Plant Science 1: Lifecycle Adaptations Flashcards

1
Q

What are ephemerals?

A

Short-lived annual plants that can complete several life cycles per year

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2
Q

What are annual plants?

A

Plants that germinate from seed, grow, flower, set seed, and die within a maximum of one year.

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3
Q

What is a hardy annual?

A

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.

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4
Q

When can seeds of hardy annuals be sown?

A

Directly into the ground in autumn for germination as early as March

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5
Q

What is a half hardy annual?

A

A plant that cannot withstand frost temperatures down to -5°C and must be sown under glass

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6
Q

When should half hardy annual seeds be sown?

A

Early in the season (March/April)

They can be put outside after frosts in late May.

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7
Q

What happens in the second year of a biennial’s life?

A

The plant flowers, sets seed, and dies.

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8
Q

What are perennial plants?

A

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.

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9
Q

What are the two subcategories of perennial plants?

A
  • Herbaceous perennials
  • Woody perennials

These subcategories help in classifying perennial plants based on their growth characteristics.

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10
Q

What defines herbaceous perennials?

A

Plants that do not form woody stems and usually die back in winter

They reappear with fresh new growth in spring.

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11
Q

What defines woody perennials?

A

Plants that form woody stems and do not die down to ground level in winter

This category includes shrubs and trees.

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12
Q

In horticultural terms, what are herbaceous plants best described as?

A

Ornamental plants used to add colour and interest to the garden.

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13
Q

List three uses of herbaceous plants.

A
  • Herbaceous borders
  • Borders for cut flowers
  • Cottage gardens
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14
Q

What type of garden is characterized by a mix of plants including bulbs, shrubs, and trees?

A

Mixed borders.

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15
Q

What type of garden is specifically designed to thrive in wet conditions?

A

Bog gardens.

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16
Q

What is an example of a garden that features a variety of plants in a natural setting?

A

Woodland gardens.

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17
Q

What occurs during spring emergence in an herbaceous perennial?

A

New shoots emerge from the dormant roots or crown as temperatures warm.

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18
Q

What happens during the vegetative growth stage?

A

The plant develops stems, leaves, and its overall structure.

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19
Q

What is the dormant state in the life cycle of an herbaceous perennial?

A

The plant enters a dormant state through winter, with energy stored in underground parts.

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20
Q

What are evergreen perennials?

A

Long lived non woody plants that do not die back in winter

They provide a valuable winter presence in the garden.

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21
Q

What is included in the term ‘bulb’?

A

A collection of plants with swollen storage organs, including:
* bulbs
* corms
* tubers
* rhizomes

Bulbs are herbaceous perennials.

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22
Q

What is the function of storage organs in plants?

A

To overcome periods of adverse conditions such as drought or cold

Plants produce these storage organs for survival.

23
Q

What are true bulbs formed from?

A

Fleshy leaves arranged in concentric rings attached to a basal plate

This distinguishes them from corms, tubers, and rhizomes.

24
Q

What are corms?

A

Swollen stems

They store nutrients and energy for the plant.

25
Q

What are tubers?

A

Either swollen stems or roots, depending on the plant species

They serve as storage organs.

26
Q

What are rhizomes?

A

Swollen underground stems

They help in vegetative reproduction.

27
Q

From which type of climates do many bulbs originate?

A

Mediterranean-type climates

Examples include Turkey, The Middle East, Afghanistan, Greece, the Himalayas, California, and the south-west Cape.

28
Q

What is important when growing bulbs?

A

To provide conditions similar to those found in the wild

This supports their natural growth and development.

29
Q

What are shrubs?

A

Woody plants with multiple stems from ground level, usually less than 6m tall

Horticultural term rather than a botanical term

30
Q

What distinguishes a tree from a shrub?

A

A tree has a single main stem, while a shrub has multiple woody stems from ground level

31
Q

What is the height limit for shrubs?

A

Less than 6m tall

32
Q

What are subshrubs?

A

Small, low shrubs such as lavender and thyme

33
Q

What is a key consideration when planting a tree?

A

Selecting a species with characteristics suitable for the chosen site

34
Q

What is a tender perennial?

A

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.

35
Q

What are examples of tender perennials?

A
  • Canna indica
  • Ensete ventricosum
  • Pelargonium zonale

These examples illustrate plants categorized as tender perennials.

36
Q

What defines a half-hardy perennial?

A

Can stay outdoors over winter if protected

Half-hardy perennials require some form of protection during colder months to survive.

37
Q

What is a hardy perennial?

A

Can stay outdoors over winter

Hardy perennials are able to withstand freezing temperatures and do not require protection during winter.

38
Q

What temperature can tender perennials not survive?

A

Below 1 °C

This temperature threshold is critical for the survival of tender perennials.

39
Q

What is the hardiness classification for plants that can survive outdoors in winter without protection?

A

Hardy perennial

Hardy perennials fall under the H5 classification.

40
Q

What is the definition of Fully Hardy plants?

A

Plants that can survive down to -20 to -15 °C

Fully Hardy is classified as H6.

41
Q

What temperature range do Frost Hardy plants (H4-H5) tolerate?

A

Down to -15 to -5 °C

This classification indicates moderate cold tolerance.

42
Q

What is the temperature range for Half Hardy plants (H3)?

A

Down to -5 to 1 °C

These plants can withstand mild frost.

43
Q

What defines Frost Tender plants (H1-H2)?

A

Plants that can survive temperatures from 1 to 5 °C

These plants are sensitive to frost.

44
Q

What percentage of water do most growing plants contain?

A

About 90 percent

Water is crucial for plant health and function.

45
Q

What is turgor pressure in plant cells?

A

Pressure from water that maintains cell shape and growth

Turgor pressure acts like air in an inflated balloon.

46
Q

What is the function of water as a solvent in plants?

A

It moves minerals and carbohydrates through the plant

Water facilitates the transport of essential nutrients.

47
Q

How does water contribute to leaf cooling?

A

It evaporates from leaf tissue during transpiration

This process helps regulate temperature in plants.

48
Q

What role does water play in stomatal function?

A

Regulator of stomatal opening and closing, controlling transpiration and photosynthesis

Stomata are small openings on plant leaves that allow for gas exchange.

49
Q

How does water contribute to root movement in plants?

A

Source of pressure to move roots through the soil

This pressure is generated through the uptake of water in plant cells.

50
Q

Which three elements are found in air and water?

A

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

51
Q

List the six macronutrients.

A
  • Nitrogen
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Sulphur
52
Q

What are micronutrients?

A

Micronutrients are soil elements used in much smaller amounts.

53
Q

List the eight micronutrients.

A
  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Molybdenum
  • Manganese
  • Boron
  • Copper
  • Cobalt
  • Chlorine