Nomenclature and Anatomy of Flowers

Flower Anatomy:

A complete flower has 4 parts present sepals petals stamens pistils

Sepal One of the outermost flower structures Commonly small, green, leaflike structures Collective word for sepals and petals is called perianth

Petals Usually conspicuously colored Collectively called the corolla Normally positioned between sepals and inner flower parts

Stamens Threadlike extensions that stand upright from the perianth Male reproductive parts of a flower Consists of the anther and the filament

Pistils Female reproductive parts of a flower Consists of the stigma, style, and ovary

Types of Flower Structure Solitary Inflorescence

Solitary Flowers Flowers that form singly on upright stalks Ex: tulips, roses, daffodils

Inflorescence A flower that is made up of several florets Flowers have a branching pattern from the main stem The main stalk of an inflorescence is a peduncle, stalks that support the florets are called pedicels

Types of Inflorescence Spike: Has an elongated inflorescence on the main stem. Ex: liatris, gladiolus

Types of Inflorescence Raceme: Similar to a spike except florets aren’t directly attached to the stem Ex: delphinium

Types of Inflorescence Corymb: Has a flat top or slightly convex shape Has main stem with pedicels of unequal length Ex: yarrow

Types of Inflorescence Cyme: Broad and flat topped Has divisions that arise below a terminal flower Ex: Bird of Paradise

Types of Inflorescence Umbel: Flower cluster that is easily recognized Simple umbel has single pedicelled flowers all arising from the top of the main stem. Ex: agapanthus Compound umbel has secondary umbels arising from main stem. Ex: Queen Anne’s Lace

Types of Inflorescence Spadix: Thick flower spike surrounded by a conspicuous bract. The spathe (bract) is often mistakenly identified as the flower Ex: Anthurium

Types of Inflorescence Catkin: Slender , scaly-bracted inflorescence found on woody plants Ex: Willow, alder, birch

Types of Inflorescence Head Flower: Short, dense cluster of flowers in a flat pattern Ex: sunflowers

Leaf Parts Three main leaf parts: Blade Petiole Stipules

Three main leaf parts: Blade (the leaf itself) Petiole (the leaf stalk that connects the leaf blade to the stem) Stipules (the two appendages at the base of the petiole) Any of these parts may be lacking. For example, when there is not a petiole, the leaf is sessile (attached directly to the stem).

Leaf Types Leaf type will affect texture, style and form in a floral design. Simple leaf: a leaf with a single blade Compound leaf: a leaf with more than one blade (leaflets). Leaflets are the smaller blades that make up a compound leaf and may be arranged in a variety of ways/ See page 135, Figure 9-21. Draw and label the four leaves shown.

Leaf Vein Patterns Vein patterns in leaf blades are called venation Types parallel palmate pinnate See page 136, Figure 9-22.

Leaf Vein Patterns Label the three types of leaf venation: 1. ____________ 2. _____________ 3. ____________ Name ______________

Leaf Shapes See page 137 Figure 9-24 Basic outline of the blade make up the shape of the leaf Ex: oblong, linear, pelate, elliptic Draw three different types of leaf shapes

Leaf Margins Page 137 Figure 9-25 Edge of the leaf blade is called a margin The appearance of the margin can affect the texture of a design Ex: entire, undulate, serrate, lobed Draw three different types of leaf margins

Post-harvest Physiology & Metabolic Processes: Please have your books open to pg 137 Background: Once plant material is harvested, the plants are still metabolizing. When flowers are cut, the supply of water and mineral nutrients for normal metabolic activity id temporarily cut off. And the flowers and foliage continue to lose water. Unless the water loss is inhibited, wilting and loss of turgor will result. Turgor (cell rigidity and firmness)

Water Uptake & Transport Cut flowers need to drink water, which carries sugars and other compounds and helps keep flower parts turgid (firm). Flower stems have a plumbing system called the xylem, which is made up of tiny vessels. The xylem is the water-conducting tissue that carries water up the stem, to the leaves, and to the flower. Please draw figure 9-27 on page 139 and describe what is happening in the picture. Phloem is another plumbing system, but it is the food-conducting tissue.

Transpiration Terms to Define: Page 139 Stomata Relative humidity

Respiration Terms To Define: Page 139 Carbohydrates Senescence Ethylene