Plant Species and Herbal Medicine - Essay Example

Water Chestnuts (Food)

 This is an aquatic plant that is currently mostly found in the North American region. It is specifically found in freshwaters as floating seaweed.

Jatropha (Bio-fuels)

 This is one of the most common biofuel plants. It major occupies arid and semi-arid areas in India, Egypt as well as Madagascar.

        Importance of these Plants and how they are used to Solve Real-World Problems

Purple Loosestrife is currently used as a herbal medicine for treating dysentery and diarrhea. In some cases, it is cultivated as an ornamental plant, but in some cases, it has been considered an invasive species. On the other hand, salt cedars as an industrial plant are majorly used in the production of fertilizer as well as fuels. Additionally, salt cedars are used to undertake anti-desertification programs in countries like China (www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov). Water chestnut is another plant species that are found in the North American region; it produces nut-like roots that have been considered a delicacy in various parts of the world. In as much as Spotted Knap seaweed has been considered an invasive species in some parts of the world, it has also been used to solve some challenges specifically, as a fodder crop for sheep. On the other hand, Jatropha is one of the most popular crops in relation to the fact that is currently used to solve energy challenges by using it to manufacture biofuels.