the power of plants

i've long thought that nurturing relationships with plants was an undervalued activity.  if you look around, a whole lot of things you use come from plants (wood, rubber, most fabrics, etc).  and i suppose the most important thing plants provide you (oxygen) can't even be seen.  the ladies in the picture below became friends (if only for a train ride) over the gigantic green spear you see there.

i'm pretty sure said spear is an aloe plant and these women had quite an animated conversation about its various uses.  and while the aloe may not help the lady holding it be forever 21, i'd be hard-pressed to believe it's hurtin things any.