Plant Science 1: Lifecycle Adaptations

Question 1

What are ephemerals?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What are annual plants?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What is a hardy annual?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

When can seeds of hardy annuals be sown?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is a half hardy annual?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

When should half hardy annual seeds be sown?

Answer 6

Early in the season (March/April)

They can be put outside after frosts in late May.

Question 7

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

Answer 7

The plant flowers, sets seed, and dies.

Question 8

What are perennial plants?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What are the two subcategories of perennial plants?

Answer 9

• Herbaceous perennials
• Woody perennials

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

Question 10

What defines herbaceous perennials?

Answer 10

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

They reappear with fresh new growth in spring.

Question 11

What defines woody perennials?

Answer 11

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

This category includes shrubs and trees.

Question 12

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

Answer 12

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

Question 13

List three uses of herbaceous plants.

Answer 13

• Herbaceous borders
• Borders for cut flowers
• Cottage gardens

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Mixed borders.

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Bog gardens.

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Woodland gardens.

Question 17

What occurs during spring emergence in an herbaceous perennial?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What happens during the vegetative growth stage?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What are evergreen perennials?

Answer 20

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

They provide a valuable winter presence in the garden.

Question 21

What is included in the term ‘bulb’?

Answer 21

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

Bulbs are herbaceous perennials.

Question 22

What is the function of storage organs in plants?

Answer 22

To overcome periods of adverse conditions such as drought or cold

Plants produce these storage organs for survival.

Question 23

What are true bulbs formed from?

Answer 23

Fleshy leaves arranged in concentric rings attached to a basal plate

This distinguishes them from corms, tubers, and rhizomes.

Question 24

What are corms?

Answer 24

Swollen stems

They store nutrients and energy for the plant.

Question 25

What are tubers?

Answer 25

Either swollen stems or roots, depending on the plant species ## Footnote They serve as storage organs.

Question 26

What are rhizomes?

Answer 26

Swollen underground stems ## Footnote They help in vegetative reproduction.

Question 27

From which type of climates do many bulbs originate?

Answer 27

Mediterranean-type climates ## Footnote Examples include Turkey, The Middle East, Afghanistan, Greece, the Himalayas, California, and the south-west Cape.

Question 28

What is important when growing bulbs?

Answer 28

To provide conditions similar to those found in the wild ## Footnote This supports their natural growth and development.

Question 29

What are shrubs?

Answer 29

Woody plants with multiple stems from ground level, usually less than 6m tall ## Footnote Horticultural term rather than a botanical term

Question 30

What distinguishes a tree from a shrub?

Answer 30

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

Question 31

What is the height limit for shrubs?

Answer 31

Less than 6m tall

Question 32

What are subshrubs?

Answer 32

Small, low shrubs such as lavender and thyme

Question 33

What is a key consideration when planting a tree?

Answer 33

Selecting a species with characteristics suitable for the chosen site

Question 34

What is a tender perennial?

Answer 34

A perennial which cannot survive being frozen below 1 °C ## Footnote Tender perennials can be treated as annuals and must be planted out after the last frost and taken in before the first frost.

Question 35

What are examples of tender perennials?

Answer 35

* Canna indica * Ensete ventricosum * Pelargonium zonale ## Footnote These examples illustrate plants categorized as tender perennials.

Question 36

What defines a half-hardy perennial?

Answer 36

Can stay outdoors over winter if protected ## Footnote Half-hardy perennials require some form of protection during colder months to survive.

Question 37

What is a hardy perennial?

Answer 37

Can stay outdoors over winter ## Footnote Hardy perennials are able to withstand freezing temperatures and do not require protection during winter.

Question 38

What temperature can tender perennials not survive?

Answer 38

Below 1 °C ## Footnote This temperature threshold is critical for the survival of tender perennials.

Question 39

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

Answer 39

Hardy perennial ## Footnote Hardy perennials fall under the H5 classification.

Question 40

What is the definition of Fully Hardy plants?

Answer 40

Plants that can survive down to -20 to -15 °C ## Footnote Fully Hardy is classified as H6.

Question 41

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

Answer 41

Down to -15 to -5 °C ## Footnote This classification indicates moderate cold tolerance.

Question 42

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

Answer 42

Down to -5 to 1 °C ## Footnote These plants can withstand mild frost.

Question 43

What defines Frost Tender plants (H1-H2)?

Answer 43

Plants that can survive temperatures from 1 to 5 °C ## Footnote These plants are sensitive to frost.

Question 44

What percentage of water do most growing plants contain?

Answer 44

About 90 percent ## Footnote Water is crucial for plant health and function.

Question 45

What is turgor pressure in plant cells?

Answer 45

Pressure from water that maintains cell shape and growth ## Footnote Turgor pressure acts like air in an inflated balloon.

Question 46

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

Answer 46

It moves minerals and carbohydrates through the plant ## Footnote Water facilitates the transport of essential nutrients.

Question 47

How does water contribute to leaf cooling?

Answer 47

It evaporates from leaf tissue during transpiration ## Footnote This process helps regulate temperature in plants.

Question 48

What role does water play in stomatal function?

Answer 48

Regulator of stomatal opening and closing, controlling transpiration and photosynthesis ## Footnote Stomata are small openings on plant leaves that allow for gas exchange.

Question 49

How does water contribute to root movement in plants?

Answer 49

Source of pressure to move roots through the soil ## Footnote This pressure is generated through the uptake of water in plant cells.

Question 50

Which three elements are found in air and water?

Answer 50

Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Question 51

List the six macronutrients.

Answer 51

* Nitrogen * Potassium * Magnesium * Calcium * Phosphorus * Sulphur

Question 52

What are micronutrients?

Answer 52

Micronutrients are soil elements used in much smaller amounts.

Question 53

List the eight micronutrients.

Answer 53

* Iron * Zinc * Molybdenum * Manganese * Boron * Copper * Cobalt * Chlorine