1. The World of Plants

2. Why are plants so important to us? Plants sustain life of Earth –Produce almost all of the world’s oxygen –The fundamental source of foods Many medicines come from plants Provide fuel, shelter, clothing, & paper Provide major economic benefits Often played major roles in human history Produce and inspire many other aspects of our lives (landscape, perfumery, aesthetics, art, poetry, metaphysical, metaphorical)

3. Plants sustain life of Earth –Produces oxygen and glucose from sunlight, CO 2 and water. –Enables plants to be “solar powered food factories” –Almost all organisms get their energy directly or indirectly from photosynthesis. Photosynthesis

4. Plants sustain life of Earth Animals and most other non- photosynthetic organisms obtain their energy by eating plants or by eating animals that ate plants. Plants are the foundation of the food chain (“Primary Producers”) Products produced by plants are “recycled” by other organisms to produce its own structures (cells, proteins, etc…)

5. FOOD!

6. Many medicines come from plants Plant defensive compounds are effectively utilized by humans and other animals as medicine. 75%-80% of human population depends on medicinal plants as their primary health care. >25% of prescription drugs came originally from plants

7. Cinchona bark was used by native groups of people in the Andes mountains to treat fevers. Found active compound (Quinine) that treats malaria

8. Plants provide fuel Biofuels, Coal, Fuel for cooking, etc…

9. Plants provide shelter

10. Plants provide clothing 61 plants used to make fibers/clothing around the world! Some of the most common are linen (flax), cotton, hemp, jute, and bamboo.

11. Plants provide clothing Linen from Flax plant

12. Plants provide clothing Cotton

13. Plants provide clothing

14. Plants provide paper Wood pulp Rice Hemp Linen (flax) Papyrus Bamboo Etc…

15. Plants provide major economic benefits Floral industry over $100 billion/year! Coffee, tea, tobacco, food! Lots of money! Starbucks has plants to thank for their bucks! (sell coffee, tea, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc…) Even our dollar bills are made of plants!

16. Often played major roles in human history Humans were originally hunter-gatherers existing in small clans moving from place to place With the domestication of plants, people began grouping together in one place for extended periods of time. “Agriculture became a foundation for human civilization, making possible the development of culture, art, and government.”

17. Plants have often played major roles in human history Black pepper (Piper nigrum)

18. Black pepper important as antibacterial and antifungal food additive, came to Europe from China via the Spice route. 1470 spice route blocked by Turks Columbus looking for alternative route to Asia for valuable spice trade. Landed in Caribbean, thought he landed in islands off India, called the people “Indians” but found no black pepper. (but hey, he did “find” America!) But found they were using another “spice” that had similar antibacterial qualities and spiciness, called it pepper too! (i.e. red peppers, jalapenos, etc…) Often played major roles in human history

20. It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

21. Andy Goldsworthy Ephemeral Plant Art

22. Creative self expression and Ceremonies

23. Musical expression