Economic Importance of Vanilla

Vanilla is a flavoring made from orchids native to Mexico. Vanilla is used for flavoring in many foods such as ice cream. The cosmetic industry uses it to make perfume. In old medicinal times it was used to reduce fevers. The oils of vanilla is sometimes used in aromatherapy.

Economic Importance of Corn

Corn is the most widely grown crop in the Americas with 332 million metric tons grown annually in the United States alone. Corn is used for many different reasons such as human food, chemicals and medicines, biofuel, sandboxes, and food for cows.

Economic Importance of Cotton

Cotton is a soft fiber that grows in seeds of the cotton plant. The plant is from regions around the world such as the Americas, Africa, India, and Pakistan. The fiber is made into yarn that is used for cloth in almost all clothing today. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to help in seed-dispersal.

Rosehips / Birds Interaction

Rose hips are the fruit of a rose plant. After the flower is pollinated, the fruit gets bigger and seeds develope within them. Birds eat them and scatter the seeds in their droppings.

Coneflower / Bee Interaction

The coneflower makes nectar that attracts the bee. The bee drinks the nectar and its legs get covered with pollen. Then it takes the pollen and pollinates another coneflower which helps the plant reproduce.

Hummingbird / Hibiscus Interaction

The hummingbird inserts its beak into the hibiscus flower. As it feeds on nectar, pollen sticks to its head. This pollen is carried to the next hibiscus flower and contacts the stigma, the female organ. Flowers are now pollinated and can produce seeds.