Going where the action is: Plant connections to history

Social Studies Review, Fall 2002 by Murphey, Carol E

Elementary Review

PLANTS TRAVEL IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MAN

Without plants we would not exist. In the chain of omnivore, carnivore, and herbivore, plants play a key role. All three life forms need plants to exist, since one preys on the other. Plants have various mechanisms for moving from one place to another locally, but man has played a major role in moving them from one environment to another. Penelope Hobhouse's statement in her book Plants in Garden History, "The very stuff of the history of gardening from ancient Egypt to the present day, consists largely of plants that have been displaced and transplanted to new situations," says it all. Maggie Campbell-Culver, author of The Origin of Plants states: "After the retreat of the last Ice Age Britain had the distinction of having the smallest natural flora of any country in the world, yet by the start of the twenty-first century it contained the widest range of any nation on earth." Considering Britain's history of colonialism, it was almost a given. Events in the history of mankind trigger large movements of plants from one place to another. The conqueror likes the familiar from home, the explorer brings back the odd and unusual, the curious find and steal forbidden fruit, plants travel in the footsteps of man. Geographers study this plant migration, or diffusion to see the impact it has on new regions and peoples. The intent of this lesson is to have students become aware of this phenomenon, as well as to recognize some major historic events that packed a suitcase for a plant and moved it to foreign places.

The following lesson was adapted from a presentation by Carol Murphey, for the Bay Area Global Education Program (BAGEP) at the 2002 summer institute, FOOD AND WORLD HISTORY, presented by the Office of Resources for International Area Studies, ORIAS, at UC Berkeley

HISTORIC SCENARIOS OF PLANT MOVEMENT

Objectives:

Students will:

* become acquainted with the role of plants in history

* recognize the interdependence of plants and humans.

* solve a problem in a cooperative group.

Time: One to two class periods

Materials:

* a Plant Scenario card for each group

* one copy of Movement Reasons, Events and Uses of the Plant for each group

* chart paper, watercolor pens, scissors, and tape

* World map for each group

Using the Scenarios

Divide the class into groups of three. Give each group a plant scenario card and a movement reason sheet. Ask the groups to read their plant scenario card, and look at the movement reason sheet and discuss just how and for what reason their plant moved. It is possible that it is connected to more than one movement reason. Students decide on the major reason, and any others that might fit. Also each group should use their World map to trace the movement of their plant. The group should discuss the following questions among themselves:

* How old do you think your plant might be, and why do you think it spread?

* Name the historic event or events that caused your plant to travel.

* Why do you think people chose to move it to the new place?

* How did your plant become important to its new location?

* How did your plant affect the lives of humans after it was grown in the new location?

When appropriate time has been allowed for discussion, each group is charged with creating a poster that tells about their plant. The poster should include a map of the plant's travels. This is then shared with the class. Each of the three students must create a part of the poster and present part of the information.

Extensions:

* Regional plant collections can be made, the plants should be identified as to native or non native, and their history recorded.

* There are hundreds more plants in the world that have interesting histories, for instance the rose, the poppy, broccoli, coconut, chocolate, etc. Assign students to research some other plants than those on the list, and share their findings with the class.

* Students can use the information to create Jeopardy and Trivia games to challenge other groups.

Plant Scenario Cards

ONION

The Onion, has been growing wild around the world and been eaten by mankind, since early human history. Greek and Roman soldiers were given it for meals on the march. It was said to make them brave soldiers. Roman soldiers had onions with them when they invaded Britain. It was sacred to an Egyptian God and fed to the people who built the pyramids to make them strong. It is mentioned in the Bible story of the flight from Egypt by the Israelites. They complained to Moses that he forgot to bring onions to flavor their food. Onions were used by the Druids of England, (the people of Stonehenge), 2,000 years ago in ceremonies.

WHEAT

Man in the Fertile Crescent first cultivated wheat about 10,000 years ago. Wheat became the staple crop for these early agricultural societies. The Fertile Crescent is an area from the North coast of the Persian Gulf to the East coast of the Mediterranean. Several rivers came together there and provided natural irrigation in a desert area. Mesopotamia and Sumer are in this area. This plant moves along the sea and land trade routes to Greece, Cyprus, and India about 8,500 years ago. Wheat then traveled to Egypt, then Central Europe and arrives in Britain in about 5,500 years ago. It is grown today in all but the very coldest parts of the World. The eating of bread of some kind is part of a daily meal in most of the earth.