Q1_LESSON 1: FORMS OF PLANTS

PLANT STRATEGIES

Mechanisms and responses plants use to

Reproduce

Defend

Survive

Compete in the landscape

Plant Strategy

Although the term "___" has existed in the literature since at least 1965, multiple definitions exist

EVERGREEN

Green leaves throughout the year

EVERGREEN

Retain both stem and leaves

EVERGREEN

Leaves rarely function after 2 to 7 years

EVERGREEN

Leaves have extra thick cuticles and other modifications to minimise water loss

EVERGREEN

Could shed leaves but does not have a bare look

DECIDUOUS

Shed their leaves usually as an adaptation to a cold or dry/wet season

Abscission

occurs as a result of changes that take place in an abscission zone near the base of the petiole of each leaf

DECIDUOUS

Mutations that cause leaves to fall off in autumn and mutation that cause bark to develop on all exposed parts of the stem reduce the surface area through which water is lost

ANNUALS

Complete their cycles in a single year

ANNUALS

Tagetes patula (French Marigold), Helianthus annuus (Sunflower), Zea mays (Maize or Corn), Oryza sativa (Rice), Ocimum basilicum (Basil), Pisum sativum (Pea)

BIENNIALS

Life cycle which lasts two years

BIENNIALS

Creates leaves in the first year, and then blooms to make fruit and die after

BIENNIALS

Myosotis abyssinica (forget-me-not), Digitalis sp. (foxglove or dead man's bells), Petroselinum crispum (parsley), Daucus carota (carrot)

PERENNIALS

Life cycle which lasts more than two years

PERENNIALS

Polypodium vulgare (common polypody), Capsicum annuum (bell pepper), Musa sp (bananas), Allium sativum (garlic), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (gumamela), Vinca rosea (periwinkle)

Hybrid (x)

unnaturally occurring

Typewritten: italic; Handwritten: Underline separately

WRITING SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Genus name

capital first letter

Specfic name

lowercase

Trees

large, woody plant having secondary branches supported on a main stem or trunk

Shrubs or bushes

smaller, woody plant with multiple stems

Shrubs or bushes

 Ixora coccinea (Jungle Geranium or Dwarf Santan)

Vines

herbaceous or woody plant with a climbing or twinning stem

Forbs

herbaceous broad-leaved plant often with showy flowers

Grasses

herbaceous plant with slender blades and inconspicuous flowers (have very small pollens which are a common source of allergen)

Aquatic Plants

generally herbaceous plant that grows partly wholly in the water

Aquatic Plants

Grasses

Forbs

Vines

Shrubs or bushes

Trees