Choose one plant, preferably a shrub with a thick stem or a tree that you want to make friends with. Name your plant, just like you might name a pet. Take care of the plant by watering it each day. Also protect it as your friend. Now observe your plant friend closely. Here are a few things to observe — its leaves, flowers and fruits. Are there many, a few or no leaves, flowers and fruits?
When observing a plant friend, students will notice several things about its features.
Leaves can be many, few or none depending on the season. Their colour, shape and size vary — peepal leaves are heart-shaped, mango leaves are long, and lotus leaves are round.
Flowers may be present or absent. They have different colours and shapes depending on the plant.
Fruits may appear after flowering. They change colour as they ripen, like jamun fruits turning from green to red to purple.
Explanation
This activity helps students develop observation skills and emotional connection with plants. The chapter provides examples like the jamun tree which has tiny white flowers and fruits that change from green to red to purple.
Solution Steps
Observe the leaves — they can be many, few or none depending on the season
Note the leaf colour, shape and size (peepal: heart-shaped, mango: long, lotus: round)
Check for flowers — they may be present or absent with different colours and shapes
Look for fruits — they appear after flowering and change colour as they ripen