Chap-3.Plant Morphology

Dr. Neghliz H.
Dr. Benabdelkader T.
-Morphology deals with the study of , shape, size and structure of the plant
body.
-Flowering plants are called “Angiosperms”, it consist of an axis with an
underground “Root system” and “Aerial Shoot system”.
Angiosperm plant body
Underground Root system Areal Shoot system

-The Root, Shoot and Leaf
constitute the vegetative parts of
the plant body.
-The Flower, Fruit and seed
constitute the reproductive parts
of the plant body.
Parts of flowering plants

The Root
 Is generally the non green, underground part
 It is positively geotropic.
 It is positively hydrotropic
 It is negatively phototropic.
 It develops from the radicle of the embryo
during seed germination.
 Do not bears buds, nodes and internodes.
 Has unicellular root hair
Major functions of Root
 To anchor the plant in the ground (Fixing) a
plant in soil.
 To absorb water and minerals from the soil.
 To hold soil particles.
The root system consists of a main root and its branches.
There is a most prominent root, which

lies in the center and is called the primary Tertiary root
root. It bears several lateral roots called
secondary roots. Secondary root
 The secondary roots are further

Primary root
branched into tertiary roots and finer
rootlets.
Root types
Tap root System

In dicots plants Fibrous Root Adventitious
system Root system
It consists of primary root and Roots that develop from

its branches (lateral roots such any part of the plant other
as secondary roots and tertiary than the radicle
roots) (nodes,internodes,
branches, leaves)
Primary root is formed by the

elongation of radicle In monocots plants
-The primary root that persists Primary root is short
throughout the life of the plant lived and is replaced
is termed as tap root. by a large number of
roots, originated from
the base of the stem
Tap root system Fibrous root system
Fibrous root system
Adventitious root
system
Regions of
the roots
Root modifications
The root in some plants change there shape and
structure and become modified for various functions.
Swollen roots
for food
storage
The primary
root become
thick and fleshy
due to food
storage
Root modifications
Prop roots or pillar roots : -When

root arises from branches of plant
and grows downward towards soil.
-It function as supporting stem for
the plant. This type of roots is called
prop roots. E.g., Banyan.
Root modifications
Stilt roots
The supporting
roots coming out
from the lower
nodes of the
stem (capable of
photosynthesis)
Root modifications
Climbing roots :
These roots arise
from nodes of
stem and helps
the plant in
climbing.
Root modifications
Sucking or haustorial
roots or Parasitic
roots
In parasitic plants,
roots enter in the
stem of the host plant
to absorb nutrition.
Root modifications
Pneumatophores or
Respiratory root
When the quantity of
oxygen is low in soil some
root comes out from the
soil and grow vertically
(- geotropic) upwards to
get Oxygen for
respiration.
Shoot System
The shoot system (aerial part)

of a typical flowering plant
consists of the stem and the
attached leaves, buds, flowers,
and fruits
Morphology of Stem
 Main axis of this shoot system is called the stem.
 Stem can be defined generally as the aerial and ascending part of the plant
axis.
 Stem develops from the plumule of the embryo of a germinating seed.
 it bears branches, leaves, buds (terminal and axillary).
 It is differentiated into nodes and internodes.
nodes: are regions where leaves are born
internodes: are the portions between nodes.
 The young stem is green and is thus photosynthetic and later often become
woody and dark brown.
 In the mature state, it bears flowers and fruits.
 Stem is usually positively phototropic, negatively geotropic and negatively
hydrotropic
Bud definition: A bud is a compacted underdeveloped shoot having a growing point, surrounded by
closely placed immature leaves.
CLASSIFICATION OF BUDS
On the basis of their nature or structure
The buds which develop into branches are The buds which develop into flowers are called
floral buds.
called vegetative buds.
 On the basis of their position
- Apical buds (terminal buds): located at the apex of
stem.
- Axillary buds: located in the axils of leaves.
- Adventitious buds: located at areas other than nodes.
Functions of Stem
- The primary functions of stem are to produce and support lateral appendages
such as branches, leaves, flowers and fruits, conduction of water and minerals
to different parts of shoots and transport food to all plant parts.
- Stem may, however, get modified to perform additional functions such:
- Storage of food and water,
- Proliferation and propagation,
- Procuring support for climbing,
- Synthesis of food (photosynthesis)
Underground stems
Underground stems
Morphology of Leaf
A dorsal-ventrally compressed, lateral appendage of stem produced at the
nodes and is specialized to perform photosynthesis.
Characteristic of leaf:
- Leaf is a thin, expanded, green structure.
- The green color is due to the presence of chlorophyll
pigment.
- It is borne on the stem at the node.
- An axillary bud is often present in the axil of each leaf.
- It has limited growth.
- It does not posses apical bud or a regular growing point.
Morphology of Leaf
Leaf is divided into 3 main parts :

 Leaf base or hypopodium
 Petiole or Mesopodium
 Lamina or epipodium
Petiole or Mesopodium
-Petiole is the part of leaf connecting the
lamina with the branch or stem
-Leaves that possess petiole are called

petiolate
-Leaves without petiole are called sessile
leaves
Sessile leaves
Angiosperm Flower Parts
(Complete flower)
Complete flowers have four
parts.
1. Stamen – male part
anther and filament
2. Carpel (pistil) –female part

stigma, style and ovary
3. Sepals (Calyx) – protection

for flower during development
4. Petals (Corolla) –
protection for flower as well as
attracting pollinators
Stamen = Anther + Filament
Carpel = Stigmate + Style +

Ovary

Chap-3.Plant Morphology

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chap-3.Plant Morphology

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chap-3.Plant Morphology

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Dr. Neghliz H.

Angiosperm plant body

Underground Root system Areal Shoot system

Parts of flowering plants

There is a most prominent root, which

 The secondary roots are further

Tap root System

It consists of primary root and Roots that develop from

Primary root is formed by the

Prop roots or pillar roots : -When

The shoot system (aerial part)

Leaf is divided into 3 main parts :

-Leaves that possess petiole are called

2. Carpel (pistil) –female part

3. Sepals (Calyx) – protection

Carpel = Stigmate + Style +

You might also like