Objectives: To recognize different plant structures

Plant Structures and Functions Objectives: To recognize different plant structures To understand different functions of plant structures To learn the terminology used to identify plant structures

Introduction There is tremendous diversity in the plant kingdom Yet, flowering plants have certain structures and functions in common lilly pad vs. cactus

What is your favorite plant?

How would you describe that plant?

What terms would you use?

Basic parts of flowering plants are stems, leaves, flowers and roots Leaves Flowers Vegetative Stems Fruits Roots Reproductive Seeds

Photosynthesis Leaves - Functions Light is intercepted and plant sugars are manufactured Large flattened surface for maximum absorption of light energy

Vein Midrib Petiole Stem Stipule

Venation pinnate palmate parallel

Leaf Types: Simple

Leaf Types: Compound Leaves palmate bipinnate pinnate

Leaf Types Needles Broad Leaf Scale-like

Leaf Attachment opposite whorled alternate

linear Common Leaf Shapes ovate lanceolate

cordate Common Leaf Shapes obovate

serrate dentate entire lobed crenate sinuate Selected Leaf Margins

Functions Stems • Support leaves and buds, branches and reproductive structures • Conduits for transporting water, minerals and manufactured food • Some are modified for storage

Two Basic Stem Types Differ in arrangement of vascular tissue xylem and phloem Stems

Dicot phloem cambium xylem

Monocot phloem xylem cambium

node Stem Parts internode

Modified Stems Stolon Horizontal stem growing on soil surface (strawberry plant)

Rhizome Grows horizontally at or just below soil surface (iris) Modified Stems

Modified Stems Tuber Enlarged portion of underground stem (potato plant)

Roots Functions • Anchor plant • Nutrient and water absorption • Food storage • Two basic root systems: • fibrous root • tap root fibrous root tap root

Root Growth

Flowers Functions Reproduction Attract pollinators

stigma style pistil anther filament ovary petal sepal Stamen Parts of the Flower

Perfect and Complete Flowers • Complete – flower has stamens, pistil, petals and sepals • Incomplete – one of these four parts is missing • Perfect – flower has functional stamens and pistil • Imperfect – stamens or pistil is absent

Common Inflorescence Types

head spike umbel raceme corymb solitary

Fruit • Mature ovary • Seeds are ovules • Ovary wall may be fleshy • Example fruit types • pome • pod

Seed • Matured ovule • Parts • seed coat – protective coating • embryo – miniature plant • endosperm – food storage organ seed coat embryo area endosperm

Germination of Dicot Two cotyledons (seed leaves)

Germination of Monocot One cotyledon (seed leaf)

Assessment Name the following: 3. Name this leaf margin. 1. Name this venation. 4. Name this inflorescence. 2. Name this leaf attachment.

Acknowledgements: Acquaah, George. Horticulture: Principles and Practices. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1999. Harris, James G. and Melinda Woolf. Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary. Utah: Spring Lake Publishing, 1994. Northington, David K., Goodin, J.R. The Botanical World. Missouri: C.V. Mosby Company, 1984. Dirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses. Illinois: Stipes Publishing Company, 1975. Still, Steven M. Manual of Herbaceous Ornamental Plants. Illinois: Stipes Publishing Company, 1994.

Credits:Sandra BalchProduction CoordinatorJennifer DonaldsonGraphics EditorGeoff ScottProduction ManagerG.W. DavisExecutive Producer , MMIV CEV Multimedia, Ltd.

Objectives: To recognize different plant structures