Trivia

Question 1

Label the parts of the flower

Answer 1

Question 2

Explain eight different methods that might help in identifying a tree?

Answer 2

Bark colour & texture, leaf colour, leaf shape, leaf margin, leaf venation, overall growth form, height, fruit, flowers

Question 3

Draw and label a paripinnately compound leaf.

Answer 3

Question 4

Draw a Bipinnately Compound Leaf

Answer 4

Question 5

“Adventitious” roots are roots that occupy a shallow area of the soil (True or False?)

Answer 5

False. Adventitious roots are plant roots that form from any nonroot tissue and are produced both during normal development (crown roots on cereals and nodal roots on strawberry [Fragaria spp.]) and in response to stress conditions, such as flooding, nutrient deprivation, and wounding.

Question 6

What is the role of the bark of a plant?

Answer 6

Protection against damage or infection, transport of minerals and water from the roots to the rest of the plant, transport of synthesized sugars.

Question 7

When looking to establish if a leaf is “simple” or “compound” one needs to look for the ______?

Answer 7

The position or presence of the apical bud

Question 8

A thorn is a modified leaf and it serves to slow down browsing pressure on a plant (true or false)

Answer 8

TRUE

Question 9

What two parts make up the cambium layer of a plant and describe their function?

Answer 9

The xylem is a system for transporting water from the roots to the rest of the plant. In the leaves, water is used to make simple sugars via photosynthesis and these sugars are transported to the rest of the plant, particularly the roots, by the phloem

Question 10

Complete the cladogram below:

Answer 10

A) Spermatophyta
B) Angiosperm
C) Gymnosperm
D) Dicotyledons
E) Monocotyledons

Question 11

Flowers are often specific in shape, design and colour to meet the demands of a specific pollination agent, similarly the fruits and seedpods have a design that suits their seed dispersal strategy (true or false)

Answer 11

TRUE

Question 12

What is the difference between flowers that are pollinated by wind compared to those pollinated by animals?

Answer 12

Flowers pollinated by animals will have brightly coloured petals and attractive scent for where flowers pollinated by wind will have neither of these and sexual reproductive organs exposed to the air to aid in dispersal and catching of pollen.

Question 13

If part of a plant is described as “decussate” what does it mean?

Answer 13

Decussate means that the branches growing out of the main stem grow at 90degree angles to one another.

Question 14

Name four plants from different genera that have a milky latex

Answer 14

Tamboti Spirostachys africana; Candelabra Euphorbia ingens; Sycamore fig Ficus sycamorus; Milk berry bush Chiococca alba

Question 15

Name a plant that has a clear latex

Answer 15

Drooping resin tree

Question 16

Describe fully the process of photosynthesis, comparing it to Respiration

Answer 16

Photosynthesis is the production of simple sugars using C02, H20 and energy from the sun in the formula: 6CO2 + 6H20 + (energy) → C6H12O6 + 6O2. The resulting waste product is oxygen. Where respiration is the utilisation of oxygen to break down carbohydrates into energy, CO2 and H20.

Question 17

Using the term “Transpiration”, briefly explain why one expects to find more Broad-leafed Woodland growing on crests or up-lands?

Answer 17

Broad-leafed trees are more likely to occur on crests where there is more well drained and well leached soils. The broad surface area of the leaves means that there is increased transpiration. The long tap roots of these trees accesses the water, drawing large amounts of water up through the plant and into the atmosphere – transpiration. The large amounts of water being drawn up bring in essential nutrients for the plant to use

Question 18

What comes first, the flower or the fruit? Discuss

Answer 18

The flower comes first and acts as an agent of pollination. Once an ovule is fertilised then a fruit is formed containing the seeds

Question 19

What does the term “dehiscence” mean?

Answer 19

Dehiscence refers to the “exploding” properties of a pod which scatters the seeds acting as a means of dispersal

Question 20

Give 6 different seed-dispersal methods of woody plants and provide the name of a tree that utilises each of these?

Answer 20

1. Combretum apiculatum - Rolling on the ground propelled by wind
2. Terminalia sericea - Two winged pod increasing surface area to be dispersed by water
3. Sclerocarya birrea - Produces a hard nut encased in a fruit dispersed by animals
4. Cassia abreviata - Seeds dispersed via dehiscence from a long pod
5. Protea - Requires fire to release the seed from a dormant pollinated flower
6. Mistletoe - Seeds are sticky. Are transported by birds esp. barbets and after the flesh of the fruit is eaten the bird wipes its bill on the branch where the seed sticks and germinates

Question 21

Example of a plant with a parasitic relationship with another plant

Answer 21

Strangler fig – Ficus natalensis

Question 22

Example of a plant with a commensalistic relationship with another plant

Answer 22

Leopard orchid

Question 23

Example of a plant with a relationship with a specific insect

Answer 23

Sycamore fig – Ficus sycamora

Question 24

Example of a plant with a relationship with a specific bird

Answer 24

Mistletoe – Plicosepalus kalachariensis

Question 25

What is a decoction?

Answer 25

Liquid prepared by boiling the plant to extract the medicinal properties

Question 26

What is an embrocation?

Answer 26

A lotion to rub on the body for the relief of pain/swelling/itchiness

Question 27

What is an emetic?

Answer 27

Has properties that induce vomiting

Question 28

What is an infusion?

Answer 28

Liquid prepared by soaking the plant to extract medicinal properties

Question 29

What is a purgative?

Answer 29

Has properties that induce bowl movements

Question 30

What is an enema?

Answer 30

Liquid injected into the rectum as a cure

Question 31

Chose three plants from your area of operation and give medicinal/traditional uses of them. (Describe the process fully))

Answer 31

Ziziphus mucronata - A root decoction is used as a painkiller. A leaf embrocation is used to treat swollen glands; Combretum imberbe - Smoke from this wood inhaled to treat coughs; Black monkey thorn - Decoction of equal parts bark of BMT & Schotia brachypetala used to cure diarrhea.

Question 32

Name two plants that may be used as a soap/shampoo substitute?

Answer 32

Devil’s thorn & Natal Mahogany

Question 33

How long are Leadwood’s believed to live (and stand for once dead)?

Answer 33

Leadwoods are believed to live for over 1000 years and stand for hundreds of years after death

Question 34

Which species of tree grows the tallest (according to formal statistics) in Londolozi, and how tall can they get? (Choose between: Sycamore Fig; Jackalberry; Matumi; Natal Mahogany; Weeping Boer-bean; Knob-thorn; Greenthorn; Common Wild Fig; Brown Ivory; Leadwood)

Answer 34

Breonadia salicina – Matumi trees grow to over 40m & are the tallest trees in Londolozi

Question 35

Name four grasses from your area of operation that you would choose to show your guests, and why?

Answer 35

Blue seed grass - Beautiful & interesting relationship with blue waxbill; Hairy love grass -Feathery appearance in the morning/evening light creates a very pleasing effect; Saw-tooth love grass - Edible and can tell the story of the time in character week that we had to eat it; Spear grass -Can show the guests the action of the seeds twisting into the ground (or clothing) once wet

Question 36

Name three features that you would use to assist in identifying a grass.

Answer 36

Inflorescence; Location; Leaf structure; Nodes and internodes

Question 37

What are the large “swellings” known as that you often find on Acacia nigrescens or Marula’s, and what causes them?

Answer 37

These swellings are known as galls and are produced by insects injecting eggs and potentially venom into the tree branch, causing a reaction where the tree grows unusually quickly in that area forming a thickened lump inside which the eggs of the insect develop and hatch into larvae which eat their way out of the gall

Question 38

What is an “epiphyte”?

Answer 38

An epiphyte is a NON-PARASITIC plant that uses another for structure & support

Question 39

Which trees have the densest (heaviest) wood from Londolozi (top three in order), and what are their weights in Kg/cubic metre.

Answer 39

Zebrawood, Scientific - 1280kg/m3; Red bushwillow, Combretum apiculatum - 1250kg/m3; Leadwood, Combretum imberbe -1200kg/m3

Question 40

What does the term “endemic” mean?

Answer 40

Endemic refers to flora/fauna that is naturally part of that ecosystem/region

Question 41

Describe the term “Annual” by using it in a sentence about a plant/grass of your choice.

Answer 41

Annuals are plants that last only one growing season, putting all of their energy into rapid growth and seed formation & dispersal e.g. Herringbone grass

Question 42

Describe the term “Perennial” by using it in a sentence about a plant/grass of your choice

Answer 42

Perrenials are plants that last several growing seasons, storing energy and nutrients in their roots for use during winter e.g. Guinea grass - Panicum maximum

Question 43

What is meant by the “inflorescence” of a grass plant?

Answer 43

Inflorescence refers to the flowering parts of a grass

Question 44

Explain what you understand by the following statement: Carrot-seed grass in a pioneer grass and it is classified as an Increaser 2 species

Answer 44

Pioneer refers to the plant’s ability to and therefore likelihood of colonising a disturbed area. Increaser 2 refers to this species tendency to increase with overgrazing

Question 45

The grazing value of a grass may be determined by (or depends upon)

Answer 45

Leaf production; Palatability; Nutritional value; Digestibility

Question 46

The “_____________” of a grass would be descriptive of the conditions under-which it would thrive, making certain grass species valuable indicators of the condition of the veld.

Answer 46

Successional status

Question 47

Identify a grass species that is regarded as an indicator species of good veld condition

Answer 47

Themeda triandra - Red grass

Question 48

Identify a grass species that is regarded as a good indicator species of a Seep Line

Answer 48

Eragrostis enamoena - Tite grass

Question 49

Give two examples of palatable grasses at Londolozi (common and botanical names).

Answer 49

Diacanthum annulatum - Vlei finger grass; Digitaria eriantha - Common finger grass

Question 50

Give two examples of unpalatable grasses at Londolozi (common and botanical names).

Answer 50

Cymbopogon plurinodis - Narrow-leaved Turpentine grass; Tragus berteronianus - Carrot seed grass

Question 51

What is the “ligule” on a grass plant, and what is its suggested function?

Answer 51

The ligule is the part of the leaf found at the junction of the leaf and the culm. Its function is uncertain but believed to protect the entry of dust, water and harmful spores at that junction

Question 52

What is the difference between a “stolon” and a “rhizome”?

Answer 52

Both are modified horizontally growing culms but the stolon grows on the surface while the rhizome grows beneath the surface

Question 53

Describe the differences between sweetveld, sourveld and mixed veld.

Answer 53

Sweetveld - Lower rainfall, less nutrient leaching resulting in grass with a higher nutrient content; Sourveld- Higher rainfall, more nutrient leaching resulting grass with a lower nutrient content; Mixed veld - Intermediate conditions giving rise to both characteristics.

Question 54

What is “Duckweed”? Give a detailed description of it and any interesting facts.

Answer 54

Duckweed is not algae; it is actually one of the smallest flowering plants on earth. Each plant is a single flat oval leaf that is in fact a modified stem 8mm long that floats on the surface of still waterbodies. Uses: Purification and nutrient concentration of wastewater & it is a superfood because of above mentioned characteristics for fish and waterfowl

Question 55

What is Algae and where and when can it be found.

Answer 55

Algae are part of the Kingdom Protista rather than Plantae and is an autotrophic photosynthetic organism found in or around waterbodies, requiring constant moisture, all year round

Question 56

Do Fungi photosynthesize?

Answer 56

Fungii do not photosynthesise. They are heterotrophs that require an external source of nutrition. They are important contributors to the last phase of the nutrient cycle, breaking down organic material and making those nutrients available to the rest of the cycle.

Question 57

How do fungi make a contribution to the balance within ecosystems?

Answer 57

They are important contributors to the last phase of the nutrient cycle, breaking down organic material and making those nutrients available to the rest of the cycle

Question 58

Describe in DETAIL what Lichen is? Describe how it may be used as a navigation aid?

Answer 58

Lichen is a composite organism formed of a mutualistic relationship between certain fungi and algae and/or, most recently discovered, bacteria. The fungus provides the structure that traps water for the algae. The algae provide decomposing material for the fungus. Lichen often grows on the shadier side of trees/rocks. Therefore in the Southern Hemisphere it is useful to use the lichen as a navigation aid knowing that they will most often be found on the Southern side of structure

Question 59

What is a human use of turpentine grass?

Answer 59

If you put it around your pantry it keeps rodents away.