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RHS Level 2 Certificate: Principles Of Plant Growth And Development > Plant Science 1: Lifecycle Adaptations > Flashcards

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

Stellaria media (chickweed)
Poa annua (annual meadow grass)
Senecio vulgaris (groundsel)
Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd’s purse)
Cardamine hirsuta (hairy bitter cress)

Are problematic for gardeners because they are what?

A

Ephemerals

Plants that have the ability to complete several life cycles per year.

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3
Q

Name an ephemeral plant that is known as Hairy Bitter Cress.

A

Cardamine hirsuta

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4
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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5
Q

List two examples of annual plants.

A
  • Helianthus annuus (sunflower)
  • Cosmos bipinnatus (cosmea)
  • Nigella damascena (Love-in-the-Mist)
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6
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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7
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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8
Q

Give an example of a hardy annual.

A

Helianthus annuus (sunflower)

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9
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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10
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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11
Q

Give an example of a half hardy annual.

A

Nicotiana alata

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12
Q

What type of growth occurs in the first year of a biennial’s life?

A

Vegetative growth (roots, stems, and leaves).

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13
Q

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

A

The plant flowers, sets seed, and dies.

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14
Q

Name an example of a biennial plant.

A

Digitalis purpurea (foxglove) and Dipsacus fullonum (teasel).

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15
Q

Name a biennial plant that is often treated as a short-lived perennial.

A

Dianthus barbatus (sweet william)

Some plants categorized as biennials are actually short-lived perennials.

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16
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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17
Q

Name three examples of perennial plants.

A
  • Quercus robur
  • Lavandula angustifolia
  • Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Helen Picton’

These examples illustrate the diversity within perennial plants.

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18
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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19
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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20
Q

Provide three examples of herbaceous perennials.

A
  • Echinacea purpurea
  • Hylotelephium spectabile
  • Paeonia lactiflora

These plants typically have non-woody stems.

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21
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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22
Q

List three examples of woody perennials.

A
  • Quercus robur
  • Salvia rosmarinus
  • Choisya ternata

These examples are common types of woody perennials.

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23
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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24
Q

List three uses of herbaceous plants.

A
  • Herbaceous borders
  • Borders for cut flowers
  • Cottage gardens
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25
Q

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

A

Mixed borders.

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26
Q

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

A

Bog gardens.

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27
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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28
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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29
Q

What happens during the vegetative growth stage?

A

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

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30
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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31
Q

Provide an example of an herbaceous perennial.

A

Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans

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32
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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33
Q

Give an example of an evergreen perennial.

A

Helleborus niger (Christmas rose)

Other examples include Bergenia cordifolia and Heuchera ‘Green Spice’.

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34
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.

35
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.

36
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.

37
Q

What are corms?

A

Swollen stems

They store nutrients and energy for the plant.

38
Q

What are tubers?

A

Either swollen stems or roots, depending on the plant species

They serve as storage organs.

39
Q

What are rhizomes?

A

Swollen underground stems

They help in vegetative reproduction.

40
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.

41
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.

42
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

43
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

44
Q

What is the height limit for shrubs?

A

Less than 6m tall

45
Q

Give an example of a shrub.

A

Cornus alba

46
Q

What are subshrubs?

A

Small, low shrubs such as lavender and thyme

47
Q

Do shrubs and trees form wood in their stems and roots?

A

Yes

48
Q

Which species may fall into either the tree or shrub category?

A

Corylus avellana and Parrotia persica

49
Q

Why are trees and shrubs important in gardening?

A

They form the ‘bones’ of any garden

50
Q

What is a key consideration when planting a tree?

A

Selecting a species with characteristics suitable for the chosen site

51
Q

True or False: Trees are typically a short-term investment.

A

False

52
Q

Fill in the blank: Shrubs are _______ plants with multiple stems from ground level.

A

woody

53
Q

What does careful planning and consideration ensure when planting a tree?

A

That it is a species suitable for the chosen site

54
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.

55
Q

What are examples of tender perennials?

A
  • Canna indica
  • Ensete ventricosum
  • Pelargonium zonale

These examples illustrate plants categorized as tender perennials.

56
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.

57
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.

58
Q

Fill in the blank: A tender perennial can be treated as _______.

A

[annuals]

59
Q

What temperature can tender perennials not survive?

A

Below 1 °C

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

60
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.

61
Q

True or False: Half-hardy perennials can survive outdoors without any protection during winter.

A

False

Half-hardy perennials need protection to endure winter conditions.

62
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.

63
Q

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

A

Down to -15 to -5 °C

This classification indicates moderate cold tolerance.

64
Q

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

A

Down to -5 to 1 °C

These plants can withstand mild frost.

65
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.

66
Q

What percentage of water do most growing plants contain?

A

About 90 percent

Water is crucial for plant health and function.

67
Q

What role does water play in photosynthesis?

A

It is a primary component

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

68
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.

69
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.

70
Q

How does water contribute to leaf cooling?

A

It evaporates from leaf tissue during transpiration

This process helps regulate temperature in plants.

71
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.

72
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.

73
Q

What is the primary medium for biochemical reactions in living organisms?

A

Water

Most biochemical reactions, including metabolic processes, occur in an aqueous environment.

74
Q

What is plant nutrition?

A

Plant nutrition refers to a plant’s need for and use of basic chemical elements.

75
Q

What is the difference between plant nutrition and fertilization?

A

Fertilization is the term used when these materials are added to the environment around a plant.

76
Q

How many elements do plants need for normal growth?

A

Plants need 17 elements for normal growth.

77
Q

Which three elements are found in air and water?

A

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

78
Q

What are macronutrients?

A

Macronutrients are soil elements used in relatively large amounts by plants.

79
Q

List the six macronutrients.

A
  • Nitrogen
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Sulphur
80
Q

What are micronutrients?

A

Micronutrients are soil elements used in much smaller amounts.

81
Q

List the eight micronutrients.

A
  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Molybdenum
  • Manganese
  • Boron
  • Copper
  • Cobalt
  • Chlorine
82
Q

How do plants absorb most of their nutrients?

A

Most of the nutrients a plant needs are dissolved in water and then absorbed by its roots.

83
Q

What percentage of nutrients are absorbed from the soil-water solution?

A

98 percent.

84
Q

What percentage of nutrients are extracted from soil particles?

A

About 2 percent.

RHS Level 2 Certificate: Principles Of Plant Growth And Development (2 decks)

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