Plant Science 1: Lifecycle Adaptations Flashcards
What are ephemerals?
Short-lived annual plants that can complete several life cycles per year
What are annual plants?
Plants that germinate from seed, grow, flower, set seed, and die within a maximum of one year.
What is a hardy annual?
A plant that can withstand frost temperatures down to -10°C and can be sown directly into the ground in autumn for early spring germination
Examples include Nigella damascena, Centaurea cyanus, Calendula officinalis, Helianthus annuus, and Lathyrus odoratus.
When can seeds of hardy annuals be sown?
Directly into the ground in autumn for germination as early as March
What is a half hardy annual?
A plant that cannot withstand frost temperatures down to -5°C and must be sown under glass
When should half hardy annual seeds be sown?
Early in the season (March/April)
They can be put outside after frosts in late May.
What happens in the second year of a biennial’s life?
The plant flowers, sets seed, and dies.
What are perennial plants?
Plants that complete their lifecycle in more than two growing seasons
This grouping includes a wide variety of plants, from border plants to large trees.
What are the two subcategories of perennial plants?
- Herbaceous perennials
- Woody perennials
These subcategories help in classifying perennial plants based on their growth characteristics.
What defines herbaceous perennials?
Plants that do not form woody stems and usually die back in winter
They reappear with fresh new growth in spring.
What defines woody perennials?
Plants that form woody stems and do not die down to ground level in winter
This category includes shrubs and trees.
In horticultural terms, what are herbaceous plants best described as?
Ornamental plants used to add colour and interest to the garden.
List three uses of herbaceous plants.
- Herbaceous borders
- Borders for cut flowers
- Cottage gardens
What type of garden is characterized by a mix of plants including bulbs, shrubs, and trees?
Mixed borders.
What type of garden is specifically designed to thrive in wet conditions?
Bog gardens.
What is an example of a garden that features a variety of plants in a natural setting?
Woodland gardens.
What occurs during spring emergence in an herbaceous perennial?
New shoots emerge from the dormant roots or crown as temperatures warm.
What happens during the vegetative growth stage?
The plant develops stems, leaves, and its overall structure.
What is the dormant state in the life cycle of an herbaceous perennial?
The plant enters a dormant state through winter, with energy stored in underground parts.
What are evergreen perennials?
Long lived non woody plants that do not die back in winter
They provide a valuable winter presence in the garden.
What is included in the term ‘bulb’?
A collection of plants with swollen storage organs, including:
* bulbs
* corms
* tubers
* rhizomes
Bulbs are herbaceous perennials.
What is the function of storage organs in plants?
To overcome periods of adverse conditions such as drought or cold
Plants produce these storage organs for survival.
What are true bulbs formed from?
Fleshy leaves arranged in concentric rings attached to a basal plate
This distinguishes them from corms, tubers, and rhizomes.
What are corms?
Swollen stems
They store nutrients and energy for the plant.
What are tubers?
Either swollen stems or roots, depending on the plant species
They serve as storage organs.
What are rhizomes?
Swollen underground stems
They help in vegetative reproduction.
From which type of climates do many bulbs originate?
Mediterranean-type climates
Examples include Turkey, The Middle East, Afghanistan, Greece, the Himalayas, California, and the south-west Cape.
What is important when growing bulbs?
To provide conditions similar to those found in the wild
This supports their natural growth and development.
What are shrubs?
Woody plants with multiple stems from ground level, usually less than 6m tall
Horticultural term rather than a botanical term
What distinguishes a tree from a shrub?
A tree has a single main stem, while a shrub has multiple woody stems from ground level
What is the height limit for shrubs?
Less than 6m tall
What are subshrubs?
Small, low shrubs such as lavender and thyme
What is a key consideration when planting a tree?
Selecting a species with characteristics suitable for the chosen site
What is a tender perennial?
A perennial which cannot survive being frozen below 1 °C
Tender perennials can be treated as annuals and must be planted out after the last frost and taken in before the first frost.
What are examples of tender perennials?
- Canna indica
- Ensete ventricosum
- Pelargonium zonale
These examples illustrate plants categorized as tender perennials.
What defines a half-hardy perennial?
Can stay outdoors over winter if protected
Half-hardy perennials require some form of protection during colder months to survive.
What is a hardy perennial?
Can stay outdoors over winter
Hardy perennials are able to withstand freezing temperatures and do not require protection during winter.
What temperature can tender perennials not survive?
Below 1 °C
This temperature threshold is critical for the survival of tender perennials.
What is the hardiness classification for plants that can survive outdoors in winter without protection?
Hardy perennial
Hardy perennials fall under the H5 classification.
What is the definition of Fully Hardy plants?
Plants that can survive down to -20 to -15 °C
Fully Hardy is classified as H6.
What temperature range do Frost Hardy plants (H4-H5) tolerate?
Down to -15 to -5 °C
This classification indicates moderate cold tolerance.
What is the temperature range for Half Hardy plants (H3)?
Down to -5 to 1 °C
These plants can withstand mild frost.
What defines Frost Tender plants (H1-H2)?
Plants that can survive temperatures from 1 to 5 °C
These plants are sensitive to frost.
What percentage of water do most growing plants contain?
About 90 percent
Water is crucial for plant health and function.
What is turgor pressure in plant cells?
Pressure from water that maintains cell shape and growth
Turgor pressure acts like air in an inflated balloon.
What is the function of water as a solvent in plants?
It moves minerals and carbohydrates through the plant
Water facilitates the transport of essential nutrients.
How does water contribute to leaf cooling?
It evaporates from leaf tissue during transpiration
This process helps regulate temperature in plants.
What role does water play in stomatal function?
Regulator of stomatal opening and closing, controlling transpiration and photosynthesis
Stomata are small openings on plant leaves that allow for gas exchange.
How does water contribute to root movement in plants?
Source of pressure to move roots through the soil
This pressure is generated through the uptake of water in plant cells.
Which three elements are found in air and water?
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
List the six macronutrients.
- Nitrogen
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Sulphur
What are micronutrients?
Micronutrients are soil elements used in much smaller amounts.
List the eight micronutrients.
- Iron
- Zinc
- Molybdenum
- Manganese
- Boron
- Copper
- Cobalt
- Chlorine
