Morphology Flashcards
Taproot
Large primary root that extends straight down and tapers gradually
Fibrous Root
many roots extending down from the stem
Adventitious Root
arises from non-root tissue (usually from a stem)
STEMS
Framework of a plant that supports leaves, flowers, and other structures.
Exchange of water, nutrients, sap
Storage of fuel
Photosynthesis in green stems.
Stem: Epidermis
outer layer of wax-coated cells
Stem: Cortex
tissue between the epidermis and the phloem
Stem: Vascular tissues
carry water, nutrients, and photosynthates through the plant
Stem: Xylem
- Vascular Tissue
carries water and minerals from the roots upward through the plant
Stem: Cambium
- Vascular Tissue
a single-celled layer of dividing tissue that creates the xylem on one side and the phloem on the other.
Stem: Phloem
- Vascular Tissue
carries sugars down through the plant.
Stem: Pith
the center of the stem that can be woody and dense, chambered, or hollow.
Terminal Bud
the bud at the tip of the stem
Lateral Bud
grow from leaf axils on the side of a stem
Bud scales
modified leaves that protect the bud
Naked bud
a bud without scales
Leaf scar
the mark left where a leaf was attached
Bundle scar
the marks within the leaf scar where the vascular bundles passed through.
Terminal Bud Scale Scars
The area where the previous year’s terminal bud scales were attached. This shows the growth pattern from year to year.
Modified Stems: Bulb
underground storage leaves attached at a base
Modified Stems: Corm
short, thickened underground stem with scales that form a tunic. Corms are solid rather than having rings like an onion or cloves like garlic.
Modified Stems: Crown
a compressed stem with leaves above and roots below
Modified Stems: Stolon
horizontal, above-ground runner that sets down roots or generates a plantlet at its nodes.
Modified Stems: Rhizome
horizontally growing underground stems
Modified Stems: Twining Stems
used for climbing. Some twist clockwise, some counter-clockwise.
Modified Stems: Tuber
an enlarged rhizome containing stored food. These structures have “eyes,” or modified buds dotted around them.
Modified Stems: Tuberous stem
a storage stem with buds only on the “up” side.
Leaf: Blade
the flattened part of the leaf
Leaf: Petiole
stalk of the leaf
Leaf: Margin
may by lobed, toothed, smooth etc.
Leaf: Stipule
leaf-like appendages at the base of the leaf
Leaf Pattern: Opposite
on opposite sides of the stem at the same level
Leaf Pattern: Alternate
leaves at alternating levels on the stem (staggered)
Leaf Pattern: Whorl
3 or more leaves at the same level of the stem
Leaf Pattern: Rosette
a spiral pattern of attachments around the stem
Petiole Leaf Arrangement: Simple
blade is one continuous unit
Petiole Leaf Arrangement: Palmately Compound
multiple leaflets radiating from a central point
Petiole Leaf Arrangement: Pinnately Compound
leaflets arranged on both sides of a common rachis (stalk)
Petiole Leaf Arrangement: Double Pinnately Compound
common sub stalks and stalks
Pistil vs Stamen
female organ and male organ
Stigma
often sticky projection that receives pollen
Female
Style
tissue between the stigma and the ovary
Female
Ovary
contains ovules (unfertilized, immature seeds) and embryo sacs Female
Anther
pollen-producing organs
Male
Filament
stalk supporting the anthers
Male
Petals
collectively form the corolla
Sepals
protective, leaf-like coverings for the flower bud that collectively form the calyx
Receptacle
base of the flower
Pedicel
the stalk of an individual flower in an inflorescence.
Inflorescence
arrangement of flowers on a stem
