Good Example Of Essay On Botany Assignment

The discussion below focus on medicinal plants and their importance. These plants include sea weed, American gingseng, Aloe Vera, Achillea millefolium, and black cohosh.

Sea Weed

Geographical distribution
Sea weed are found in all oceans.
Ecology
Habitat type
Sea weeds are aquatic plants. Some are suspended in water, for example phytoplankton while others like are submerged. Temperature

Sea weeds can tolerate a wide ranges of temperature. They grows at a water temperature ranging from 2 °C to 30 °C

Soil type
Sea weed grows in sandy soil in oceans. The diagram in the next page shows a photograph of sea weed.
Figure 1. Sea weed (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Department, 2014).

American Ginseng

Geographical distribution
Ginseng is extensively distributed in the East of North America. The plant is also found in Canada, though in low abundance. The specific parts of Canada where the plant is found is Québec and southern part of Ontario.
Ecology

Habitat

The plant is terrestrial plant. It prefers habits which are moist, shady, and with grown deciduous plants such as white ash, basswood, sugar maple, and hickory.

Temperature

It grows well in temperature ranging from 18 °C to 25 °C
Soil type
American ginseng grows in limestone soils. The diagram below shows a photograph of American ginseng.
Figure 2. American ginseng (Riley, n.d.).

Achillea millefolium

Geographical distribution

Achillea millefolium is found in the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere in Asian, European, and North American countries.

Ecology

Habitat

The plant is found in Alpine and subalpine habitats.
Temperature
The plant grows well in temperature ranging from18 to 25°C 
Soil type
It grows well in various soil types including normal, sandy, and clay soils. The diagram on the next page shows Achillea millefolium.
Figure 3. Achillea millefolium (Western New Mexico University, n.d.).

Black Cohosh

Geographical distribution
Black cohosh is a native plant of North America. Their distribution stretches from southern part of Ontario to Georgia and also from Missouri to Arkansas.
Ecology
Habitat

It is a terrestrial plant which grows in shaded areas.

Soil type
The plant prefers moist soil rich in organic matter. It can do well in sandy, sandy loam, and clay soils as long as the soil is well drained.
Temperature
The optimum range of temperature for its growth is 20-25°C. I t can also tolerate freezing conditions. The diagram below shows Black Cohosh.
Figure 4. Black Cohosh (Organic Nutrition, n.d.).

Aloe Vera

Geographical distribution
Aloe Vera is believed to have originated from Cape Town and Sudan. Currently, it is distributed all over the world.
Ecology
Habitat

Naturalized Aloe Vera occur in dry, rocky areas.

Temperature

Naturally occurring Aloe Vera are found in areas of high temperatures ranging from 21-40°C.

Soil type
Aloe Vera can thrive well in all soil types. However, the naturalized ones are found in rocky soil. The diagram below shows Aloe Vera.
Figure 5. Aloe Vera. (Lotzer, 2014)

Importance of the above described plants

Though a source of food, analysis of nutritional content of Sea weeds have found out that it is reach in iodine which is of utmost importance in foetal, infant, and cognitive development. It has also been found to reduce the risk of fibrocystic breast disease (National Health Institute, 2011). On the other hand, American ginseng has been found to be an alternative source of treating diabetes (Raloff, 2002). In addition, it is used to reduce stress, to enhance immune system, and improve digestion.
Aloe Vera produces gel and latex. These substances are used as medicine which can be taken orally or applied on the skin. Some of the diseases that Aloe Vera treats include bowel diseases, osteoarthritis, asthma, and diabetes. Moreover, Black Cohosh roots are used for medicinal purposes. The roots contain chemicals which are important in treatment of anxiety, acne, fever, and cough among other diseases and conditions. Lastly, Achillea millefolium is used to treat fever, absence of menstruation, toothache, and hemorrhoids among other illnesses.

References

Lotzer, S. (2014). Aloe, My Friend, Aloe. Retrieved from http://dodge.uwex.edu/2014/11/aloe-my-friend-aloe/
National Institute of Health (2011). Iodine. Retrieved from http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Department (n.d.). What is seaweed? Retrieved from http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seaweed.html
Organic Nutrition (n.d.). Organic Black Cohosh Root. Retrieved from https://www.organicnutrition.co.uk/products/herbal-remedy/black-cohosh.htm
Raloff, J. (2002). Sweet news about ginseng. Retrieved from https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sweet-news-about-ginseng
Riley, S.B. (n.d.). On world environment day and every day, the stress of being ginseng. Retrieved from http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_images.jsp?cntn_id=128122&org=NSF
Western New Mexico University (n.d.). Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness. Retrieved from http://wnmu.edu/academic/nspages/gilaflora/achillea_millefolium.html