wide in diameter as 2-3 feet. The parts of the tree that are edible is the inner bark, sap, seeds, and the leaves. The bark is a dark gray on younger trees but changes to a darker brown as it grows deep groves and flakes.

An example of a bad organism is Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy is in the phyla Magnoliophyta and its scientific name is Toxicodendron radicans. Poison Ivy is found in most woods along the edge and it can grow as a vine up tree trunks. The leaves of Poison Ivy are compound with three leaflets. This is where the saying "Leaves of three, let it be!" comes from. The leaves can have a smooth edge or a coarse jagged edge. The surface of the leaf can be glossy or dull. The oil that is produced by Poison Ivy is Urushiol oil. This oil can cause a rash on human skin. This rash is known as Rhus Dermatitis. Poison Ivy will grow anywhere and can grow as ground cover, as a bush or shrub, or a vine. To get Rhus Dermatitis, you only have to touch the leave or touch something that has touched the leave recently. To kill the Poison Ivy plant, you can use chemicals or tear out the plant by hand.

Works Cited

"Acer Saccharum - Marshall." Acer Saccharum - Marshall. 1996. Web. 12 Feb. 2012 <www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Acer+saccharum>

"The Life of a Sugar Maple Tree." Cornell University Maple Program Homepage. The Resource Center Cornell University. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. <www.maple.dnr.cornell.edu/pubs/trees.htm>.

"Poison Ivy." FCPS Home Page Redirect Page. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/poison_ivy.htm>.

"Poison Ivy." Great Plains Nature Center Home Page. Web. 12 Feb. 2012.

"POISON IVY (Toxicodendron Radicans)." American Museum of Natural History. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. <www.amnh.org/learn/biodiversity_counts/ident_help/poison_ivy.htm>

T.Murray

Nursery Asian Pear

The Nursery Asian Pear comes from the phylum Anthophyta. The scientific name is Pyrus pyrifolia, and the common name is Nursery Asian Pear. This plant is a good plant because it is a type of fruit and it contains Vitamin C and fiber.This plant is originated from Korea. This fruit is very similar to an apple. The tree that contains this fruit is available July to lat October. You can store this fruit for months but if it get soft spot or bruise do not eat it. Some people call this an apple pear. It can be harvested at green stage and can ripen at room temperature. They are more crisp, juicy, and tart than an apple. This fruit is edible, some like to eat it with cinnamon. It needs full sun to grow. It blooms in the color o white and pink. The tree grows to be 30ft. high, and 25ft. high. The skin of the fruit is thiner than paper, and it is a garnish on any salad.

Boston Ivy

The phylum name is Magnoliophyta. The scientific name is Ampelopis tricuspidata. The common name is Boston Ivy. It is a bad plant because if ingested you should seek medical attention. It ca be found on the side of brick houses.

It is described as a vine. It can be easily found in plant nurseries. Boston Ivy has rapid growth. Grows during spring and summer. Has a long life span. It displays fall colors. The propagations are Bare root, container, cuttings, and seeds. Could cause damage to houses if removed to fast. Some people have allergic ractions to it. Grown for asthetic reasons. Its a diciduous vine. Also called a Japanese Creeper, and leaves turn a scarlet during the fall.

http://www.produceoasis.com/Items_folder/Fruits/AsianPear.html http://pnwplants.wsu.edu/PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=50 http://www.willisorchards.com/category/Asian+Pear+Trees?gclid=CL61-IH9k64CFYXd4AodexSeJ - http://www.ehow.com/facts_5531328_problems-boston-ivy.html - http://www.gardenguides.com/taxonomy/boston-ivy-parthenocissus-tricuspidata/

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/newgard/msg1013363424884.html

http://www.wolframalpha.com/entities/species/boston_ivy/kr/j0/m2/