Plant Anatomy and Morphology

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to plant anatomy and morphology, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and life cycles, derived from lecture notes.

Root

Underground portion of the plant body; serves as anchor, absorbs water and inorganic nutrients, and conducts water and mineral nutrients.

Primary root

Develops from the hypocotyls (or its lower tip, the radicle) of the embryo.

Branch roots (Secondary roots)

Develop as branches from the primary root and other roots.

Adventitious roots

Develop directly from the stems and leaves.

Tap root system

Derived directly from the first root (radicle/primary root) that enlarges to form a prominent central root called the taproot, which is larger in diameter and grows more deeply.

Fibrous root system

Both primary and lateral roots are finely divided and have approximately equal diameters, without an enlarged central root.

Root cap

Tissue at the very tip of the root axis, protecting the meristematic region.

Meristematic region

Region of actively dividing cells in the root tip, where cells divide and increase in number.

Region of elongation

Located above the meristematic region, where root cells enlarge and begin to differentiate.

Region of maturation

Region where primary tissues of the root are completely differentiated.

Epidermis (Root)

Outer layer of cells in the root, primarily for protection.

Cortex (Root)

Cells located between the epidermis and the central part (stele) of the root.

Central cylinder or stele

The central part of the root containing the vascular tissues.

Vascular tissues

Conducting tissues composed of the xylem (water transport) and phloem (food transport).

Pericycle

A tissue in the root stele, bound externally by the endodermis and internally by the phloem, involved in lateral root formation.

Fleshy/enlarged roots

Specialized roots that store food and other materials (e.g., Cassava, Radish, Carrot).

Prop roots

Roots that grow from the stem above ground and add support to the plant's structure (e.g., Pandan, Corn).

Photosynthetic roots

Specialized roots that contain chlorophyll and manufacture food (e.g., Orchids).

Clinging roots

Roots that cling to surfaces like walls and tree trunks for support (e.g., Cadena de Amor).

Pneumatophores

Aerial root structures that assist in getting oxygen to the submerged roots, common in mangroves.

Contractile roots

Roots that grow into the soil and contract, pulling the corm or bulb deeper into the soil (e.g., Taro, Onion).

Stem

An aerial vegetative organ of the plant, developed from the epicotyl of a germinating embryo, providing support and facilitating translocation.

Node

Portion of the stem where the leaves are attached.

Internode

The distance or portion between two successive nodes on a stem.

Leaf

A lateral outgrowth of the stem, specialized for photosynthesis and transpiration.

Leaf scar

A mark left on the stem when a leaf falls off, usually found below the axillary bud.

Leaf axil

The angle formed between the petiole of a leaf and the stem.

Axillary bud

A bud formed in the leaf axil, between the leaf and the stem, which can develop into a branch or flower.

Apical/terminal bud

A bud found at the apex or tip of the twig, which may develop into a flower or form an extension/elongation of the stem.

Bud scale scar

A mark left on the stem when a bud scale falls off, indicating previous growth.

Bundle scar

Found within the leaf scar, representing the broken ends of vascular bundles (veins) at leaf fall.

Stolon/runners

Horizontally oriented stems that grow along the soil surface and are involved in vegetative reproduction (e.g., Strawberry).

Tendrils/twining shoots (Stems)

Modified stems that coil around objects, helping to support the plant (e.g., Chayote).

Cladodes/cladophylls

Flat, leaflike stems modified for photosynthesis (e.g., Asparagus).

Thorns

Modified stems for protection (e.g., Bougainvillea).

Bulbs

Rosette stems surrounded by fleshy leaves that store nutrients (e.g., Tulip).

Rhizomes

Underground stems that grow horizontally near the soil surface and store food (e.g., Ginger).

Corms

Stubby, vertically oriented underground stems that store nutrients (e.g., Taro).

Tubers

Swollen stem regions that store food (e.g., Potato).

Apex (Leaf)

The protruding part of the leaf where water droplets may accumulate.

Midrib

The large, strengthened vein along the midline of a leaf.

Veins (Leaf)

Vascular bundles within a leaf that transport water, minerals, and food, and provide structural support.

Margin (Leaf)

The outer edge or boundary of a leaf blade.

Base (Leaf)

The slightly expanded area where the leaf attaches to the stem.

Petiole

The stalk that joins a leaf to a stem.

Leaf blade

The main light-collecting structure on a leaf; broad, flat surface that stores materials and products of photosynthesis.

Simple leaves

Leaves where the blade is undivided and is joined to a stem via a petiole (e.g., Maple, Oregano, Pear).

Compound leaves

Leaves whose blades are divided into multiple smaller leaflets.

Palmately compound

A type of compound leaf where leaflets emerge from one point, like fingers from a palm.

Pinnately compound

A type of compound leaf where leaflets emerge from both sides of the midrib, resembling a feather.

Opposite (Leaf Arrangement)

Leaves and buds are directly across from each other at a node.

Alternate (Leaf Arrangement)

Leaves and buds are spaced along a stem in an alternating fashion, with only one leaf per node.

Subopposite (Leaf Arrangement)

Leaf arrangement that is not perfectly opposite nor spaced enough to be truly alternate.

Whorled (Leaf Arrangement)

Three or more leaves or buds are attached at a single node around the stem.

Bracts

Modified leaves that are colored and petal-like, serving to attract pollinators (e.g., Bougainvillea).

Spines (Leaves)

Modified leaves for protection and water saving (e.g., Dragon fruit).

Reproductive leaves

Modified leaves that produce plantlets along their margins, allowing for vegetative propagation (e.g., Kataka-taka).

Tendrils (Leaves)

Modified leaves or leaf parts used for climbing and support (e.g., Cucumber).

Storage leaves

Modified leaves that store water and nutrients, often fleshy and succulent (e.g., Aloe vera).

Trap leaves

Modified leaves specialized to trap insects for nutrients, common in carnivorous plants (e.g., Venus flytrap).

Flower

The reproductive shoot of the plant, responsible for sexual reproduction, composed of petals, sepals, carpels, and stamens.

Carpel/Pistil

The female essential reproductive part of a flower, consisting of the Ovary, Style, and Stigma.

Stamen

The male essential reproductive part of a flower, consisting of the Anther and Filament.

Petals (Corolla)

Non-essential flower parts, typically brightly colored, forming the inner whorl of the perianth.

Sepals (Calyx)

Non-essential flower parts, typically green and leaf-like, forming the outermost whorl of the flower, protecting the bud.

Receptacle

The part of the flower stalk where the floral organs are attached.

Peduncle

The stalk supporting a single flower or an entire inflorescence.

Complete flower

A flower that possesses all four floral parts: sepals, petals, carpels, and stamens.

Incomplete flower

A flower that lacks one or more of the four floral parts (sepals, petals, carpels, stamens).

Perfect flower

A flower that has both stamens (male) and carpels (female) and is thus bisexual.

Imperfect flower

A flower that has either stamens (staminate) or carpels (carpellate), but not both, making it unisexual.

Staminate flower

An imperfect flower that contains only stamens (male reproductive parts).

Carpellate flower

An imperfect flower that contains only carpels (female reproductive parts).

Superior ovary

An ovary positioned above the point of attachment of the other floral parts (sepals, petals, stamens).

Inferior ovary

An ovary positioned below the point of attachment of the other floral parts (sepals, petals, stamens).

Monoecious

Referring to plants where both staminate (male) and carpellate (female) flowers are found on the same individual plant (e.g., Corn).

Dioecious

Referring to plants where staminate (male) and carpellate (female) flowers are found on separate individual plants.

Fruit

A ripened or matured ovary that protects the seeds and aids in their dispersal.

Simple fruits

Fruits that develop from a single ovary of a single flower.

Berry

A type of fleshy simple fruit, typically with many seeds (e.g., Tomato).

Drupe

A type of fleshy simple fruit with a hard, stony pit enclosing the seed (e.g., Mango, Coconut).

Hesperidium

A type of fleshy simple fruit with a leathery rind and juicy pulp, typical of citrus fruits (e.g., Orange).

Pepo

A type of fleshy simple fruit with a hard, thick rind and fleshy interior, characteristic of cucurbits (e.g., Cucumber).

Pome

A type of fleshy simple fruit where the flesh is derived from the receptacle, not the ovary (e.g., Apple).

Capsule

A type of dry, dehiscent (splitting open) simple fruit that releases seeds through various openings (e.g., Cotton).

Pod/Legume

A type of dry, dehiscent simple fruit that splits along two seams (e.g., Peanut).

Follicle

A type of dry, dehiscent simple fruit that splits along a single seam (e.g., Pandakaqui).

Silique

A type of dry, dehiscent simple fruit characteristic of the mustard family, with two valves separating from a central septum (e.g., Garlic vine).

Achene

A type of dry, indehiscent (not splitting open) simple fruit where the seed is attached to the pericarp at only one point (e.g., Sunflower).

Grain/Caryopsis

A type of dry, indehiscent simple fruit where the pericarp is fused directly to the seed coat (e.g., Corn, Rice).

Nut

A type of dry, indehiscent simple fruit with a hard, woody pericarp (shell) enclosing a single seed (e.g., Cashew).

Samara

A type of dry, indehiscent simple fruit with a wing-like outgrowth that aids in wind dispersal (e.g., Narra).

Aggregate fruits

Fruits that develop from a single flower with multiple separate carpels mature into a cluster of fruitlets (e.g., Strawberry).

Multiple fruits

Fruits that develop from the fused ovaries of multiple flowers in an inflorescence (cluster of flowers) (e.g., Pineapple).

Hilum (Seed)

A scar formed on the seed coat after its detachment from the funiculus (the stalk connecting the ovule to the ovary wall).

Micropyle

A small opening in the hilum of a seed, through which water can be absorbed.

Seed coat/Testa

The protective outer layer of a seed, developed from the integuments of the ovule, protecting the embryo.

Endosperm

Nutritive tissue in a seed, developed from the fertilized central cell, providing food for the embryo.

Embryo

The young plant contained within a seed, developed from the zygote after fertilization.

Cotyledon

The seed leaf or leaves of an embryo, which may store food or perform photosynthesis.