Topic 2 Element 3

Question 1

Where would you find information about the origin, natural habitat, geographic spread of a plant?

Answer 1

Plant encyclopedias, specialist groups, supplier web sites.

Question 2

Give an example folklore/medicinal uses of a plant.

Answer 2

Digitalis for heart problems

Question 3

What is the relevance of a plant’s natural method of propagation to its use in a planting scheme?

Answer 3

Natural methods are probably the most straight forward method
It also lets you know its spread.

Question 4

How do you assess the biodiversity rating of a garden border?

Answer 4

The number of species in an area ÷ the total number of individuals in an area = biodiversity index

Question 5

What sources can give you the conservation status of a plant?

Answer 5

CITES
The IUCN Red List

Question 6

Think of two examples of the predictive nature of scientific names:

Answer 6

Magnolia grandiflora – ‘large flowered’

Wisteria sinensis – ‘Chinese wisteria’

Question 7

Think of four examples of the advantages of scientific names:

Answer 7

Consistency
A clue is in the name
Accuracy
Worldwide