Botany Basics Amy Fulcher Assistant Professor Sustainable Ornamental Plant Production and Landscape Management Presentation
Introduction Snack break Overview/refresher on how plants work and implications for nursery and landscape situations Roots Trunks/branches Snack break Leaves Introduction to Amy
Extension Philosophy “Enhance the current and future ornamental horticulture industry by addressing their needs through collaborations in quality education, demonstrations, and applied research.” Program seeks to integrate applied research with extension education IPM manual Joint website More on my research program later today! How About You?
Agent Introductions Snack Break aka quiz There are ____ flowering plants in the world?
12,750 46,902 113,560 352,000 There are ____ flowering plants in the world?
12,750 46,902 113,560 352,000 There are more than _____ Asteraceae?
24 240 2,400 24,000 There are more than _____ Asteraceae?
24 240 2,400 24,000 The smallest flower in the world can…
Fit in a sewing needle eye Is less than 2 salt grains end to end Is the size of Abraham Lincoln’s ear on a penny
How Plants Work We have these amazing, diverse plants because of their anatomy, physiology, and ability to fill niches
• Some plant parts lose water, some take up water (and nutrients) • Areas of growth • Vascular and apical
http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/labs/plantanatomy.htm Plants do these (and other things) differently
MONOCOTS DICOTS
Embryo with single cotyledon Embryo with two cotyledons Flower parts in multiples of three Flower parts in multiples of four or five Major leaf veins parallel Major leaf veins reticulated Stem vascular bundles scattered Stem vascular bundles in a ring Roots are adventitious Roots develop from radicle Secondary growth absent Secondary growth often present
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss8/monocotdicot.html Photo Credit: Wikipedia Plants do these (and other things) differently
MONOCOTS DICOTS
Embryo with single cotyledon Embryo with two cotyledons Flower parts in multiples of three Flower parts in multiples of four or five Major leaf veins parallel Major leaf veins reticulated Stem vascular bundles scattered Stem vascular bundles in a ring Roots are adventitious Roots develop from radicle Secondary growth absent Secondary growth often present
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss8/monocotdicot.html Photo Credit: Wikipedia What do tree roots really look like? Where are the roots? What Do Root Systems Really Look Like? Where are the Roots? • Roots are in top 12-18 inches
• Roots grow horizontally 1.5 to 2.0 the ht of the tree (not dripline)
• No taproot Where are the Roots: Root Distribution
O2
No O2
Photo courtesy Aaron Escobar / January 13, 2011 http://www.kwch.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/ct-sun-garden-0116-morton-roots-20110113,0,7416892.story What Do Tree Roots Do?
Anchor trees Uptake water and nutrients Store carbohydrates (underground away from animals) How Do Tree Roots Grow?
Roots develop from radicle Branching Root branching When prune roots growth is at tip Can remove too many roots Can plant too deep Can dig a ball with few roots How Do Tree Roots Grow?
Photo Credit s): wikipedia and http://mayaphotography.blogspot.com/ Things not to do:
Trench/severe roots Dump cleaners/chemicals Drive/park vehicles Pile bricks and firewood Allow plants to become pot bound Leave twine/burlap around trunk at planting Compacting roots
http://levelsbirder-in-morocco.webs.com/day5.htm Burlap on, trees unstaked What Do Branches Do?
Support leaves Maximize sunlight interception Get flowers/fruits into sunlight, access to pollinators Shed snow loads Extend fruit so more visible, dispersed
Live Oak Photo Credit: unknown, www Trunk, branches
Maximize sun penetration
Photo(s) Credit: Peter Cowell Without enough light…
Home Landscape Photo Credit: Gardeners Anonymous Without enough light…
Home Landscape Photo Credit: Gardeners Anonymous Without enough light…
Home Landscape Photo Credit: Gardeners Anonymous Without enough light… Another Thing Branches, Trunk Do…
Supports, houses conductive tissue Xylem and phloem! Herbaceous Dicots-Stem vascular bundles scattered Monocots-Stem vascular bundles in a ring Trees-concentric rings Trees grow up and out Concentric Rings: Phloem and Xylem
Phloem on outside Xylem on inside What Not To Do…
Girdle plants with twine, tags, stakes Question: Can You Graft Monocots? Leaves
Photo Credit: Edible Garden Project, Vancouver, BC Leaves
Intercept light (leaf area = irradiance) House photosynthetic apparatus Water evaporates, exits the plant Cools leaves Transpirational stream is energy free and moves hundreds of gallons of water per day against gravity!! 500gal/day redwoods Transpirational stream is energy free Moves against gravity!! 500gal/day redwoods Leaf Anatomy Move water, lose water What Not To Do
Coat leaves with substances that clog stomata. Allow plants to wilt Midday wilt - Too dry or isn’t being replaced as fast as it is moving out of the leaves? Vein patterns
Photo credit: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/StoryDetails.aspx?id=872 http://www.flickr.com/photos/scotnelson/5684510146/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Summary
Anatomy and physiology of plant parts provide clues on how to care for plants. Phloem: sugars to roots Xylem water to leaves Roots: shallow, wide, branch from tips Branches Trunks: increase in girth Leaves: prune in triangle, careful with coatings, ample water for cooling, gas exchange