The Continuation of Life: The Unique Physiological Phenomenon of Lithops - Molting
This article introduces: Knowledge about the succulent plant Lithops, the continuation of life, the unique physiological phenomenon of Lithops - molting. Next, the editor will provide you with a detailed explanation.
Lithops is a general term for all species of the genus Lithops in the Aizoaceae family. Although there are only about 37 species in this category, there are already more than 400 varieties. It is a magical plant that differs greatly from our impression of plants. It is almost indistinguishable from pebbles and shows no obvious signs of life.
These plants are native to the extremely arid regions of South Africa, where the annual rainfall is less than 5 centimeters. To adapt to this extremely dry environment, the entire plant has no visible stem but very developed roots. The above-ground part consists of a pair of highly fleshy leaves for water storage. The whole plant hides among the stones like a stone, avoiding water evaporation and being eaten by animals, thus ensuring the continuation of the species in such harsh conditions.
Lithops has a unique physiological phenomenon in their lives - "molting". Of course, "molting" is a metaphorical expression. In fact, it is a replacement of life: the old fleshy leaves gradually wither, and the new pair of fleshy leaves grows slowly. Eventually, the old leaves crack like dry skin, and the new fleshy leaves are exposed to the sun to start a new development. Of course, during this process, new life may undergo fission, that is, it splits into a pair of fleshy leaves, which we call "double-headed". In the autumn of the same year, the flower bud will emerge from the crack between the pair of fleshy leaves, realizing the most important part of life - sexual reproduction.
To combat the hot summer, Lithops will enter a summer dormancy, similar to hibernation, reducing the demand for water. At this time, theoretically, the old fleshy leaves will completely wither and the handover between old and new will be completed. This is not a problem in the place of origin. However, when these plants come to China, due to the humid environment and abundant water, it often happens that the old leaves do not wither smoothly. We often find that old leaves and new leaves coexist in cultivation. In the summer, especially in the Jiangnan region, the humid and hot climate makes it very easy for the old leaves of Lithops that fail to molt smoothly to rot, ultimately causing the plant to die into a pool of water.
In my view, the "molting" phenomenon of Lithops can be called the most classic metabolism in plants.
It is widely known that metabolism is a fundamental characteristic of life, which means that without metabolism, there is no life; for life to continue, there must be metabolism. Therefore, the replacement of the old with the new is an objective law, and to violate this law will inevitably lead to a cost in life. This law not only applies in the living world but also in the development of enterprises and even in the rise and fall of stock and real estate markets.
Therefore, we must face the objective law. While the older generation has played an indelible role in development, when it comes to the cycle of development, "leaving" becomes an important part of the continuation of things, because only in this way can the new generation play a role in development and continuation. Similarly, what goes up must come down, and today's downturn is precisely for a better rise in the future. Therefore, why should we cling to our old world? Why should we fear the downturn?
Although it is somewhat sad to see the old skin of Lithops withering, doesn't the vibrant vitality of the new life mean a brighter future for life?
Have you understood the detailed introduction to the continuation of life, the unique physiological phenomenon of Lithops - molting, that was shared above?