In this vast world, there are thousands of plants, many of which we are very familiar with, because in daily life, or in textbooks, we can often see them. However, there are also many plants that we are not familiar with, or even unheard of.
In Chile, there is a very special and strange plant, which is not only full of thorns and looks very strange, but also has a strange name, called "sheep-eating tree". Why would a plant take that name? It turns out that this plant has a different property from other plants, that is, it can "eat sheep", what is going on? Does the sheep-eating tree really have a mouth to eat sheep? Let's take a look!
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="3" > introduction to sheep-eating trees</h1>
When you hear the name sheep-eating tree, you know that its origin is not ordinary. Yes, this plant is special and not common to us. It was originally grown in Chile, South America, in a dry, hot environment. It is difficult to see this plant in ordinary areas. It is particularly resembling a pineapple and has a thorny surface, but unlike pineapples, this plant called sheep-eating grass is inedible.
Sheep-eating trees grow very tall, averaging more than three meters tall per tree, and the plant can flower. However, its flowers bloom at the very top, so it is difficult for ordinary people to observe its flowers up close.
The plant is tall and tall, and the surface is full of thorns, which look a bit like a wolf's tooth stick, and on these thorns, it looks very sharp, and there are many blue flowers on the surface. In addition, the growth cycle of sheep-eating trees is very long. According to relevant data, this tree can grow for twenty years before stopping growing, so it can be seen that compared with other plants, the "puberty" of sheep-eating trees is longer.
So, why is this tall and evergreen tree called a "sheep-eating tree"? Is it because the surface of the tree has a mouth that can eat sheep? This is certainly not the case.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="8" > sheep-eating trees "eat" sheep</h1>
It is said that people in Chile, especially villagers who raise animals, will cut down this "sheep-eating tree" when they see them. Because they are afraid that the sheep-eating trees will eat the sheep and other livestock they raise.
In fact, the above is a more exaggerated statement. As a plant, the sheep-eating tree certainly does not have the ability to eat sheep with a long mouth. This means that the sheep-eating tree grows tall and has thorns, and if the sheep accidentally rub this plant while grazing in the wild, the thorns on the sheep-eating tree will be wrapped around the sheep's fur.
Once entangled in this sheep-eating grass, the sheep have no way to break free, and the sheep-eating grass will entangle the sheep alive. Therefore, in this sense, this plant is named "sheep-eating grass".
In addition, the plant often grows in dry, hot areas, this dry, hot environment, very easy to cause spontaneous combustion of sheepgrass. Once burned, the sheep-eating grass is bound to cause a fire. Therefore, the harm of sheep-eating grass is very large, that is, for these reasons, local residents will spontaneously destroy this sheep-eating grass to ensure the safety of livestock and themselves.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="13" > sheep-eating tree was transplanted to the UK</h1>
Due to chile's geographical environment and climatic environment, sheep-eating trees are particularly unpopular here, and people want to destroy it when they see it. It can be said that in Chile, this tree is very dangerous and disliked.
However, after the sheep-eating tree was relocated to Britain, its status was greatly improved. After changing the climate environment, the sheep-eating tree has undergone great changes. It is possible that under harsh conditions, the sheep-eating grass inadvertently harmed livestock and humans out of the need to protect itself.
After coming to England, the characteristics of sheep-eating trees became much milder. It is worth mentioning that sheep-eating trees in the Uk only bloom once in 15 years. Since the sheep-eating tree blooms once every fifteen years, the British are very shocked and curious about this plant, not only will not destroy them, but also carefully cultivate. What's even more interesting is that whenever the sheep-eating trees bloom, the local people come to see it endlessly.
Although the sheep-eating tree was rejected in Chile, it found its own new world in the United Kingdom, so it can be seen that the quality of plants depends largely on the environment and different groups of people, and there is no standard answer.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="18" > Summary:</h1>
Therefore, the sheep-eating tree does not really eat sheep, but the unintentional harm to the sheep can also be said to be to protect itself, its tall, its full of thorns, are all for better survival.
Any plant, a certain characteristic of its existence, in fact, has a certain reason. Sheep-eating trees are no exception. Different geographical locations and climatic environments shape the characteristics of different plants. It can be said that plants that are not liked in one place may become rare plants in another place.
It's like people, if a person is talented, he can't be treated well everywhere. He should go to the place where he needs himself and suits himself in order to let his talents be effectively played.
References: China News Network, CNKI