Lecture on Botanical Terminology and Plant Identification

Introduction

• Recognizing familiar and unfamiliar terms in botany enhances enjoyment and understanding of plants.
• Botany terms can help identify and discuss plant parts and characteristics.

Root Systems

• Tap Root: Single, large root, e.g., carrot.
• Fibrous Roots: No single dominant root, e.g., grasses.
• Adventitious Roots: Develop in unusual positions, e.g., along stems or leaves.
  • Examples: Prop roots in corn, stilt roots in mangroves.

Stems

• Photosynthesizing Stems: Green stems that photosynthesize.
• Habit: Overall growth form of a plant.
• Woody vs Herbaceous:
  • Woody plants: Trees, shrubs, sub-shrubs.
  • Herbaceous plants: Grasses and forbs.
• Annual vs Perennial:
  • Annuals: Bloom from spring until frost.
  • Perennials: Shorter bloom time but return annually.

Leaves

• Leaf Types:
  • Broad Leaves: Broad shape, contrast with needle-like leaves.
  • Evergreen vs Deciduous: Not all conifers are evergreen; not all broad leaves are deciduous.
• Leaf Arrangement:
  • Opposite: Leaves directly opposite each other on stem.
  • Alternate: Leaves alternate up the stem.
  • Whorled: Leaves arranged in a circle around the stem.
• Leaf Structures:
  • Simple vs Compound Leaves: Simple (one blade), Compound (multiple blades/leaflets).
  • Leaf Petiole: Stem connecting leaf blade to main stem.
  • Axillary Buds: Buds at the junction between petiole and main stem.
• Leaf Venation:
  • Pinnate: Feather-like arrangement.
  • Palmate: Arrangement like fingers around a palm.
• Leaf Margins & Hairs:
  • Margins: Smooth (entire) vs Jagged (serrate).
  • Trichomes: Leaf hairs regulating temperature, preventing water loss, and protecting against radiation.

Flowers

• Inflorescence: Arrangement of flowers on a plant.
  • Determinate: Flower production stops at a certain size.
  • Indeterminate: Continuous flower production.
• Flower Parts:
  • Stamen: Male parts, includes anther and filament.
  • Pistil: Female parts, includes stigma, style, and ovary.
  • Ovary: Position (superior or inferior) important for identification.

Fruits

• Simple vs Aggregate Fruits:
  • Simple: Derived from one pistil, e.g., apples, oranges.
  • Aggregate: Derived from multiple pistils, e.g., blackberry.
• Fruit Types:
  • Dry Fruits: Dehiscent (split open, e.g., legumes) or indehiscent (do not split, e.g., nuts).
  • Fleshy Fruits:
    • Drupe: One-seeded, with a hard pit, e.g., peaches.
    • Berry: Fleshy with multiple seeds, e.g., tomatoes.
    • Pome: Accessory fruit, e.g., apple.

Conclusion

• Understanding botanical terminology is essential for plant identification.
• Terms can be learned over time; use resources like books and the internet to aid understanding.

These notes provide a summary of key botanical terms and concepts for identifying and discussing plant parts and types. The lecture emphasizes familiarizing oneself with the language of botany to enhance recognition and classification of plants.