Botany Basics Amy Fulcher Assistant Professor Sustainable Ornamental Plant Production and Landscape Management

Presentation �  Introduction � Snack break � Overview/refresher on how plants work

and implications for nursery and landscape situations �  Roots �  Trunks/branches �  Snack break �  Leaves

Introduction to Amy �  Extension Philosophy

“Enhance the current and future ornamental horticulture industry by addressing their needs through collaborations in quality education, demonstrations, and applied research.”

�  Program seeks to integrate applied research with extension education �  IPM manual �  Joint website

�  More on my research program later today!

How About You? � Agent Introductions

Snack Break aka quiz

There are ____ flowering plants in the world? � 12,750 � 46,902 � 113,560 � 352,000

There are ____ flowering plants in the world? � 12,750 � 46,902 � 113,560

� 352,000

There are more than _____ Asteraceae? � 24 � 240 � 2,400 � 24,000

There are more than _____ Asteraceae? � 24 � 240 � 2,400

� 24,000

The smallest flower in the world can… � Fit in a sewing needle eye �  Is less than 2 salt grains end to end �  Is the size of Abraham Lincoln’s ear on a

penny

How Plants Work

http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/labs/plantanatomy.htm

•  Some plant parts lose water, some take up water (and nutrients)

•  Areas of growth •  Vascular and

apical

We have these amazing, diverse plants because of their anatomy, physiology, and ability to fill niches

Plants do these (and other things) differently

MONOCOTS DICOTS

�  Embryo with single cotyledon Embryo with two cotyledons �  Flower parts in multiples of three Flower parts in multiples of four or

five �  Major leaf veins parallel Major leaf veins reticulated �  Stem vascular bundles scattered Stem vascular bundles in a ring �  Roots are adventitious Roots develop from radicle �  Secondary growth absent Secondary growth often present

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss8/monocotdicot.html Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Plants do these (and other things) differently

MONOCOTS DICOTS

�  Embryo with single cotyledon Embryo with two cotyledons �  Flower parts in multiples of three Flower parts in multiples of four or

five �  Major leaf veins parallel Major leaf veins reticulated �  Stem vascular bundles scattered Stem vascular bundles in a ring �  Roots are adventitious Roots develop from radicle �  Secondary growth absent Secondary growth often present

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss8/monocotdicot.html Photo Credit: Wikipedia

What do tree roots really look like? Where are the roots?

What Do Root Systems Really Look Like? Where are the Roots?

•  Roots are in top 12-18 inches

•  Roots grow horizontally 1.5 to 2.0 the ht of the tree (not dripline)

•  No taproot

Where are the Roots: Root Distribution

http://www.kwch.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/ct-sun-garden-0116-morton-roots-20110113,0,7416892.story

Photo courtesy Aaron Escobar / January 13, 2011

O2

No O2

What Do Tree Roots Do? � Anchor trees � Uptake water and nutrients � Store carbohydrates (underground away

from animals)

How Do Tree Roots Grow? � Roots develop from radicle � Branching

Root branching When prune roots growth is at tip

Can remove too many roots Can plant too deep Can dig a ball with few roots

How Do Tree Roots Grow?

Photo Credit s): wikipedia and http://mayaphotography.blogspot.com/

Things not to do:

� Trench/severe roots � Dump cleaners/chemicals � Drive/park vehicles � Pile bricks and firewood � Allow plants to become pot bound � Leave twine/burlap around trunk at

planting

Compacting roots

http://levelsbirder-in-morocco.webs.com/day5.htm

Burlap on, trees unstaked

What Do Branches Do? � Support leaves

�  Maximize sunlight interception

� Get flowers/fruits into sunlight, access to pollinators

� Shed snow loads � Extend fruit so more

visible, dispersed

Live Oak Photo Credit: unknown, www

Trunk, branches � Maximize sun

penetration

Photo(s) Credit: Peter Cowell

Without enough light…

Home Landscape Photo Credit: Gardeners Anonymous

Without enough light…

Home Landscape Photo Credit: Gardeners Anonymous

Without enough light…

Home Landscape Photo Credit: Gardeners Anonymous

Without enough light…

Another Thing Branches, Trunk Do… � Supports, houses

conductive tissue �  Xylem and phloem!

� Herbaceous Dicots-Stem vascular bundles scattered

� Monocots-Stem vascular bundles in a ring

� Trees-concentric rings � Trees grow up and out

Concentric Rings: Phloem and Xylem � Phloem on outside � Xylem on inside

What Not To Do… � Girdle plants with

twine, tags, stakes

Question: Can You Graft Monocots?

Leaves

Photo Credit: Edible Garden Project, Vancouver, BC

Leaves �  Intercept light (leaf area = irradiance) � House photosynthetic apparatus � Water evaporates, exits the plant � Cools leaves

�  Transpirational stream is energy free and moves hundreds of gallons of water per day against gravity!! � 500gal/day redwoods

�  Transpirational stream is energy free

�  Moves against gravity!! �  500gal/day redwoods

Leaf Anatomy

Move water, lose water

What Not To Do � Coat leaves with substances that clog

stomata. � Allow plants to wilt � Midday wilt - Too dry or isn’t being

replaced as fast as it is moving out of the leaves?

Vein patterns

Photo credit: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/StoryDetails.aspx?id=872 http://www.flickr.com/photos/scotnelson/5684510146/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Summary � Anatomy and physiology of plant parts

provide clues on how to care for plants. � Phloem: sugars to roots � Xylem water to leaves � Roots: shallow, wide, branch from tips � Branches Trunks: increase in girth � Leaves: prune in triangle, careful with

coatings, ample water for cooling, gas exchange