Graminoids and Gymnosperms: Key Features and Taxonomy

What are the three groups that comprise the graminoids?

Cyperaceae (Sedges), Juncaceae (Rushes), Poaceae (Grasses)

What are the characteristics of Cyperaceae?

Stems are triangular, leaf sheath is closed.

What two genera belong to Cyperaceae?

Carex & Cyperus

Which genus possesses a perigynium?

Carex

What is a perigynium?

Flowers each surrounded by a sac.

What are the characteristics of Juncaceae?

Flowers have a perianth of 6 tepals, capsule contains multiple seeds.

What is the palea in Poaceae?

The upper (inner) bract.

What is the lemma in Poaceae?

The lower (outer) bract.

What is a ligule?

A narrow strap-shaped part of a plant.

What is a lodicule?

A vestigial perianth.

What are glumes?

Boat-shaped bracts.

What is a caryopsis?

Fruit enclosed by palea & lemma.

What is a spikelet?

Holds one-to-many florets.

What is a culm?

The exposed stem.

What does 'peltate' mean?

Shield-shaped.

What does 'reniform' mean?

Kidney-shaped.

What is a thallus?

A plant body that is not differentiated into stem and leaves and lacks true roots and a vascular system.

What does 'auriculate' mean?

Having one or more structures shaped like an ear.

What does 'monotypic' mean?

Contains only one species.

In the name of a species, what does the 'X' represent as in Taxus X Media?

A hybrid.

What is alternation of generations?

Alternates between a haploid gametophyte phase and a diploid sporophyte phase.

What does heterosporous mean?

Produces 2 different types of spores (male microspores & female megaspores).

What does homosporous mean?

Produces 1 type of spore.

What does monoecious mean?

Has both male and female reproductive organs.

What does dioecious mean?

Has either male or female reproductive organs.

What are the four major groups of gymnosperms?

Ginkgoales, Cycadales, Gnetales, Coniferales.

What is a genus name for Ginkgoales?

Ginkgo.

What is a genus name for Cycadales?

Cycads.

What is a genus name for Gnetales?

Gnetales.

What is a genus name for Coniferales?

Conifers.

Which gymnosperm group has the most species?

Conifers.

When do pines (Pinus) shed pollen?

Spring.

What is the pollination droplet?

A liquid secretion from the ovule.

How long is the interval between pollination and fertilization in pines?

1 year.

How long does the microgametophyte live?

About a year.

What is an aril and which gymnosperm has it?

A fleshy, outgrowing structure on a seed; Ginkgo.

What is the function of the aril?

To aid in seed dispersal by attracting animals.

Where are short shoots on pines located?

On reproductive branches.

What is an umbo on a pine cone?

The central projection on the apophysis.

Where is the bract in a pine cone?

Beneath each woody cone scale.

What is unique about the leaf venation of Ginkgo?

Its dichotomous venation.

How is pollination achieved in gymnosperms?

Wind-pollinated, where pollen from male cones is carried to a sticky pollination droplet on the female cone's ovule.

What native Alabama pine has a grass stage?

Longleaf Pine.

What is the grass stage?

Several years without shoot elongation while the root system develops.

What does the term serotinous mean in relation to pine cones?

Opening late.

What native Alabama pine has resin blisters in its bark?

Shortleaf Pine (P. echinata).

What are the two genera of Pinaceae that occur naturally in Alabama?

Pinus & Tsuga.

What is an example of an ornamental gymnosperm?

Leyland Cypress.

What is a blade in leaf terms?

Undivided or once or more pinnate.

What is a stipe in leaf terms?

Stalk.

What is a rachis in leaf terms?

Leaf axis in a compound leaf.

What is the adaxial surface of a leaf?

The upper surface of a leaf.

What is the abaxial surface of a leaf?

The bottom surface of a leaf.

What is an antheridium?

Male reproductive organ.

What is an archegonium?

Female reproductive organ.

What is circinate vernation?

Unfurling of the leaf as a fiddlehead.

What is an eusporangium?

Thick-walled with hundreds to thousands of spores.

What is a false indusium?

Folded leaf margin that protects the sorus.

What is a frond?

Leaves.

What is a gametophyte?

Haploid, multicellular stage, produces gametes for sexual reproduction.

What is an indusium?

A protective covering of the sorus.

What is a leptosporangium?

Thin-walled with few (16-64) spores.

What are the genera names of Azolla?

Azolla.

What is the common name for Azolla?

Mosquito fern, water fern.

Is Azolla homosporous or heterosporous?

Heterosporous.

Is Azolla a fern or lycophyte?

Fern.

What type of leaves does Azolla have?

Megaphyll.

Is Azolla eusporangiate or leptosporangiate?

Leptosporangiate.

What is the common name for Botrychium?

Grape fern.

Is Botrychium homosporous or heterosporous?

Homosporous.

Is Botrychium a fern or lycophyte?

Fern.

What type of leaves does Botrychium have?

Megaphyll.

Is Botrychium eusporangiate or leptosporangiate?

Eusporangiate.

What is the common name for Equisetum?

Horsetail.

Is Equisetum homosporous or heterosporous?

Homosporous.

Is Equisetum a fern or lycophyte?

Fern.

What type of leaves does Equisetum have?

Megaphyll.

Is Equisetum eusporangiate or leptosporangiate?

Eusporangiate.

What is the common name for Isoetes?

Quillworts.

Is Isoetes homosporous or heterosporous?

Heterosporous.

Is Isoetes a fern or lycophyte?

Lycophyte.

What type of leaves does Isoetes have?

Microphyll.

Is Isoetes eusporangiate or leptosporangiate?

Eusporangiate.

What is the common name for Marsilea?

Water clover, pepperwort.

Is Marsilea homosporous or heterosporous?

Heterosporous.

Is Marsilea a fern or lycophyte?

Fern.

What type of leaves does Marsilea have?

Megaphyll.

Is Marsilea eusporangiate or leptosporangiate?

Leptosporangiate.

What is the common name for Ophioglossum?

Adder's-tongue fern.

Is Ophioglossum homosporous or heterosporous?

Homosporous.

Is Ophioglossum a fern or lycophyte?

Fern.

What type of leaves does Ophioglossum have?

Megaphyll.

Is Ophioglossum eusporangiate or leptosporangiate?

Eusporangiate.

What is the common name for Pilularia?

Pillwort.

Is Pilularia homosporous or heterosporous?

Heterosporous.

Is Pilularia a fern or lycophyte?

Fern.

What type of leaves does Pilularia have?

Megaphyll.

Is Pilularia eusporangiate or leptosporangiate?

Leptosporangiate.

What is the common name for Psilotum?

Whisk fern.

Is Psilotum homosporous or heterosporous?

Homosporous.