1.Horticultural Plant Names and Plant Life Cycles

Question 1

1.1a State 5 key characteristics of conifers. Name Two examples

Answer 1

Conifers are :

1. Mostly evergreen
2. Woody (trees and shrubs)
3. They have pollen bearing cones male (pollen) and female (seed bearing) cones with
4. Can survive/photosynthesis at low temperatures
5. Narrow needle like leaves are adapted to prevent water loss and are unpalatable to animals
6. Often found on poor soils, sandy, acidic or shallow

• Pinus nigra*
• Cedrus atlantica*

Question 2

1.1a State 5 key uses of conifers

Answer 2

Conifers can be used for :

1. Hedging - Western red cedar
2. Wind breaks/providing shelter - Pinus radiater
3. Ground cover - Juniper
4. Historically Topiary/sculptural - Yew
5. Supply commercial softwood production - Pinus Nigra

Question 3

1.1b State 4 key characteristics of Angiosperm

Answer 3

Angiosperms are:

1. Flowering plants which also enclose seeds
2. Can be evergreen or deciduous
3. Can be herbaceous or woody
4. All life cycles: Ephemeral, Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Question 4

1.12a Describe the characteristics of a typical monocotyledonous plant to include:

1. root
2. stem inc. internal arrangements of vascular bundles
3. leaf
4. flower
5. seed
6. pollination

Answer 4

1. Roots have a fibrous root system.
2. Stem (inc vascular bundles): vascular bundles scattered inside. No lateral meristem in Monocots, therefore No secondary growth
3. Leaf: Typically parallel veins, narrow linear shape
4. Flower: Flower parts usually in 3’s or multiples of
5. Seed: 1 cotyledon, seed leaf
6. Pollination: Monocots are typically wind pollinated

• All conifers, onions, grasses, orchids

Question 5

1.12b Describe characteristics of a typical dicotyledonous plant to include:

1. root
2. stem inc. internal arrangements of vascular bundles
3. leaf
4. flower
5. seed
6. pollination

Answer 5

1. Root (inc vascular bundles): Both fibrous and tap root systems, a lateral meristem is present which increases the root girth through secondary growth
2. Stem (inc vascular bundles): stem Vascular bundles are arranged cylindrically around the outer portion of the stem. A lateral meristem is present which increases the stem girth through secondary growth
3. Leaf: network of veins, many different shapes and sizes
4. Flower: Flower parts usually in 4’s and 5’s or multiples thereof
5. Seeds: have two cotyledons, seed leaves
6. Pollination: Dicots maybe wind or insect pollinated

• Most plants are Dicot’s, nearly all tree’s (not conifers/palms) nearly all veg (not onions) most boarder, annual and bedding plants

Question 6

1.21 State the reasons why botanical names are important

Answer 6

Binomials names are / can:

1. stable over time and can only be changed for specific scientific reasons
2. unique therefore unambiguous and avoids confusion
3. internationally understood
4. plant may not have a common name (new to science)

Question 7

1.22a Describe the binomial system of naming plants and state how they are written with reference to Two plant examples

Answer 7

The binomial system is a method of naming plants which has two parts for each plant name. The first part of the plant name relates to the genus which the plant belongs to and the second part relates to the species.

Conventions: The generic name starts with an upper case letter, the specific epithet is written all in lower case letters, and the whole plant name is typed in italics or underlined if hand written.

1. Quercus robur
2. Pinus nigra

Question 8

1.22b State the meaning of the term ‘genus’

Answer 8

A genus is a group of plants containing one or more species, sharing a number of significant physical attributes that may or maynot be obvious

Question 9

1.22c State the meaning of the term ‘species’

Answer 9

A species is a group plants within a genus, sharing many key characteristics, capable of breeding together to produce viable offspring

Question 10

1.23a Describe the naming of cultivated plants and state how it is written with reference to plant example.

Answer 10

The naming of cultivated plants follows the conventions of the binomial system.

To make it stand out from the purely botanical part of the name, the cultivar name is enclosed in single quotation marks and is not written in italics. It usually has an upper case first letter.

Camellia ‘Black lace’

Ficus carica ‘Brown turkey’

Question 11

1.23b State the meaning of the term ‘cultivar’

Answer 11

• A cultivated variety of a species
• Propagated so the plant is identical to the parent
• They have a guarantee of quality and consistency.
• They can be propagated by seed (less reliable) or by vegetative propagation.
• They are selected because they have useful characteristics.

Camellia ‘Black lace’

Ficus carica ‘Brown turkey’

Question 12

1.31a Describe the seed stage in the life cycle of a plant

Answer 12

• Typically a plant’s life begins with fertilization and the development of an embryo within a seed.
• The seed is dormant and contains the plant embryo and food to sustain it.
• The embryo is enclosed in a testa (tough coat) which often contains chemicals to prevent germination until the the conditions are right

Question 13

1.31b Describe the juvenile stage in the life cycle of a plant

Answer 13

• Juvenile (vegetative) stage commences with germination and seedling growth
• Tendency to rapid vegetative growth
• Non-reproductive
• There can be differing leaf shape between juvenile and mature growth e.g. Eucalyptus
• Leaf retention can be characteristic of juvenility

Question 14

1.31c Describe the adult stage in the life cycle of a plant

Answer 14

• Adult (reproductive) plant or growth fully developed and able to flower and bare fruit / seeds
• Sexual reproduction occurs involving flowers fruit and seed production
• Adult plants are often the most desirable commercially

Question 15

1.31d Describe the senescence stage in the life cycle of a plant

Answer 15

• Senescence (slow tissue death) refers to the period of time between adulthood and death of the plant.
• Stage after flowering and fruiting, where growth has ceased and gradual deterioration occurs.
• Flowering and fruiting ceases
• Annuals and biennials at the end of their life cycle die back and produce seed heads
• In perennials above ground growth dies
• In deciduous trees the leaves turn orange or brown

Question 16

1.31e Describe the death stage in the life cycle of a plant

Answer 16

• All metabolic processes cease, including photosynthesis, respiration leading to cell death
• Death at the end of the season in annuals, or at the end of the plants life in perennials
• Plant matter is returned to the soil to be taken up by and sustain future plants

Question 17

1.41a Define the botanical term ‘annual’. Two examples should should be know for each term

Answer 17

• Annuals: are plants that go through their entire life cycle in one growing season.

1. Calendula officinalis
2. Nigella damascena

Question 18

1.41b Define the botanical term ‘ephemeral’. One example should should be know for each term

Answer 18

Ephemeral: Ephemerals are plants that can often have several life cycles in a single growing season and can increase in number rapidly

1. Calypso bulbosa

Question 19

1.41c Define the botanical term ‘biennial’. Two examples should should be know for each term

Answer 19

• Biennials: are plants whose life cycle spans two growing seasons. In the first season plants typically germinate and produce vegetative growth after which they become dormant, usually to survive adverse conditions. The following season, usually after a period of vegetative growth, they flower, produce seed and die

1. Myosotis spp
2. Digitalis purpurea

Question 20

1.41d Define the botanical term ‘perennial’. Two examples should should be know for each term

Answer 20

Perennial: A plant living for more than 2 years. They may become dormant from year to year, but come back into growth during favorable conditions, and usually flower and fruit each year.

1. Iris spp
2. Geranium ‘Rozanne’

Question 21

1.42a Define the botanical terms ‘herbaceous’. Two examples should should be know for each term

Answer 21

• Herbaceous plants have no persistent woody stem above ground
• Typically die down to a hardy owner wintering structure from which they regrow the following year.
• Do not experience secondary thickening
• Their growth is cyclical
• Live for a shorter time than woody plants

1. Calendula officinalis
2. Calypso bulbosa

Question 22

1.42b Define the botanical term ‘woody’. Two examples should should be know for each term

Answer 22

• Woody plants are those which maintain a live woody framework of stems at the end of the growing season.
• Their growth is continual
• They undergo secondary thickening

1. Quercus robur
2. Pinus nigra

Question 23

1.42c Define the botanical term ‘evergreen’. Two examples should should be know for each term

Answer 23

• Evergreen plants retain their foliage / leaves throughout the year and into the following growing season.
• They can photosynthesis at low light levels all through the year
• Can be Conifer or Broadleaf
• Leaves are often tough, leathery and dark green
• Often unpalatable to animals
• Usually found in Mediterranean climates
• Leaves are adapted to prevent water loss

1. Pinus nigra
2. Cedrus atlantica

Question 24

1.42d Define the botanical term ‘semi-evergreen’.

Answer 24

• Semi-evergreen plants are plants which are evergreen by inclination
• But are sensitive to cold.
• Therefore in mild conditions they will retain the majority of their leaves
• However during adverse conditions will drop their leaves

Question 25

1.43a Define the horticultural term ‘tender perennial’.

Answer 25

• A plant that live for more than two years but which cannot survive frost.
• Tender perennials need to be in a frost free environment over winter
• Only put outside when all danger of frost has passed

Question 26

1.43b Define the horticultural term ‘half hardy annual’.

Answer 26

• Plants who’s life cycle lasts one growing season which are frost tender
• Sown under protection early in the season
• Planted out after the risk of frost has passed

Question 27

1.43c Define the horticultural term ‘hardy annual’.

Answer 27

• Hardy annual is a plant who’s life cycle lasts one growing season
• Can withstand cold temperatures
• It can be sown in situ, directly into the soil where they are to flower

Question 28

1.44a Define the term ‘tree’. Two examples should should be know for each term

Answer 28

• A woody plant which is un-branched for some distance above ground (2-3m).
• They have a single stem/trunk
• Usually over 5m tall.

1. Quercus robur
2. Pinus nigra

Question 29

1.44b Define the term ‘shrub’. Two examples should should be know for each term

Answer 29

• Shrub: a self supporting woody perennial plant with multiple stems branching near ground level. Typically quite short being generally less than 2m in height but up to 5m.
• Continually producing new growth from the base of the plant
• Useful as they have compact size and can be clipped/shaped
• Often used for hedging, ground cover, landscape planting - visual mass
• Can produce flowers which are valuable for pollinators

1. Camellia japonica
2. Ficus carica

Question 30

1.44c Define the term ‘sub-shrub’.

Answer 30

• A sub-shrub is a small shrub that can be woody or herbaceous.
• Nearly all are evergreen
• Many are from harsh environments so can be used in coastal or exposed conditions
• Can be used as ground cover
• If grown closely together will support against strong winds

Question 31

1.44d Define the term ‘Broad-leaf tree’. Three examples should should be know for each term

Answer 31

• A broad leaf tree is any tree that is not a conifer
• Evergreen or deciduous
• Deciduous can not withstand the harsh conditions of conifers

1. Betula lenta
2. Quercus robur
3. Olea europaea

Question 32

State 2 methods of pruning and give a description of each

Answer 32

Pollarding

• Can be used to maintain growth in juvenile form / encourage new growth
• Prunes back to a framework that is above head height
• Used for ornamental effect, controlling growth in urban environments and commercially to create a renewable source of timber
• E.g Willow - commercially to produce long straight stems

Coppicing

• Very drastic level of pruning
• Cutting right back to ground level - helps to encourage new shoots
• Can be used to maintain growth in juvenile form
• E.g Eucalyptus - used in floristry to maintain juvenile growth