The interesting world of plants
Water lilies can often be seen in China,with their round leaves,orpads,floating in ponds.In Hangzhou,there is a kind of water lily whose pads are so huge that a person can stand on them.This is a Victoria lily,the largest kind of water lily in the world.Its pads are more than two metres wide and its white or purple flowers can grow as large as 45 centimertres across.
Some flowering plants can also be eaten.The lotus,a near relative of the water lily,si such a plant.It han a long white root,in which there are many holes.In Asian countries,lotus roots and seeds are often cooked and served in meals.In the West,eating lotus roots or seeds is not as popular as it is in Asia.
The banyan tree is an interesting tree with many roots growing down from its branches.It can be found in South China and other parts of Asia.When its roots reach the ground,they plant themselves and grow bark.Eventually they either become part of the original tree trunk or become separate tree trunks.Using this method,banyan trees can cover an enormous area.The world's largest banyan tree,in India,covers an area larger than a football pitch.Even though it is only one tree,it looks like a whole forest!
Speaking of trees,a gingko tree believed to be around 2800 years old was recently discovered in Hebei Province,China.Many gingko trees have been around for more than 1000 years---that is the reason why they are known as 'longevity trees' in China.Whlie gingko trees can live for a long time,they are not even near being the oldest trees.Bristlecone pine trees in America are among the oldest living trees.One bristlecone pine tree in Nevada is over 4600 years Old!
water lily：睡蓮
pad:浮葉
float:漂浮
pond:池塘
Victoria lily:王蓮
flower:v.開花
lotus:荷花
relative:同類事物
banyan tree：榕樹
bark:樹皮
separate:不同的
enormous:巨大的
pitch:場地,球場
speak of :提起
gingko tree:銀杏樹
longevity:長壽
bristlecone pine tree:狐尾松樹