twoattractiverelativesofferns. One is thehorsetailrush, often found growing
alongrailroadtracks. The second is the club moss. Thisplantis often used
as aChristmasdecorationbecause it resembles aminiaturelow-growing pine
tree.
Ifyou discover thehorsetailrush and the club moss and decide to include
them in your fern display, take only oneplantofeach. Both theseplantsare
passingoutofexistence, or becoming"extinct"in some areas. As a beginning
biologist, you will want to be careful to preserve them.THE PARTS OF ATYPICAL FLOWERING PLANT
Materials: Almost any common house or garden plantwill be a fine
specimen for this study. Perhapsthere is a floweringgeraniumgrowing in a
poton your window sill, or a clump ofAfrican violets. A miniature rose
bush is also a good subject, as are green pea or green bean plants. When you
have found a plant to study, look at it closely,withoutremoving it from
wherever it is growing.
Youwillobserve:Therootsof the plant pushing down to growbeneath
the soil. Growingabove the soil are the stems, the green leaves and the flowers.