Morphology and classification Plants Morphology and classification

Plant taxonomy Oldest science Knowledge of local plants – flora is essential “Primitive” humans have more knowledge Leave for our future generation an undiminished biota

Plant taxonomy Production of an inventory of the world's flora Production of a classification system that includes all plants, this provides a systematic organization of the diversity found in plants; An understanding of relationships of plants that can be incorporated into classification systems, if we have a plant that has a useful characteristic, a classification system can provide information that may lead to the discovery of related plants with similar characteristics; and Provide universal rules and regulations regarding the naming of plants, which is critical to identification and communication.

Vegetative Morphology Duration Annuals and biennials Perennials Herbaceous – underground stems Woody – trees and shrubs Trees – more than 5meters with usually one trunk Shrubs – less than 5 meters with many trunks

Vegetative Morphology Plant habit

Vegetative Morphology Root System

Vegetative Morphology Modified Structures Tendril - coiled clawed structure that enables plants to attach to objects. Tendrils are modified leaves and stems. Thorn - Woody, sharp-pointed stem. These can be terminal or in the axil of leaves. They are sometimes branched. Spine - Modified leaf or leaf-parts. Cacti spines are modified leaves. Prickle - Sharp structure that is an outgrowth of the bark or epidermis.

Vegetative Morphology Leaf Arrangement

Vegetative Structures Leaf Types

Flower Structure

Flower and the plant Ovary → fruit (+ some other structures) Ovules → seed COMPLETE FLOWER - A flower having all four whorls PERFECT FLOWER - A flower having both sexes UNISEXUAL FLOWER - A flower having one sex MONOECIOUS PLANTS - A plant with unisexual flowers with both sexes on the same plant DIOECIOUS PLANTS - A plant with unisexual flowers with one sex on each plant, in effect, male and female plants

Learn Table 1.3 Common Latin names Used for Species and Their English Meaning Table 1.5 the suffix for each hierarchical level of classification Table 1.6 – monocot /dicot characteristics Vegetative (asexual) and sexual reproduction. How do we exploit each type.