Morphology of Flowering

Plants

Introduction
Angiosperms or flowering plants (sometimes also Definition
referred to as phanerogams ) are those vascular
plants in which seeds are enclosed inside fruits. Arboretum (L. -tree):
Often an outdoor place set for
They are the most dominant plants of the the display of living plants.
present day, comprising about 300,000 species.
They occur in numerous habitats of the earth and
Gray Matter Alert!!!
show a great diversity of shape, size, and form.

Smallest angiospermic plant—

TYPES OF PLANTS BASED ON HABITAT
(0.1 mm)
 Mesophytes: Found growing well on land under
Tallest Angiosperm—
medium, climatic conditions, e.g., Mustard.
(height of certain
 Hydrophytes: Found growing well in water, e.g.,
specimens 130.5 m or 435 ft.)
 Xerophytes: Found growing well in dry conditions,
e.g., Cactus.
 Epiphytes: Found growing well on other plants
e.g., Orchid.
 Psammophytes: Found growing well in sand, e.g.,

 Halophytes: Found growing well in saline habitats,

e.g.,
 Lithophytes: Found growing well on rocks, e.g.,
ferns.
⚪ Most of the flowering plants are autotrophic
in their mode of nutrition.
⚪ There are some which are parasitic ( ),
saprophytic ( ) or insectivorous
( ).

MORPHOLOGY AND ITS IMPORTANCE

Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Study of morphology is essential for recognition

and identification of plants.
 It provides important criteria for the classification
of plants. Definition
 Morphology gives information about the range of
variations found in a species. Morphology: Branch of Biology
 Knowledge of morphology is necessary for that deals with the study of
studying various aspects of plant life like anatomy, external features of an organism.
physiology, ecology, genetics, etc.

3.
  It helps in the identification of deficiency and
toxicity symptoms occurring in plants in response
Keywords
to shortage or excess of minerals.
 It helps in the study of morphological adaptations
of plants to di erent types of habitats and  Morphology
enables horticulturists to adopt plants with  Tap root system
morphological peculiarities for lawns, parks,  Primary root
gardens, etc.  Secondary root
 Tertiary root
FLOWERING PLANTS  Fibrous root system
Depending upon the life span, angiospermic  Adventitious root
plants are classified as:
Annuals
Biennials
Perennials

1. Annuals
 These plants complete their life cycle in a single
growing season, varying from a few weeks to few Definition
months.
 During this period, they grow, bear flowers, Annual Plants: These plants
produce seeds and fruits and then die. complete their life cycle in a
 They pass the unfavourable periods in the form single growing season, varying
of seeds, e.g., wheat, rice, pea, mustard etc. from a few weeks to few months.

2. Biennials
 These plants complete their life cycle in two
growing seasons.
 In the first season, they grow only vegetatively
and store food in roots and underground stems.
 In the second season, they produce flowers, fruits
and seeds, and then die. For example, cabbage,
Morphology of Flowering Plants

radish, turnip, etc., (grow in cold regions).

Definition
3. Perennials
 These plants continue to grow for more than two Biennial Plants: These plants
growing seasons to several years. complete their life cycle in two
 They bear flowers and fruits during specific growing seasons.
seasons.

4.
 Polycarpic Plants: Several perennial plants bear
flowers and fruits every year Mango, apple, Definition
lemon, etc.
Perennial Plants: These plants
Monocarpic Plants: Some perennial plants bear continue to grow for more than
flowers and fruits only once, after a long period two growing seasons to several
of vegetative growth, e.g., , etc. years.
They bear flowers and fruits
PARTS OF A FLOWERING PLANT during a specific season.
The plant body of an angiosperm or a flowering
plant primarily consists of an axis, which is
di erentiated into:
 Root system
 Shoot system

ROOT SYSTEM
 The root system normally lies underground and
consists of a main root and its branches.
 There is a most prominent root, which lies in the
center and is called the primary root. It bears
several lateral roots called secondary roots.
 The secondary roots are further branched into
tertiary roots and finer rootlets. The tips of
rootlets are covered with root caps.
 Behind the tips, there are few fine outgrowths
called root hairs.

Main Functions of the Root System

 To anchor the plant in the ground.
 To absorb water and minerals from the soil.

SHOOT SYSTEM
Morphology of Flowering Plants

The shoot system is normally aerial and consists

of:
 Main Stem
 Lateral branches
 Leaves

Stem
 At intervals, the stem and its branches possess
swollen areas called nodes.

5.
  Part of the stem between two adjacent nodes is
called internode.
Keywords
 The leaves are borne in the region of nodes.
 The angle between the leaf and the upper part of
stem is called axil.  Vegetative Organs
 It bears an axillary bud, which later develops into  Nodes
a branch.  Internode
 A bud is also present at the tip of the stem or a  Axillary bud
branch called terminal bud or apical bud.  Terminal bud
 Apical Bud is responsible for elongation of the  Apical bud
stem or the branch.  Veins 

Lateral Branches
These are structurally similar to the stem.

Leaf
The leaf is a green, expanded, lateral outgrowth,
which develops on the stem or its branches at
the region of a node. Rack your Brain

Parts of a Leaf
Of what importance is the
 Leaf base
study of leaf morphology for a
 Petiole
physiologist?
 Lamina or Leaf Blade
The leaf lamina is interspersed with numerous
vascular strands called veins. The lamina is
specialized for photosynthesis.
It is also the main site for transpiration and
respiration.

VEGETATIVE ORGANS AND REPRODUCTIVE

ORGANS OF A PLANT
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Root, stem, and leaves (vegetative organs)

 The flowers (reproductive organ) Definition
 Fruits and seeds (associated with reproduction
and continuity of the race) Vegetative Organs: These
organs are concerned with
MORPHOLOGY OF ROOT nutrition, growth, and help in
The root is a non-green, non-photosynthetic, the maintenance of the plant
cylindrical, descending part of the plant that body.
develops from the radicle of seed.

6.
 Positively geotropic and hydrotropic that normally
grows downwards into the soil. Definition

Characteristics of the Root Root: The root is a non-green,

 It does not bear nodes and internodes. non-photosynthetic cylindrical,
 It does not bear leaves and buds. descending part of the plant
 It is non-green. that develops from the radicle
 A functional root is covered at the tip by a root of seed.
cap.
 Near the tip, the root bear unicellular tubular
root hairs.
 Endogenous in Origin: Root branches develop
from the interior (usually pericycle) of the parent
root.
 A root is neutral or negatively phototropic, and Rack your Brain
positively hydrotropic.
 The geotropic response is also positive for the What will happen if the root tip
main root. of a developing primary root is
cut o ?
THE REGIONS OF THE ROOT
A typical root possesses five parts or regions,
however, there is no definite demarcation.
 Root Cap
⚪ It is a cap-like structure present at the tip of
root.
⚪ The cells of the root cap secrete mucilage,
which lubricates the passage of the root
through the soil and help in easy penetration
through the hard soil.
⚪ The cells of the root cap also possess starch
grains, which are believed to be responsible
for the perception of gravity.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

⚪ The root cap also protects root meristem from

friction between root and the soil particles.
 Meristematic Region
⚪ It is one to a few millimeters in length and
lies partly within and partly beyond the root
cap.
⚪ The cells of this zone divide actively and add
new cells to the root and root cap.

7.
 ⚪ Root meristem keeps on adding new cells and
replacing the worn-out cells.
Keywords
 Region or Zone of Elongation
⚪ It lies behind the meristematic zone and is
about 4-8 mm in length.  Root cap
⚪ The cells of this region are newly formed  Region of meristematic activity
cells, which lose the power of division. They  Region of elongation
elongate rapidly and bring about an increase  Region of maturation
in the length of the root.  Root hairs
⚪ They also possess the power of absorption of
water and mineral salts from the soil.
 Region of root hair
⚪ It lies above the region of elongation and
bears a cluster of very fine tubular outgrowths
called root hairs.
⚪ Root hairs are produced from the epiblema of
the root.
⚪ The root hairs increase the exposed surface
of the root for absorption. This zone also
represents the zone of di erentiation or
maturation because di erent types of primary
tissues di erentiate or mature in this region.
⚪ As the root increases in length, the root hairs
in older region get bruised and shed.
⚪ New root hair appears in the younger part of
the zone of elongation.
 Region or Zone of Maturation
⚪ This region forms a major part of the root and
no change occurs in the cells of this region.
⚪ It forms the permanent zone of the root and
gives out lateral roots.
⚪ The outermost layer of this region has Rack your Brain
Morphology of Flowering Plants

thick-walled cells and hence, does not help

in absorption of water from the soil. Roots in strict sense are present
in which of the following ?
ROOT SYSTEM (1) Phanerogams only
The roots along with their branches, constitute (2) Cryptogams only
the root system. (3) Cryptogams and phanerogams
both
(4) Thallophyta

8.
 TYPES OF ROOT SYSTEM
 Taproot System
Keywords
 Fibrous Root System
 Adventitious Root System
 Tap root system
 Fibrous root system
 Adventitious roots
 Pneumatophores
 Prop roots
 Stilt roots

Definition

1. Tap Root System Taproot System: Tap root develops

 Characteristic feature of most of the dicot plants. from the radicle of the seed.
 It develops from the radicle of the embryo of a It has a main primary root that
seed. further gives rise to secondary and
 The first root is formed by the elongation of tertiary branches.
radicle and is called primary root.
 The primary root that persists throughout the life
of the plant is termed as tap root.
 It grows continuously and produces lateral roots
that are called as secondary roots.
 The secondary roots are further branched into
tertiary roots and finer rootlets. The taproot
and its branches together constitute a taproot
system.

(a) Deep Feeder Root System or Racemose

Taproot System
The taproot of perennial plants penetrates in
Morphology of Flowering Plants

the deeper layers of the soil, e.g.,

(b) Surface Feeder Root System or Cymose

Taproot System
The taproot of some annual plants does not
penetrate much and the secondary roots
spread horizontally near the soil surface only.

9.
 2. Fibrous Root System
 Roots that consist a bunch of root fibres
originating from the base of the stem constitute
fibrous root system.
 In monocotyledonous plants, the primary root is
short lived and replaced by many roots.
 Here, the primary root that originates from the
radicle is short lived, as it terminates into the
root fibres, e.g., wheat plant, grasses, etc.

3. Adventitious Root System

(L. –extraordinary)
 Roots that develop from any part of the plant
other than the radicle.
 Adventitious roots may develop from the nodes
or internodes of the stems, e.g.,
 These arise from branches (banyan) or from the
leaves ( ).
 Several plants creeping on the ground, produce
roots from nodes as in wood sorrel ( ),
grass, etc.
 These arise from branch cuttings of rose,
Rack your Brain
sugarcane, tapioca, when put into the soil.
 Mostly adventitious roots do not penetrate deep
into the soil, hence they are surface feeders. plant is able to
Adventitious roots are characteristic feature of survive in marshy areas. How ?
monocot plants.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

10.
MODIFICATIONS OF ROOT
Modifications can be defined as morphological Rack your Brain
changes (shape, form, or structure) in an organ
to perform certain special functions, other than Carrot is a root and not a stem.
or in addition to the normal functions. Comment.
The roots of some plants are modified to perform
specialized functions.

MODIFICATIONS OF TAPROOT
1. Fleshy taproot
The taproots of some plants become swollen
and fleshy due to the storage of food.
Hypocotyl may also join the taproot in storing
food.
The secondary and tertiary roots remain thin
and fibrous.
Depending upon the shape, fleshy taproots
are of the following types:
(i) Conical (Cone-shaped)
⚪ The primary root is broad at the base
and tapers gradually towards apex like
a cone.
⚪ Many thin, threads like secondary
roots arise all along the conical root,
e.g., Carrot ( ).
(ii) Fusiform (spindle shaped)
⚪ The primary root is spindle shaped.
It is almost uniformly thick except at
the base and apex where it tapers.
⚪ The basal part of the root is derived
from hypocotyl.
⚪ The root also bears a reduced discoid
Morphology of Flowering Plants

stem and radicle leaves (leaves arising

from roots or appear to arise from
roots). Radish ( ).
(iii) Napiform (pitcher-shaped)
⚪ Globular or top-shaped and tapers
abruptly towards the apex.
⚪ Bears a reduced discoid stem and
radicle leaves.

11.
 ⚪ Basal part of the fleshy root is
hypocotyl.
⚪ For example, Turnip ( ),
beetroot ( ).
(iv) Tuberous roots (irregularly shaped)
⚪ The primary root becomes thick and
fleshy.
⚪ No definite shape. four o’clock
plant (

2. Pneumatophores or Respiratory Roots

 These are aerial roots or aerophores found in
mangrove plants (plants growing in swamps
near the seashores), e.g.,
(vern. ) etc.
 The underground secondary and tertiary roots of
the plants come out of swamp for exchange of
gases.
 They bear small pores called lenticels or
pneumatothodes near their tips. The remaining
surface of pneumatophores is covered with cork
and the proximal submerged part bears many
short absorbing roots.

3. Nodulated taproots
 In some plants, secondary, tertiary and even
primary roots bear many small irregular swellings
called root nodules or tubercles.
 The root nodules contain millions of minute Gray Matter Alert!!!
nitrogen fixing bacteria of the genus
(e.g. ). Green manure: Legumes add
 These bacteria pick up free atmospheric nitrogenous compounds to the
Morphology of Flowering Plants

nitrogen and convert it into nitrogenous organic soil or increase the fertility of the
compounds. This phenomenon is called nitrogen soil as nitrogen fixing bacteria
fixation. are in their root nodules, hence
 Plants belonging to family Leguminosae, such as the roots are left over in the soil
pea ( ), gram, groundnut, etc. till the next harvest.

12.
 MODIFICATIONS OF ADVENTITIOUS ROOT
Storage adventitious roots: In some plants, Previous Year’s Question
adventitious roots become thick and fleshy due
to the storage of food. Pneumatophores are found in–
Depending upon the shape and the swollen part, (1) The vegetation which is
adventitious roots are of following types: found in marshy and saline
lake
(i) Tuberous Root or Root Tubers (2) The vegetation which is
 Such roots arise singly at the nodes of prostrate found in acidic soil
stem and are swollen without any definite shape. (3) Xerophytes (4) Epiphytes
 Also called root tubers, e.g., Sweet potato
( vern. ).

(ii) Fasciculated Roots

 These are swollen roots which arise in clusters or
fascicles at the base of the stem, e.g.,
.
 In , swollen are borne on the
normal roots at intervals. The root system is
often referred to as ‘crown’.

Definition Morphology of Flowering Plants

Reproductive Roots: Roots

do not bear buds but the root
tubers of sweet potato bear
adventitious buds which give
rise to new plants, hence they
are also known as reproductive
roots.

13.
 Roots Modified for Additional Support
(i) Prop or Pillar Roots
 Pillar-like adventitious roots that arise from
branches of the trees like banyan tree (
).
 Initially, these roots are aerial and hygroscopic.
 As the roots reach the soil, they become thick
and pillar-like and start absorbing water and
minerals.
 In old plants, the main trunk may die, but the
crown of the tree is supported and nourished by
the prop roots.
(ii) Stilt Root or Brace Roots
 These are short and thick supporting roots which
develop obliquely from the basal nodes of the
stem.
 These roots penetrate down into the soil and
give support to the plant, e.g., maize ( ),
sugarcane ( ), sorghum
( ), screw pine ( ), etc.
In , the stilt roots develop only from the
lower surface of the obliquely bending stem. They
bear much folded multiple caps at their tips.

(iii) Clinging or Climbing Roots

 These are non-absorptive adventitious roots
found in some climbers.
 These may arise from the nodes, e.g.,
(Money Plant), or from internodes
and both, e.g., Ivy.
 These roots either enter into crevices or cracks
of the support or stick firmly to the support by
Morphology of Flowering Plants

secreting a cementing gummy substance.

 These help the climbers to climb up the support.

Previous Year’s Question

The plant which bears clinging roots is

(1) Screw pine (2)
(3) (4) Orchid

14.
 ROOTS MODIFIED FOR VITAL FUNCTIONS
(i) Assimilatory or Photosynthetic Roots Previous Year’s Question
 These are green roots, which are capable of
photosynthesis, e.g., water chestnut ( ). Prop roots are–
 In some submerged roots are highly (1) Taproot
branched and green in colour to perform (2) Adventitious root
photosynthesis (3) Secondary root
(4) All
(ii) Haustorial or Parasitic Roots
 These roots occur in parasitic plants that are
achlorophyllous.
 These roots absorb nourishment by establishing
contact with the vascular tissue of the host plant.
 Hence, also called as sucking roots or suckers.
e.g., (Dodder Plant) has non-green stem
and bears scale leaves. Dodder plant is a total
parasite on hosts like
etc. and obtains both water and food from the
host.

(iii) Hygroscopic or Epiphytic Roots

 These are adventitious roots found in some
orchids ( , etc.)
 Orchids grow as epiphytes upon the trunks or
branches of the trees.
 The epiphytes develop aerial roots which hang
freely in the air.
 Roots of orchids are whitish in colour and are
covered with a specialized spongy tissue called
velamen.
 Velamen helps the roots in absorbing atmospheric
moisture.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

(iv) Floating Roots or Root Floats

 These are inflated buoyant roots, spongy in
texture due to abundant aerenchyma, arising at
the nodes of some aquatic plants like .
 These roots grow out of water and keep the plant
afloat.

15.
  These also help in gaseous exchange for
respiration. Definition

(v) Reproductive Roots Epiphyte: A plant that grows

 Some fleshy adventitious roots develop upon another plant only for
adventitious buds. shelter but is not a parasitem,
 Adventitious buds can grow into new plants e.g., orchid.
under favourable conditions. Such roots are
called reproductive roots. Sweet potato,
, etc.

FUNCTIONS OF ROOTS
Roots perform two types of functions — primary
and secondary.

A. Primary or Main Functions (Performed by all

the roots)
 Anchorage: The roots fix the plant in the soil
firmly and support the aerial shoot system. Rack your Brain
 Absorption: The roots absorb water and mineral
from the soil. Maximum growth of roots occur
 Translocation: The absorbed water and minerals in the region just behind the
are translocated to the stem through the xylem apex. Justify
of the root.
 Synthesis of plant growth regulators
 Prevention of soil erosion: Roots hold the soil
particles firmly and prevent the soil from erosion.

B. Secondary or Accessary Functions: The

secondary functions are specialized functions
and are performed only by those roots which
are modified accordingly. Previous Year’s Question
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Storage of food: Some roots store food and

become fleshy, e.g., carrot, radish, , Root nodule is a modified
, sweet potato, etc. structure of —
 Additional support: Some roots like prop roots (1) Adventitious root
and stilt roots provide additional support to the (2) Taproot
plant, e.g., , (Maize), (3) Fibrous root
etc. (4) Lateral root
 Climbing: Some weak stemmed plants climb up

16.
 a support with the help of clinging roots, e.g.,
(money plant), etc. Rack your Brain
 Nitrogen fixation: The roots of some leguminous
plants ( pea, gram, groundnut, etc.) contain Roots are not always geotropic.
nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their nodules. These Justify
bacteria fix free atmospheric nitrogen. Thus,
enrich the soil by adding nitrogen compounds.
 Breathing: Respiratory roots or pneumatophores
of mangrove plants have lenticels that help in
exchange of gases.
 Moisture absorption and retention: Hygroscopic
Gray Matter Alert!!!
roots of some orchids (e.g., ) absorb
moisture directly from the air.
Rootless Plants: Submerged
 Absorption of food: In parasitic plants (e.g.,
aquatic plants like ,
), spine-like adventitious roots penetrate
, etc. do
the host and obtain food and water from the
not possess roots. They absorb
latter.
water and minerals directly from
 Assimilation: The green roots of , water
the surfaces of stem and leaves.
chestnut ( ) etc., carry out photosynthesis.
 Floating: The roots of some aquatic plants (e.g.,
) store air and function as floats.
 Balancing: Cluster of adventitious roots arising in
free floating aquatic plants (e.g.,
etc.) helps in balancing the plants over water,
Keywords
surface.
 Reproduction. The roots of some plants have
 Nodes
adventitious buds (e.g., sweet potato) which help
 Internodes
in reproduction.
 Tendril
 Thorns
THE STEM
A  stem  is the main structural axes of  vascular
plants, it supports leaves, flowers and fruits,
Morphology of Flowering Plants

transports water and dissolved substances

between the roots and the shoots via xylem Definition
and phloem respectively, stores nutrients, and
produces new structures from time to time. Stem: It is the main structural
axes of  vascular plants, it
Morphology of the Stem supports leaves, flowers and
 Stem develops from the plumule and epicotyl of fruits. It develops from the seed
the embryo. plumule.

17.
  It is generally an aerial and ascending part of the
plant axis. Previous Year’s Question
 Its apex bears a terminal bud for growth in length.
 It bears nodes and internodes.
Lateral organs of the stem are —
 The stem nodes bear leaves.
(1) Endogenous in origin
 The young stem is green and is thus photosynthetic.
(2) Exogenous in origin
 In the mature state, it bears flowers and fruits.
(3) Both
 Stem branches and leaves develop exogenously.
(4) None of the above
 Stem exposes leaves, flowers and fruits to their
most suitable position in the environment for
optimum function.
 Hair, if present, is generally multicellular.
 Stem is positively phototropic and negatively
geotropic.

BUDS
 A bud is a compacted underdeveloped shoot
having a growing point, surrounded by closely
placed immature leaves.
 As the bud grows, the internodes become longer
and the leaves spread out, resulting in the
formation of a young shoot.

Protection of Buds
 Buds when covered by a series of overlapping
and protective bud scales are called covered or
closed buds or winter buds, e.g.,
Rack your Brain
(Peepal) etc.
 Buds without protective scales are called naked
Which type of buds are
buds found in herbaceous plants.
found in the axile of leaves ?
 The bud scales are often covered with hair or
a coating of waxy, oily or resinous matter to
Vegetative buds, floral buds or
Morphology of Flowering Plants

prevent desiccation and injuries due to extremes

mixed buds.
of temperature.

18.
CLASSIFICATION OF BUDS
On the basis of —
(1) nature or structure (2) position
1. According to the nature or structure, buds are of the following types:
 Vegetative Buds: Give rise to leafy shoots.
 Floral or Flower Buds: Give rise to flowers or floral shoots.
 Mixed Buds: Give rise to both vegetative shoots and flowers.
2. According to the origin and position, the buds are of following type:
Terminal or Apical Buds
 Occur at the tips of the main stem and its branches.
 Help in length-wise increase of stem and its branches.
Lateral Buds
 Present on the stem and branches at various places except apices.
 Adventitious Buds: Develop at places other than stem.
 Foliar or epiphyllous: Found on leaves e.g.,
 Radical: Found on roots, e.g., sweet potato
 Cauline: Found on the stem and its branches, at places other than nodes and
apices, e.g., rose ( ).
Modifications of Buds
Tendrillar Buds
 Buds in some plants are modified into long spring-like threads called tendrils.
 They help the plant with weak stem in climbing over some support, e.g., gourds
(cucumber, pumpkins, watermelon) and grapevines.
Bud Thorns
 Axillary buds of stems may also get modified into woody, straight and pointed
thorns.
 They protect plants from browsing animals, to reduce.
 Transpiration and act as organ of defense against grazing, e.g., Citrus, .
Bulbils and Turions
 Bulbils: These are specialized buds, which become fleshy due to the storage of
Morphology of Flowering Plants

food and take part in vegetative reproduction.

 Bulbils may be axillary (e.g., lily), on the leaf, e.g., hairy Bittercress ( ),
in place of flower on the floral axis (e.g., Onion, ) or base of the swollen
roots (e.g., ).
 Turions: The fleshy buds found in many aquatic plants perform the function of
perennation e.g., etc.

19.
 Primary or Main Functions of the stem
 Stem bears leaves, flowers and fruits.
 It conducts water and minerals from the roots to
the leaves, flowers, and fruits.
 It also transports food, manufactured by the
leaves to the roots, fruits and other storage
organs of the plant.
 It adds new cells, tissues, and organs, which are
required for the continued functioning of the
plant. Previous Year’s Question

Secondary or Accessory Functions Which of the following is an

 A large number of plants store food and water underground stem?
in their underground stems like rhizomes (e.g., (1) Ginger
ginger), corms (e.g., ) and tubers (e.g., (2) Sweet potato
potato). The stem of sugarcane ( (3) Radish
) stores sugar in it. (4) Turnip
 The stems of several succulent plants (e.g.,
) store water.
 The underground stems such as rhizomes, corms,
tubers, etc. perform the function of perennation
( tiding over unfavourable growing period).
 In many plants, stems serve as a means of
vegetative propagation as in the case of runner
(e.g., grass), stolons (e.g., strawberry), o sets (e.g.,
) and underground stems (e.g., mint,
Potato, etc.). Rack your Brain
 The stems of some weak-stemmed plants may be
modified into tendrils (e.g., , Grapevine, Potatoes are cultivated by their
etc.), thorns (e.g., ) and hooks (e.g., tubes. comment.
) to help them in climbing.
 The stem of some plants is modified into thorns
Morphology of Flowering Plants

( etc.), phylloclades (e.g.,

) and cladodes (e.g., ) to
reduce transpiration.
 The stem thorns as in
etc., act as organs of defence and protect
the plant from browsing animals.
 The stem in younger state and when modified into
phylloclades (e.g., ) and cladodes (

20.
 etc.), performs the function of
photosynthesis.
 The stem when modified into a flower performs
the function of sexual reproduction.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF STEM

 In most plants, stems grow above the soil surface.
These are called aerial or epiterranean stems.
 The aerial stems of some plants trail or creep on
the ground. They are called sub-aerial or sub-
epiterranean stems.
 In some plants, the stems grow in the soil. Such
stems are called underground or subterranean
stems.
 The aerial stems or epiterranean stems are of
three types:
⚪ Reduced
Rack your Brain
⚪ Erect
⚪ Weak
Which part of the bulb stores
1. Reduced stems: The stem is reduced to a food ?
small disc above the base of the root. Nodes
and internodes are not distinct, and leaves
arise crowded together on the stems.
 Such leaves appear to arise directly from the root
and are called radical leaves, e.g., radish, turnip,
carrot, etc.
 A reduced discoid, flattened stem is found in
some free-floating aquatic plants such as
etc.
 It is green and leafless and floats on the surface
of the water.
Morphology of Flowering Plants
 The underground structures called bulbs found
in onion, garlic, etc., also possess a reduced and
non-green stem.

21.
 2. Erect stems: These are the most common
type of aerial stems. The stems are strong
enough to remain erect or upright without
any external support. The erect stem is of the
following types:
 Culm: Erect, unbranched, cylindrical, hollow,
nodes visible as rings and swollen. Stems are
joined at nodes, e.g., bambino (family Gramineae).
 Caudex: Erect, unbranched, cylindrical stem. On
the stem, scars of fallen leaves are visible, e.g.,
coconut date palm.

 Excurrent: The main stem is thicker than

the branches, tapers towards the apical part,
branching is acropetal. The appearance of the
tree is just like a cone e.g., , ashoka
tree, etc.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Decurrent or deliquescent: The main stem

is short, and branching does not follow any
definite manner and spread more laterally
than vertically. At the stem top, the branches
appear like a crown. The tree appears dome
shaped, e.g., banyan ( )

22.
 3. Weak stems: These are thin, delicate, and
slender stems, which cannot stand erect.
Therefore, they require support to expose
their leaves and reproductive organs. The
weak stems may climb up support or grow
prostrate on the ground. Thus, they are of two
types: upright and prostrate.
Previous Year’s Question
A. Upright weak stems: These are weak
stemmed plants, which climb up support
to expose their foliage and reproductive A thin spirally coiled structure
organs. The upright weak stems are of two sensitive to contact is—
types: twiners and climbers. (1) Stem
 Twiners. These have long, flexible, and (2) Root
sensitive stems. The stem can coilaround (3) Tendril
support like a rope, e.g., (4) Root hair
(Bean)
 Climbers: These have weak and flexible
stems, which climb up a support with
the help of certain clasping or clinging
structures. Accordingly, climbers are of
four types:
⚪ Root climbers: The stem cling to
the support by adventitious roots,
e.g., money plant
⚪ Tendril climbers: Tendrils are highly
sensitive structures, specialized,
thread-like structures, which can
coil around a support, and help the
weak stemmed shoot to climb up
the support.
When in contact with a support,
the side of the tendril, which is
Morphology of Flowering Plants

opposite to that in contact grows

more rapidly.
This results in the coiling around
the support and gives a firm grip for
climbing.
⚪ Scramblers or ramblers: These are
weak stemmed plants that climb
up the support with the help of

23.
 thorns (e.g., ), prickles
(e.g., ) etc.
⚪ Lianas. These are woody twiners or
climbers, e.g., .

B. Sub-aerial or sub-epiterranean stems

(prostrate or weak stems):
These weak stems spread on the ground
for exposing their leaves and reproductive
organs.
Types of sub-aerial stems: Runners,
suckers, stolon and O sets.
 Runners
⚪ The sub-aerial weak stem and
their slender lateral branches grow
horizontally along the soil surface.
⚪ Adventitious roots arise from nodes
and nodes bear new a tuft of leaves.
⚪ Runners serve as means of
vegetative propagation.
⚪ The nodes bear scale leaves and
axillary budsm, e.g., (lawn
grass).
 Stolon
⚪ They are elongated, horizontal or
arched runners with long internodes
like runners, these are slender
axillary branches, which develop
adventitious roots on coming in
contact with the soil.
⚪ Each stolon has one or more nodes
possessing scale leaves and axillary
Morphology of Flowering Plants

buds.
⚪ The axillary buds may either form a
secondary stolon or may grow up as
an erect short aerial stem.
⚪ Stolons also propagate vegetatively,
e.g., jasmine, strawberry

24.
 Sucker
⚪ These are sub-aerial, non-green
branches that arise from the
underground base of the aerial
shoot or crown and runs parallel
to the soil surface upto short
distance then emerges out of the
soil obliquely.
⚪ These sub-aerial branches are
shorter and stouter than the
runners.
⚪ Each sucker has one or more nodes
with scale leaves and axillary buds.
The axillary buds can also sprout
into new shoots.
⚪ A sucker also bears adventitious
roots at the nodes, e.g.,
mint, etc.
 O set
⚪ These are one internode long,
stout, slender and condensed
runner found in rosette plants at
the ground or water level.
⚪ An o set arises from an axillary bud
at the base of the cluster of leaves.
⚪ It runs horizontally and terminates
in a bud at a short distance that
develops into adventitious roots
and a rosette (cluster) of leaves, e.g.,
(water lettuce),
(water hyacinth), etc.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Gray Matter Alert!!!

Trailers (Stragglers or
Creepers): Spread without
rooting, e.g., .

25.
 UNDERGROUND OR SUB-TERRANEAN STEMS
 These stems lie below the soil surface.
 These are non-green, store food and are adapted
for perennation (i.e., surviving unfavourable
conditions)
 The underground stem sheds o aerial shoots or
Rack your Brain
leaves at intervals during favourable seasons.
 The aerial shoots wither or die on the approach of
unfavourable growth period, but the underground An exposed potato tuber during
stems tide over this unfavourable period by cultivation develops chlorophyll
remaining dormant. and turns green. Give reason.
 They resume their activity on the return of
favourable conditions and develop new aerial
shoots. Such stems can be used as ‘seeds’ to
produce new plants.

How to di erentiate between underground stem

and a root?

Underground stems appear root like in their appearance, but they can be distinguished
from roots by — (i) Absence of root caps; (ii) Absence of root hair; (iii) Presence of
terminal bud; (iv) Presence of nodes and internodes; (v) Presence of foliage or scale
leaves on the nodes; (vi) Presence of buds in the axils of scale leaves; (vii) Exogenous
branching; (viii) Stem like internal structure.

TYPES OF UNDERGROUND STEMS

1. Stem tuber
 Fleshy, swollen, rounded or oblong distal portions
of underground axillary or adventitious branches
that arise from the underground basal nodes
(present on tubers).
Underground axillary or adventitious branches
Morphology of Flowering Plants


are termed as stolons.
 The tips of these branches become enlarged in
the form of tubers, due to the accumulation of
surplus food material manufactured by the aerial
shoots.
 Stem tubers are covered over by corky skin having
lenticels for aeration.
 Each tuber possesses several spirally arranged

26.
 depressions called eyes.
 Each eye represents a node that has a scale leaf
in the form of a ridge. Each eye contains 1–3
dormant buds.
 The stem tuber lacks adventitious roots, e.g.,
potato ( ), etc.
Previous Year’s Question
Example
What is the eye of potato?
Potato: The stem tuber of potato contains (i)  Axillary bud
reserve food in the form of starch. Stem (ii) Accessory bud
tubers serve as a means of vegetative (iii) Adventitious bud
propagation. A piece of stem tuber having an (iv) Apical bud
eye can form a new plant. The tubers are cut
into small pieces, having at least one or two
eyes and are sown into the soil. The axillary
buds present on these pieces (also called
seeds) grow into aerial shoots, which then
produce stolon and repeat the formation of
tubers.

2. Rhizome
 It is fleshy, horizontally growing, perennial,
underground stem which continues to grow for
an indefinite period producing new leaves or
shoots during favourable conditions.
 The aerial leaves or shoots wither or die on the
approach of unfavourable conditions and are
replaced by the new ones on the arrival of next
favourable period.
 A rhizome bears nodes and internodes.
 The nodes bear scale leaves that protect axillary
Morphology of Flowering Plants

buds.
 It also bears adventitious roots on the nodes and
on the lower side.
 Examples are (ginger),
(turmeric, vern. Haldi),
(banana), ferns such as ,

27.
 3. Corm
 It is a vertically growing, thick, fleshy usually
unbranched spherical or sub-spherical
underground stem.
 It bears several circular nodes with scales, which
represent thin sheathing bases of fallen dead
leaves.
 The nodes bear axillary buds. Many adventitious
roots are also borne at the base of the corm.
 Corms take part in perennation.
 They develop aerial shoots from their buds during
favourable period. The aerial shoots manufacture
food and store the same in their bases, where
new corms are formed. The new corms may
appear either above (e.g., ) or on the side
(e.g., ) of the old ones.
 The aerial shoots die o during the unfavourable
season.
 The old corms generally shrivel due to utilization
of the stored food in forming the new aerial shoot
in the next favourable season, e.g., (vern.
Kesar), (vern. ),
(elephant’s foot, vern. )

4. Bulb
 It is an underground spherical structure that
possesses a reduced discoid stem and several
fleshy, sheathing bases (usually called scales),
enclosing a terminal bud. The base of the discoid Previous Year’s Questions
stem bears fibrous adventitious roots.
 The whole structure takes the shape of a bulb.
The new banana plant develops
The terminal bud normally forms a leafless hollow
from—
Morphology of Flowering Plants

floral axis called scape, that bears a terminal

(1) Rhizome
cluster of flowers.
(2) Sucker
(3) Stolon
Bulbs are of two types –Tunicate bulbs and
(4) Seed
non-tunicate bulbs (scaly bulbs).
⚪ Tunicate or laminate bulbs: These have
fleshy scales arranged concentrically. Each
scale completely envelops the younger one

28.
 within it. The outer scale becomes dry and
membranous forming a protective covering
Keywords
called as tunic.

Types of tunicate bulbs  Caducous

 Simple tunicate bulb  Phylloclade
In this type of bulb, the fleshy scales represent  Axillary bud
leaf bases in the outer region and scale leaves  Rhizome
in the central part. The bulb is covered with a  Bulb
whitish or pinkish tunic, e.g., (onion),  Corm
(Tulips).  Tuber
 Compound tunicate bulb
(a) In this type, the fleshy scales represent
axillary buds. Each axillary bud has its own
tunic.
(b) These fleshy buds are called bulblets or
cloves.
(c) The concentric rings of tunicate bulblets are
in turn surrounded by overlapping tunics, e.g.,
(garlic)
⚪ Atunicate or scaly imbricate bulbs
 These bulbs lack tunic or covering sheath.
 The fleshy scales are narrow and overlap
one another on the margins only.
 Such a bulb is never a compact body, e.g.,
(lily).

Morphology of Flowering Plants

29.
 MODIFICATIONS OF AERIAL STEMS
In some plants, stems undergo an extreme degree
of modifications and depict specific appearances
to perform certain special functions besides the
normal functions.

How to recognize stem modification?

By observing the following:
 Position-axillary,
 Origin-exogenous,
 Presence of nodes and internodes,
 Occurrence of occasional branching,
 Presence of scale or reduced leaves,
 Formation of flowers,
 Internal structure (like that of a stem .
 types of vascular bundle, etc.)

TYPES OF AERIAL STEMS

1. Stem Tendrils
These are thin, thread-like sensitive, leafless
spring-like structures, which coil around a
support and help the plant in climbing.
Stem tendrils can be branch or unbranched.
Branched stem tendrils may bear scale leaves
in the region of forking.

Stem tendrils are of the following types:

 Axillary bud tendril— Axillary bud modifies into a
tendril, e.g., (passion flower),
(vern. ), (vern. ).
 Apical bud tendril—
Morphology of Flowering Plants

⚪ The apical bud gets modified into a tendril.

⚪ The growth of the axis is continued by
successive lateral axillary buds on either side
of the axis.
⚪ Thus, a sympodial axis is formed, and the
tendrils are opposite to leaves, e.g.,
(grapevine).

30.
 2. Stem Thorns
 These are modified axillary buds, which have lost Previous Year’s Question
the capacity for growth.
 These are sti , woody, sharp and pointed.
The prickles of rose are—
 Reduce transpiration.
(1) Modified leaves
 Prevent browsing by animals.
(2) Modified stipules
 Stem thorns of are curved and help
(3) Exogenous in origin
in climbing.
(4) Endogenous in origin
 Examples are (glory of the
garden), .

Rack your Brain Morphology of Flowering Plants

How are thorns di erent from

spines ?

31.
 3. Phylloclade
 These are green flattened or cylindrical stem
or branches, which appear leaf like, and have
taken over the function of photosynthesis in the
absence of normal green leaves.
 The true leaves are Caducous (fall o soon after
their appearance) or reduced to scales or spines
to reduce transpiration.
 Phylloclades are succulent due to storage of
water, food and are of unlimited growth.
Phylloclades are characteristics of some
xerophytic plants such as ,
cacti, etc.

Examples of Phylloclade
Previous Year’s Question

 It is flattened, succulent leaf-like and develops in Phylloclade is found in—

the axil of a caducous leaf, which falls and leaves (1) (2) Cactus
behind a scar. (3) (4) Both (1) & (2)
 A phylloclade bears raised areas (called areoles)
that are nodes and bear leaf scars, one or two
large spines and several sti hairs called bristles
or glochidia.
 The spines are modified leaves of suppressed
axillary branches and prevent transpiration.

 Thick, angular and contain milky gates.

 It bears caducous leaves at the nodes during
the favourable growth period.
 The stipules are modified into spines.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

4. Cladodes ( ):
 These are green cylindrical or flattened stem
branches of limited growth (usually one internode
long).
 They have taken over the function of
photosynthesis from leaves.
 The true leaves are reduced to scales and spines

32.
 to reduce transpiration.
 The cladodes arise in the axils of scaly or spiny
leaves at the nodes on the normal stem, e.g.,
(butcher’s broom), , etc.

Example of Cladode

 The cladodes of are green, leathery and

leaf like.
 They are borne singly in the axil of scale leaves.
 A floral bud with a basal scale leaf develops in
the middle of a cladode, which is one internode
long.
 They develop in clusters in the axil of scale or spine
leaves. Each cluster represents a suppressed,
cymosely divided branch.

Rack your Brain

How is a cladode di erent from

a phyllode ?
Morphology of Flowering Plants

33.
 MORPHOLOGY OF LEAF
 Leaf is a flattened, lateral outgrowth, which is Definition
borne exogenously on the node of a stem or its
branches and bears bud in its axil. Leaf: Lateral, flattened
 Typically, it is green in colour due to the presence outgrowth found attached on
of chlorophyll and is the chief photosynthetic nodal areas of the stem and is
organ of the plant. exogenous in origin.
 All the green leaves of a plant are collectively
called foliage.

Characteristics of a leaf
 The leaf is a dissimilar lateral outgrowth of the
stem.
 It is borne on the node of the stem in acropetal
order.
 It is exogenous in origin.
 It often bears axillary bud.
 The leaf does not bear an apical bud or regular
growing point.
 A leaf is di erentiated into three parts—leaf
base, petiole and lamina.
 The leaf base may possess two lateral outgrowths
called stipules.
 The lamina is traversed by prominent streaks
called veins.

Parts of a leaf
(i) leaf base or hypopodium,
(ii) petiole or mesopodium and
(iii) lamina or leaf blade or epipodium.
1. Leaf Base (Hypopodium)
 Leaf base is the lowermost part of the leaf, by
Morphology of Flowering Plants

which the leaf is joined to the node of the stem

or its branch.
 Usually, it protects a small bud in its axil.
 Leaf base is often indistinguishable from the
petiole. In many leguminous plants, it is swollen.
The swollen leaf base is called pulvinus.
 It is responsible for sleep or shock movements of
certain plants (e.g., ).

34.
 Keywor

 Hypo
 Meso
 Epipo
 Pulvin
 Ampl
 In several monocot plants (e.g., cereals, grasses,  Stipu
etc.) the leaf base is broadened. It clasps and  Axilla
forms a sheath like structure around the stem at  Semi-
the node. Such a leaf base is called a sheathing
leaf base.
 When the leaf base surrounds the stem partially,
it is called semi amplexicaul.
 When the leaf base surrounds the stem, it is
called amplexicaul.

Stipules: In many plants, the leaf base possesses

two lateral outgrowths, called stipules. They
protect leaf primordia.
 The stipules vary in size and form and can be free
or fused.
 The fused stipules cover and protect leaves in
the bud e.g., (banyan tree, rubber tree).
 In pea and wild pea, the stipules are large and Gray Matter Alert!!!
green to take part in photosynthesis. They are
called foliaceous stipules. Broadest Leaf—
 In and the stipules are modified (diameter 1.5—1.8m)
into spines to reduce transpiration. They also Longest Leaf— (10
protect the plant from grazing animals. Such - 15m)
stipules are called spiny stipules.
 In , the stipules are modified into tendrils
to help the plant in climbing. They are called
tendrillar stipules.

Morphology of Flowering Plants

35.
 2. Petiole (Mesopodium)
 It is a cylindrical or sub-cylindrical stalk of the Previous Year’s Question
leaf.
 It raises the lamina above the stem to provide
The broad part of a leaf is —
maximum exposure.
(1) Leaf base
 In some plants, the leaves are without petioles,
(2) Petiole
such leaves are called sessile leaves.
(3) Lamina
 The leaves with petioles are called petiolate
(4) All
leaves.

3. Lamina (leaf blade or Epipodium)

 It is green, expanded portion of the leaf.
 It is the main site of photosynthesis and also
helps in exchange of gases.
 Lamina is interspersed with a number of veins
and veinlets.
Definition
 The veins and veinlets contain vascular tissues
for the transport of water and food. They also
Heterophylly: A condition where
provide rigidity to the lamina and keep the latter
a plant has di erent leaf forms
expanded.
at di erent stages in its life
 There are one or more prominent veins in the
cycle.
lamina. They are called midribs or mid-veins.

Types of Leaves

Leaf Duration: Based on the life span, leaves are of three types:
 Caducous (Fugacious): Leaves falling down soon after their appearance, e.g.,
 Deciduous (Annual): Leaves falling o simultaneously at the end of growing season,
leaving the plant leafless. The phenomenon is called leaf fall, e.g., Mulberry, Poplar etc.
 Persistent (Evergreen): Leaves live for more than one season. They fall down individually
at di erent times. Plants with persistent leaves are called evergreen, e.g.,
etc.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Venation
Keywords
The arrangement of veins and veinlets in the
lamina of a leaf is called venation.  Venation
 The veins are the conducting channels for water,  Reticulate venation
minerals and organic food.  Parallel venation
 Veins also provide firmness to the lamina and  Furcate venation
keep it expanded.

36.
 The lamina has one or more prominent veins
termed as midribs, which arise from the petiole.
 Midrib (prominent/main vein) gives rise to lateral
veins that traverse the entire lamina.
 The veins and veinlets are more prominent on the
undersurface of the lamina in dorsiventral leaves.

Types of Venation — Reticulate, Parallel and

Furcate.
 Reticulate Venation
 The veins arising from the midrib, branch and
re-branch to form a network of veins, this
network is reticulate venation.
 It is a characteristic feature of the leaves of
dicot plants.
 Exception: ,

 Based on the number of main veins or midribs

in the lamina, reticulate venation has two
Morphology of Flowering Plants

sub-types:
(i) Pinnate or Unicostate Reticulate Venation
 The lamina has a single principal vein or
midrib extending from base to the apex.
 It produces lateral veins.
 Lateral veins branch and re-branch into
veinlets forming a network-like structure,
e.g., leaf of Banyan, Mango, etc.

37.
 (ii) Palmate or Multicostate Reticulate Venation:
 The lamina has more than one prominent or
Previous Year’s Question
principal veins arising from the tip of the petiole
and reaching either the apex or margin of the
lamina. Which type of leaf arrangement is
 They give rise to lateral veins and further to found in ?
veinlets. (1) Alternate
 Multicostate reticulate venation has two forms: (2) Spiral
 Convergent: The principal veins converge towards (3) Opposite
the apex of the lamina, e.g., ( ) (4) Whorled
 Divergent: The principal veins diverge towards
the margin, e.g., Castor.

2. Parallel Venation
 The veins arising from midrib or main veins
run parallel to each other towards the margin
Morphology of Flowering Plants

or the apex of the lamina.

 The veinlets are inconspicuous and reticulation
or network of veinlets is absent.
 Parallel venation is characteristic of the leaves
of monocot plants.
 Exception: , ,

 Parallel venation is of two sub-types.

38.
 (i) Pinnate or Unicostate Parallel Venation
 The lamina has a single prominent vein or midrib
running from the base to the apex of the lamina.
 It gives o lateral veins that run parallel toward
the margin of the lamina, e.g.,
(banana), , etc.

Types of Parallel Venation

A. Unicostate parallel venation of banana;
B. Multicostate convergent of bamboo;
C. Multicostate divergent venation of Fan Palm.

(ii) Palmate or Multicostate Parallel Venation

 The lamina has several principal veins arising
from the base and running towards the apex or
margin of the lamina.
 The main veins do not branch further.

(a) Multicostate parallel venation has two forms

 Convergent: The principal veins converge towards Rack your Brain
the apex, e.g., bamboo, grass.
 Divergent: The principal veins diverge towards
Why are vascular bundles
the margin Fan palm.
arranged in linear rows in
monocot leaves ?

Morphology of Flowering Plants

3. Furcate Venation
 The veins give o dichotomous branching.
 The finer branches do not form reticulum.
 Furcate venation is common in ferns.
 Among higher plants, it is found in

39.
 Phyllotaxy
Phyllotaxy (Gk. –leaf, – Previous Year’s Question
arrangement) is the arrangement or
distribution of leaves on the stem or its
The arrangement of leaves on a
branches so that they may receive maximum
stem branch is—
sunlight to perform photosynthesis.
(1) Venation (2) Aestivation
(3) Inflorescence (4) Phyllotaxy

Types of Phyllotaxy
1. Alternate or Spiral
 Only one leaf is borne on a node and the leaves
of the adjacent nodes lie roughly towards the
opposite sides, e.g.,
(shoe flower), sunflower, mustard, etc.
 In this phyllotaxy, the leaves are arranged
spirally around the stem.
 The leaves appear to form vertical rows and
are termed orthostichous.
 In such cases, phyllotaxy is determined by
passing a thread along with the bases of
successively higher leaves till a leaf comes
Morphology of Flowering Plants

to lie exactly above the first one (which is

counted as zero).
 This forms a spiral path on the stem. It is
called genetic spiral.

40.
 2. Opposite Phyllotaxy
 Two leaves are borne opposite to each other at
Keywords
a node.
 For example guava, etc.
 Opposite phyllotaxy is of two types.  Phyllotaxy
 Opposite superposed  Opposite phyllotaxy
Leaves of the successive node lie in the same  Alternate phyllotaxy
plane so that only two rows are formed on the  Whorled phyllotaxy
stem, e.g., (rangoon creeper), ,
etc.
 Opposite Decussate:
The opposite leaves of the adjacent nodes lie at
right angle so that four rows of leaves are formed
on the stem. (vern. Ak),
(vern. ).

Rack your Brain

How are alternate and spiral

phyllotaxes di erent and similar?

Morphology of Flowering Plants

3. Whorled or Verticillate
 More than two leaves are borne on a node.
 They are arranged in a circle or a whorl.
 The leaves of one whorl generally alternate
with those of the adjacent whorls to provide
maximum exposure, e.g., (oleander),
(devil tree/ pencil tree).

41.
 Simple and Compound leaves

Simple leaf
 The simple leaf has single or undivided lamina.
 The lamina of a simple leaf may have incisions,
but the incisions do not reach the midrib and
the lamina does not divide into separate lobes,
e.g., Castor, , (marigold), etc.

Incisions of Lamina
 It is the process of dividing or partitioning
the lamina. The degree of incisions varies in
di erent plants.
 In pinnately veined leaves the incision
proceeds from the margin to the midrib.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 In palmately veined (multicostate) leaves,

incision proceeds from the margin to the tip
of the petiole.
 The incisions may reach hardly up to half (-fid)
of the leaf lamina, more than half (- partite)
of the leaf lamina or near the midrib or base
(-sect) of the leaf lamina.

42.
 Depending upon the pinnate or palmate venation, the incision of the lamina is of the
following types:
 Pinnatifid: The incisions are hardly halfway from the margin to the midrib, e.g.,
.
 Pinnatipartite: The incisions are more than halfway from the margin to the midribm,
e.g.,
 Pinnatisect: The incisions almost reach the midrib, e.g., (marigold).
 Palmatifid. The incisions are hardly halfway from the margin to the tip of the petiole,
e.g., cotton.
 Palmatipartite: The incisions are more than halfway from the margin to the tip of
the petiole, e.g., (Castor).
 Palmasect: The incisions almost reach the tip of the petiole, e.g.,
(railway creeper).

Compound Leaf
 Compound leaf has its lamina completely divided
into distinct segments called leaflets or pinnae.
 In such leaves, the leaflets are distinct, free
from one another and articulated (joined) to the
rachis (a derivative of the midrib) or the tip of the
petiole.
 The leaflets or pinnae resemble leaf in having
base, stalk and blade.
 Leaflets di er from the whole leaf in absence
of axillary buds, basal stipules and origin in the
same plane.

Types of Compound Leaves— Pinnate Compound

Leaf and Palmate Compound Leaf
1. Pinnate Compound Leaf
 In a pinnate compound leaf, the leaflets are borne
Morphology of Flowering Plants

on an unbranched or branched axis called rachis.

 The rachis represents the midrib of the lamina.
 The branches of the rachis represent the lateral
veins, called rachillae or rachules and the leaflets
borne on them are called pinnules.

43.
 Types of Pinnate Compound Leaf
(i) Unipinnate
 The lamina is divided only once in a pinnate
manner.
 Rachis unbranched bears the leaflets or pinnae
on other side in opposite or sub-opposite pairs.

The unipinnate leaves are of two types:

⚪ Paripinnate: The leaflets are even in number,
e.g., (vern. ).
⚪ Imperipinnate: The leaflets are odd in number
with a terminal unpaired leaflet, e.g.,
(rose) neem, etc.

(ii) Bipinnate
 Lamina is divided twice pinnately, i.e., the leaflets
of first order are again divided in a pinnate
manner, forming leaflets of the second order.
 The leaflets of the second order are called
pinnules. They are borne on the branches of rachis
called secondary axes or rachillae (rachules).
 The rachillae are arranged in pinnate manner Rack your Brain
on the rachis, e.g., (vern. ),
(Touch-Me-Not).

(iii) Tripinnate It is which type of leaf ?

 The lamina is thrice pinnate.
 The leaflets or pinnules are borne on tertiary
axes, e (vern. )

(iv) Decompound
 The lamina is more than thrice pinnate.
 The rachis is branched more than twice and the
pinnules are horns on the branches of the final
or ultimate order.
 In decompound leaves, the lamina is suppressed
and the rachis along with the branches becomes
flattened and green to perform the function of
photosynthesis, e.g., (carrot),
(coriander), etc.

44.
 2. Palmate Compound Leaf:
 In a palmate compound leaf, the leaflets are Previous Year’s Question
attached at the tip of the petiole, like the fingers
of the palm.
The leaves of lemon plant are -
 A joint may be present between the tips of the
(1) Compound leaves
petiole and the leaflets, e.g., silk cotton.
(2) Simple leaves
(3) Unifoliate leaves
Depending upon the number of the leaflets
(4) Bifoliate leaves
present, the palmate compound leaves are of the
following types:
 Unifoliate: A single leaflet is joined to the tip of
the petiole, e.g., (lemon, orange).
 Bifoliate or Binate: Two leaflets are attached at
the tip of the petiole, e.g., etc.
 Trifoliate or Ternate: Three leaflets are attached
at the tip of petiole (Wood
apple vern. ), (vern. ),
(vern. ) etc.
 Quadrifoliate or Quadrinate: Four leaflets are
attached to the tip of the petiole, e.g.,
etc.
 Multifoliate or Digitate: More than four leaflets
are present at the tip of the petiole.
(red silk cotton, vern. ) etc.

Morphology of Flowering Plants

45.
 MODIFICATION OF LEAVES
The modifications of leaves help to perform
special functions.

1. Leaf tendrils
 In some weak stemmed plants, the leaves or
their parts are modified into sensitive, spring-like
slender, coiled structures called tendrils.
 Leaf tendrils help the plant to climb up a support
to expose its foliage to sunlight.
 Leaf tendrils are usually unbranched and devoid
of scales.

2. Leaf spines
 In some plants, leaves or their parts are
modified into sharp pointed structures called
spines.
 They protect the plant from grazing animals and
excessive transpiration. Rack your Brain
 In (Barberry), the leaves of the main stem
are modified into branched 3–5 rayed spines. Justify why insectivorous
Dwarf branches arise in their axils. plants are not categorized as
 The spines on the areoles of and cacti heterotrophic plants ?
are modified leaves.
 The spines of and are modified
stipules.
 Spines may also develop on the surface, margins
and apex of the leaves of many plants such as,
, , (Mexican
prickly poppy), etc.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Previous Year’s Question

In the spine is the

modification of............ .
(1) Flower (2) Stem
(3) Leaf (4) Root

46.
 3 Phyllodes or Phyllodia 4 Leaf pitcher
 In certain species of e.g.,  In some insectivorous plants, the
, etc., the leaf or lamina is modified into a
bipinnate lamina is absent. is another pitcher-like structure.
example of phyllodes.  These leaf pitchers are meant for
 The petiole of Australian Acacia and the part of catching and digesting the insects,
rachis become flattened, taking the shape and e.g.,
functions of the leaf. In such plants, the normal (pitcher plants).
leaves develop in seedling stage and soon fall o  In pitcher plants, the leaf apex
(leaves are ephemeral). gives rise to a coloured lid for
 The flattened petioles which carry out the attracting the insects.
functions of the lamina are called phyllodes.
 They also help in reducing transpiration because
they are vertically placed and have fewer
stomata.

Morphology of Flowering Plants

47.
  In the leaf base is foliaceous, while
the petiole is tendrillar.
 The rim of the pitcher has nectariferous glands
and its base is filled with digestive fluid.

5 Storage or Fleshy leaves: They are fleshy scale

leaves which store water and food materials
e.g., Onion, garlic etc.

FUNCTIONS OF LEAVES
Leaves perform primary and secondary functions.

A. Primary or Main Functions

 The most important function of leaves is the
synthesis of organic food through photosynthesis.
The leaves possess green pigment chlorophyll to
capture sunlight.
 Stomata on leaves help in the exchange of
gases that are necessary for photosynthesis and
respiration.
 Leaves are the main site of loss of water called
transpiration. Transpiration provides necessary
force for the ascent of sap and keeps the
temperature of plants, a bit low in summer.
 Leaves protect the axillary and terminal buds
from mechanical injury and desiccation.

B. Secondary or Accessory Functions

 The leaves or their parts get modified into tendrils
to help the weak stemmed plant climb up a
support, to expose the foliage to sunlight and air.
 In and , the leaves store water to
Morphology of Flowering Plants

resist drought.
 In onion, the leaf bases store food.
 Leaf spines of Barberry,
etc. reduce transpiration and provide Rack your Brain
protection from grazing animals.
 Leaves or leaf segments of insectivorous plants Lid of the pitcher in is
(e.g., etc.) are which part of the leaf ?
modified into a trap mechanism for catching and
digesting small insects.

48.
 Leaves of , etc. help in
vegetative multiplication.

FLOWER
 A flower is a highly modified shoot, which
performs the function of sexual reproduction. It
has a highly condensed axis called thalamus or
torus.
 Shoot bears flowers only when the plant has Definition
grown vegetatively.
 Flowers are either on the axils of leaves or on a Flower: Highly modified shoot
special flowering branch called the peduncle or that bears floral leaves, arranged
floral axis. in whorls on the thalamus or
 It has a stalk or pedicel, which ends into a broad torus
surface called thalamus or torus.
 The latter bears four distinct types of whorls of
floral leaves:
⚪ Calyx
⚪ Corolla
⚪ Androecium
⚪ Gynoecium

The individual member (floral leaves) of the

whorls are as known as:
⚪ Sepals (for calyx)
⚪ Petals (for corolla)
⚪ Stamens (for Androecium)
⚪ Carpels (for Gynoecium) Rack your Brain
 Non-Essential Floral Parts: Sepals and Petals
do not participate in Fruit and Seed formation. Which type of meristem helps
 Essential Floral Parts: Stamens and Carpels in the development of floral
participate in Fruit and Seed formation. meristem ?
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Parts of Stamen
 Broad Terminal Anther: It contains tiny structures
named pollen grains or microspores.
 Filament: Stalk-like structure that holds the
anthers and supplies water and nutrients to the
developing microspores.

49.
 Parts of a Carpel
 Receptive tip or Stigma
 A stalk-like Style
 A basal swollen part, Ovary
 The ovary contains one or more oval structures
called ovules.

THE FLOWER IS A MODIFIED SHOOT

It may be confirmed from the following points: Gray Matter Alert!!!
(i) A flower arises from a bud like vegetative
branch. Largest flower—
(ii) The thalamus of a flower represents a Smallest Flower—
condensed axis in which the internode
remains suppressed.
(iii) The floral leaves are borne on the thalamus
on the same pattern as the leaves on the
stem. They may arise in whorls or spiral
fashion.
(iv) There is a striking similarity between sepals,
petals and leaves relating to the structure,
form and venation. The sepals are mostly
green in colour and can hardly distinguished
from ordinary foliage leaves. Keywords
(v) In some flowers, such as wild rose, the
thalamus shows monstrous development  Calyx
after bearing floral leaves, it prolongs upwards  Corolla
and produces a vegetative shoot or another  Stamens
flower.  Pistil
(vi) The floral organs of (Water lily)  Anthophore
show all stages between a sepal and petal  Androphore
and between petals and a stamen.  Gynandrophore
(vii) In certain primitive flowers such as  Perianth
Morphology of Flowering Plants

, stamens are expanded like the

leaves.
(viii) The internal structure of the shoot and the
thalamus is similar and the vascular supply
to floral leaves resembles the vascular
supply of leaves.

50.
 Parts of a Typical Flower
 The axis on which a flower is borne is called the
mother axis.
 The flower may arise in the axil of a small
leaf-like structure called bract.
 A typical flower has a stalk called pedicel.
 The pedicel of some flowers may bear two small
green leaf like structures called bracteoles, e.g.,
.

Rack your Brain

Why are petals and sepals

termed as non-essential
parts of a flower ?

 In certain cases, a whorl of bracteoles is present

on the pedicel below the calyx. It is called epicalyx
or hypocalyx, e.g., .
 The tip of the pedicel forms a broad base of the Previous Year’s Question
flower called receptacle or thalamus.
 Flower has four kinds of floral appendages (floral Flowers of lily possess—
leaves) borne in distinct whorls on the thalamus. (1) Calyx
 These floral appendages in successive order are (2) Corolla
sepals (usually green in colour), petals (coloured (3) Perianth
Morphology of Flowering Plants

other than green), stamens (Microsporophylls) (4) All the above

and carpels (Megasporophylls).
 Their respective whorls are termed as calyx,
corolla, androecium, and gynoecium. Sometimes,
there is no distinction between calyx and corolla,
and they are collectively known as perianth.
 The individual member of perianth is called tepal
or phyll.

51.
 Note:
In some flowers, the thalamus becomes elongated showing distinct nodes and
internodes. .
Anthophore: The first internode between calyx and corolla.
Androphore: The second internode between corolla and androecium, also called
Gynandrophore.
Or Gynophore: The third internode between androecium and gynoecium.

FLORAL PHYLLOTAXY
The floral organs are borne on the thalamus in
three ways:
(i) Acyclic or spiral – borne in spirals, e.g.,
. Rack your Brain
(ii) Cyclic – borne in whorls, e.g.,
(iii) Spirocyclic or hemicyclic- Some organs Fowers of are
in spiral and other organs in whorls, e.g., actinomorphic, zygomorphic or
When the floral phyllotaxy is
Morphology of Flowering Plants

asymmetrical. Comment.
whorled, the number of whorls is often
mentioned as Tetracyclic (four whorls,
e.g., ), pentacyclic (five whorls, e.g.,
), hexacyclic (six whorls, e.g., ).

52.
 MEROSITY IN FLOWERS
There is some basic number of floral appendages
in the floral whorls of a flower. This phenomenon
is called merosity.

Isomery: When the number of floral leaves in

each whorl is same, the phenomenon is called
isomery.

Depending upon the similar basic number of

floral leaves, a flower is described as:
 Bimerous : Floral are leaves two or in multiple of
two in each whorl, e.g., flame of woods.
 Trimerous : Floral leaves are three or in multiples
of three, e.g., Poppy, etc.
 Tetramerous : Floral leaves are four or in multiple
of four, e.g., .
 Pentamerous : Floral leaves are five or in multiple
of five, e.g., .

Heteromery: When the number of floral leaves

vary in di erent whorls of a flower, the number
of carpels may be fewer than the number of
other floral leaves. This phenomenon is called
heteromery.
For example, has 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5
stamens but two carpels, such a flower is called
heteromerous.

Note: is also categorized as a pentamerous Rack your Brain

flower as floral appendages of four whorls are in
multiple of five except the number of carpels. Some papaya plants fail to bear
Morphology of Flowering Plants

fruits. Give reason.

Complete and Incomplete Flowers
 A flower having all the four types of floral organs
is known as complete.
 The absence of any one or more of the floral
organs makes the flower incomplete.
 The flower that contains both the essential
organs, i.e., stamens and carpel is termed as
perfect, bisexual, hermaphrodite or intersexual.

53.
  The flower that bears only one of the two essential
floral organs is described as imperfect/unisexual.
 A complete flower is necessarily perfect and an
incomplete flower may be perfect or imperfect
because the missing part may be the perianth or
one of the essential organs.

Unisexual Flower Keywords

 A unisexual flower would be male or staminate
(if only stamens are present) and female or  Staminate
pistillate (if only carpels are present), e.g., Papaya,  Pistillate
etc.  Polygamous
 Monoecious
Bisexual Flower  Dioecious
 Flower that possesses both reproductive organs
(stamens and pistil), e.g., mustard, pea,etc.

Neuter Flower
 Both the essential organs are absent in neuter
flowers.

Monoecious Plants and Dioecious Plants

 Monoecious Plants: Both the types of unisexual
flowers (Staminate and Pistillate) are present
on the same plant, e.g., , castor bean,
maize, etc.
 Dioecious Plants: When a plant bears only
one type of unisexual flowers, it is termed as
dioecious, e.g., date palm, mulberry, etc. Definition
 Polygamous Plants: Some plants possess more
than one type of flower. In mango and cashew Floral Symmetry: The
nut plants, intersexual, staminate (male) and arrangement of the floral
organs around the thalamus of
Morphology of Flowering Plants

neuter flowers occur together. Such plants are

called polygamous. a flower.

FLORAL SYMMETRY
 The arrangement of the floral organs around
the thalamus of a the flower is known as floral
symmetry.
 The shoot (axis) on which the flower is borne is
called mother axis.

54.
 The side of flowers towards mother axis is called
the posterior side and the side away from it is
called anterior side.
 In terminal flowers, a distinction into anterior
and posterior sides is not found.

On the basis of floral symmetry, there are

following three conditions in flowers:
(i) Actinomorphic: A cyclic flower that can Previous Year’s Question
be divided into two equal vertical halves in
any plane, the condition is that the line of Gulmohur plant bears which
division should run through the central axis type of flowers ?
of the flower, e.g., etc. (1) Asymmetric
Actinomorphic flower has radial symmetry. (2) Zygomorphic
(ii) Zygomorphic. A flower which can be divided (3) Actinomorphic
into two equal vertical halves in only one plane, (4) Does not bear flowers
is termed as zygomorphic (e.g., ). A
zygomorphic flower has bilateral symmetry.
(iii) Acyclic or Asymmetric. A flower that cannot
be divided into two equal halves in any vertical
plane, e.g.,

Morphology of Flowering Plants

55.
 Regular and Irregular Flowers:
 A flower is said to be regular when its floral parts
of each series of a flower are similar in size,
shape, colour and origin.
 A flower is described as irregular when it shows
any irregularity in any type of its floral organs
whether in shape, size, colour or origin.

Variations in the Forms of Floral Parts

1. Calyx: Outermost whorl are green leaf-like
structures called sepals. Sepals are mainly
meant for protecting other floral parts in the
bud condition. Sepals having colour other
than green are called petaloid.
The sepal which lies in line with the mother
axis is called odd sepal. It is posterior in
most of the cases, and it is anterior, in family
Leguminosae (e.g., pea, ) and in
some other plant families.
Polysepalous: Calyx with free sepals.
Gamosepalous: Calyx with fused sepals.

Few more shapes of the calyx are:

 Infundibuliform— funnel shaped, e.g.
 Bilabiate— di erentiated into an upper and a
Rack your Brain
lower lip e.g.
 Pappus— Modified into hairy processes,
How do the plants protect their
e.g.
floral buds ?
 Saccate— Pouched, e.g.,
 Gland dotted— With oily glands, e.g.

Duration of Calyx
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Depending upon the life span, calyx may be of

three types:
(i) Caducous— fall down immediately after
opening of flower, e.g. Poppy
(ii) Deciduous— fall down at the time of withering
of flower, e.g.
(iii) Persistent— sepals persisting in the fruit
e.g., brinjal.

56.
2. Corolla:
It is the second whorl, which consists of
brightly coloured floral leaves called petals.
 The petals may be fragrant or have
nectaries at their base.
 They protect the essential organs and
attract pollinating animals.
 The petals with greenish colour are called
sepaloid.
Polypetalous (Choripetalous)— free petals
Gamopetalous (Sympetalous)—fused petals.

Types of Polypetalous Corolla

(i) Cruciform— With four clawed or unguiculate
(with proximal narrow stalk or claw and a
broad distal limb), petals arranged diagonally
Gray Matter Alert!!!
or like a cross, e.g.,
(Family— Cruciferae or Brassicaceae).
 Cruciform corolla is the
(ii) Caryophyllaceous— With five clawed or
characteristic feature of
unguiculate petals with limbs horizontally
family Cruciferae.
bent, e.g., carnation (Family—
 Papilionaceous corolla is
Caryophyllaceae).
the characteristic feature of
(iii) Rosaceous— With five or more sessile or
family Fabaceae.
shortly clawed petals, e.g., Rose (Family—
Rosaceae).
(iv) Papilionaceous— Five, unequal or irregular
petals are arranged like a butterfly. The posterior
large bilobed petal called standard or vexillum
overlaps the two smaller lateral petals named
wings or alae. The latter overlap the two
interior petals which are fused lightly to form a
boat-shaped structure called keel or carina,
Morphology of Flowering Plants

e.g., Pea (Family – Papilionaceae or ).

Types of Gamopetalous Corolla

(i) Infundibuliform— Funnel shaped, e.g.,
(ii) Tubular— Tube like or cylindrical, e.g., disc
florets of sunflower.
(iii) Rotate— With a flat and circular limb at right

57.
 angles to the short tube or wheel-shaped, (iii) Imbricate: Irregular overlapping
e.g., . of petals by one another.
(iv) Bilabiate— Two lipped, bilabiate corolla
with two lips close to one another is called Types of imbricate aestivation
personate, e.g., and that with two (a) Quincuncial— Two petals
lips wide open is called ringent e.g., external, two internal and fifth
(v) Ligulate— With a short narrow tube below but petal with one margin external
expanded above like a strap, e.g., ray florets while its another margin is
of sunflower. internal.
(b) Ascending Imbricate—
AESTIVATION Posterior petal is held inside
The arrangement of accessory floral organs by the upper margins of two
(sepals or petals) in relation to one another in laterals. They are in turn
the floral bud is called aestivation. overlapped by the upper
Types of Aestivation. margin of two anterior-lateral
(i) Valvate: The margins of the adjacent sepals petals, e.g., (vern.
or petals meet by their edges but without ).
overlapping, e.g., (c) Descending Imbricate or
(ii) Twisted or contorted: One margin of a petal Vexillary— The posterior
regularly overlaps the margin of an adjacent petal is large and overlaps the
petal; the other margin being overlapped by two lateral petals, the latter
the margin of another adjacent petal, e.g., overlaps the two anterior
(china rose). petals, e.g., pea. It is also
called the papilionaceous
corolla.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

58.
 (3) Androecium (Gk. – male):
Definition
 It constitutes the third whorl, consisting of male
reproductive organ called the stamen. Androecium: It is the male
 Each stamen is regarded as a highly modified reproductive part of the flower.
leaf, termed as microsporophyll.
 Stamen consists of a slender stalk, called the
filament and a knob-like structure at its tip
known as anther.
 Each fertile anther lobe consists of two pollen
sacs or microsporangia, which contain a large
number of microspores or pollen grains (male
spores).
 Each anther has two lobes which are attached
at the back by a sterile tissue called connective.
Staminode: Sterile and undeveloped stamens
are called staminodes.
Bithecous: When an anther possesses both the
anther lobes, it is called bithecous.
Monothecous: When an anther consists of a
single anther lobe, (Family –
Malvaceae).

Fusion of one floral part with another dissimilar

floral part: It is called adhesion.
 Epipetalous: The stamens fused with petals, e.g.,

 Epiphyllous or Epitepalous: The stamens fused

with tepals or perianth, e.g.,

Types of Stamens based on length of Filaments

 Polyandrous: Stamens are free, may be equal or Gray Matter Alert!!!
Morphology of Flowering Plants

unequal in length.
 Didynamous: The two common types of unequal
Biggest Pollen - (250 um
stamens, i.e., two long stamens and two short
in diameter)
stamens, e.g., (tulsi)
Smallest pollen - Myosotis
 Tetradynamous: Four long stamens and two
(2.5 – 3.5 um.)
short stamens, e.g., (mustard)

59.
 Fusion of one floral part with another similar
floral part: It is called cohesion.

Sometimes the stamens are united with each

other and these are of three types: Previous Year’s Question
(i) Adelphous: Only filaments are fused while
the anthers are free only. Tetradynamous condition
All stamens form a single group— occur in
Monoadelphous, e.g., Hollyhock (1) Cruciferae
Stamens form two groups Diadelphousm, (2) Malvaceae
e.g., Pea (3) Solanaceae
Stamens form many groups Polyadelphous, (4) Liliaceae
e.g.,
(ii) Syngenesious or Synantherous: Stamens are
fused by anthers only, filaments are free.
The fused anthers form a ring around the
gynoecium, e.g., sunflower.
(iii) Synandrous: Stamens are fused the entire
length, both in the region of filaments and
anthers, e.g., .
The stamens shorter than corolla are termed
as inserted, while those protrude out of the
corolla are called exserted.

Fixation of Anthers: The anthers may be attached

to the filaments in the following manner: Definitions
(i) Basifixed or Innate: Filament attached to the
base of the anther,  Adhesion of floral parts:
(ii) Adnate: Filament runs throughout the length Fusion of one floral part with
of the anther or becomes continuous with the other dissimilar floral part.
connective, e.g.,  Cohesion of floral parts:
(iii) Dorsifixed Filament is attached to the dorsal Fusion of one floral part
Morphology of Flowering Plants

(back) side of the anther, e.g., . with other similar floral part.
(iv) Versatile Filament is attached in the middle of
the connective. In such a way that the anther
can swing freely, e.g.,

60.
 4. Gynoecium (Gk. female):
 It is the fourth and innermost whorl, that consists Definition
of female reproductive organs of the flower called
carpels. Gynoecium: Female reproductive
 Each carpel is considered to be a highly modified part of the flower
leaf, termed as megasporophyll. The carpels may
be free or fused.
 A unit of gynoecium is called pistil. Keywords
 It is flask-shaped and consists of three distinct
parts— a basal swollen ovary, a stalk-like style
 Pistillode
and a terminal receptive part called stigma.
 Syncarpous
 A sterile and undeveloped pistil is called pistillode.
 Apocarpous
 Ovary has one or more chambers or loculi
 Placentation
(Singular: loculus).

Depending on the number of loci, ovary can be of

the following types: Gray Matter Alert!!!
 Unilocular: One loculus, e.g., pea
 Bilocular: Two locules, e.g., Longest Style: (maize)
 Trilocular: Three locules, e.g.,
 Tetralocular: Four locules, e.g.,
 Pentalocular: Five locules, e.g., hibiscus
 Multilocular: More than five locules, e.g., lady
finger

The locules of the ovary contain oval outgrowths

called ovules.

Style: It is narrow, thin, thread-like structure for

raising and holding the stigma above the level of
ovary. Style maybe unbranched or branched.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Stigma: The terminal receptive part of the pistil.

It may have varied shapes viz. be linear, fid, lobed,
capitate, feathery, hairy or sticky.

Types of gynoecium depending on the number of

carpels:
 Monocarpellary: Gynoecium having a single
carpel.

61.
  Bicarpellary: Gynoecium having two carpels.
 Tricarpellary: Gynoecium having three carpels Definition
 Polycarpellary: Gynoecium having more than
three carpels. Placentation: The arrangement
or arrangement or distribution
Types of gynoecium depending on the of ovules within the ovary.
condition(fused/free) of carpels
 Apocarpous: When carpels are free, the
gynoecium is called apocarpous (i.e., Ranunculus).
Syncarpous: When carpels are fused, it is called
syncarpous, e.g.,

PLACENTATION
The arrangement or distribution of placenta
inside the ovary is called placentation.
(i) Marginal: Observed in monocarpellary,
unilocular ovaries. A single longitudinal
placenta having one or two alternate rows
of ovules, occurs along the wall of the ovary
called ventral suture, e.g., Pea
etc. (Family – Leguminosae)
(ii) Parietal: Observed in bicarpellary or
multicarpellary, syncarpous, unilocular
ovaries. Two or more longitudinal placentae
develop along the wall of ovary. The number
of placentae corresponds to the number of
fusing carpels, e.g., etc.
(iii) Axile: It is found in bicarpellary or
multicarpellary, syncarpous ovaries having
two or more loci. Placentae occur in the
central region where the septa meet so that
an axile column bearing ovules is formed,
Previous Year’s Questions
Morphology of Flowering Plants

e.g., (Shoe flower), .

(iv) Basal: It occurs in monocarpellary or
syncarpous pistils with unilocular ovaries. An example of axile placentation
It bears a single placenta at the base with is
generally a single ovule, e.g., (1)
(Sunflower). (2) Lemon
(v) Free Central: It is found in polycarpellary (3) Marigold
and syncarpous pistils with unilocular (4)
ovaries. The ovules are borne around a

62.
 central column, which is not connected with
the ovary wall by any septum, e.g.,
(Pink)
(vi) Superficial: It occurs in both monocarpellary
as well as syncarpous pistils. The ovules are
borne on placentae which develop all around
the inner surface of the ovary including the
septa if present, e.g.,

Insertion of Floral Parts (Forms of Thalamus)

Arrangement of floral parts on the thalamus is
called insertion.
Depending upon the insertion of floral leaves, the
flowers are of three types:
(i) hypogynous (ii) perigynous (iii) epigynous
Morphology of Flowering Plants
1. Hypogynous: The thalamus is convex or
conical. The gynoecium or ovary develops
at the top of thalamus, the rest of the floral
parts are borne successively below.
In hypogynous flowers, the ovary is described
as superior (mustard),
(china rose), etc.
2. Perigynous: The thalamus grows upwards
forming a shallow cup-shaped structure

63.
 called hypanthium. Ovary is in the centre of the concave thalamus. The other floral parts
are inserted on the rim or margin of hypanthium. The ovary is described as half superior,
e.g., (Pea), (Rose), (Peach), etc.
3. Epigynous: The thalamus grows upwards to completely envelop the ovary and is also
fused inseparably with the ovary. The other floral parts are borne at the top of the fused
thalamus and ovary. Such an ovary is described as inferior, e.g., (apple),
(Sunflower), (Pumpkin) etc.

Di erences between hypogynous, perigynous and epigynous flowers

Hypogynous Perigynous Epigynous

1. Thalamus is flat,
1. Thalamus is saucer- 1. Thalamus is usually
convex or conical or
cup or flask-shaped. deep flask-shaped.
dome-shaped

2. Stamens, petals 2. Stamens, petals and 2. Stamens, petals and

and sepals are sepals are inserted sepals are inserted
inserted below the around or above the above the level of
level of ovary. level of ovary. ovary.

3. Thalamus is not
3. Thalamus is free from 3. Thalamus and ovary
fused with the
the ovary wall. wall are fused.
ovary wall.

4. The periphery of
4. No part of the 4. The thalamus is
the thalamus is
thalamus is hollow and contains
expanded to form the
expanded. the ovary.
hypanthium.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

5. Ovary is superior, 5. Ovary is superior while 5. Ovary is inferior, and

the remaining floral the other floral parts the other floral parts
parts are inferior. are inferior. are superior.

6. Whole of the pistil 6. Whole pistil may or 6. Only the style and
is visible from may not be visible stigmas are visible
outside. form outside. from the outside.

64.
 THE INFLORESCENCE
The arrangement and mode of distribution of Gray Matter Alert!!!
flowers on a floral axis or peduncle is called
inflorescence. Longest Inflorescence—
 The flowers are borne either singly or in clusters (12m), (5.5m)
on a plant.
 Flowers that are borne singly are called solitary.
 A solitary flower developed at the tip of a branch
or main stem is described as solitary terminal,
e.g., (poppy), (rose),
 A solitary flower borne in the axil of a leaf is
called solitary axillary, e.g., (shoe flower),
garden nasturtium etc.

Types of Inflorescence
Depending upon the mode of branching of
peduncle: Definition
Racemose, Cymose, Mixed and Specialised
inflorescences. Inflorescence: The arrangement
and mode of distribution of
flowers on a floral axis or
peduncle is called inflorescence.

Keywords
Morphology of Flowering Plants

 Inflorescence
 Racemose
 Cymose
 Acropetal
 Centripetal

65.
 RACEMOSE INFLORESCENCE
 The peduncle is of indefinite growth due to the
presence of an active growing point.
 Flowers in an acropetal order (i.e., older towards
base and younger towards apex).
 If the peduncle is reduced, the flowers are borne Definition
in the centripetal manner (i.e., older towards the
periphery and younger towards centre). Racemose Inflorescence:
 Racemose inflorescence is of two types— simple Inflorescence with indefinite
and compound. growth that bears the flowers
in acropetal succession.
A. Simple Racemose Inflorescence
In this type of inflorescence, the peduncle is
unbranched and flowers are borne directly on
it. Few simple racemose inflorescences are
as follows:
1. Typical raceme: An unbranched, elongated
peduncle bears pedicellate (Stalked)
flowers in an acropetal order, e.g.,
(Larkspur), (Lupin),
(Gulmohar), etc.
2. Umbel: The peduncle is short or reduced,
which bears a cluster of pedicellate flowers
of equal length arising from a common
point in a centripetal manner. An involucre
or a whorl of bracts is often present at
the base of flowers, e.g., (Brahmi
booti),
3. Capitulum or Racemose head: The
products are somewhat flattened to form
a receptacle that bears sessile flowers
called florets. The florets are arranged in
Morphology of Flowering Plants

centripetal manner ( younger towards

the centre and older towards the periphery).
The inflorescence is surrounded by one or
more whorls of bracts called involucre.
Capitulum inflorescence is a characteristic
of the members of family Compositae.
Capitulum inflorescences are of two types
– homogamous (bearing only one type of

66.
 florets, e.g.,
etc.) and heterogamous
(bearing two types of florets i.e., ray florets
in the periphery and disc florets in the
centre. etc.).

B. Compound Racemose Inflorescence

In these types of inflorescences, the peduncle
is branched in racemose fashion and ultimate Rack your Brain
branches bear flowers in acropetal or
centripetal manner. Following are the main What is the basic di erence
types of compound racemose inflorescences: between racemose and cymose
inflorescence ?
Compound Umbel: Several small umbels are
borne at a common point in an umbellate
fashion. Compound umbel is characteristic of
family e.g., (Coriander),
(Fennel),
(Carrot).

CYMOSE INFLORESCENCE
 The growth of the peduncle is definite.
 The tip of the main axis terminates in a flower.
 Growth of the axis continues by the formation of
one or more lateral branches, which also behave
Definition
like the main axis.
 The arrangement of flowers is either basipetal or
Cymose Inflorescence:
centrifugal.
Inflorescence with floral axis of
 The important types of cymose inflorescence are
definite growth that bears the
as follows:
flowers in basipetal succession.

1. Monochasial cyme (Uniparous cyme)

Morphology of Flowering Plants

 The main axis terminates in a flower.

 A single lateral branch develops from its
base which also ends in a flower.
 This pattern is repeated a number of times.
 The peduncle is formed by the fusion of
axillary branches and the main axis.
 It is therefore called sympodial axis.
 The axis normally becomes a bit straight
exhibiting the flowers opposite the bracts.

67.
 Special Inflorescences
These are highly modified and densely crowded
inflorescences, which need special mention.
The main types of special inflorescences are as
follows :

1. Hypanthodium
 The main floral axis forms a cup-shaped
receptacle with a small opening at the top.
 Internally the receptacle bears small
sessile, unisexual flowers in cymose groups.
 The staminate flowers are borne near the
opening, whereas pistillate flowers are
borne towards the base.
 Sterile flowers or hair lie between the two
types of flowers.
 Hypanthodium is a characteristic inflores-
cence of genus of the family Moraceae
e.g., (Banyan tree),
(Peepal), (vern. )
2. Verticillaster
 The peduncle bears bracts in opposite
decussate manner.
 In the axil of each bract, a dichasial
cyme develops that changes into a
monochasium.
 The axis is greatly condensed, so the
flowers appear in clusters axillary in
position.
 Axillary clusters give the appearance of
whorl or verticel.
 The verticels are arranged in acropetal
Morphology of Flowering Plants

manner on the main floral axis.

 A characteristic inflorescence of family
Lamiaceae, e.g., (Sweet
basil), (Sacred basil,
Tulsi), etc.

68.
3. Cyathium  Each male flower is
 In this inflorescence, the involucre forms a represented by only a single
cup-shaped receptacle which is provided stamen.
with nectar glands.  The inflorescence is so
 The receptacle bears a single central much compacted that it
pedicellate female flower which is naked looks like a single flower.
(without perianth).  Cyathium is a characteristic
 A large number of pedicellate naked male inflorescence of genus
flowers are arranged centrifugally around and
the female flowers.

FRUIT seeds, e.g., Mango, maize,

It is a ripened ovary. brinjal etc.
2. False Fruit (Pseudocarp)
TYPES OF FRUIT It develops from the ovary
Depending on the parts of flower that along with adjoining accessory
Morphology of Flowering Plants

participate in fruit formation: floral parts (like sepals, petals,

 True fruit thalamus etc.) and contains
 False fruit one or more viable seeds for
 Parthenocarpic fruits Apple, Fig etc.
False fruits are also called
1. True Fruit (Eucarp) spurious fruits or accessory
It develops from only the ovary part of a fruits.
flower and contains one or more viable

69.
 3. Parthenocarpic Fruit
 In some plants, fruits can be formed Definition
without fertilisation and are called
parthenocarpic fruits. Pomology: The branch of
 The phenomenon of formation of horticulture that deals with
a parthenocarpic fruit is called as the study of fruits and their
parthenocarpy. cultivation.
 Parthenocarpic fruits are either seedless
or contain aborted ovules or non-viable
seeds. Most cultivated varieties of banana
and grapes are parthenocarpic.

Depending upon the number of ovaries and the

flower involved in the formation:
1. Simple Fruits
A fruit that develops from a flower having
single ovary having monocarpellary or
polycarpellary syncarpous pistil.
Depending upon the nature of pericarp (fruit
wall), simple fruits are of two types – Dry and
Succulent.
(A) Simple Dry Fruits: In these fruits, the
pericarp (fruit wall) is dry, usually papery
or woody and is not distinguishable into
three layers. Simple dry fruits are of three
kinds – Achenial, Schizocarpic, Capsular.
For example, (Maize),
(Wheat), Water chestnut, Cashewnut. In
Litchi, (Groundnut). (Pea),
(Mustard), , Ladyfinger.
(B) Simple Succulent Fruits
In these fruits, either only the pericarp
Morphology of Flowering Plants

or pericarp along with associated parts

becomes fleshy.
The pericarp is distinguishable into three
parts in simple succulent fruits:
⚪ Outer Epicarp
⚪ Middle Mesocarp
⚪ Inner Endocarp

70.
 Types of Simple Succulent Fruits
 Berries Previous Year’s Question
 Drupes
 Pomes
Which of the following is a true
fruit?
1. (a) Berries
(1) Banana (2) Fig
 Epicarp is thin or leathery.
(3) Apple (4) Pear
 Mesocarp is massive and prominent.
 Endocarp is either membranous (e.g.,
Date, or pulpy (e.g., Tomato,
brinjal, grape, banana, guava).
 Seeds become free from placenta and
lie freely in the pulp.
(b) Hesperidium Gray Matter Alert!!!
 Special Berry especially in citrus fruits
such as lemon, orange etc. In parthenocarpic fruits, the
 Epicarp and mesocarp are fused seed factor (stimulus) for fruit
together to form a leathery skin. growth is provided by the tissue
 Endocarp folds inward forming of the ovary wall itself.
distinct chambers or loculi with juicy
hair.
 Seeds are within the loculi in juicy
hairs.
(c) Pepo
 False berry
 Epicarp fused with thalamus. Previous Year’s Questions
 For example, fruits of cucurbits viz.
Cucumber, Gourd, Melon etc. Edible part of mango is-
(1) Endocarp (2) Receptacle
2. Drupe (Stony fruits) (3) Epicarp (4) Mesocarp
Pericarp di erentiated into an outer peel
epicarp, a middle fleshy or fibrous mesocarp
Morphology of Flowering Plants

and an inner hard or stony endocarp.

The endocarp usually encloses only one seed,
e.g., mango, cherry, peach, plum, almond,
coconut etc.
Rack your Brain
3. Pome
 It is a pseudocarp (false fruit) that develops What is the technical term for the
from an inferior ovary of a compound pistil. milky water of coconut ?
 The thalamus becomes fleshy and forms

71.
 the bulk of edible part.
 The pericarp forms a central semi-hard Gray Matter Alert!!!
cartilaginous area that encloses the seeds,
e.g., Apple, Pear etc. Etaerio: Term used for aggregate
fruit.
2. Aggregate Fruit
An aggregate fruit is a group of fruitlets, which
develops from a flower having monocarpellary
apocarpous (free) gynoecium.
(i) Etaerio of Achenes, e.g., Strawberry, Lotus
etc. In strawberry, the edible part is fleshy
thalamus.
(ii) Etaerio of Berries, e.g., (Custard
apple).
(iii) Etaerio of Drupes, e.g., (Raspberry and
Blackberry).

3. Composite or Multiple Fruits Rack your Brain

A composite or multiple fruits develop from an
entire inflorescence. Name the plant growth regulator
Such fruit is composed of several closely that helps in developing seedless
associated fruits (which may or may not be fused) watermelons.
along with its peduncle.
Composite fruits are thus, pseudocarps.
Such fruits are also called infructescence fruits.
Composite fruits are of two main types: Sorosis
and Syconus.
(i) Sorosis: The fruit develops from a catkin or a
spike e.g., Mulberry, Pineapple, Jack fruit.
(ii) Syconus: The fruit develops from
hypanthodium type of inflorescence where the
receptacle becomes fleshy, e.g.,
Morphology of Flowering Plants

(Fig, vern. ), (Peepal).

FUNCTIONS OF FRUIT
1. Fruits provide a protective cover to the
Gray Matter Alert!!!
developing seeds and protects the immature
seeds against unfavourable climatic till Artocarpus heterophyllus is a
maturity jackfruit
2. Fruits help in dispersal of seeds that is of
great biological significance.

72.
 SEED
 A true seed is a mature ovule that contains an Definition
embryo or miniature plant, stored food material
and protective coverings. Seed: It is a ripened ovule that
 In most of the plants, the embryo ceases to grow helps in continuity of species.
immediately and lies dormant for one or more
seasons, within the seed. Seed dormancy in most
of the plants remains till they receive adequate
sunlight, temperature, water and air. This
phenomenon of seed dormancy has given several
advantages for survival to the seed plants.
 Thus, the seed represents a stage between the
beginning and end of plant growth. Gray Matter Alert!!!

STRUCTURE OF SEED The morphology of seeds and

Dicotyledonous seed (non-endospermic seed) fruits is an important criterion
for classification and phylogeny
GRAM SEED of the plants.
Parts of gram seed
 Seed Coat
 Cotyledons
 Embryonic axis

Seed Coat: The gram seed coat has two

integuments surrounding the ovule. Seed coat is
protective in nature.
Testa: It is the outer seed coat and is leathery,
thick and brown in colour.
Tegmen: It is the inner coat that is thin, white,
and often inseparable from the testa
Hilum: It is a scar on the seed coat through which
the developing seeds are attached to the fruit.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Micropyle: It is the opening in the integuments

and is visible in gram seed. Water is absorbed
through the micropyle during the germination of
seed.

Cotyledons
 When the seed coats are removed, the large
embryo becomes visible. The bulk of it consists

73.
 of a pair of fleshy structures called cotyledons in
dicot seeds. Rack your Brain
 In gram seed, the cotyledons store food
(carbohydrates and proteins) and provide An aggregate fruit develops from
nourishment to the developing embryonal axis. which type of ovary?
They lack endosperm.
 Such seeds are also found in many other plants
such as groundnut, pea, mustard etc.

Embryonic axis
 The cotyledons are attached laterally to the
embryonal axis.
 Embryonic axis has two parts – the radicle or the
embryonic root and the plumule or the shoot tip.
 The radicle is outside the cotyledons and points Previous Year’s Question
towards micropyle.
 The plumule is seen only after separating the Endosperm is consumed by the
two cotyledons. The plumule or the shoot tip developing embryo in the seed of
is enclosed within the first pair of small, folded (1) Pea
true leaves. (2) Maize
 The region of the embryonal axis between (3) Coconut
the radicle and the point of attachment of (4) Castor
the cotyledons is called hypocotyl (below the
cotyledons), whereas the portion between the
plumule and cotyledons is termed epicotyl
(above the cotyledons).
 In the gram seed, epicotyl elongates rapidly when
the seed germinates.

Monocotyledonous seed (endospermic seed or

albuminous seed)
Gray Matter Alert!!!
Morphology of Flowering Plants

MAIZE GRAIN
A maize grain is not a seed, but a single-seeded Endospermic Dicot Seeds: In
fruit called caryopsis or grain, in which the many plants such as Castor
pericarp (fruit wall) is inseparably fused with bean, Rubber and Coconut,
testa. food is mostly stored in the
endosperm. Such seeds
are called endospermic or
albuminous seeds.

74.
 The internal structure of the grain in longitudinal
section shows the following parts:
 Pericarp: On the outer side, a single covering
called pericarp and testa are found.
Inner to pericarp, the grain is divided into two
unequal portions: Endosperm and Embryo.
 Endosperm: The upper half of the grain is made
up of massive endosperm.
The bulk of endosperm is laden with starch, but
its outer layer next to the grain coat contains
abundant protein. It is called aleurone layer.
Proteins present in this layer help in the synthesis
of some enzymes, needed for germination of the
grain.
 Embryo: The lower half of the grain is occupied
by the embryo.
Maize embryo has a single cotyledon attached
laterally to the embryonal axis.
This cotyledon is called scutellum. The scutellum
has a secretory epidermis, found in close contact
with the endosperm. The epithelium helps the
scutellum in absorbing the food material stored
in the endosperm. Keywords
 Embryonic Axis: The portion of the embryonal axis
below the cotyledon is the radicle. It is covered  Plumule
by a protective sheath called radicle sheath or  Radicle
coleorhiza.  Epicotyl
The upper end of the embryonal axis is the  Hypocotyl
plumule surrounded by a protective sheath called  Cotyledons
plumule sheath or coleoptile.

TYPES OF SEEDS
Previous Year’s Question
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Endospermic Seeds: Seeds that contain

endosperm at maturity are called endospermic
or albuminous seeds. Mostly monocot seeds are Tegmen develops from
endospermic, except a few. (1) Funiculus
Non-endospermic Seeds: Seeds that do not (2) Chalaza
contain endosperm at maturity are called non- (3) Inner Integument
endospermic or ex-albuminous seeds. Mostly (4) Outer Integument
dicot seeds are non-endospermic, except
a few.

75.
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MONOCOTYLEDONOUS AND DICOTYLEDONOUS SEEDS

Monocotyledonous Seed Dicotyledonous Seed

1. Pericarp is separate and seed

1. Pericarp and testa are fused coat is divided into testa and
tegmen (seed integuments).

2. Single cotyledon is present in the 2. Two cotyledons are in the

embryo. embryo of seed.

4. The embryo tips usually bear special

4. Coleoptile and coleorhiza are
sheaths i.e., coleoptile over plumule
absent.
and coleorhiza over radicle.

5. The food may be stored inside

5. Endosperm stores the food
the endosperm or cotyledons.

FAMILY 1. PAPILIONACEAE
Brief description
Root: Tap root, often have nitrogen-fixing
bacteria forming roots nodules.
Stem: Herbaceous or woody, usually erect,
sometimes climbing e.g.,

Leaf: Alternate, often stipulate, stipules may

become leafy pulvinate leaf base, pinnately
compound or simple by suppression of
Morphology of Flowering Plants

leaflets.
Inflorescence: Variable, simple raceme,
axillary cyme or solitary.
Flower: The flower may be sessile or
pedicellate, bracteate or ebracteate complete
or incomplete, unisexual or hermaphrodite, if
unisexual, staminate or pistillate, zygomorphic
or actinomorphic, hypogynous, perigynous

76.
or epigynous, isomerous or
heteromerous, if isomerous, tri-,
tetra- or pentamerous.
Calyx: Sepals 5, gamosepalous,
odd sepal anterior, often
persistent.
Corolla: Petals 5, polypetalous,
or gamopetalous, aestivation-
descending or vexillary, imbricate,
papilionaceous (butterfly-shaped)
with five unequal petals – posterior
largest petal called standard or
vexillum, which overlaps two
smaller lateral petals called wings
or alae.
The latter overlap a boat-shaped
structure called keel or carina,
which is formed by two anterior
petals fused slightly on the
anterior side.
Androecium: Stamens 10,
diadelphous 1 + (9) sometimes free,
polyandrous, anther bithecous,
basifixed.
Gynoecium: Monocarpellary, ovary
superior, unilocular with marginal
placentation, style bent, stigma
simple and hairy.
Fruit: Legume (Pod).
Seed: Non-endospermic
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Floral Formula:

Diagnostic Features
1. Presence of nodulated roots.
2. Leave alternate, stipulate,
pulvinate, commonly pinnately
compound.

77.
 3. Flower zygomorphic and papilionaceous. 4. Fibre yielding plant:
4. Odd sepal, anterior in position. (Sunn hemp) yield bast
5. Stamens 10, diadelphous or polyandrous. fibre from the surface of stem,
6. Gynoecium monocarpellary, ovary unilocular which is used for ropes, gunny
with marginal placentation. bags etc.
7. Fruit is a legume. 5. Timber yielding plants:
(Shisham)
Economic Importance and (Kala shisham),
1. Food plants: The most important food provide timber for furniture,
particles belonging to family Fabaceae are house buildings and agricultural
pulses. These pulses are rich in proteins and implements.
are an important constituent of our diet. The 6. Dye yielding plants: Formerly
important pulses are (Pea), Indigo (a blue dye) was obtained
(Gram), from leaves of
(urd), . (Mung), P. (Moth), (Indian
(Masur), (Arhar), rosewood) also yields a dye.
(Soybean) etc. Unripe pods of 7. Edible oil yielding plants:
(Bean), and Edible oils are extracted from
(Guar) and young shoots of the seeds of
(Methi) and (Groundnut) and
falcate (Kasuri methi) are used (soybean). Vegetable ghee is
as vegetables. Seeds of prepared out of the oils after
(Groundnut) are edible. hydrogenation.
2. Fodder plants: Many plants like 8. Ornamental plants:
(Berseem), , (Sweet pea), ,
etc., yield fodder etc. are common
for the cattle. ornamental plants
3. Medicinal plants: Roots of 9. Some other useful plants:
(Liquorice) are used in cough, bronchitis Seeds of
and urinary disorders. Flowers of (Methi) are used as
(Red clover) are used in whooping condiments, etc.
cough. The gum of (Dhak)
Morphology of Flowering Plants

and is useful against

dysentery and diarrhea. Flowers of Previous Year’s Question
(yavasaka) have laxative and
Marginal placentation is found
diuretic properties. The fresh juice of
in—
(vern. Ratti) leaves is useful in
(1) Pea
leucoderma. The juice of
(2) Mustard
(vern. ) flower is beneficial in improving
(3) China rose
eyesight.
(4) Brinjal

78.
FAMILY 2. SOLANACEAE (potato family)
Brief description
Root: Taproot, often having N2-fixing bacteria
forming roots nodules.
Stem: Herbaceous or woody, often with
bicollateral vascular bundles, hair or prickles
often present, sometimes as underground tubers
(e.g., ).
Leaf : Alternate or opposite, exstipulate, simple,
rarely compound (e.g.,
).
Inflorescence: Solitary or extra-axillary, scorpioid
cyme.
Flower: Bracteate or ebracteate, pedicellate,
complete, bisexual, regular, actinomorphic,
hypogynous, pentamerous.
Calyx: Sepals 5, gamosepalous, campanulate,
valvate or imbricate, often persistent,
green,inferior.
Androecium: Stamens 5, polyandrous,
epipetalous, anther bithecous, basifixed
dehiscence longitudinal.

Morphology of Flowering Plants

79.
 Gynoecium: Bicarpellary, syncarpous, ovary
superior, obliquely placed often with two nectaries
at the base, bilocular, sometimes become
tetralocular due to a false septum, placentation
axile, swollen placentae, style long, stigma bifid.
Fruit: Berry or capsule.
Seed: Endospermic

Floral formula

Diagnostic Features
1. Aerial plant parts - hairy.
2. Leaves-alternate, opposite in floral region.
3. Calyx 5, gamosepalous, Persistent.
4. Corolla 5, gamopetalous.
5. Stamens - polyandrous and epipetalous
6. Gynoecium- bicarpellary syncarpous.
7. Ovary-superior and syncarpous
8. Placentation- axile with swollen placenta.
9. Fruit- berry or capsule

Economic Importance
1. Food yielding plants:
(Potato) is a common starch rich food source,
used as vegetable. The fruits of

(Tomato) and
(vern. Shimla Mirch)
are used as vegetable. The dried fruits of
(Chillies) are powdered and
used as spice. (Raspberry)
produces edible fruits.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

2. Medicinal plants: A drug ‘belladonna’ Previous Year’s Question

obtained from , is used for
relieving pain and checking cough. Another A family delimited by type of
alkaloid ‘Atropine’ is also obtained from the inflorescence is
plant for dilating eye pupil. (1) Fabaceae
(vern. ) is used as sedative (2) Asteraceae
and hypnotic is used in (3) Solanaceae
asthma. Roots of (vern. (4) Liliaceae

80.
 ) and seed of
(vern. ) are used
medicinally.
3. Ornamental plants:
(vern. Raat-ki-Rani), and
are grown as ornamental
Previous Year’s Question
plants.
4. Some other useful plants: (i) Tobacco
Pulses are obtained from—
used in bodies, cigarettes and for chewing
(1) Fabaceae
is obtained from the leaves of
(2) Asteraceae
yields a
(3) Poaceae
narcotic. (iii) Many plants such as
(4) Solanaceae
, . , . occur
as a weed.

Family 3. Liliaceae (Lily family)

Brief description
Root: Usually adventitious, fibrous or fleshy
(e.g., ).
Stem: Herbaceous or woody, modified
into cladodes e.g., or
underground bulb, corm or rhizome. Stems
of and show anomalous
secondary growth which is an exception in
monocots.
Leaf: Radical or cauline, usually exstipulate or
stipulate stipules tendrillar Sessile
with sheathing base. Leaves are cylindrical
and fistular (e.g., ).
Inflorescence: Variable, compound raceme
(e.g., ), Umbel (e.g., ),
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Solitary terminal (e.g., ), Umbellate

cymose head (e.g., ).
Flower: Bracteate, pedicellate, incomplete,
bisexual, rarely unisexual e.g., regular,
actinomorphic, hypogynous and trimerous.
Perianth: Tepals 6 in two whorls of 3 each,
gamo or polyphyllous, sepaloid, inferior.

81.
 Androecium: Stamens 6 in two whorls of 3 each,
sometimes only 3 e.g., epiphyllous and
antiphyllous, another dorsifixed or versatile,
dehiscence longitudinal, inferior.
Gynoecium: Tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary
superior, trilocular, placentation axile, style
simple, stigma trifid.
Fruit. Capsule or berry.
Seed. Monocotyledonous, endospermic.
Floral Formula
Morphology of Flowering Plants

82.
Diagnostic Features
1. Plants are mostly perennial herbs. Gray Matter Alert!!!
2. Flower actinomorphic, hypogynous,
trimerous. Anthology: Branch of Biology that
3. Perianth six in two whorls. deals with the study of flowers.
4. Stamens six in two whorls, polyandrous,
epiphyllous and antiphyllous.
5. Gynoecium tricarpellary syncarpous, ovary
trilocular with axile placentation.
6. Fruit-generally a capsule

Economic Importance
1. Food yielding plants: The bulbs of Rack your Brain
(onion) and (Garlic) are
used as food and for flavouring the
vegetables. Young shoots and fleshy roots
of (vern. ) are cooked
as vegetable.
2. Medicinal Plants: The leaves of
are used to cure piles, liver
troubles and boils. Aloin, a purgative
is obtained from . A drug
‘sarsaparilla’ obtained from the roots
of , is used as blood purifier. Raw
onion is useful in constipation, diarhoea
and cholera. Dried corms of
(Meadow sa ron) are used
against rheumatism and gout. The bulbs
of are cardiac stimulant
and diuretic.
3. Ornamental Plants:

etc. are grown in the gardens

as ornamental plants. Gray Matter Alert!!!
4. Some other useful plants:

Largest Seed
are fibre yielding plants. Rat
(Double
poison is prepared from the bulbs of
coconut) the fresh weight of seed
(Red Squill) and .
is about 6 kg.
yields a drug
Smallest Seed-
‘Colchicine’ which is used to induce
polyploids.

83.
Summary

84.
 Summary

85.
Morphology of Flowering Plants
 SOLVED EXAMPLES

Q1 A root can be di erentiated from a stem because of the absence of

(a) Green colour (b) Nodes and internodes (c) Hair (d) Branches

(b)
A1
Roots do not bear nodes and internodes as this is a feature of stem.

Q2 Which one of the following is not a characteristic of root?

(a) Presence of root tip (b) Presence of unicellular hair
(c) Presence of chlorophyll (d) Absence of bud.

(c)
A2 Roots are underneath the soil, where no sunlight is found, thus chlorophyll is
not found in roots.

Q3 Which of the following underground fleshy structure is a stem?

(a) Potato (b) Sweet potato (c) Turnip (d) Carrot.

A3 (a)
Potato is a modification of stem that stores food. Sweet potato, Turnip and
carrot are modified roots.

Q4 Phyllode is a modification of
(a) Petiole (b) Bud (c) Flower (d) Root

(a)
A4 Phyllode is a xerophytic adaptation in which petiole/leaf is modified in order
to reduce transpiration through leaves.
Morphology of Flowering Plants

Q5 Potato tubers are formed at the tips of

(a) Lateral roots (b) Adventitious roots (c) Stolon (d) Primary roots

(c)
A5 Potato tubers are originated from stolon swelling.

86.
Q6 A stem modified into leafy structure is known as
(a) Phyllode (b) Phylloclade (c) Tendril (d) Bulb

A6 (b)
Phylloclade is a modified stem that aids photosynthesis.

Q7 Pitcher of is formed from-

(a) Leaf base (b) Petiole (c) Lamina (d) Apex

A7 (c)
Pitcher of is a modified lamina.

Q8 Cladode is
(a) One internode, long phyllode (b) One internode, long phylloclade
(c) One internode, long thorn (d) One internode, long sucker

(b)
A8 Cladode is a long phylloclade with a single internode.

Q9 Haustoria or sucking roots are found in

(a) (b) Betel (c) (d) .

A9 (a)
(Dodder plant) is a parasitic vine that invades the plant with sucking
roots called as Haustoria.

Q10 What do you eat in pea?

Morphology of Flowering Plants

(a) Fruit (b) Cotyledon (c) Entire seed (d) Fruit wall.

A10 (c)
Entire seed is edible in pea.

87.
 Q11 Pineapple is an example of
(a) An etaerio of berries (b) An etaerio of drupes
(c) A simple fleshy fruit (d) A sorosis

A11 (d)
Greek ‘ ’- means a heap, i.e., sorosis is a fleshy, multiple fruit, formed
from flowers that are crowded together on a fleshy stem.

Q12 A pome fruit is said to be false because

(a) Its pericarp is inconspicuous (b) Its endocarp is cartilaginous
(c) Its actual fruit is located within an edible fleshy thalamus
(d) It develops from an inferior ovary.

(c)
A12 The Pome is developed from a ripened thalamus and hence is called as false
fruits.

Q13 Scutellum is a
(a) Endosperm of gymnosperm (b) Shield shaped cotyledon of monocot
(c) Protective covering of radicle (d) Protective covering of plumule

(b)
A13 Scutellum is derived from Latin ‘Scutella’ meaning a small shield. It is an
equivalent cotyledon of monocots.

Q14 Epipetalous is a condition of

(a) Placentation (b) Stamen (c) Position of ovary
(d) Aestivation of petal (CPMT 1991)
Morphology of Flowering Plants

A14 (b)
Epipetalous is a condition in which the flower has androecium attached with
the petals.

Q15 The aleurone layer in maize grain is specially rich in

(a) Auxin (b) Proteins (c) Starch (d) Lipids

A15 (b)
Aleurone layer in maize grain is specially, rich in protein.
88.