Botany, plain and simple, is the study of plants. The study of every form of living thing that comes under the Plant kingdom or Kingdom Plantae falls under the study of Botany. It comprises of plants such as algae, fungi, lichens, gymnosperms,angiosperms,etc.
When looking at a plant, you might seek to know details about its leaf structure. The veins on the leaf can be an interesting topic for awhile which can be in the form of parallel veins or a network of veins depending on the type of plant.
Flowers can be an interesting aspect for detailed study. A vast number of plants are devoid of flowers. And for those that have flowers, how does it make one flowering plant distinct from another flowering plant?
Why do most plants have green leaves, while some have magenta or orange or red or even yellow color leaves? What is that pigment present that gives it that unique, distinct color? What is the purpose and function of such pigments in plant leaves?
Quinine obtained from the tree Cinchona officinalis is used to treat Malaria. How does one interlink the plant world with the world of medicine? There are innumerable such examples similar to the Quinine bark.
Over a period of time it was found that tomato, potato and brinjal (eggplant) belonged to one plant family. It would be interesting to note that a lot of plant characteristics have been taken onto account, such as flower feature, similarities in possibly the seed structure or stem resemblances. Detailed study has helped come to astounding conclusions, not just for the night shade family but for all families in the plant world.
The plant world interacts with the animal world to co-exist, one depending on the other. The study of plants is not complete without understanding its ecosystem and its support, dependence and inter-dependence on the biotic and abiotic factors around it. How does a plant adapt to weather changes? What features in an aquatic plant helps it thrive in water? How do xerophytes adapt to desert conditions?
Numerous similar questions about plants, various kinds of study to understand ever possible aspect of plants and even its evolutionary details are all part of the scientific study of plants called Botany. Depending on the subdivision or the branch of botany in question, they are divided roughly into Anatomy, Morphology, Ecology, Taxonomy, Genetics, Physiology, Pathology, Ethno botany, Paleobotany, Medicinal Botany, Organic Botany, Economic Botany, Agriculture, Horticulture, Farming, etc.
Those individuals who pursue the study of botany and earn their degrees in this field go on to be botanists. There is also a wide range of career opportunities and scope to earn ones living through its many branches and its interactions with the industries like the farming, agriculture, food and drug and medicine industries. It doesn’t matter what aspect of plants you take into consideration, this is what Botany’s all about. Plants.
