Plant Morphology Michael G Simpson Plant Structure Terms

Plant Morphology Michael G. Simpson Plant Structure Terms Used for a specific structure/organ

Plant Habit = general form of a plant, encompassing stem duration and branching pattern, development, or texture. Herb - plant with annual above-ground parts Geophyte - perennial herb with rootstock Vine - weak stemmed Liana - woody vine Shrub - woody, multiple stems from base Subshrub - woody just above ground Tree - woody, one trunk

Plant Duration = how long a plant lives. Annual- ≤ 1 year Biennial- 2 years Perennial- 3 or more years

Plant Habitat = environment where plant lives. Terrestrial Aquatic Submersed Floating Emergent Epiphytic Saxicolous

Plant Life Form = structure, life cycle, physiology. Therophyte – annual Geophyte – perennial herb Epiphyte – plant growing on another plant Halophyte – salt-adapted plants Succulent – plant with fleshy leaves or stems Xerophyte – plant living in dry, hot environments

Roots Function - absorption, anchorage Structure - rootcap, root hairs, endodermis Adventitious roots - arise from non-root organ Lateral roots - arise from another root (1˚, 2˚, etc. )

Root Types/Parts taproot fibrous prop haustorial

Root Types/Parts storage roots Raphanus sativus, radish

Root Types/Parts buttress roots Ficus rubiginosa, rusty-leaved fig

Root Types/Parts pneumatophores Avicennia germinans, black mangrove

Root Types/Parts prop roots (also adventitious)

Shoot = stem + associated leaves

Each leaf primordium develops into one leaf. Caryota sp. Arecaceae ca. 20 feet long!

Stem (Shoot) Types areole bulb caudex caudiciform stem

Stem (Shoot) Types cladode corm culm fascicle/ short shoot rhizome

Stem (Shoot) Types scape stolon/runner thorn tiller tendril tuber

Stem (Shoot) Types pachycaul pseudobulb

Stem Habit =relative position of stem (+ growth, structure) prostrate acaulescent cespitose repent arborescent suffrutescent decumbent

Stem Branching Pattern sympodial monopodial dichotomous sympodial

Twig Structure collateral pseudoterminal naked superposed infrapetiolar

Leaf Structural Type bractlets bract phyllode scale spine tendril (leaf) unifacial leaf

Leaf Structural Type Bract (flower) Epicalyx Bud Scale

Leaf Structural Type Phyllode - Acacia spp. (Fabaceae)

Leaf Structural Type Tendril - Lathyrus (Fabaceae)

Leaf Structural Type Stipular Spine - Euphorbia spp. (Euphorbiaceae)

Leaf Structural Type Petiolar Spine - Fouquieria splendens Ocotillo (Fouquieriaceae)

Leaf Structural Type Leaf Spine (arising from areole) - Cactaceae

Sharp things thorn - sharp-pointed stem/shoot (fr. axillary bud) spine - sharp-pointed leaf or leaf part leaf spine (also leaflet spine) stipular spine petiolar spine prickle - sharp pointed epidermal appendage

Leaf Structural Type Pitcher Leaf - Nepenthes (Nepenthac. ) Sarracenia (Sarraceniac. )

Leaf Structural Type Tentacular Leaf - Drosera spp Sundew (Droseraceae)

Leaf Structural Type Trap Leaf - Dionaea muscipula Venus Fly Trap (Droseraceae)

Leaf Structural Type Dionaea muscipula Venus Fly Trap (Droseraceae)

Leaf Structural Type Iris sp. unifacial

Seismonasty Mimosa pudica Fabaceae

Leaf Type / Parts imparipinnate simple pinnately compound paripinnate bipinnately compound

Leaf Type / Parts palmate-ternate pinnate-ternately compound = trifoliolate biternately compound palmately compound

Leaf Type / Parts geminate unifoliolate bigeminate-pinnate costa-palmate

petiolate sessile sheathing decurrent amplexicaul perfoliate connateperfoliate

Leaf Venation

Leaf Venation