20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants KEY CONCEPT The largest phylum in the plant kingdom is the flowering plants.

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants Flowering plants have unique adaptations that allow them to dominate in today’s world. Flowers allow for efficient pollination. –animals feed on pollen or nectar –pollen is spread from plant to plant in process

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants Fruit allows for efficient seed dispersal. – Fruit is flower’s ripened ovary – Surrounds and protects seed(s) – EX. Shell of sunflower seed or peanut

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants Botanists classify flowering plants into two groups based on seed type. A cotyledon is an embryonic “seed leaf.” Monocots have a single seed leaf. –leaf veins usually parallel –flower parts usually in multiples of 3 –bundles of vascular tissue scattered in stem –EX: Grasses, irises, lilies

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants Dicots have two seed leaves. –leaf veins usually netlike –flower parts usually in multiples of 4 or 5 –bundles of vascular tissue in rings in stem –EX: trees, peanuts, many flowering plants

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants Flowering plants are also categorized by stem type and lifespan. Stem type can be woody or herbaceous. –Wood is a fibrous material made up of dead cells. –Wood has high concentrations of lignin and cellulose. –Woody stems are stiff. Oak

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants Flowering plants are also categorized by stem type and lifespan. Stem type can be woody or herbaceous. –Wood is a fibrous material made up of dead cells. –Wood has high concentrations of lignin and cellulose. –Woody stems are stiff. –Herbaceous plants do not produce wood. Iris

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants There are three types of plant life spans. –Annuals mature from seed, flower, and die in one year. Wheat

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants –Biennials take two years to compete life cycle. There are three types of plant life spans. –Annuals mature from seed, flower, and die in one year. Foxglove

20.3 Diversity of Flowering Plants –Annuals mature from seed, flower, and die in one year. There are three types of plant life spans. –Perennials live more than two years. Big bluestem – Biennials take two years to compete life cycle.