Plant Anatomy and Angiosperm Lab Overview

Allium cepa

Onion; dicot

Zea mays

Corn; monocot

Maturation

The process of development and growth in plants.

Elongation

The process by which plant cells increase in length.

Root hair

Extensions of root epidermal cells that increase surface area for water and nutrient absorption.

Apical meristem

The region of actively dividing cells at the tip of a plant root or shoot.

Root cap

A protective structure at the tip of a plant root that helps it penetrate the soil.

Casparian strip

A band of cell wall material in the endodermis that forces liquids to cross the plasma membrane of endodermal cells.

Ranunculus

Buttercup; dicot

Epidermis

The outer layer of cells covering a plant.

Cortex

The tissue in a plant root or stem that lies between the epidermis and the vascular tissue.

Parenchyma

A type of plant tissue composed of living cells that function in storage, photosynthesis, and tissue repair.

Endodermis

The innermost layer of the cortex in plant roots, surrounding the vascular tissue.

Pericycle

A layer of cells just inside the endodermis that can give rise to lateral roots.

Phloem

The vascular tissue responsible for the transport of nutrients and carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis.

Xylem

The vascular tissue responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.

Coleus

A type of dicot plant.

Tillia

A genus of trees commonly known as linden or lime trees.

Secondary growth

Growth that results in an increase in the thickness of stems and roots.

Periderm

The protective outer layer of a plant stem that replaces the epidermis in woody plants.

Quaternary veins

The smallest veins in a leaf that branch from tertiary veins.

Tertiary veins

The veins in a leaf that branch from secondary veins.

Secondary veins

The veins in a leaf that branch from primary veins.

Primary veins

The main veins in a leaf that provide structural support.

Xeromorphic leaves

Leaves adapted to dry habitats.

Mesomorphic leaves

Leaves adapted to moderate habitats.

Hydromorphic leaves

Leaves adapted to wet habitats.

Sun leaves

Leaves that are adapted to high light intensity, often with two layers of palisade cells.

Shade leaves

Leaves that are adapted to low light intensity, often with one layer of palisade cells.

Stomata

Small openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange.

Leaf modifications

Alterations in leaf structure that enhance survival in specific environments.

Spines

Modified leaves that protect from herbivores and help in water conservation.

Trichomes

Hair-like structures on leaves that provide protection against herbivores and environmental stress.

Tendrils

Leaf or leaflet modifications that provide support to climbing plants.

Node

The area of the stem where leaves begin to grow.

Internode

The space between two nodes on a plant stem.

Bud

An undeveloped or embryonic shoot on a plant.

Axil

The angle between the upper side of a leaf or stem and the supporting stem or branch.

SA:V ratio

Reduces to minimize water loss in hot, humid climates.

Sunflower: disk

Complete, perfect flower with 1 bract, 2 pappus, dicot, actinomorphic, head, inferior, epigynous.

Sunflower: ray

Incomplete, imperfect flower with 1 united stigma & anther, dicot, zygomorphic, head, inferior, epigynous.

Peruvian lily

Complete, perfect flower with 3 petals, 3 sepals, monocot, zygomorphic, simple umbel, inferior, epigynous.

Azalea

Complete, perfect flower with 5 petals, 5 sepals, dicot, zygomorphic, N/A, superior, hypogynous.

Japanese Andromeda

Complete, perfect flower with 5 fused petals, 5 sepals, dicot, actinomorphic, pendulus, superior, hypogynous.

Hydrangea

Incomplete, imperfect flower with 4 petals, dicot, actinomorphic, panicle, half-inferior, perigynous.

Spiderwort

Complete, perfect flower with 3 petals, 3 sepals, mono, actinomorphic, N/A, inferior, epigynous.

Kalanchoe

Complete, perfect flower with 4 petals, 4 sepals, dicot, actinomorphic, cyme, superior, hypogynous.

Dandelion

Complete, perfect flower with 5 petals, 5 sepals, dicot, actinomorphic, umble, superior, hypogynous.

Wild Carrot Flower

Complete, perfect flower with unspecified petals and sepals, dicot, actinomorphic, compound umble, superior, hypogynous.

Peanut

Dry fruit, dehiscent, legume.

Grape

Fleshy fruit, berry.

Raspberry

Fleshy fruit, aggregate drupe.

Strawberry

Fleshy fruit, aggregate achene.

Olive

Fleshy fruit, drupe.

Cucumber

Fleshy fruit, berry.

Jalapeno

Fleshy fruit, berry.

Nectarine

Fleshy fruit, drupe.

Pomegranate

Fleshy fruit, berry.

Locoweed

Dry fruit, dehiscent, legume.

Jimson Weed

Dry fruit, dehiscent, capsule with spikes for protection.

Lemon

Fleshy fruit, hesperidium.

Pear

Fleshy fruit, pome.

Avocado

Fleshy fruit, drupe.

Corn / maize

Dry fruit, indehiscent, caryopsis.

Corn on the cob

Fleshy fruit, multiple caryopsis.

Magnolia

Dry fruit, dehiscent, capsule.

Sunflower

Dry fruit, indehiscent, nut.

Maple

Dry fruit, indehiscent, winged samara.

Banana

Fleshy fruit, berry.

Dragon fruit

Fleshy fruit, berry.

Papaya

Fleshy fruit, pepo.

Acorn / oak

Dry fruit, indehiscent, nut.

Pigment Experiments

Leaf of Coleus shows original colors of burgundy, pink, green, yellow, white; color changes after hot water and ethanol bath.

Retention factor

Ratio of actual distance pigment traveled vs.

Japanese Camellia

Camellia japonica, Family: Theaceae, Non-Native

American holly

Ilex opaca, Family: aquifoliaceae, Native, Uses: Skincare (flowers & seeds)

Southern live oak

Quercus virginiana, Family: Fagaceae, Native, Uses: Wound healing (tannins from bark)

Eastern redbud

Cercis canadensis, Family: fagaceae, Native, Uses: Fevers

dogwood

Cornus florida, Family: cornaceae, Native, Uses: fever

American Sweetgum

Liquidambar styracfula, Family: Altingiaceae, Native, Uses: Antiseptic

Crepe myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica, Family: lythraceae, Native, Uses: cold treatment

American sycamore

Platanus occidentalis, Family: Platanaceae, Native, Uses: Antidiarrhea

Chinese elm

Ulmus parvifolia, Family: ulmaceae, Non-native, Uses: Furniture

Red maple

Acer rubrum, Family: Sapindaceae, Native, Uses: Eye conditions

Spanish oak/Pin Oak

Quercus palustris, Family: fagaceae, Native, Uses: Colds

Japanese maple

Acer palmatum, Family: Aceraceae, Non-native, Uses: Eye complaints

Trident Maple

Acer buergerianum, Family: sapindaceae, Non-native, Uses: Ornamental trees & bonsai

Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Family: Cupressaceae, Non-native, Uses: antioxidant & anti-inflammatory

Winged Elm

Ulmus alata, Family: Ulmaceae, Native, Uses: Diuretic, treatment for skin abrasions

Common Fig

Ficus carica, Family: Moraceae, Non-native, Uses: Food source; sap treats calluses or warts

Dwarf Post Oak

Quercus margaretta, Family: Fagaceae, Native, Uses: Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory uses

Japanese privet

Ligustrum japonicum, Family: Oleaceae, Non-native, Uses: Commercial insect wax, ornamental uses, wine coloring (berries)

American Elm

Ulmus americana, Family: Ulmaceae, Native, Uses: External uses such as a wash for wounds, or as a treatment for eye infections