More than two thirds of the world's plantlife grows in the rainforests, most of which scientists have yet to name, and even discover.
Here are a few facts about some familiar plants that grow in the rainforests.
Orchids
- There are more than 230 different species of orchids.
- Jewel orchids live at the forest floor near rocks and streams.
- As epiphytes, orchids grow in the upper canopy.
- Vanilla beans and vanilla originate from orchids
- Because of their popularity, many people collect orchids, significantly decreasing the number of orchids.
- Fairy bells, pink finger, charging bull orchids, apricot orchids and jewel orchids are just a few types of the many different orchid varieties.
Cacao
- Around 3 or 4 thousand years ago the cacao tree was cultivated in Central America
- Cacao pods can grow up to 30cm long and come in a red-brown colour.
- About 20-40 seeds grow in each pod, and are the base ingredient for chocolate.
- pods can weigh around 300-500kg
- Pods grow on stems called chupons, which grow off tree branches.
- Brazil, Ghana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Ecuador, Columbia, Nigeria, Cote D'Ioire, cameroon and Dominican republic are all chocolate producers.
- Bananas are commonly known as fruit, but are in fact herbs.
- Bananas are an excellent source of potassium
- It takes roughly a year for bananas to ripen
- The banana flower is edible, but if you eat it, you wont get any bananas
- Bananas are grown in clumps called "hands" and the whole stem is called a bunch
- Bananas are distantly related to ginger and cardamon.
Avocados
- Avocados are not vegetables. They are in fact, a fruit
- There are more than 500 avocado varieties.
- 1 tree can produce 150-500 avocados a year.
- Avocados have more potassium than bananas, and have the highest protein content of any fruit.
- Once an avocado is picked, it takes 7-10 days to ripen, but refrigerating them slows down the process.
- Mexico and California are the top 2 avocado producers in the world.