Plant Morphology
Morphology is the branch of science that deals with the study of forms and features of the different plant organs such as roots, flowers, stems, leaves, seed, fruits and so on.
The shoot of a plant consists of stems, flowers, leaves and fruits.
The vegetative parts of the plants are the roots, stems and leaves while the reproductive parts of the plants are the flowers.
Classification of Plants
There are three types of plants depending upon the life span-
Annuals- The plants that complete their life cycle in one year or a single growing season are known as annuals. Examples are mustard and pea.
Bineals- The plants that complete their life-cycle in two years of growth are known as bineals. In the first year, they grow and store food, while in the second flowering and fruiting happens. Examples are radish and carrots.
Perennials- The plants that survive for years are known as perennials. They bear fruits and flowers every year and do not die after the flowers are produced. Examples are mangoes and guavas.
Roots
The radicle that comes out in the form of a soft structure from the seed coat and moves towards the soil is known as the primary root. Roots are generally non-green underground parts of the plants. They do not bear buds, nodes or internodes. They just have unicellular root hairs.
Types of Roots
There are two types of roots-
Tap root- The root that is developed from the radicle made up of one main and other sub-branches is known as the taproot. The primary branches of the roots and the roots themselves, constitute the taproot system. Example are-Dicot roots
Adventitious root- When the roots start developing from the other starts of the plant which can be branched, unbranched, fibrous or storage, the roots are known as adventitious roots and these roots constitute the fibrous root system. Examples are- Monocot roots
Modifications of Roots
Modified Tap root for storage-
Fusiform roots- The roots that are thicker in the middle and tapered on both ends are known as fusiform roots. In these types of roots- the hypocotyl and the root both help in the storage of food. Example- Radish
Conical roots- The roots that are thick at their upper side and tapering at their basal ends are known as conical roots. Example- Carrot
Napiform- The roots that become swollen and spherical on the upper end and tapered like a thread at the lower end are known as napiform. Example- Turnip and Sugarbeet
Tuberous roots- The roots that do not have a regular shape and get swollen and fleshy at any part of the roots are known as tuberous roots. Example- Mirabilis
Nodulated root- The roots on which nodules are found on their branches by nitrogen-fixing bacteria are known as nodulated roots. Example- Pea which is a part of the Leguminosae family.
Respiratory roots- The roots of plants in which the branches grow vertically and come out of the soil are known as respiratory roots. Example- Rhizophora and other mangrove plants.
Stems
The part of the plant which lies above the surface of the soil is known as stem which shows negative geotropic growth and has nodes and internodes as well. These nodes further develop parts of the plants such as branches, leaves, flower buds and bracts. Plumule is a part of the plant from which the stem arises.
Underground Modifications of Stems
Underground modifications of stems generally occur for food storage and vegetative propagation.
Tuber- The stem in which the underground branches get swollen in the soil is known as tubers. Eyes are present on the axillary buds covered with scaly leaves. Example- Potato
Rhizome- Fleshy and horizontal stems found below the soil are known as rhizomes. Nodes and Internodes are found in rhizomes which are covered with scaly leaves. Example- Turmeric
Corm- The stems having condensed structures growing vertically beneath the soil are known as corms. Example- Saffron
Bulb- Reduced stems having disc-like structures and surrounded with numerous fleshy scaly leaves are known as bulbs. Most of the roots arise from its base. The fleshy leaves help in the storage of food. Example- Onion
FAQs on Important Notes on Morphology of Flowering Plants for NEET Biology
1. How to study morphology of flowering plants for NEET?
Firstly, assess the extent of your syllabus and what all important topics are to be covered, learn up all the specific terminologies such as the different kinds of stem modifications, stolons, runners, among others. Thirdly, make sure you have all the notes at hand and can successfully manage time.
2. What is morphology of plants?
The scientific study of the different parts of a plant is called morphology. It is also known as phytomorphology.
3. Who is the father of phytomorphology or plant morphology?
Wilhelm Hofmeister was a German botanist who founded the subject of plant morphology.
4. What are some special stem modifications?
Some special stem modifications are-
Phylloclade- They are rounded succulent or flattened stems which are green photosynthetic. Example- Cactus
Thorn- It is an axillary bud modification Example- Bougainvillea
Cladode- A type of phylloclade having one or two internodes that is long and succulent. Example- Asparagus
Stem Tendrils- These have spirally coiled structures and are usually leafless. Example- Vitis
Bulbils- It is the fleshy axillary bud that is condensed. Example- Oxalis
5. What are the functions of root and stem?
Functions of roots-
The primary function of roots is fixation.
Roots help with the absorption of water and minerals.
Roots help in the storage of food.
Roots help with the conduction of water.
Roots play an important part in photosynthesis and respiration.
Functions of stems-
The main function of the stem is to spread out the branches having leaves, flowers and fruits.
Stems play an important part in the protection.
Stem conducts photosynthesis.
Stem helps in the storage of food.
6. What are the two important parts of an angiospermic plant?
A typical angiosperm plant’s body is differentiated into-
An underground root system- which consists of roots and branches of roots. The roots grow vertically downwards making them positively geotropic and negatively phototropic. Roots help in fixing the plant body and holding the solid particles.
An aerial shoot system- which is present at the axis of the shoot. Leaves arise from the nodes present on the stem and the space present between two nodes is known as internode.
7. Define leaves and name the different types of leaves.
The laterally flattened structures which arise from the stem are known as leaves. The leaves are arisen from the nodes. The primary function of leaves is making food and photosynthesis. Phyllome is a collective term used for all the leaves of a plant. The axillary buds present on the axil of leaves later develop into branches. The three main parts of leaves consist of leaf base, petiole and lamina.
The different types of leaves found on various plants are-
Foliage leaf
Cotyledonary leaf
Scaly leaf
Bract
Bractiole
Floral leaf
Perianth
To study more about leaves in detail, students can visit Vedantu’s study material on Morphology of Leaves.
8. What are the parameters on which the morphology of flowers are based upon?
The morphology of flowers are based on a number of parameters such as-
Number of petals
Shapes of petals
Size of petals
Number and arrangement of styles
Number and arrangement of ovaries
Size of floral organs