Transcript Plant parts up close images

PLANT PARTS UP CLOSE IMAGES
Lettuce leaf
A close-up of the structure of a lettuce leaf. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a source of vitamin A and folic acid, and was first cultivated by the ancient
Egyptians. It is still relatively easily cultivated today, and is thought to have sedative and painkilling properties.
Credit: Daniel J Geduld/Wellcome Images
Tomato skin
A close-up of a tomato’s skin. Tomatoes contain vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as high levels of carotenoids, one of which – lycopene – gives it
its red colour. Lycopene is an antioxidant and is believed to protect our skin from UV and sun damage.
Credit: Daniel J Geduld/Wellcome Images
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Red onion skin
The outer skin layers of onions contain flavonoids, including the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound quercetin. Quercetin is
currently being investigated as a potential treatment for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, allergies and inflammation.
Credit: Wellcome Library, London
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Horse apple
The distinctive horse apple (Maclura pomifera) is spherical, bumpy and turns bright yellow in autumn. In folk medicine it has been used as a cancer
treatment by Native Americans and as a relief for tooth pain in Bolivia, and its tree’s bark and leaves have been used to treat bleeding in the uterus.
Credit: J N Stuart/Flickr
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Cactus with long thorns
Cacti grow in a range of shapes and sizes. Most of them can be found in areas where water is scarce. Many have thickened, fleshy leaves in order to store water.
Credit: Kristin Wall/Flickr (CC BY)
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Cactus spines
One defining feature of cacti are their clusters of spines. It may be tempting to think of spines as leaves because of their location on
the plants, but actually they don’t contain any of the cells or tissues characteristic of leaves. It is thought that cacti have spines to
protect them from predators.
Credit: Jim Mullhaupt/Flickr
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Arum lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica is one of the world’s most iconic and widely known plants, with its brilliant white spathe
surrounding a central pale yellow spadix bearing tiny flowers. Although commonly known as the arum lily or calla lily, it is
not a lily at all, but an aroid.
Credit: Kit-Kath Halkett/Flickr
Orchid
Orchids (Orchidaceae) are a large family of flowering plants. There are between 22,000 and 26,000 species, and they make up between 6 and
11 per cent of all seed plants. They can be found in nearly every country in the world.
Credit: Steven Conry/Flickr (CC BY)
Hollyhocks
Alcea rosea, more commonly known as hollyhocks, has been used in traditional medicine to treat chest complaints, constipation, menstrual
cramps and haemorrhaging. Its roots and flowers often feature in Tibetan medicine.
Credit: Multerland…/Flickr
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Sunflower
Sunflowers (genus: Helianthus) are tall plants, growing to heights of between 50 and 400 cm. When growing they tilt towards the
sun during daylight, but stop once they start blooming. By the time they are mature, sunflowers generally face east.
Credit: shes_so_high/Flickr (CC BY NC)
Saucer plant
Aeonium are fleshy-leaved plants that grow in a rosette shape. They can grow outdoors, as long as temperatures are not too low, or
indoors next to a sunny window. Their fleshy leaves are where they store moisture and they come in a wide range of colours, textures and
sizes. The plant pictured – Aeonium undulatum – is commonly known as a saucer plant.
Credit: Farley Roland Endeman/Flickr (CC BY NC)
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Stonecrop
Stonecrops form part of the large Sedum genus of flowering plants, which contains around 600 species of leaf succulents (fleshy-leaved
plants). Stonecrop flowers usually have five petals.
Credit: Kirill Ignatyev/Flickr (CC BY NC)
Reusing our images
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