Plant terminology

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PLANT TERMS

Trees | Shrubs | Cacti

Plant Terminology | Life Cycle | Types of Photosynthesis

This page introduces you to the abundant terminology related to plants.

Lifespan:
Annual: plant that lives less than one year
Biennial: plant that lives two years
Perennial: plant that lives more than two years

Life Form:
Tree: woody plant tall enough to walk under (although we push this definition here)
Shrub: woody plant not tall enough to walk under
Succulent: plant that stores water in its root, stem, and/or leaf tissue (e.g., cactus)
Herb: non-woody plant, here grouped under "wildflowers" and "others"

flower Flower: Four rings of structures for reproduction:

Sepals: protective cover for flower bud.
Petals: attract pollinators
Stamens: male reproductive organs
- Anther on top produces pollen (sperm)
- Filament holds anther up
Pistil: female reproductive organs
- Stigma on top accepts pollen
- Style holds stigma up
- Ovary produces eggs/seeds

Perfect Flowers: have functional stamens and pistil.
Imperfect Flowers: have either stamens or pistils.

Dioecious Plants: male and female flowers on separate plants, thus have male plants and female plants.
Monoecious Plants: male and female flowers on same plant, thus each plant is both male and female but each flower is either male or female (imperfect).

leaf Leaf:
Blade: flat surface

blade margins: (many more)
- entire: leaf has smooth margin
- toothed: leaf has small "teeth" along margin (as pictured here)
- lobed: leaf has deeper indentations

Petiole: stalk holding blade

Expanded Leaf Base: connects leaf to twig

Leaf Structure:

Simple: One blade	Simple Pinnately Compound: Blade divided into leaflets once	Bipinnately Compound: Blade divided into primary and secondary leaflets	Palmately Compound: Leaflets radiate from central point