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Ohio's native plants range from rare to tasty. We take a look at a few, including the state flower Trillium which only blooms in the wild, and the tropical-tasting fruit from the Paw-Paw tree. But remember never snack on any wild plants unless you know for certain that they are safe to eat!
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READ THE SCRIPT:
[Mary] When you take a walk outside, you probably see all kinds of plants. But the ones you see most often are likely not native plants. Native plants are plants that grow naturally in Ohio. The grass on your lawn, the roses in your neighbor's garden, and even some of the weeds your parents can't seem to get rid of, were all brought here at one time by people.

The native plants and wildflowers that grew here before white settlers arrived are colorful, vibrant, and uniquely beautiful. Ohio's official state wildflower, the white trillium, grows a gorgeous white flower with three petals. But this plant grows very slowly. In fact, it takes seven to 10 years to even grow flowers. And it's virtually impossible to grow one of these guys in a nursery. According to experts, it only grows in the wild.

But Ohio's native plants aren't just eye candy. They're also like, candy, candy. Like the paw-paw. The paw-paw is a small tree, native to Southeastern Ohio. But the real prize is the fruit that grows on it. I would describe the taste as a cross between a banana and a mango. Although it was enjoyed by Native Americans and early white settlers, the paw-paw was a forgotten fruit for years, but has recently seen a resurgence in popularity.

Parks are one place you're likely to see a lot of native plants. But it sometimes takes work. At the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Chris Davis, a plant biologist, has been growing natives in a greenhouse and plants them all around the park. He says native plants are important, because native animals and insects rely on them. And the more native species there are, the healthier and more vibrant the park becomes.

One thing I like to do when I'm out for a hike is to look for some of these native plants. Maybe you can impress your friends by identifying them. But one thing you shouldn't do is pick them. An old saying that many hikers live by is "Take only pictures, leave only footprints." Unless, of course, a delicious ripe paw-paw is just starin' ya in the face. And then I say, pick away.
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NewsDepth, a weekly interactive television program produced by WVIZ/PBS ideastream, breaks down the biggest news stories into teachable lessons for 4th to 6th-grade students.

The show provides cross-curricular and real-world learning opportunities that spark great class discussions. Beyond covering current events, NewsDepth features special segments on Ohio history, science, civics and art that align with Ohio learning standards.

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