Week 2 - Plant Morphology Flashcards
Morphology
- The physical form or gross external structure of plants
Taproot
- Large primary root that extends straight down and tapers gradually
- Example: carrot, Taraxacum officinale (dandelion), Arctium lappa (burdock)
Fibrous Root
- Many roots extending down from the stem
- Example: Allium sativa (garlic), Epilobum sp. (willow herb plant)
Adventitious Root
- Arises from non-root tissue (usually from a stem)
- Example: blackberry
Stems
- Framework of a plant that supports leaves, flowers, and other structures
- A conduit for exchange of water, nutrients, and sap
- Can act as a place for storage of fuel
- Can be an area of photosynthesis in green stems
Internal Stem Feature - Epidermis
- Outer layer of wax-coated cells
Internal Stem Feature - Cortex
- Tissue between the epidermis and the phloem
Internal Stem Feature - Vascular Tissues
- Carry water, nutrients, and photosynthates through the plant
Internal Stem Feature - Vascular Tissue - Xylem
- Carries water and minerals from the roots upward through the plant
Internal Stem Feature - Vascular Tissue - Cambium
- Single-celled layer of diving tissue that creates the xylem on one side and the phloem on the other
Internal Stem Feature - Vascular Tissue - Phloem
- Carries sugars down through the plant
Internal Stem Feature - Pith
- The center of the stem that can be woody and dense, chambered, or hollow
Dicotyledon Stem
- Has two leaves when it sprouts
- Can be herbaceous or woody
Monocotyledon Stem
- Has one leaf when it sprouts
- Example: grass
External Stem Feature - Terminal Bud
- The bud at the tip of the stem
External Stem Feature - Lateral Bud
- Bud that grows from leaf axils on the side of a stem
External Stem Feature - Bud Scale
- Modified leaves that protect the bud
External Stem Feature - Naked Bud
- A bud without scales
External Stem Feature - Leaf Scar
- The mark left where a leaf was attached
External Stem Feature - Bundle Scar
- The marks within the leaf scar where the vascular bundles passed through
External Stem Feature - Terminal Bud Scale Scar
- The area where the previous year’s terminal bud scales were attached
- Shows the growth pattern from year to year
Modified Stem - Bulb
- Underground storage leaves attached at a base
- Example: tulips, daffodils
Modified Stem - Corm
- Short, thickened underground stem with scales that form a tunic
- Solid rather than having rings (like an onion) or cloves (like garlic)
- Example: crocus
Modified Stem - Crown
- A compressed stem with leaves above and roots below
- Example: Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)