C HAPTER 5

MORPHOLOGY OF FLOWERING PLANTS

5.1 The Root The wide range in the structure of higher plants will never fail to fascinate
us. Even though the angiosperms show such a large diversity in external
5.2 The Stem
structure or morphology, they are all characterised by presence of roots,
5.3 The Leaf stems, leaves, flowers and fruits.
5.4 The Inflorescence In chapters 2 and 3, we talked about classification of plants based
on morphological and other characteristics. For any successful attempt
5.5 The Flower
at classification and at understanding any higher plant (or for that
5.6 The Fruit matter any living organism) we need to know standard technical terms
and standard definitions. We also need to know about the possible
5.7 The Seed
variations in different parts, found as adaptations of the plants to their
5.8 Semi-technical environment, e.g., adaptions to various habitats, for protection,
Description of a climbing, storage, etc.
Typical If you pull out any weed you will see that all of them have roots, stems
Flowering Plant and leaves. They may be bearing flowers and fruits. The underground
5.9 Description of part of the flowering plant is the root system while the portion above the
Some Important ground forms the shoot system (Figure 5.1).
Families

5.1 THE ROOT

In majority of the dicotyledonous plants, the direct elongation of the radicle

leads to the formation of primary root which grows inside the soil.
It bears lateral roots of several orders that are referred to as secondary,
tertiary, etc. roots. The primary roots and its branches constitute the

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tap root system, as seen in the mustard

Flower
plant (Figure 5.2a). In monocotyledonous
plants, the primary root is short lived and
is replaced by a large number of roots.
Fruit
These roots originate from the base of the
Stem stem and constitute the fibrous root
Leaf Shoot system, as seen in the wheat plant (Figure
system
5.2b). In some plants, like grass,
Monstera and the banyan tree, roots arise
Node from parts of the plant other than the
Internode { Bud
radicle and are called adventitious roots
(Figure 5.2c). The main functions of the
root system are absorption of water and
minerals from the soil, providing a proper
Primary anchorage to the plant parts, storing
root Root reserve food material and synthesis of
Secondary system plant growth regulators.
root

Figure 5.1 Parts of a flowering plant

Main root

Laterals

Fibrous roots Adventitious roots

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 5.2 Different types of roots : (a) Tap (b) Fibrous (c) Adventitious

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5.1.1 Regions of the Root

The root is covered at the apex by a thimble-like
structure called the root cap (Figure 5.3). It
protects the tender apex of the root as it makes
its way through the soil. A few millimetres above
the root cap is the region of meristematic
activity. The cells of this region are very small,
thin-walled and with dense protoplasm. They
divide repeatedly. The cells proximal to this
region undergo rapid elongation and
enlargement and are responsible for the growth
of the root in length. This region is called the
region of elongation. The cells of the elongation
zone gradually differentiate and mature. Hence,
this zone, proximal to region of elongation, is
called the region of maturation. From this
region some of the epidermal cells form very fine Figure 5.3 The regions of the root-tip
and delicate, thread-like structures called root
hairs. These root hairs absorb water and
minerals from the soil.

5.1.2 Modifications of Root

Roots in some plants change their shape and
structure and become modified to perform
functions other than absorption and
conduction of water and minerals. They are
modified for support, storage of food and
respiration (Figure 5.4 and 5.5). Tap roots of
carrot, turnip and adventitious roots of sweet
potato, get swollen and store food. Can you give
some more such examples? Have you ever
wondered what those hanging structures that
support a banyan tree are? These are called
prop roots. Similarly, the stems of maize and
sugarcane have supporting roots coming out
of the lower nodes of the stem. These are called
stilt roots. In some plants such as Rhizophora
growing in swampy areas, many roots come out
of the ground and grow vertically upwards.
Such roots, called pneumatophores, help to Figure 5.4 Modification of root for support:
get oxygen for respiration (Figure 5.5b). Banyan tree

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Turnip Carrot Sweet

potato
Asparagus
(a) (b)
Figure 5.5 Modification of root for : (a) storage (b) respiration: pneumatophore in
Rhizophora

5.2 THE STEM

What are the features that distinguish a stem from a root? The stem is the
ascending part of the axis bearing branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. It
develops from the plumule of the embryo of a germinating seed. The stem
bears nodes and internodes. The region of the stem where leaves are
born are called nodes while internodes are the portions between two nodes.
The stem bears buds, which may be terminal or axillary. Stem is generally
green when young and later often become woody and dark brown.
The main function of the stem is spreading out branches bearing
leaves, flowers and fruits. It conducts water, minerals and photosynthates.
Some stems perform the function of storage of food, support, protection
and of vegetative propagation.

5.2.1 Modifications of Stem

The stem may not always be typically like what they are expected to be.
They are modified to perform different functions (Figure 5.6). Underground
stems of potato, ginger, turmeric, zaminkand, Colocasia are modified to
store food in them. They also act as organs of perennation to tide over
conditions unfavourable for growth. Stem tendrils which develop from
axillary buds, are slender and spirally coiled and help plants to climb
such as in gourds (cucumber, pumpkins, watermelon) and grapevines.
Axillary buds of stems may also get modified into woody, straight and
pointed thorns. Thorns are found in many plants such as Citrus,
Bougainvillea. They protect plants from browsing animals. Some plants
of arid regions modify their stems into flattened (Opuntia), or fleshy
cylindrical (Euphorbia) structures. They contain chlorophyll and carry

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Axillary bud
modified
Ginger into tendril

Potato
Zaminkand
(b)
(a)

Stem modified
into spine

Bougainvillea sp. Roots arising

Oxalis sp.
(c) from nodes
(d)

Figure 5.6 Modifications of stem for : (a) storage (b) support (c) protection
(d) spread and vegetative propagation

out photosynthesis. Underground stems of some plants such as grass

and strawberry, etc., spread to new niches and when older parts die new
plants are formed. In plants like mint and jasmine a slender lateral branch
arises from the base of the main axis and after growing aerially for some
time arch downwards to touch the ground. A lateral branch with short
internodes and each node bearing a rosette of leaves and a tuft of roots is
found in aquatic plants like Pistia and Eichhornia. In banana, pineapple
and Chrysanthemum, the lateral branches originate from the basal and
underground portion of the main stem, grow horizontally beneath the
soil and then come out obliquely upward giving rise to leafy shoots.

5.3 THE LEAF

The leaf is a lateral, generally flattened structure borne on the stem. It
develops at the node and bears a bud in its axil. The axillary bud later
develops into a branch. Leaves originate from shoot apical meristems and
are arranged in an acropetal order. They are the most important vegetative
organs for photosynthesis.
A typical leaf consists of three main parts: leaf base, petiole and lamina
(Figure 5.7 a). The leaf is attached to the stem by the leaf base and may

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Lamina bear two lateral small leaf like structures called

stipules. In monocotyledons, the leaf base expands
Stipule
into a sheath covering the stem partially or wholly.
In some leguminous plants the leafbase may
become swollen, which is called the pulvinus. The
petiole help hold the blade to light. Long thin flexible
Petiole petioles allow leaf blades to flutter in wind, thereby
Axillary cooling the leaf and bringing fresh air to leaf surface.
Leaf bud
(a) base The lamina or the leaf blade is the green expanded
part of the leaf with veins and veinlets. There is,
usually, a middle prominent vein, which is known
as the midrib. Veins provide rigidity to the leaf blade
and act as channels of transport for water, minerals
and food materials. The shape, margin, apex, surface
and extent of incision of lamina varies in different
leaves.

5.3.1 Venation
The arrangement of veins and the veinlets in the
lamina of leaf is termed as venation. When the
veinlets form a network, the venation is termed as
reticulate (Figure 5.7 b). When the veins run
parallel to each other within a lamina, the venation
is termed as parallel (Figure 5.7 c). Leaves of
(b) (c)
dicotyledonous plants generally possess reticulate
Figure 5.7 Structure of a leaf : venation, while parallel venation is the characteristic
(a) Parts of a leaf of most monocotyledons.
(b) Reticulate venation
(c) Parallel venation
5.3.2 Types of Leaves

Rachis A leaf is said to be simple, when its lamina is entire

or when incised, the incisions do not touch the
midrib. When the incisions of the lamina reach up
to the midrib breaking it into a number of leaflets,
the leaf is called compound. A bud is present
in the axil of petiole in both simple and compound
leaves, but not in the axil of leaflets of the compound
leaf.
The compound leaves may be of two types
(b) Silk Cotton
(Figure 5.8). In a pinnately compound leaf a
(a) Neem
number of leaflets are present on a common axis,
Figure 5.8 Compound leaves :
the rachis, which represents the midrib of the leaf
(a) pinnately compound leaf
(b) palmately compound leaf as in neem.

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In palmately compound leaves, the

leaflets are attached at a common point, i.e.,
at the tip of petiole, as in silk cotton.

5.3.3 Phyllotaxy
Phyllotaxy is the pattern of arrangement of
leaves on the stem or branch. This is usually (b) Guava
(a) China rose
of three types – alternate, opposite and
whorled (Figure 5.9). In alternate type of
phyllotaxy, a single leaf arises at each node
in alternate manner, as in china rose,
mustard and sun flower plants. In opposite
type, a pair of leaves arise at each node and
lie opposite to each other as in Calotropis
and guava plants. If more than two leaves
(c) Alstonia
arise at a node and form a whorl, it is called
whorled, as in Alstonia. Figure 5.9 Different types of phyllotaxy :
(a) Alternate (b) Opposite
(c) Whorled
5.3.4 Modifications of Leaves
Leaves
Leaves are often modified to perform modified
Leaf
functions other than photosynthesis. They tendril into spines
are converted into tendrils for climbing as
in peas or into spines for defence as in cacti
(Figure 5.10 a, b). The fleshy leaves of onion
and garlic store food (Figure 5.10c). In some
plants such as Australian acacia, the leaves
are small and short-lived. The petioles in
these plants expand, become green and
synthesise food. Leaves of certain
insectivorous plants such as pitcher plant,
venus-fly trap are also modified leaves. (b) Cactus
(a) Pea

5.4 THE INFLORESCENCE

A flower is a modified shoot wherein the shoot

apical meristem changes to floral meristem.
Internodes do not elongate and the axis gets
condensed. The apex produces different Fleshy
kinds of floral appendages laterally at leaves
(c) Onion
successive nodes instead of leaves. When a Figure 5.10 Modifications of leaf for :
shoot tip transforms into a flower, it is always (a) support: tendril (b) protection:
solitary. The arrangement of flowers on the spines (c) storage: fleshy leaves

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floral axis is termed as inflorescence. Depending

on whether the apex gets developed into a flower or
continues to grow, two major types of inflorescences
are defined – racemose and cymose. In racemose
type of inflorescences the main axis continues to
grow, the flowers are borne laterally in an acropetal
succession (Figure 5.11).
In cymose type of inflorescence the main axis
terminates in a flower, hence is limited in growth.The
flowers are borne in a basipetal order (Figure 5.12).

5.5 THE FLOWER

The flower is the reproductive unit in the
angiosperms. It is meant for sexual reproduction.
A typical flower has four different kinds of whorls
arranged successively on the swollen end of the
stalk or pedicel, called thalamus or receptacle.
These are calyx, corolla, androecium and
Figure 5.11 Racemose inflorescence gynoecium. Calyx and corolla are accessory organs,
while androecium and gynoecium are reproductive
organs. In some flowers like lily, the calyx and
corolla are not distinct and are termed as perianth.
When a flower has both androecium and
gynoecium, it is bisexual. A flower having either
only stamens or only carpels is unisexual.
In symmetry, the flower may be
actinomorphic (radial symmetry) or
zygomorphic (bilateral symmetry). When a flower
can be divided into two equal radial halves in any
radial plane passing through the centre, it is said
to be actinomorphic, e.g., mustard, datura, chilli.
When it can be divided into two similar halves only
Figure 5.12 Cymose inflorescence
in one particular vertical plane, it is zygomorphic,
e.g., pea, gulmohur, bean, Cassia. A flower is
asymmetric (irregular) if it cannot be divided into
two similar halves by any vertical plane passing
through the centre, as in canna.
A flower may be trimerous, tetramerous or
pentamerous when the floral appendages are in
multiple of 3, 4 or 5, respectively. Flowers
with bracts -reduced leaf found at the base of the
pedicel - are called bracteate and those without
bracts, ebracteate.

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(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 5.13 Position of floral parts on thalamus : (a) Hypogynous (b) and (c)
Perigynous (d) Epigynous

Based on the position of calyx, corolla and androecium in respect of

the ovary on thalamus, the flowers are described as hypogynous,
perigynous and epigynous (Figure 5.13). In the hypogynous flower the
gynoecium occupies the highest position while the other parts are situated
below it. The ovary in such flowers is said to be superior, e.g., mustard,
china rose and brinjal. If gynoecium is situated in the centre and other
parts of the flower are located on the rim of the thalamus almost at the
same level, it is called perigynous. The ovary here is said to be half
inferior, e.g., plum, rose, peach. In epigynous flowers, the margin of
thalamus grows upward enclosing the ovary completely and getting fused
with it, the other parts of flower arise above the ovary. Hence, the ovary is
said to be inferior as in flowers of guava and cucumber, and the ray
florets of sunflower.

5.5.1 Parts of a Flower

Each flower normally has four floral whorls, viz., calyx, corolla,
androecium and gynoecium (Figure 5.14).

5.5.1.1 Calyx
The calyx is the outermost whorl of the flower and the members are called
sepals. Generally, sepals are green, leaf like and protect the flower in the
bud stage. The calyx may be gamosepalous (sepals united) or
polysepalous (sepals free).

5.5.1.2 Corolla
Corolla is composed of petals. Petals are usually brightly coloured to
attract insects for pollination. Like calyx, corolla may also be

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Androecium

Gynoecium
Corolla
Calyx
Pedicel

Figure 5.14 Parts of a flower

gamopetalous (petals united) or polypetalous (petals free). The shape

and colour of corolla vary greatly in plants. Corolla may be tubular, bell-
shaped, funnel-shaped or wheel-shaped.
Aestivation: The mode of arrangement of sepals or petals in floral bud
with respect to the other members of the same whorl is known as
aestivation. The main types of aestivation are valvate, twisted, imbricate
and vexillary (Figure 5.15). When sepals or petals in a whorl just touch
one another at the margin, without overlapping, as in Calotropis, it is
said to be valvate. If one margin of the appendage overlaps that of the
next one and so on as in china rose, lady’s finger and cotton, it is called
twisted. If the margins of sepals or petals overlap one another but not in
any particular direction as in Cassia and gulmohur, the aestivation is
called imbricate. In pea and bean flowers, there are five petals, the largest
(standard) overlaps the two lateral petals (wings) which in turn overlap
the two smallest anterior petals (keel); this type of aestivation is known
as vexillary or papilionaceous.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 5.15 Types of aestivation in corolla : (a) Valvate (b) Twisted (c) Imbricate (d) Vexillary

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(
)a
5.5.1.3 Androecium
Androecium is composed of stamens. Each stamen which
represents the male reproductive organ consists of a stalk or a
filament and an anther. Each anther is usually bilobed and each
lobe has two chambers, the pollen-sacs. The pollen grains are
produced in pollen-sacs. A sterile stamen is called staminode. (a)
Stamens of flower may be united with other members such as
petals or among themselves. When stamens are attached to the
petals, they are epipetalous as in brinjal, or epiphyllous when
attached to the perianth as in the flowers of lily. The stamens in a
flower may either remain free (polyandrous) or may be united in
varying degrees. The stamens may be united into one bunch or
one bundle (monoadelphous) as in china rose, or two bundles
(diadelphous) as in pea, or into more than two bundles (b)
(polyadelphous) as in citrus. There may be a variation in the length
of filaments within a flower, as in Salvia and mustard.

5.5.1.4 Gynoecium
Gynoecium is the female reproductive part of the flower and is made
up of one or more carpels. A carpel consists of three parts namely
stigma, style and ovary. Ovary is the enlarged basal part, on which
lies the elongated tube, the style. The style connects the ovary to the (c)
stigma. The stigma is usually at the tip of the style and is the
receptive surface for pollen grains. Each ovary bears one or more
ovules attached to a flattened, cushion-like placenta. When more
than one carpel is present, they may be free (as in lotus and rose)
and are called apocarpous. They are termed syncarpous when
carpels are fused, as in mustard and tomato. After fertilisation, the
ovules develop into seeds and the ovary matures into a fruit.
(d)
Placentation: The arrangement of ovules within the ovary is known
as placentation. The placentation are of different types namely,
marginal, axile, parietal, basal, central and free central (Figure 5.16).
In marginal placentation the placenta forms a ridge along the
ventral suture of the ovary and the ovules are borne on this ridge
forming two rows, as in pea. When the placenta is axial and the
ovules are attached to it in a multilocular ovary, the placentaion is (e)
said to be axile, as in china rose, tomato and lemon. In parietal
Figure 5.16 Types of
placentation, the ovules develop on the inner wall of the ovary or placentation :
on peripheral part. Ovary is one-chambered but it becomes two- (a) Marginal
chambered due to the formation of the false septum, e.g., mustard (b) Axile
(c) Parietal
and Argemone. When the ovules are borne on central axis and (d) Free central
septa are absent, as in Dianthus and Primrose the placentation is (e) Basal

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called free central. In basal placentation, the placenta develops at the

base of ovary and a single ovule is attached to it, as in sunflower, marigold.

5.6 THE FRUIT

The fruit is a characteristic feature of the flowering plants. It is a mature

or ripened ovary, developed after fertilisation. If a fruit is formed without
fertilisation of the ovary, it is called a parthenocarpic fruit.
Generally, the fruit consists of a wall or pericarp and seeds. The
pericarp may be dry or fleshy. When pericarp is thick and fleshy, it is
differentiated into the outer epicarp, the middle mesocarp and the inner
endocarp.

(a) (b)

Figure 5.17 Parts of a fruit : (a) Mango (b) Coconut

In mango and coconut, the fruit is known as a drupe (Figure 5.17).

They develop from monocarpellary superior ovaries and are one seeded.
In mango the pericarp is well differentiated into an outer thin epicarp, a
middle fleshy edible mesocarp and an inner stony hard endocarp. In
coconut which is also a drupe, the mesocarp is fibrous.

5.7 THE SEED

The ovules after fertilisation, develop into seeds. A seed is made up of a

seed coat and an embryo. The embryo is made up of a radicle, an embryonal
axis and one (as in wheat, maize) or two cotyledons (as in gram and pea).

5.7.1 Structure of a Dicotyledonous Seed

The outermost covering of a seed is the seed coat. The seed coat has two
layers, the outer testa and the inner tegmen. The hilum is a scar on the
seed coat through which the developing seeds were attached to the fruit.
Above the hilum is a small pore called the micropyle. Within the seed

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coat is the embryo, consisting of an Seed coat

Cotyledon
embryonal axis and two cotyledons. The Plumule
cotyledons are often fleshy and full of reserve
food materials. At the two ends of the
embryonal axis are present the radicle and
the plumule (Figure 5.18). In some seeds
Hilum
such as castor the endosperm formed as a Radicle
result of double fertilisation, is a food storing Micropyle
tissue and called endospermic seeds. In
plants such as bean, gram and pea, the Figure 5.18 Structure of dicotyledonous seed
endosperm is not present in mature seeds
and such seeds are called non-
endospermous.

5.7.2 Structure of Monocotyledonous Seed

Generally, monocotyledonous seeds are endospermic but some as in
orchids are non-endospermic. In the seeds of cereals such as maize the
seed coat is membranous and generally fused with the fruit wall. The
endosperm is bulky and stores food. The outer covering of endosperm
separates the embryo by a proteinous layer called aleurone layer. The
embryo is small and situated in a groove at one end of the endosperm. It
consists of one large and shield shaped cotyledon known as scutellum
and a short axis with a plumule and a radicle. The plumule and radicle
are enclosed in sheaths which are called coleoptile and coleorhiza
respectively (Figure 5.19).

Seed coat & fruit-wall Endosperm

Aleurone layer
Scutellum

Coleoptile
Endosperm
Plumule

Embryo
Radicle
Coleorhiza

Figure 5.19 Structure of a monocotyledonous seed

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5.8 SEMI-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF A TYPICAL

FLOWERING PLANT
Various morphological features are used to describe a
flowering plant. The description has to be brief, in a simple
and scientific language and presented in a proper
sequence. The plant is described beginning with its habit,
vegetative characters – roots, stem and leaves and then
floral characters inflorescence and flower parts. After
describing various parts of plant, a floral diagram and a
floral formula are presented. The floral formula is
represented by some symbols. In the floral formula, Br
stands for bracteate K stands for calyx , C for corolla, P for
perianth, A for androecium and G for Gynoecium, G for
K2+2 C4 A2+4 G(2) superior ovary and G for inferior ovary, for male, for
⊕
female, for bisexual plants, ⊕ for actinomorphic and
Figure 5.20 Floral diagram with for zygomorphic nature of flower. Fusion is indicated by
floral formula enclosing the figure within bracket and adhesion by a line
drawn above the symbols of the floral parts. A floral
diagram provides information about the number of parts
of a flower, their arrangement and the relation they have
with one another (Figure 5.20). The position of the mother
axis with respect to the flower is represented by a dot on
the top of the floral diagram. Calyx, corolla, androecium
and gynoecium are drawn in successive whorls, calyx being
the outermost and the gynoecium being in the centre.
Floral formula also shows cohesion and adhesion within
parts of whorls and between whorls. The floral diagram
and floral formula in Figure 5.20 represents the mustard
plant (Family: Brassicaceae).

5.9 DESCRIPTION OF SOME IMPORTANT FAMILIES

5.9.1 Fabaceae
This family was earlier called Papilionoideae, a subfamily
of family Leguminosae. It is distributed all over the world
(Figure 5.21).
Vegetative Characters
Trees, shrubs, herbs; root with root nodules
Stem: erect or climber
Leaves: alternate, pinnately compound or simple; leaf base,
pulvinate; stipulate; venation reticulate.

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(b)

(c)

(e) (f)
(a) (d)

Figure 5.21 Pisum sativum (pea) plant : (a) Flowering twig (b) Flower (c) Petals
(d) Reproductive parts (e) L.S.carpel (f) Floral diagram

Floral characters
Inflorescence: racemose
Flower: bisexual, zygomorphic
Calyx: sepals five, gamosepalous; valvate/imbricate aestivation
Corolla: petals five, polypetalous, papilionaceous, consisting of a posterior
standard, two lateral wings, two anterior ones forming a keel (enclosing
stamens and pistil), vexillary aestivation
Androecium: ten, diadelphous, anther dithecous
Gynoecium: ovary superior, mono carpellary, unilocular with many
ovules, style single
Fruit: legume; seed: one to many, non-endospermic
Floral Formula: % K(5) C1+2+(2) A(9)+1 G1
Economic importance
Many plants belonging to the family are sources of pulses (gram, arhar,
sem, moong, soyabean; edible oil (soyabean, groundnut); dye (Indigofera);
fibres (sunhemp); fodder (Sesbania, Trifolium), ornamentals (lupin, sweet
pea); medicine (muliathi).

5.9.2 Solanaceae
It is a large family, commonly called as the ‘potato family’. It is widely
distributed in tropics, subtropics and even temperate zones (Figure 5.22).
Vegetative Characters
Plants mostly herbs, shrubs and rarely small trees
Stem: herbaceous rarely woody, aerial; erect, cylindrical, branched, solid

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(d)
(b)
(c)

(a)
(e) (f)

Figure 5.22 Solanum nigrum (makoi) plant : (a) Flowering twig (b) Flower
(c) L.S. of flower (d) Stamens (e) Carpel (f) Floral diagram

or hollow, hairy or glabrous, underground stem in potato (Solanum

tuberosum)
Leaves: alternate, simple, rarely pinnately compound, exstipulate;
venation reticulate
Floral Characters
Inflorescence : Solitary, axillary or cymose as in Solanum
Flower: bisexual, actinomorphic
Calyx: sepals five, united, persistent, valvate aestivation
Corolla: petals five, united; valvate aestivation
Androecium: stamens five, epipetalous
Gynoecium: bicarpellary obligately placed, syncarpous; ovary superior,
bilocular, placenta swollen with many ovules, axile
Fruits: berry or capsule
Seeds: many, endospermous
Floral Formula: ⊕
Economic Importance
Many plants belonging to this family are source of food (tomato, brinjal,
potato), spice (chilli); medicine (belladonna, ashwagandha); fumigatory
(tobacco); ornamentals (petunia).

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5.9.3 Liliaceae
Commonly called the ‘Lily family’ is a characteristic representative of
monocotyledonous plants. It is distributed world wide (Figure 5.23).
Vegetative characters: Perennial herbs with underground bulbs/corms/
rhizomes
Leaves mostly basal, alternate, linear, exstipulate with parallel venation
Floral characters
Inflorescence: solitary / cymose; often umbellate clusters
Flower: bisexual; actinomorphic
Perianth tepal six (3+3), often united into tube; valvate aestivation
Androecium: stamen six, 3+3, epitepalous
Gynoecium: tricarpellary, syncarpous, ovary superior, trilocular with
many ovules; axile placentation
Fruit: capsule, rarely berry
Seed: endospermous
Floral Formula: Br ⊕ P(3+3) A3+3 G(3)
Economic Importance
Many plants belonging to this family are good ornamentals (tulip,
Gloriosa), source of medicine (Aloe), vegetables (Asparagus), and
colchicine (Colchicum autumnale).

(b) (c)

(d)

(a)

Figure 5.23 Allium cepa (onion) plant : (a) Plant (b) Inflorescence (c) Flower
(d) Floral diagram

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82 BIOLOGY

SUMMARY

Flowering plants exhibit enormous variation in shape, size, structure, mode of

nutrition, life span, habit and habitat. They have well developed root and shoot
systems. Root system is either tap root or fibrous. Generally, dicotyledonous plants
have tap roots while monocotyledonous plants have fibrous roots. The roots in
some plants get modified for storage of food, mechanical support and respiration.
The shoot system is differentiated into stem, leaves, flowers and fruits. The
morphological features of stems like the presence of nodes and internodes,
multicellular hair and positively phototropic nature help to differentiate the stems
from roots. Stems also get modified to perform diverse functions such as storage
of food, vegetative propagation and protection under different conditions. Leaf is a
lateral outgrowth of stem developed exogeneously at the node. These are green in
colour to perform the function of photosynthesis. Leaves exhibit marked variations
in their shape, size, margin, apex and extent of incisions of leaf blade (lamina).
Like other parts of plants, the leaves also get modified into other structures such
as tendrils, spines for climbing and protection respectively.
The flower is a modified shoot, meant for sexual reproduction. The flowers are
arranged in different types of inflorescences. They exhibit enormous variation in
structure, symmetry, position of ovary in relation to other parts, arrangement of
petals, sepals, ovules etc. After fertilisation, the ovary is modified into fruits and
ovules into seeds. Seeds either may be monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous. They
vary in shape, size and period of viability. The floral characteristics form the basis
of classification and identification of flowering plants. This can be illustrated
through semi-technical descriptions of families. Hence, a flowering plant is
described in a definite sequence by using scientific terms. The floral features are
represented in the summarised form as floral diagrams and floral formula.

EXERCISES

1. What is meant by modification of root? What type of modification of root is found

in the:
(a) Banyan tree (b) Turnip (c) Mangrove trees
2. Justify the following statements on the basis of external features:
(i) Underground parts of a plant are not always roots.
(ii) Flower is a modified shoot.
3. How is a pinnately compound leaf different from a palmately compound leaf?
4. Explain with suitable examples the different types of phyllotaxy.

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MORPHOLOGY OF FLOWERING PLANTS 83

5. Define the following terms:

(a) aestivation (b) placentation (c) actinomorphic
(d) zygomorphic (e) superior ovary (f) perigynous flower
(g) epipetalous stamen
6. Differentiate between
(a) Racemose and cymose inflorescence
(b) Fibrous root and adventitious root
(c) Apocarpous and syncarpous ovary
7. Draw the labelled diagram of the following:
(i) gram seed (ii) V.S. of maize seed
8. Describe modifications of stem with suitable examples.
9. Take one flower each of the families Fabaceae and Solanaceae and write its
semi-technical description. Also draw their floral diagram after studying them.

10. Describe the various types of placentations found in flowering plants.

11. What is a flower? Describe the parts of a typical angiosperm flower.
12. How do the various leaf modifications help plants?
13. Define the term inflorescence. Explain the basis for the different types
inflorescence in flowering plants.
14. Write the floral formula of a actinomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous flower with
five united sepals, five free petals, five free stamens and two united carples
with superior ovary and axile placentation.
15. Describe the arrangement of floral members in relation to their insertion on
thalamus.

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