EXERCISE 17 SPECIALIZED LEAVES

Specialized Leaves

These are certain leaves in nature that are modified to perform functions other than photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration.

Bougainvilla, Pascuas, Halilika, Nangka bud, Onion bulb, Pitcher Plant, Water Hyacinth, Century Plant, Bird’s nest fern

Specimens used in specialized leaves (Exercise 17)

Bougainvilla spectabilis

Scientific name of Bougainvilla

Euphorbia pulcherrima

Scientific name of Pascuas

Bryophyllum pinnatum

Scientific name of Halilika

Artocarpus heterophylla

Scientific name of Nangka Bud

Allium cepa

Scientific name of Onion bulb

Nepenthes sp

Scientific name of Pitcher Plant

Elchornia crassipes

Scientific name of Water Hyacinth

Aloe vera

Scientific name of Century Plant

Drynaria sp

Scientific name of Bird’s nest fern

Bract

This is a specialized leaf in Bougainvilla spectabilis that has bright colors and is used to attract pollinators

Adventitious buds

This is a specialized leaf in Bryophyllum pinnatum where its function is vegetative propagation, water storage, photosynthesis

Cataphylls

This is a specialized leaf in Artocarpus heterophylla that protects the young shoots, supports early growth, and minimizes water loss

Fleshy leaves

This is a specialized leaf in Allium cepa where it acts as food storage, bulb formation, and protection

Succulent leaf

This is a specialized leaf in Aloe vera where it is a thick fleshy leaf that stores water in the form of mucilage

Peristone

This is a specialized leaf in Nepenthes sp where it attracts prey and has a slippery surface for trapping prey

Pitcher lid

This is a specialized leaf in Nepenthes sp where it prevents excess rainwater entry, and guides prey to the peristone

Spongy petiole

This is a specialized leaf in Elchornia crassipes where it provides buoyancy making the plant float

Bougainvilla spectabilis/Bougainvilla

Bract

Identify the:

Specimen used (Scientific and Common name)

Specialized leaf

Bryophyllum pinnatum/Halilika

Cataphylls

Identify the:

Specimen used (Scientific and Common name)

Specialized leaf

Artocarpus heterophylla/Nangka bud

Adventitious buds

Identify the:

Specimen used (Scientific and Common name)

Specialized leaf

Allium cepa/Onion bulb

Fleshy Leaves

Identify the:

Specimen used (Scientific and Common name)

Specialized leaf

Aloe vera/Century plant

Succulent leaves

Identify the:

Specimen used (Scientific and Common name)

Specialized leaf

Nepenthes sp/Pitcher plant

Peristone, Pitcher lid

Identify the:

Specimen used (Scientific and Common name)

Specialized leaf

Elchornia crassipes/Water hyacinth

Spongy petiole

Identify the:

Specimen used (Scientific and Common name)

Specialized leaf

Drynaria sp/Bird’s fern nest

Nest fronds

Identify the:

Specimen used (Scientific and Common name)

Specialized leaf