What are the traditional medicinal plants used in the state of Piaui, Brazil?4 answersTraditional medicinal plants used in the state of Piaui, Brazil include a variety of species such as Anacardium occidentale, Handroanthus impetiginosus, Bumelia sartorum, Zornia brasiliensis, Cnidosculus urens. Market participants in the Public Market of Corrente-PI mentioned 25 plant species for medical use, with Fabaceae being the most representative family. The most commonly used parts were the stem and seed, with an emphasis on decoction and infusion preparation methods. High school students in Floriano / PI also acknowledged the use of medicinal plants, with Lamiaceae, Rutaceae, Verbenaceae, and Fabaceae being the most cited families. Leaves and bark were the most utilized parts, with a general perception that natural remedies like tea do not cause harm. These findings highlight the rich ethnobotanical knowledge and the widespread use of traditional medicinal plants in Piaui, Brazil.
What are plants that can attract flies?4 answersPlants that can attract flies include Gastrodia similis, Ceropegia mixta, Jaborosa laciniata, and Jaborosa integrifolia. G. similis emits an odor reminiscent of rotting fruit, attracting a single drosophilid fly species (Scaptodrosophila bangi). C. mixta, also known as "carrion flowers," attract flies primarily through their floral odor, which is dominated by oligosulphides and phenol. J. laciniata and J. integrifolia both utilize fetid floral odors to attract saprophilous flies, with J. laciniata attracting the same fly species that pollinate its flowers using baits with fetid volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These plants demonstrate the ability to attract flies through specific floral volatiles and odors associated with decaying organic matter.
What kind of flowers?5 answersEdible flowers have been studied extensively for their nutritional and medicinal properties. Various species of flowers have been identified as edible, including Viola spp., Borago officinalis, Dianthus spp., Lavandula spp., Tropaeolum majus sp., Begonia × tuberhybrida, Calendula officinalis, Rosa, Hemerocallis, and Tagetes patula. These flowers contain important minerals, vitamins, flavonoids, enzymes, and aromatic compounds. They have been found to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. Edible flowers are low in calories and can help prevent various health conditions such as cancer, obesity, and inflammation. They are commonly used in salads, soups, beverages, and herbal medicines. However, individuals with allergies or asthma should be cautious when consuming edible flowers. Efforts are being made to expand the consumption of edible flowers through the discovery of naturally growing flowers, research on production and storage technology, and the development of various processed goods.
What are the common pathogens that attacks flowers?4 answersFlowers can be attacked by a variety of pathogens. These include certain microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, and protozoa. Some fungi have adopted a life style that involves flower infection, and they can be classified into three major groups: opportunistic pathogens causing necrotic symptoms, specialist flower pathogens infecting inflorescences through the gynoecium, and specialist flower pathogens infecting inflorescences systemically through the apical meristem. Floral traits play a role in attracting vectors or hosts for pathogens, and there is growing interest in how floral secondary compounds and antimicrobial enzymes influence disease establishment in plant hosts. Overall, the common pathogens that attack flowers include bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, and certain flower-infecting fungi.
Why pollinators are essential in urban gardens?4 answersPollinators are essential in urban gardens because they play a crucial role in the reproduction of many plant and crop species, provide important diversity for food webs, and have cultural value. Urban areas, including private gardens, can provide flowers and beneficial habitats for pollinators, helping to counteract the decline in pollinator species. Flower-rich private gardens are found to be integral habitats for wild pollinators, and citizen science programs can be used to implement and evaluate conservation practices. Urban gardens can support diverse bee communities through resource provision, and higher plant species richness and diversity in gardens lead to higher numbers of wild bee species and bee diversity. By designing and managing urban gardens using evidence-based strategies, such as providing foraging and nesting resources, valuable habitats can be created for taxonomically and functionally diverse bee communities in cities.
What is the ecological role of flowers on angiosperns?2 answersFlowers play a crucial ecological role in angiosperms by facilitating reproduction and promoting biodiversity. They increase rates of outcrossing, which is essential for genetic diversity and adaptation. Flowers are highly variable in traits such as size, shape, and color, and their diversity attracts a wide range of pollinators, including hummingbirds, bumblebees, and insects. Pollinator behavior can drive floral divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation between plant species. Additionally, flowers provide food sources and shelters for natural enemies, such as arthropods, which contribute to biological control of insect pests in agroecosystems. Florivory, the eating of flowers, is a primary plant-animal interaction that impacts plant fitness and can lead to secondary phenomena like pollination. Understanding the ecological role of flowers is crucial for comprehending the ecology and evolution of angiosperms and for developing effective conservation and agricultural strategies.