a plant first starts out as a mere seed, attaining nutrients through the soil, nutrients left behind by decaying carcasses and dead plants from past times, once it penetrates the ground it starts acquiring nutrients via photosynthesis and water, as the plant grows in size it needs more nutrients to sustain itself, but with size comes the ability to collect more water and energy from the sun. after finishing its cycle of life it will wither away an die, becoming nutrients for another generation of plants.
