Plants that start with P

Pine trees or conifers come in all shapes and sizes, although most are quite large trees. They all have some features in common. They all have cones instead of flowers. They all have leaves that look like thin green needles. Most pine trees grow from one central point at the top of the tree only and do not branch, which gives most pine trees a distinctive cone shape. Some species do branch, but not as much as most other trees do. Because pine trees usually grow tall and straight without branching they are commonly grown as plantation timber to harvest their wood for building houses and furniture out of.

Pips are another name for the seeds found in fruit like apples, oranges and watermelons.

Pitcher plants, like venus fly traps and sundews, are carniverous plants. They eat insects because they grow in very poor soils and need the extra nutrients. Pitcher plants catch insects in deep pitchers that have smooth sides and something sweet at the bottom to attract insects. When an insect is caught inside, the lid of the pitcher closes. Some pitcher plants grow large enough to catch small animals.

The plum is a small, dark red fruit related to peaches and cherries. Dried plums are sometimes called prunes. Plums can be eaten raw or used to cook puddings.