Plant Organs and Modular Growth

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to plant organs and their characteristics.

Allium sp.

A genus of flowering plants in the onion family, Alliaceae.

Inflorescence

The arrangement of flowers on a plant.

Scape

A leafless flower stalk arising directly from the ground.

Flower

The reproductive structure of flowering plants.

Leaf

The main site of photosynthesis in plants.

Field Botany

The study of plants in their natural environment.

Modular Growth

Growth that involves adding repeated units.

Vegetative Organs

Plant parts that are involved in growth and nutrition, including stems, leaves, and roots.

Reproductive Organs

Plant parts that are involved in reproduction, including flowers/cones, seeds, and fruits.

Stem

One of the two main structural axes of a plant, usually aboveground.

Root

The underground organ of a plant that absorbs water and nutrients.

Node

The point on a stem where leaves or flowers grow.

Internode

The section of the stem between two nodes.

Rhizome

A horizontally growing belowground stem that may produce roots and leaves at nodes.

Stolon

A horizontally growing aboveground stem that may produce roots and leaves at nodes; also known as a runner.

Thorn

A reduced and stiffened stem that has a sharp point.

Cladophyll

A photosynthetic stem that functions as and resembles a leaf.

Petiole

The stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem.

Leaf Blade

The flat, expanded part of a leaf.

Scale Leaves

Reduced leaves in conifers, typical in the Cupressaceae family.

Needles

Long, thin leaves adapted for survival in arid conditions; typical in the Pinaceae family.

Leaf Margin

The edge of a leaf, which can be smooth, serrated, or lobed.

Spines

Sharp, pointed modified leaves that arise from plant organs for defense.

Crenate

A leaf margin that has rounded teeth.

Serrate

A leaf margin that has forward-pointing teeth.

Acuminate

A leaf shape that tapers to a long point.

Ovate

A leaf shape that is egg-shaped, wider at the base.

Lanceolate

A leaf shape that is pointed at both ends.

Pinnate

Leaves with a feather-like arrangement of leaflets along a central stalk.

Fibrous Roots

A root system characterized by thin, moderately branching roots with no dominant root.

Taproot

An enlarged root that grows straight down with smaller lateral roots.

Prickles

Small, sharp outgrowths of epidermis or bark.

Crucifixion Thorn

A type of thorn; Castela emoryi is an example.

Dichotomous Venation

Veins branching symmetrically in pairs.

Palmate Venation

Several primary veins diverging from a single point.

Parallel Venation

Veins that run parallel to each other along the leaf.

Reticulate Venation

Smaller veins forming a network within the leaf.

Reniform

Leaf shape that is kidney-shaped.

Whorled Arrangement

Leaves arranged in rings, often with three or more leaflets.

Undulate

Leaf margin that is widely wavy.

Acicular

Needle-shaped leaf form.

Falcate

A hooked or sickle-shaped leaf.

Orbicular

Circular leaf shape.

Rhomboid

Diamond-shaped leaf form.

Hastate

Leaf shape with basal lobes resembling a hand.

Bipinnate

Leaves that are doubly pinnate, with leaflets arranged in two rows.

Cordate

Heart-shaped leaf structure.

Cuneate

Wedge-shaped leaf with an acute base.