Module 8: Plant Vegetative Structures Flashcards
are a group of flowering plants whose seeds typically contain only one embryonic leaf, or
cotyledon.
Monocots
The single seed leaf that provides nutrients to the developing seedling.
Cotyledon:
A tissue that surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition in the form of
starch, proteins, and oils.
Endosperm
The young plant itself
Embryo
The part of the embryo that develops into the root.
Radicle
The part that develops into the shoot,
consisting of the epicotyl and
young leaves.
Plumule
The outer protective layer of the seed that shields the embryo and endosperm from damage and drying out.
Seed Coat
Monocot Plants characteristics:
● venation in leaves
● root system
● Floral parts
● vascular bundles
● cotyledon in seeds
● Parallel venation in leaves
● Fibrous root system
● Floral parts in multiples of three
● Scattered vascular bundles
● Single cotyledon in seeds
are a group of flowering plants whose seeds typically contain two embryonic leaves or cotyledons.
Dicot
The stem-like part below the cotyledons
Hypocotyl
The stem-like part above the cotyledons, which will develop into the shoot.
Epicotyl
This provides additional nourishment for the developing seedling (though in many dicots, the endosperm is
absorbed by the cotyledons).
Endosperm
Dicot Plants Characteristics:
● venation in leaves
● root system
● Floral parts
● vascular bundles
● cotyledon in seeds
● Reticulate venation in leaves
● Taproot system
● Floral parts in multiples of four or
five
● Vascular bundles in a ring
● Two cotyledons in seeds
Roots that have adapted to perform
functions other than the typical root
functions of anchorage and absorption
Modified Roots
Function: Store nutrients
storage roots
Function: Absorb moisture from air
aerial roots
Function: Provide support
prop roots
Carrots, beets
storage roots
orchids, banyan trees
aerial roots
mangroves, corns
prop roots
Swollen structures that store food and water.
tuberous root
Sweet potatoes, dahlias
tuberous roots e.g.
Large, central, and dominant roots that grow directly downward
taproot
taproot e.g.
Carrots, beets, radishes
Formed by thin, moderately branching roots growing from the stem.
fibrous roots
fibrous roots e.g.
grass species like wheat and corn
(though primarily for support, some can also store nutrients).
Roots that grow from any part of the plant other than the root zone, often capable of storing nutrients.
adventitious roots
adventitious roots e.g.
Cassava, some varieties of yams
Stems that have adapted to perform
specialized functions.
modified stems
adapted for propagate and spreading
sub-aerial
sub-aerial e.g.
Strawberry plants, spider plants.
stem tubers e.g.
potato, yam
Underground stems that store food and facilitate vegetative reproduction
rhizomes
rhizomes e.g.
ginger, turmeric
Storage of food and vegetative reproduction. Consist of a short stem with fleshy leaves or leaf bases.
bulbs
bulb e.g.
onions, garlic
Storage of food. Similar to bulbs but with a more solid structure
corms
corms e.g.
crocus, gladiolus
Horizontal stems that grow along the soil surface and produce new plants at the nodes.
stolons (runners)
Photosynthesis; often resemble leaves.
cladodes
stolons e.g.
strawberry, spider plant
cladodes e.g.
asparagus, some cacti
Protection against herbivores.
thorns
thorns e.g.
citrus trees, hawthorn
modified stems
- tubers
- rhizomes
- bulbs
- corms
- stolons
- cladodes
- thorns
modified leaves:
- tendrils
- spines
- storage leaves
- bracts
- insectivorous leaves
Support and climbing.
tendrils
tendrils e.g.
Pea plants, grapevines
Protection against herbivores, reducing water loss.
spines
spines e.g.
cacti, holly
storage leaves
Onion bulbs, aloe vera
Attract pollinators, often mistaken for petals.
bracts
Poinsettias, bougainvillea
bracts
Trap and digest insects to obtain nutrients.
Insectivorous Leaves
