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Characteristics of Stems AGR 161: Unit C. Found on Internet: unknown Source Edited By: Jennifer Stewart. Objectives. Identify stem characteristics important for plant identification Recognize stem adaptations that provide protection for plants. Stems. Two main functions
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Characteristics of StemsAGR 161: Unit C Found on Internet: unknown Source Edited By: Jennifer Stewart
Objectives • Identify stem characteristics important for plant identification • Recognize stem adaptations that provide protection for plants
Stems • Two main functions • movement of water and minerals from the roots upward • movement of manufactured food down
Stems Also… • support of leaves and reproductive structures • used for food storage and reproduction of plants involving cuttings • Green stems manufacture food just as leaves do
External Stem Structure • lenticels- breathing pores • bud scale scars-indicate where terminal bud has been located previous year.
Leaf Scars • Shows where leaf was attached • Distance between the two represents one year of growth.
What are the types of stems? 1) Woody Stem: trees, shrubs, woody perennials 2) Grass Stem: hollow or filled 3) Herbaceous Stem: like woody but softer (clover, alfalfa) 4) Modified Stem:
Specialized Stems • A. Corm (gladiolus, crocus) • underground • Solid, fleshy, scale covered
Specialized Stems • B. Bulb (tulips, lillies, onions) • Layers of fleshy scales that overlap each other • Underground stem
Specialized Stems • C. Tuber (potato, caladium) • Food storage area • Short, thick underground stem
Specialized Stems • D. Crown (African Violets, fern) • Closely grouped stems or plantlets • Just above ground or just below
Specialized Stems • E. Spurs (pear and apple trees) • Short sems found on woody plant limbs adapted for increased production of fruits
Specialized Stems • F. Rhizomes (iris, lily of the valley) • Underground stems that produce roots on the lower surface and extend leaves and flower shoots above the ground
Specialized Stems • G. Stolon (Strawberry, airplane plant) • Stem that grows horizontally above the soil surface
Review • What are the four types of stems? • What are some example of specialty stems? • What function does the stem serve? • How can stems adapt to provide protection for the plants?