Plant Scavenger Hunt

Plants cover much of the surface of the Earth, existing in a multitude of forms and
surviving in a variety of environments. It is plants that make it possible for other
forms of life to share this planet. This hands-on activity will allow students to gain
knowledge of the various types of plants in the state of North Carolina as well as
identify some of the basic parts of a plant.

Part 1: Gathering Information (Written Section)

Before beginning the scavenger hunt students will need to complete the written
assignment that follows. The information covered in this section will help you
determine what you need to collect for the scavenger hunt. There will be a quiz on
Plants on Tuesday!!!

Written Section-

1. What characteristics do all plants have in common?

2. a. Explain the difference between nonvascular and vascular plants.

b. What is xylem and what is its function?

c. What is phloem and what is its function?

3. a. Define bryophyte.
b. Give two examples of bryophytes.

4. a. Give three characteristics of typical gymnosperms.

b. Give two example of gymnosperms.

5. What is a seed?

6. a. What defines an angiosperm?

b. Give two examples of angiosperms.

7. Compare and contrast monocots and dicots in at least two ways.

8. Diagram a typical monocot leaf and a typical dicot leaf.

9. Give the function of all of the following parts of a typical flower.
a. Petals
b. Stamen
c. Pistil
d. Ovule

10. a. Is pollen part of the male or female structures of a plant?

b. Where is pollen found?

11. Sketch a typical flower labeling the following parts: sepals, petals,
stamen, filament, anther, pistil, style, stigma, and ovary.

12. What is a fruit?

13. a. What is the definition of an annual plant?

b. Give two examples of annual plants.

14. a. What is the definition of a perennial plant?

b. Give two examples of perennial plants.

15. State the major purpose or function of the following three main parts of
plants.
a. Roots
i. What is a taproot?
ii. What is a fibrous root?
b. Stem
c. Leaves

16. a. What are stomata used for on a plant and where can stomata be
found?
b. Predict what would happen if a leaf did not have stomata.

17. a. What is an adaptation?

b. Give at least three examples of plant adaptations.

18. What is North Carolina’s state tree?

19. Briefly describe the process of photosynthesis (include the inputs and
outputs of this process in your answer).
 20. Briefly explain why humans are dependent on plants for survival (use
your answer to question #19 to help you explain this).

Part II: Scavenger Hunt (Collection Portion)

You will be collecting samples of various plants and/or plant parts from
habitats around MTHS and around your neighborhood (see chart below). Please
follow the below rules when collecting these samples.
Rules for Collection
1. Be careful not to destroy any habitats as you collect.
2. Collect samples carefully (Do not collect plants with red spots
or red areas as they may be poisonous or irritating to the skin).
3. Take small samples as we do not want to deplete the
environment.
4. Label the specimen with location and date collected.

Mark box if Specimen Points Points

used in Possible Received
your
project
Plant Types: 5 samples
 A sample of a Bryophyte 2
 A sample of a Coniferophyte 2
 A sample of an Anthophyte 2
 A sample of a Monocot 2
 A sample of a Dicot 2
Root Types: 2 samples
 A sample of a taproot 4
 A sample of a fibrous root 2
Leaf Types: 2 samples
 A sample of a leaf showing palmate 2
venation
 A sample of a leaf showing parallel venation 2
Reproductive Structures: 7 samples
 A Pine Cone 2
 A fruit 2
 Example of a seed dispersed by wind or 2
water
 Example of a seed dispersed by animals 2
 Petals from a flower 2
 Sample of an antheridium 2
 Sample of an archegonium 2
Miscellaneous: 7 samples
 Fruit from an Oak tree 2
 Leaf off of North Carolina’s State Tree 4
 Leaf of an Acer tree 2
 Leaf of a Quercus tree 2
 Example of a plant showing an adaptation 2
with a description
 Example of an annual plant 2
 Example of a perennial plant 2
TOTAL 50