BIOL 410 Plant Body Terms

Stem

Plant axis; has nodes and internodes.

Node

Region of stem where leaves, buds, arise.

Internode

Region of stem between nodes.

Shoot tip

terminal portion of shoot. has leaf primordia, buds and short internodes

apical meristem

tiny meristem at the shoot/root tips

leaf primordia

very young, unexpanded leaf at shoot tip.

bud

dormant shoot tip. it is protected by bud scales = modified leaves

terminal bud

bud at the tip of shoot

axillary bud

bud in axil of leaf or leaf scar

branch

lateral shoot, usually arises from an axillary bud

stolon

horizontal stem, generally grows above ground (ex. strawberry runners)

rhizome

horizontal underground stem (ex. ginger)

tuber

fleshy, underground stem. forms at tip of rhizome (ex. potato)

bulb

underground stem with fleshy storage leaves (ex. onion or garlic)

petiole

stalk that joins leaf blade to stem

blade

flattened part of leaf

simple leaf

has only one blade

compound leaf

has several blades (leaflets)

leaflet

individual bladelet of a compound leaf

cotyledon

first leaf of embryo; modified to srtore or absorb food

bud scale

modified (papery) leaf that covers a bud for protection

root

organ with cap at tapered apex; No nodes, leaves or buds

radicle

embryonic root

primary root

the first mature root

branch root

root arising from a root

Adventitious root

organ arising from an unusual place (ex. root from stem, carrot)