![](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2018/giant_freeloader_and_rising_giant/193738/bamboo.640_0_1.png)
![Zoom!](/nationalgeographic/pioneer_november_december_2018/giant_freeloader_and_rising_giant/193739/zoom.400_0_1.png)
Youcanwatchtortoise‑shellbamboogrowbeforeyour eyes.
RisingGiant
Thesunshinesdownonabambooplant. It’saboutameter(3feet)tall.Bysunset,thisplantwillbe1.8 meters(6feet)tall!Itisthetortoise‑shellbamboo.It’sthefastestgrowingplantonEarth.Itgrowssofast,youcanwatchit grow.
Thebambooisanotherexampleofaplantthatgoestoextremes.Killerseeds,leavesthattrapprey,andflowersthatsmellbadarejustahandfulofwaysplantsgotoextremesto survive.