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Step 1 - Select the plant and go [ file - export selection ]

Step 2 - File type change to Rib Archive. Make sure animation is check.

Step 3 - Click Export

What you see here are similar boxes that were created when preparing the model for rib export.

Just that I have now duplicated them.

Each box is link to a Rib file and maya will read the information in the Rib file and render out the information.

When rendering, maya will render the plant.