NATURAL SCIENCE
– BIOLOGY
PLANT
ADAPTATIONS
By Sithabiso Nondabula 8E
PEACE LILY (SPATHIPHYLLUM)
The more popular name of peace lily
stems from the plant's associations
with peace, healing, and purity. It has
also been linked to the white flag, a
symbol of a truce. There are more
than 50 distinct varieties that almost
all feature white bracts with a
smidgen of green sometimes. About
the spoon-shaped leaf, the name
Spathiphyllum is derived from the
Greek words "spath" and "phyl,"
which both imply leaves.
THEIR HABITAT
In Central and South America’s tropical
rainforests, peace lilies are a natural
species. They do best in warm, wet
environments with lots of sunshine.
They grow on the forest floor, in
addition to on rocks and trees, in the
wild.
Peace lilies are indoor plants that may
be grown in a house or place of
business. They should be watered
often, letting the soil somewhat dry
out in between applications. They
thrive in bright, indirect light.
Keeping the potting soil wet but not
soggy is crucial since too much
watering will damage the plants.
DEFENSE/
PROTECTION
One of the main chemical defense
mechanisms of peace lilies is their
production of a sweet, fragrant sap that
is released when the plant is damaged or
stressed. This sap contains compounds
that can deter insects and other pests
from feeding on the plant. Additionally,
peace lilies have thick, waxy leaves that
make it difficult for insects to penetrate
and feed on the leaves.
Mechanical defense mechanisms of peace
lilies include their upright growth habit
and the sharp edges of their leaves. The
upright growth habit makes it difficult for
pests to climb up the plant and reach the
flowers or leaves. The sharp edges of the
leaves can also deter pests from climbing
up the plant by making it more difficult
for them to grip onto the leaves.
AQUIRING AND PRODUCING FOOD
(LEAVES)
In general, peace lilies have a number of
modifications that enable them to get and
create food through their leaves. These
adaptations include a smooth, glossy, waxy-
coated leaf surface, a large, broad leaf shape, a
smooth leaf texture that helps to reduce water
loss and protect the leaves from damage, a
spiral leaf arrangement that reduces water loss
and protects the leaves from damage, and a
dark green colour that helps to absorb more
light for photosynthesis. Peace lilies have
evolved these adaptations to enable them to
flourish both in their natural habitat and in
enclosed spaces.
REPRODUCING
Peace lilies reproduce through both
pollination and seed dispersal.
Pollination occurs when the plant's
flowers are pollinated by insects such
as bees, butterflies, and moths. The
flowers of the peace lily are typically
white and fragrant, and they produce a
large amount of nectar that attracts
these insects. Once pollinated, the
flower will develop into a fruit that
contains the seeds of the plant.
Seed dispersal is another way that peace
lilies reproduce. As the fruit of the plant
matures, it will eventually split open,
releasing the seeds inside. These seeds
can then be dispersed by wind, water,
or animals, and they can take root and
grow into new peace lilies.
AQUIRING WATER
+ NUTRIENTS
Peace lilies acquire water through the process
of osmosis, which occurs when water
moves from an area of high
concentration to an area of low
concentration. The roots of the peace lily
are able to absorb water from the soil
through tiny pores called rhizoids. These
rhizoids are able to penetrate the soil and
absorb water and nutrients, which are
then transported back to the plant's stem
and leaves.
Peace lilies also acquire nutrients through
their roots. The roots of the plant are able
to absorb nutrients from the soil, such as
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium,
which are essential for the plant's growth
and development. In addition, peace lilies
are able to absorb nutrients from
fertilizers and other soil amendments
that are added to the soil.
