Thank You, Plants!

Do you have plants in your home or garden? Plants are all shapes and sizes. They are important for people and animals. They make our lives better in many ways. How do plants help us? Read to find out!

Plants give us oxygen.

Oxygen is in the air we breathe. All living things need it. Plants make oxygen.

Plants give us food.

Many plants are good to eat. Vegetables are plants. Fruits, nuts, beans, and seeds come from plants.

Plants give us shade.

Trees are the largest plants. In the summer, trees are full of leaves. The trees make shadows. On a hot, sunny day, sit under a tree. You will stay cool in its shade.

Plants give us shelter × shelter GETTY IMAGES a place to live ( ) Some snakes use logs for shelter. .

Birds, insects, and many other animals live in trees and other plants. People use wood from trees to build homes.

Science Scoop

Did you know that some plants eat bugs? Each leaf of the Venus flytrap holds a sweet juice × juice PAUL VOZDIC—GETTY IMAGES a liquid that can be squeezed out of plants and fruits ( ) Sarah drinks orange juice for breakfast. . When a bug tries to sip the juice, the leaf snaps shut. It takes about a week for the plant to finish its insect meal!

Think!

What is your favorite flower? Why? Describe it!

Stay Away from Me!

Plants can’t run from animals that want to eat them. But they do have ways to stay safe. Read the clues to learn about some plant defenses. Look at the photos. Then write the letter of the plant that matches each clue.

1. This plant grows poisonous fruits. The fruits are small red berries.

2. This plant has many sharp white spines. They stop animals from eating it.

3. If you touch this plant, you can get a rash. Each stem has three green leaves.

4. This plant has a pretty flower. Be careful! The pointy thorns on its stems can prick you.