Chapter 5: Morphology of Flowering Plants
1. Introduction
Morphology: Study of the external structure of plants.
Flowering plants (angiosperms) have roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits as their
main parts.
2. The Root
Definition: Underground part of the plant that develops from the radicle.
Functions: Anchorage, absorption of water/minerals, storage of food, and hormone
synthesis.
Types of Roots
1. Taproot System: Found in dicots (e.g., Mustard).
2. Fibrous Root System: Found in monocots (e.g., Wheat).
3. Adventitious Roots: Roots arise from other parts of the plant (e.g., Grass, Banyan tree).
Modifications of Roots
Storage of food: Carrot, Beetroot.
Support: Prop roots (Banyan tree), stilt roots (Sugarcane).
Respiration: Pneumatophores (Rhizophora).
3. The Stem
Definition: Aerial part of the plant that develops from the plumule.
Functions: Support, conduction of water/nutrients, storage, photosynthesis in some
cases.
Modifications of Stem
1. Storage: Potato, Ginger.
2. Climbing: Tendrils (Grapevine).
3. Protection: Thorns (Bougainvillea).
4. Photosynthesis: Flattened stems (Opuntia).
5. Spreading:
o Runners (Grass).
o Stolons (Strawberry).
4. The Leaf
Definition: Lateral, flattened green structure arising from the node, responsible for
photosynthesis.
Parts: Leaf base, petiole, lamina.
Types of Venation
1. Reticulate Venation: Network-like veins (dicots, e.g., Peepal).
2. Parallel Venation: Parallel veins (monocots, e.g., Grass).
Types of Leaves
1. Simple Leaf: Single lamina (e.g., Guava).
2. Compound Leaf:
o Pinnate: Leaflets arranged in rows (e.g., Neem).
o Palmate: Leaflets arise from one point (e.g., Silk cotton).
Modifications of Leaves
1. Storage: Onion.
2. Support: Tendrils (Pea).
3. Defense: Spines (Cactus).
4. Photosynthesis: Phyllode (Australian Acacia).
5. Insect Trapping: Pitcher plant, Venus flytrap.
5. The Inflorescence
Definition: Arrangement of flowers on the floral axis.
Types of Inflorescence
1. Racemose:
o Main axis grows continuously.
o Flowers arranged in an acropetal order.
o Example: Mustard.
2. Cymose:
o Main axis terminates in a flower.
o Flowers arranged in a basipetal order.
o Example: Jasmine.
6. The Flower
Definition: Reproductive structure in angiosperms.
Parts of a Flower:
1. Calyx: Sepals (green, protective).
2. Corolla: Petals (colorful, attract pollinators).
3. Androecium: Stamens (male reproductive organs).
4. Gynoecium: Carpels (female reproductive organs).
Types of Flowers
1. Bisexual: Both androecium and gynoecium present (e.g., Hibiscus).
2. Unisexual: Either androecium or gynoecium present (e.g., Papaya, Cucumber).
Placentation (Arrangement of Ovules)
1. Marginal: Ovules on the margins (e.g., Pea).
2. Axile: Ovules on a central axis (e.g., Tomato).
3. Parietal: Ovules on the wall (e.g., Mustard).
4. Free Central: Ovules on a free central axis (e.g., Dianthus).
7. The Fruit
Definition: Mature ovary developed after fertilization.
Types:
1. Simple Fruit: From a single ovary (e.g., Mango).
2. Aggregate Fruit: From multiple ovaries of one flower (e.g., Strawberry).
3. Multiple Fruit: From ovaries of multiple flowers (e.g., Pineapple).
8. The Seed
Definition: Fertilized, mature ovule.
Parts:
o Seed coat: Protective covering.
o Embryo: Consists of radicle, plumule, and cotyledons.
Types of Seeds
1. Dicotyledonous Seed: Two cotyledons (e.g., Pea).
2. Monocotyledonous Seed: One cotyledon (e.g., Maize).
9. Semi-Technical Description of a Flowering Plant
Example: Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade).
o Habit: Herb.
o Leaves: Simple, alternate.
o Flower: Actinomorphic, bisexual.
o Inflorescence: Cymose.
o Placentation: Axile.
10. Important Families
1. Fabaceae (Legume family)
Example: Pea.
Characteristics:
o Leaves: Pinnately compound.
o Flowers: Zygomorphic, bisexual.
o Fruit: Legume.
o Economic importance: Pulses, oil (Soybean), dye (Indigofera).
2. Solanaceae (Potato family)
Example: Tomato, Potato.
Characteristics:
o Leaves: Simple, alternate.
o Flowers: Actinomorphic, bisexual.
o Fruit: Berry or capsule.
o Economic importance: Vegetables (Potato), medicine (Belladonna).
3. Liliaceae (Lily family)
Example: Onion, Aloe.
Characteristics:
o Leaves: Simple, parallel venation.
o Flowers: Actinomorphic, bisexual.
o Fruit: Capsule or berry.
o Economic importance: Medicine (Aloe), ornamentals (Tulip).
