Characteristics And Naming Of Plants Flashcards
Divot characteristics
2 seed leaves
Broad leaves with network of reticulate veins
Generally tap roots
Vascular bundles arranged in a ring
Monocot characteristics
1 seed leaf Strap shaped leaves Veins in parallel Mostly shallow adventitious roots Scattered vascular bundles
Why are botanical plant names important
Stable and unambiguous Avoids confusion International form of identity Common international language Common names vary with location
Define genus
Genus represents a group of plants with similar characteristics
Define species
Species is a group of plants within a genus that have characteristics in common and can breed among themselves
How to write binomial name with examples
Genus name with capital letter species name with small letter. In italics or underlined
Begonia semperflorens or Papaver orientalis or Clematis montana
What is a cultivar and examples
A cultivar is a variation within a species that has been found in cultivation or deliberately bred.
Daucus carota ‘Fly Away’
Clematis orientalis ‘Bill Mckenzie’
Solanum tuberosum ‘King Edward’
Describe the stages of life cycle of a plant
Development of embryo in a seed
Germination
Juvenility - rapid vegetative growth (useful for propagation) (also can be extended by pruning e.g. fagus sylvatica
Adulthood - reproductive phase - flowers and fruit
Senescence - growth ceases
Death
What is a quiescent seed
Viable seed that doesn’t germinate because the environmental requirements are not present. (Water oxygen suitable temperature)
Define annual with 2 examples
Completes its life cycle within one year Tropeaolum majus Begonia semperflorens Papaver californica Helianthus annus Lobelia erinus Nigella damascena Lobularia maritima Viola x wittrockiana
Define ephemeral with 2 examples
Has several life cycles in one growing season
More than one life cycle in a year
E.g. Capsella bursa-pastoris
Cardamine hirsuta
Define perennial with 2 examples
Has a life cycle of more than 2 years
E.g. Clematis monatana
Cornus alba
Crocosmia masonorium
Define biennial with examples
Life cycle that spans 2 years Vegetative growth first year Flowers in the second E.g. Digitalis purpurea Myosotis sylvatica Lunaria annua
Define herbaceous
Non-woody. No secondary thickening Generally loses stems and foliage at end of growing season E.g. Agapanthus africanus Alecea rose a Alchemilla mollis
Define evergreen and examples
Retains leaves in all seasons
Headers helix
Ilex aquafolium
Buxus sempervirens
