The Producers by Krystal W.
Welcome to the producers page. This page contains information about three plants in the Amazon Rainforest. A producer is a plant that provides its own food. All producers get their light energy (the essential enegry needed to help the plant grow) from the sun. Chlorophyll. which is a molicule contained in the plant, makes the plant green. Photosynthesis is the process that the plant uses to make food. Sugar (glucose) is made from carbon dioxide and water.

Name of Plant: Piri-piri Medical Sedge
Description of Plant: This plant is often used to cure headaches and other health problems. People of the Amazon also use it to ease childbirth.
 
Uses of Plant (consumption/medicinal): As stated before, this plant is used for many medical uses. Such include fevers, cramps, and viruses.The Living Edens \Manu\ -- Flora: Plants
 

Name of Plant: Vanilla planifolia (Vanilla Plant)
Description of Plant: The flowers of this plant bloom for only one day. Tha natives to South America used the vanilla bean for cooking. The fruit it produces is 8 inches and takes 9 months to grow.
 
Uses of Plant (consumption/medicinal): Like it's name, vanilla is only produced from these certain plants.
AN AMAZON ADVENTURE--PLANTS--VANILLAPicture provided by Dr. Jim Castner. For more information, see the book, "Field Guide to Medicinal And Useful Plants of the Upper Amazon."

Name of Plant: Cocao Tree
Description of Plant: The seeds from this plant are what we use to make chocolate. One fruit holds about 60 seeds or beans. It is also used to make cocao butter. The tree can reach up to 25 feet in hieght.
 
Uses of Plant (consumption/medicinal): To make the chocolate or the cocoa, the seeds inside the fruit that the tree produces have to be ground. From there they are mixed with sugar and starch.
The Living Edens \Manu\ -- Flora: Trees
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