Biodiversity of Flowering Plants
Become a botanist for a day by learning how to collect samples and dry them for future use.
Scientists who student plants are called botanists. Botanists often collect samples, dry them and then identify them or do other experiments on them. Today students will collect samples of flowering plants in their area, take important notes and dry the flowers using a press.
What You Need
Materials per student
- Cardboard (3-5 pieces)
- Newsprint (1 large piece)
- Rubber bands (3)
- Scissors
- 4 or more flowering plants
- Something heavy (book or rock)
- Journal and pencil (optional)
Guide:
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe virtual outreach to youth.
Pick only flowers, leaves, seeds, etc. that you know are safe. If you are unsure, do not touch the plant. Review the Toxic Plant Sheet before picking your plants.
Check for ticks after picking plants if you are in a tick area.
What To Do
Collection
- In their backyard, school yard or nearby park, have students search for different types of flowering plants.
- Using a journal and pencil, students can write the date, location and what the weather was like for each plant they collect (optional).
- They can also draw a picture of each flowering plant in their journal (optional).
- They can also include notes about the flower (colour, size, shape, number of petals, etc.) or anything else interesting that may help identify the plant.
- Have students cut or break off four or five different flowering plants at the stem or closer to the flower. They should not pull the roots.
- Inform students to pick flowers with one layer of petals or flowers that are not very thick. These flowers are better for pressing.
- They should not pick flowers that are wet, or have been rained on.
To make the Flower Press, each student will
- Cut the newsprint into 8 pieces that are a little smaller than the cardboard pieces.
- Place a piece of cardboard on a hard surface (like a desk) and add one piece of newsprint. Add the date, where you found the flower and what the weather was like on the newsprint. This information helps botanists identify the type of flower.
- Place one or two flowers with or without the stem on top of the newsprint and place another piece of newsprint on top of the flower. Place a piece of cardboard on top of this and repeat these steps with the other flowers, ending with a cardboard piece.
- Wrap the elastics around the stack of cardboard and newsprint. This is the flower press.
- Place a heavy book or a few books or rocks on the flower press and leave it in a safe space for 2-3 weeks.
- After 2-3 weeks, remove the elastics from the flower press. The flowers should be dry.
- Use the flowers to make a card or artwork (optional).
Discovery
The heavy object helps to draw out the water in the flower and holds the flower in place, so it doesn't change shape. The newsprint helps to absorb the water that is in the flower.
Flowering plants, like all plants, are producers - they produce or make their own food, they use carbon dioxide (the air we breathe out), water and sunlight to produce or make sugar. They 'breathe out' oxygen.
Flowering plants are important because they provide shelter and food for many species of animals. They produce the food we eat. Flowering plants are also used in herbal medicines. They also improve our soil, help prevent erosion and are important in the water cycle. It is important to protect the biodiversity of flowering plants!
What's Happening?
The heavy object helps to draw out the water in the flower and holds the flower in place, so it doesn't change shape. The newsprint helps to absorb the water that is in the flower.
Why Does It Matter?
Flowering plants, like all plants, are producers - they produce or make their own food, they use carbon dioxide (the air we breathe out), water and sunlight to produce or make sugar. They 'breathe out' oxygen.
Flowering plants are important because they provide shelter and food for many species of animals. They produce the food we eat. Flowering plants are also used in herbal medicines. They also improve our soil, help prevent erosion and are important in the water cycle. It is important to protect the biodiversity of flowering plants!