1. Crop Science 1 Fall 2004 September 28, 2004
Botany Basics 3
Crop Science 1
Fall 2004
September 28, 2004

2. Leaf Function Principal function Photosynthesis
to absorb sunlight to manufacture plant sugars
Surfaces flattened to present a large area for efficient light absorption

3. Leaf Structure
Blade
expanded thin structure on either side of the midrib and usually the largest, most conspicuous part of a leaf

4. Leaf Structure Petiole
Stem-like appendage which holds the leaf away from the stem
The base is attached to the stem at a node
Vary in length or may be lacking entirely, in which case the leaf blade is described as sessile or stalkless

5. Leaf Structure Leaf axil The node where a petiole meets a stem
Contain axillary buds
single buds or bud clusters
Either active or dormant
Will develop into stems or leaves under the right conditions

6. Leaf Blade Structure
A leaf blade is composed of several layers

7. Epidermis Layer of thick, tough cells on the top and bottom
Primary function is to protect the other layers of leaf tissue
The arrangement of epidermal cells determines the leaf's surface texture
Some leaves have hairs (pubescence), which are extensions of epidermal cells

8. Cuticle Part of the epidermis Produces a waxy layer called cutin
Protects the leaf from dehydration and disease
The amount of cutin on a leaf increases with increasing light intensity
Move plants from shade into full sunlight gradually to allow the cutin layer to build up and protect the leaves from rapid water loss or sunscald
Repels water
Many pesticides contain a spray additive to help the product adhere to, or penetrate, the cutin layer (surfactant)

10. Guard Cells Special epidermal cells
Open and close in response to environmental stimuli (changes in weather and light)
Conditions that cause a loss of water (high temperature, low humidity), or the absence of light stimulate guard cells to close
Regulate the passage of water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide into and out of the leaf through tiny openings called stomata
In most species, the majority of the stomata are located on the underside of leaves

12. Mesophyll Located between the upper and lower epidermis Divided into:
dense upper layer (palisade mesophyll)
lower layer that contains lots of air space (spongy mesophyll)
Located within the mesophyll cells are chloroplasts
Where photosynthesis takes place

13. Types of Leaves There are many kinds of plant leaves: Foliage
Scale leaves
Seed leaves
Spines and tendrils
Storage leaves
Bracts
Modified Leaves

14. Foliage Most common and conspicuous leaves
Primary location of photosynthesis

15. Scale leaves Cataphylls Found on rhizomes and buds
Enclose and protect rhizomes and buds

16. Seed leaves Cotyledons Found on embryonic plants
Store food for the developing seedling

17. Spines and Tendrils Found on plants such as barberry and pea plants
Protect a plant
Help support stems

18. Storage Leaves
Found on bulbous plants and succulents
Store food

19. Bracts Often are brightly colored
The showy structures on dogwoods and poinsettias are bracts, not petals

20. Venation
The vascular bundles of xylem and phloem extend from the stem, through the petiole, and into the leaf blade as veins.
The term venation refers to how veins are distributed in the blade.
There are two principal types of venation: parallel-veined and net-veined

21. Venation

22. Parallel-Veined Leaves
Numerous veins run essentially parallel to each other and are connected laterally by minute, straight veinlets
Occur most often on monocotyledonous plants
The most common type of parallel veining is found in plants of the grass family, whose veins run from the leaf's base to its apex
Another type of parallel venation is found in plants such as banana whose veins run laterally from the midrib

23. Net-Veined Leaves Also called reticulate-veined
Veins branch from the main rib or ribs and subdivide into finer veinlets then unite in a complicated network
More resistant to tearing
Occur on dicotyledonous plants

24. Pinnate vs. Palmate Either Pinnate Palmate
The veins extend laterally from the midrib to the edge
Apples, cherries, and peaches
Palmate
The principal veins extend outward, like the ribs of a fan, from the base of the leaf blade
Grapes and maples

25. Common Blade Shapes Lanceolate Linear
Longer than wide and tapering toward the apex and base
Linear
Narrow, several times longer than wide, and of approximately the same width throughout

26. Common Blade Shapes Cordate Heart-shaped
Broadly ovate, tapering to an acute apex, with the base turning in and forming a notch where the petiole is attached

27. Common Blade Shapes Elliptical Ovate
About two or three times as long as wide, tapering to an acute or rounded apex and base
Ovate
Egg-shaped, basal portion wide, tapering toward the apex

28. Common Margin Forms Entire Crenate Dentate
Smooth edge with no teeth or notches
Crenate
Rounded teeth
Dentate
Teeth ending in an acute angle pointing outward

29. Common Margin Forms Serrate Incised Lobed
Small, sharp teeth pointing toward the apex
Incised
Sharp, deep, irregular teeth or incisions
Lobed
Incisions that extend less than halfway to the midrib

30. Common Apex Shapes Acute Acuminate Obtuse
Ending in an acute angle, with a sharp, but not acuminate, point
Acuminate
Tapering to a long, narrow point
Obtuse
Tapering to a rounded edge

31. Common Base Shapes Cuneate Obtuse Cordate
Wedge-shaped; triangular with the narrow end at the point of attachment
Obtuse
Tapering to a rounded edge
Cordate
Turning in and forming a notch

32. Plant Identification Leaves are useful for plant identification:
Leaf's venation
Blade and margin shapes
Apex and base shape
Leaf type
Leaf arrangement

33. Leaf Type Simple leaves Compound leaves
Leaf blade is a single, continuous unit
Compound leaves
Composed of several separate leaflets arising from the same petiole
Some leaves are doubly compound
Leaf type can be confusing, because a deeply lobed simple leaf may look like a compound leaf

34. Leaf Arrangement Opposite Alternate (spiral)
Positioned across the stem from each other, with two leaves at each node
Alternate (spiral)
Leaves are arranged in alternate steps along the stem, with only one leaf at each node

35. Leaf Arrangement Whorled Rosulate Arranged in circles along the stem
Arranged in a rosette around a stem with extremely short nodes

36. Leaves as Food Leaf blade Cluster of fleshy leaf bases Petiole
Chives, collards, dandelions, endives, kale, leaf lettuce, mustard, parsley, spinach and Swiss chard
Cluster of fleshy leaf bases
Leeks, onions, and Florence fennel
Petiole
Celery and rhubarb