Plant is the basis of life. They have been with us for countless number of years, right from the beginning. Source of food, medicine, household materials, resources for industrial development, the existence and survival of humanity is deeply rooted in the importance of plants.
Plants likewise helps to provide a balance and healthy ecosystem for our world. However, as our ecosystem is threatened, this has an adverse effect on plants and animals included.
While much attention and rightly so, has been given to endangered animals, there are varieties of plant whose existence are daily threatened by our actions and inactions and unless we act, these endangered plants risks being buried in the sand of time. Here are 10 plants in danger of extinction.
1. Titan Arum (Corpse Flower)
Famous for its rather putrid smell hence the name corpse flower, the Titan Arum is an unusually huge plant identified as one of the largest flowers in the world, it could rise up to 20 feet tall. The corpse flower has an unpredictable blooming period and a pollination window of a day or two. With its natural habitat in the rainforest of Sumatra, it is considered an endangered specie of plant as its irregular cycle makes cultivating difficult.
2. Venus Fly trap
One of the most fascinating plants in the world but sadly disappearing. A carnivorous plant which traps insect. The Venus fly trap thrives in in area with less canopy cover, open to the sun. However, human activities such as deforestation for road construction, poaching, various forms of pollution have increasingly led to the loss of this amazing plant.
3. Pitcher plant
Closely related to the Venus fly trap, the pitcher plant is also a carnivorous plant with leaves shaped in form of a pitcher. The plant grows mostly in the rainforest region of South America with a variety, the green pitcher growing likewise in some parts of the U.S.A. Due to increased residential and agricultural development, the plant is constantly in danger of being extinct.
4. Cactus plant
Seen in different shapes and sizes, the cactus plant (plural cacti/cactuses) is found in dry areas with an incredible ability to conserve water. The spines not only prevent water loss by reducing airflow and providing shade but also discourages animals from devouring the plant.
The cactus plant due to its peculiarities is largely appreciated, but many species have been greatly affected due to over-collection for sale. Also, urbanization which mostly entails construction of roads and housing projects have reduced the number of these plants hence putting it at risk.
5. Dragon tree
Imposing just like the animal with its fat trunk, thick and extending branches forming a canopy, the dragon tree is found mostly in Africa, southern Asia and some parts of Australia and central America. The tree produces resins with a blood-like color popularly called Dragon’s blood known for its numerous benefits including its medicinal advantages.
Despite its ability to resist adverse conditions such as drought, like other endangered plants, some of the greatest threats to the existence of the Dragon tree are human activities like wood cutting, climate change leading to loss of water source for some species and overgrazing.
6. Acacia aprica
Native to Africa and Australasia, the Acacia also known as Blunt Wattle is mostly found on roadsides and in vegetations within farmlands. They serve as source of food for animals and decomposed Acacia leaves enriches the soil with Nitrogen. The Acacia aprica is at risk due to road activities, grazing, weed invasion, effect of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides.
7. Orchid
With over 200 species, orchid remains one of the most sought-after houseplants for its unique scent, colors and medicinal value. A fragile plant depending on fungi activity for its survival, it is considered an endangered species of plant due to over collection and loss of habitat. To prevent its extinction, Orchid are cultivated in nurseries and laws passed in countries to ensure its conservation.
8. Puzzle sunflower
The puzzle sunflower can be mostly found in highly saline wetlands and stream courses. An herbaceous plant, with no notable stem shooting above the ground. The constant degradation of its habitat with overgrazing, oil exploration and competition with other plants growing in its habitat serves as major obstacle to the survival of the puzzle sunflower.
9. Baobab
The pride of the African continent with nutritious leaves and fruits, the Baobab holds a special place in the culture of Africans. This massive tree is recorded as one of the oldest existing trees in the world but sadly in danger of extinction. Climate change leading to short rainfall, drought and massive tree falling, make it not only threatened but also made them critically endangered.
10. Jellyfish tree
Obscure just like the jellyfish from which it derived it name and flowers resembling the tentacles of the animal, only few specimens of this amazing tree is known by scientists making it one of the rarest species of plants in the world. With the official name Medusagyne oppositifolia, the jellyfish tree is limited to its natural habitat found in the island of Seychelles. However, increased industrial activities in the country poses a risk to its survival.
11. Trilepisium Gymnandrum
Another special tree having its habitat in the forests and lowlands of Seychelles. With simple leaves, a light brown bark dripping with a white sap and flatly round fruit, the Trilepisium can grow up to 25 m high. The tree is quite rare, being found within the range of 16km in the Island of Silhouette in the small African country, hence it is considered as being critically endangered.
In order to preserve this tree, the authorities have declared more than half of Silhouette Island a national park.
12. Wollemi Pine
The Wollemi pine is considered by many a living fossil dating back to pre-extinction years of the dinosaur. With a height that can reach up to 40 meters and slender leaves arranged in two rows, the Wollemi pine is a cone bearing tree discovered in Australia. Its small population size is threatened by human activities, climate change and natural disasters.
