Leaves of Flowering Plants
The leaf is a flattened structure borne on the stem. Leaves develope at the node and bear a bud in its axil. Later, the axillary bud develops into a branch. Leaves originate from the shoot apical meristem and are arranged in an acropetal order, making them the most important vegetative organs for photosynthesis. A typical leaf consists of three main parts: the leaf base, petiole, and lamina. The leaf attaches to the stem through the leaf base and may bear two lateral small leaf-like structures called stipules.
In monocots, the leaf base expands into the sheath partially covering the stem, while in some plants, it may become swollen, known as a pulvinus. The petiole helps hold the blade to the light, while the lamina blade, green and expansive, contains veins and veinlets. Veins provide rigidity to the leaf blade and act as channels for water transport. The shape, margin, apex, surface, and extent of incisions of the lamina vary among different leaves.
Venation of leaves
The arrangement of the leaves to the veins and veinlets in the lamina of the leaf is called venation. When there is a network-like structure is called reticulate venation, and when the leaves are arranged in equal or one on each side of veins and veinlets is called parallel venation. Some trees have reticulate venation and some have parallel venation and reticulate venation mostly shows on the dicot plants and parallel venation shows on the monocot plants.
Types of Leaves
There are two main types of leaves – simple leaf and compound leaf. The difference between them is given below:
| Feature | Simple Leaves | Compound Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Consist of a single leaf blade | Consist of multiple leaflets attached to a common petiole |
| Leaflet Presence | Not present | Present |
| Leaf Arrangement | Alternate, opposite, or whorled | Usually arranged in a pinnate or palmate pattern |
| Complexity | Less complex | More complex |
| Examples | Mango, guava, rose | Rosewood, mimosa, honeylocust |
Inflorescence
The arrangement of flowers on the floral axis is termed an inflorescence. As the shoot apical meristem changes into the floral meristem, the flower undergoes modification. Internodes cease to elongate, and the axis becomes condensed. Floral appendages develop laterally at successive nodes instead of leaves.
When a shoot tip transforms into a flower, it remains solitary. There are two main types of inflorescence: cymose and racemose. In racemose inflorescence, the main axis continues to grow, with flowers blooming laterally in acropetal succession. Conversely, in cymose inflorescence, the main axis terminates in the flower, limiting its growth, and flowers blossom in a basipetal order.
Morphology of Flowering Plants
The morphology of flowering plants refers to their physical structure, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and reproductive organs. Morphology is the study of the form and structure of organisms and their parts. Understanding the morphology of flowering plants is essential as it provides insights into plant identification, classification, and function
By examining the external and internal features of plants, scientists can figure out the complex adaptations that enable plants to thrive in diverse environments. In this article, we will cover the morphology of flowering plants and their different parts in detail.
Table of Content
- What are Flowering Plants?
- Morphology of Flowering Plants
- Root System of Flowering Plants
- Shoot System
- Leaves of Flowering Plants
- The Flower
- Seeds of Flowering Plants
- Conclusion – Morphology of Flowering Plants
- FAQs on Morphology of Flowering Plants