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The Nasty and Wacky Side of Plants 比怪异，求生存──植物大搜奇

 

课文朗读

 

课文讲解

 

繁體中文譯本

 

If you just associate flowers with romantic gestures or scenic surroundings, think again. In the evolutionary fight for survival, some plants have had to adapt in weird and wonderful ways, sometimes with ugly and smelly results!

若一提到花你就只联想到浪漫的示意或景色怡人的环境，那你可要再评估一下了！在演化求生的过程中，有些植物不得不以令人惊奇的怪异方式适应环境，有时甚至演变出又丑又臭的结果！

 

The Rafflesia arnoldii, or the striking corpse lily, is found lurking on the humid rainforest floors of Indonesia and Malaysia. With white dots sprinkled over a ruby background, it’s dressed like a fairy-tale toadstool and certainly could be mistaken for a weird forest fungus. It’s only in full bloom for one week of the year – but what a “bloom” that is! Measuring up to a meter in diameter and weighing as much as 11 kilograms, the corpse lily is the largest individual flower on Earth. This enormous species gives off a foul smell, like decaying meat, to attract beetles and flies which enable the planet’s pollination.

阿诺尔特大花（或称大王花），英文俗称腐尸花，潜藏于印度尼西亚和马来西亚热带雨林里潮湿的地面上。它鲜红的花瓣底色上洒满了白色斑点，彷佛童话故事里的毒蘑菇，因此经常被误认为某种奇怪的森林真菌类。它的盛开时间年仅一周──但一开花便能艳惊四座！腐尸花直径长达1公尺，重达11公斤，是全世界最大的花朵。这巨大的植物还会散发出腐肉般的臭味，以吸引甲虫与苍蝇前来授粉。

 

Titan arum is another freakishly large flower, known to reach heights of over three meters. It also emits a revolting fragrance, which can shift from rotting pumpkin to month-old fish and can be sniffed from half a mile away. As is the case with the Rafflesia, the stink is an evolutionary tactic designed to tempt flies and beetles for pollination. Mercifully, though, the bloom is even more infrequent – just two days every one to three years.

泰坦魔芋花是另一种大得惊人的花，高度可达3公尺以上。它也会散发出令人厌恶的臭味，闻起来时而像腐烂的南瓜，时而又像置放了多天的腐坏鱼肉腥味，甚至半英里外都闻得到！就像阿诺尔特大花一样，它的臭味是为了引诱苍蝇和甲虫前来授粉才演化而成。不过谢天谢地，它的花期更罕见，每1到2年只开花2天。

 

On a much smaller scale, we have the Hydnora Africana, though it won’t win any beauty contests with its extraterrestrial looks. However, if you can get over the dung-like odor of the blossom and take a bite of the edible fruit, you should find it’s surprisingly sweet. It is said to also have medicinal benefits.

相较之下，非洲白鹭花则小得多了，但它像外星人一样怪异的外表可赢不了任何选美比赛。不过要是你能克服花朵的粪便气味，尝一口它可食用的果实，你就会发觉它的香甜简直出人意料，据说还有医疗作用。

 

Vocabulary

单词发音

 

surroundings [səˋraʊndɪŋz] n. 环境；周围的事物

evolutionary [͵ɛvəˋluʃən͵ɛrɪ] adj. 进化的

adapt [əˋdæpt] v. 适应

mistake for 误认...为

bloom [blum] n. 开花；开花期

measure [ˋmɛʒɚ] v. 测量

enormous [ɪˋnɔrməs] adj. 巨大的，庞大的

give off 发出, 发散 to send forth; emit

shift [ʃɪft] v. 变换，改变

sniff [snɪf] v. 嗅，闻

as is the case with 如... 的情况一样

tactic [ˋtæktɪk] n. 战术；策略

tempt [tɛmpt] v. 引诱，诱惑

odor [ˋodɚ] n. 气味

edible [ˋɛdəb!] adj. 可食的，食用的

 

More Information

单词发音

 

nasty [ˋnæstɪ] adj. 令人作呕的；使人难受的

gesture [ˋdʒɛstʃɚ] n. 姿态，表示

scenic [ˋsinɪk] adj. 景色秀丽的

smelly [ˋsmɛlɪ] adj.【口】有使人难受的气味的；臭的

striking [ˋstraɪkɪŋ] adj. 惊人的; 显着的

corpse [kɔrps] n. 尸体

lurk [lɝk] v. 潜伏，埋伏

sprinkle [ˋsprɪŋk!] v. 使星星点点地分布于；点缀[O][（+over/about/with）]

toadstool [ˋtod͵stul] n.【植】伞菌；毒菌，毒蕈

foul [faʊl] adj. 恶臭的；（食物）腐败的

decay [dɪˋke] v. 腐朽，腐烂

pollination [ˋpɑləneʃən] n.【植】授粉（作用）

freakishly [ˋfrikɪʃlɪ] adv. 反常地；怪异地

revolting [rɪˋvoltɪŋ] adj. 使人厌恶的﹐令人作呕的

fragrance [ˋfregrəns] n. 香味；香气

mercifully [ˋmɝsɪfəlɪ] adv. 幸运地; 幸而; 幸亏〔指情况本来可能更糟〕

extraterrestrial [ˏɛkstrətə`restrɪəl] adj. 地球外的; 外星的

get over 克服 to prevail against; overcome

dung [dʌŋ] n.（牛、马等的）粪；粪肥

 

 

 

课文朗读

 

课文讲解

 

Super-smelliness is not the only unexpected trait in the plant kingdom. The Venus flytrap is a deadly predator – to insects, at least! These deceptive plants have developed the ability to lure insects and spiders with a sweet-smelling sap. The unsuspecting insect lands on the flytrap, touching special hairs that signal for the trap to snap quickly shut. The captured prey is helpless as the plant sets about digesting its living meal.

植物界中怪异的特征可不仅限于极端恶臭。捕蝇草就是一种致命的掠食者──至少昆虫们可逃不了！这种专司诈骗的植物发展出一种本领，可以用气味芬芳的汁液引诱昆虫和蜘蛛。毫无戒心的虫子一旦停在捕蝇草上，碰到它的特殊茸毛，这些茸毛就会发出信号使捕蝇草迅速阖上。被捉住的猎物便只能活生生地遭捕蝇草消化下肚。

 

In a similar vein is the alluring pitcher plant, which possesses dangling jug-like parts that are slippery on the inside, making escape impossible, and filled with a fluid that drowns any unfortunate little creature that dares venture in. This exotic plant is as untrustworthy as the Venus flytrap, but it’s not just mini meals that interest the pitcher plant. Researchers in the Philippines found specimens so large that they can trap and digest rats, reminding us that beauty really is only skin deep!

诱人的猪笼草（或称土瓶草）也是具类似习性的植物，它有悬吊着的瓶状器官，内壁滑溜溜的，因此虫子一旦进入就难以脱逃，而且任何胆敢入内探险的不幸小生物都会被瓶里盛装的分泌液淹死。这奇异的植物和捕蝇草一样不可信赖，但它捕食的可还不只是些小虫子。研究人员在菲律宾发现一些案例，那些猪笼草大到可以捕捉并消化老鼠。这真是提醒了我们外在美确实是肤浅的！

 

Less gruesome are the hardy baobab trees, some of which are thought to reach 2,000 years in age. These strangely shaped trees are capable of storing up to 120,000 liters of water, and so they are an essential resource for wandering nomads and local wildlife. At the other end of the botanical spectrum, the resurrection fern can survive without water until the brink of death, shrinking up as if lifeless. Just the tiniest drop of water is enough for the fern to burst forth again into all its former glory.

相较之下，非洲的猴面包树就没那么可怕了，有些寿命还能长达两千年。这些奇形怪状的树可以储存多达120万公升的水，因此对游牧民族和当地野生生物而言是不可或缺的资源。而在植物界的另一端，复苏蕨则即使没有水也可以一直存活到几近枯死的地步，且它的叶片会皱缩得好像失去生命一般。但只要小小一滴水，它就可以再次盛张，回复昔日的青翠模样。

 

In the diversity of nature, we can find everything, from the majestic to the monstrous. Though we may respect the ancient baobab, we might be thankful there are no stinking corpse lilies in our gardens!

在自然万物中，我们可以找到各式各样的生物，雄伟的和畸形的都有。虽然我们对古老的猴面包树感到敬畏，但大概也很庆幸自己的院子里没有臭熏人的腐尸花！

 

−by Alice Davis

 

Vocabulary

单词发音

 

trait [tret] n. 特征，特点

predator [ˋprɛdətɚ] n. 食肉动物；掠夺者

lure [lʊr] v. 引诱，诱惑

prey [pre] n. 被〔其他动物或人〕捕食的动物; 猎物

set about 着手，开始（做）to begin or start

digest [daɪˋdʒɛst] v. 消化（食物）

in a similar vein 按同样的方式;  类似地 similarly, likewise; relatedly

possess [pəˋzɛs] v. 拥有，持有

fluid [ˋfluɪd] n. 液（体）

drown [draʊn] v. 把……淹死

venture [ˋvɛntʃɚ] v. 冒险；大胆行事

exotic [ɛgˋzɑtɪk] adj. 异国情调的；奇特的

brink [brɪŋk] n. 边缘

diversity [daɪˋvɝsətɪ] n. 多样性

 

More Information

单词发音

 

flytrap [ˋflaɪ͵træp] n. 捕蝇草

sap [sæp] n.（树等的）液，汁

dangling [ˋdæŋg!ɪŋ] adj. 悬挂的；悬垂；摇摆的

jug [dʒʌg] n. 水罐，瓮，壶

untrustworthy [ʌnˋtrʌst͵wɝðɪ] adj. 不可信赖的；靠不住的

specimen [ˋspɛsəmən] n. 样品，样本

beauty (really) is only skin deep 真正的美是肤浅的; 美貌只是表面现象 proverb, appearances are deceptive

gruesome [ˋgrusəm] adj. 可怕的；阴森的

hardy [ˋhɑrdɪ] adj. 强壮的；强大的

nomad [ˋnomæd] n. 游牧民

wildlife [ˋwaɪld͵laɪf] n. 野生生物

botanical [boˋtænɪk!] adj. 植物（学）的

spectrum [ˋspɛktrəm] n. 系列; 范围

resurrection [͵rɛzəˋrɛkʃən] n. 复活；复苏

burst forth 爆发出, 迸发出  jump out from a hiding place and surprise (someone)

monstrous [ˋmɑnstrəs] adj. 丑陋的; 怪异的

 

 

Reading Questions

 

1. Which of the following characteristics do the Rafflesia amoldii and the titan arum NOT share?

A. They both flower rarely and only for a short time.

B. Their offensive smell attracts insects.

C. They are both exceptionally large species of flower.

D. They both grow to be unusually tall.

 

2. How does the article describe the Venus flytrap and the pitcher plant?

A. As plants that are dangerous to humans.

B. As plants that attract small animals in order to consume them.

C. As species that display traits common to most plants.

D. As plants that are entirely different from each other.

 

3. According to the article, which of the following best describes the resurrection fern?

A. It is exactly like the baobab tree, but smaller.

B. It can give the impression of coming back to life.

C. Even without water, it will never die.

D. It is the most beautiful plant in the world.

 

4. What does the article imply about the natural world?

A. Some species have developed strange and unusual features.

B. Most members of the plant kingdom are carnivorous.

C. The species mentioned in the article are useless to humans.

D. All meat-eating plants lure their prey with a foul scent.

 

 

Life - Venus Flytraps: Jaws of Death - BBC One

 

 

Resurrection Fern, a plant with amazing superpowers: time-lapse

 

 

Saving the baobab trees of Madagascar

 

 

Rafflesia arnoldi

 

 

world’s largest corpse flower Rafflesia Arnoldii

 

 

more videos:

Wow - the biggest flower in the world - Titan Arum

Venus fly trap - The Private Life of Plants

How flesh-eating pitcher plants trap insects

Baobab - Gigant der Savanne

Killer Plants - France

 

 

 

 

Answer

1. ( D )

2. ( B )

3. ( B )

4. ( A )