There are about 300, 000 species of higher plants in the world currently, not including the extinct species, and 30, 000 of them are found in China. As an ancient saying goes, “there is spirit in every grass and tree.” The wisdom of plants is to survive and acclimatize to their environment with constant evolution, and the exhibition generally displays these survival strategies.

Take a close look at the plants, you’ll be surprised to find that their structure, physiological function, and even the behaviors of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and other organs show strong adaptability to the environment. Plants living in similar environments may have common survival strategies even if they are not closely related.

Though closely-related plants living in distinct environments for a long time still share certain inherent features of their family, some members show localized characteristics.

Time changes everything. The earth was formed 4.6 billion years ago, and the most primitive form of life appeared about one billion years later. The environment of the earth and the form of life have undergone earth-shaking changes over time, leaving traces of evolution.

Plants constantly change their characteristics and habits to adapt to the environment and expand their living space. In the early days, sporophytes were the main producers. Then the green flowering plants showed their advantages later. Plants have developed strategies to protect themselves and to expand their territory in various surroundings. As a result, some plants became extinct, but other “smart” plants have survived and managed to adorn the earth today.

The Wisdom of Plants displays more than 160 specimens, including plants from the Earth’s poles and tropical rainforests, “the first flower” fossils, the modern flower specimens, and ginkgo fossils and specimens. In addition, the exhibition features 42 display panels, 22 exhibit models and many digital exhibits, such as videos titled “flowering pollination”, “seed dispersal”, and “chemical weapons”, light boxes of “the first emergence of plants”, “photosynthesis”, and interactives called “chasing the sun”, “squirrels hiding pine nuts”, “walking through tropical rainforests”, “interpreting growth rings”, “flying seeds”, “microstructures of plants”, “the taste of plants” and “good imitators”. The 22 exhibit models contains“shu wei cao(also known as sage)”, “Darwin’s prophecy”, “plant strangulation” and etc.

In one word, the exhibition is designed with many display methods to demonstrate the story of plants from four aspects, namely the origin of plants, survival of the fittest, expansion of territory, and strategies of defense.