Plant

Morpholo
gy
• Morphology- A branch of biology
dealing with the study of the form
and structure of organisms and
their specific structural features
• Plant Morphology- treats both
the vegetative structures of plants,
as well as reproductive structures
 Vegetative(Somatic)
1. Shoot system- composed of stems and
leaves
2. Root system:  
• taproot, with a main taproot that is larger and
grows faster than the branch roots
• fibrous, with all roots about the same size
• adventitious, roots that form on any plant
part other than the roots
 Morphology of Flowering
Plants
ROOT
 Tap Root System- mainly present in
dicotyledonous plants
 Fibrous Root System- mainly present in
monocotyledonous plants
 Adventitious Roots- roots arise form some
other plant parts (other than radicle)
 Region of the Roots
Root Cap: The root is covered at the tip
by a thimble-like structure.
Region of Elongation: This region lies
a few millimeters above the root cap.
Region of Maturation: This region is
just above the region of elongation.
STEM
 The ascending part of the plant axis.
 The stem develops from the plumule of the
embryo.
Modification of Stem
Modification for food storage.
Modification for climbing.
Modification for defence.
Modification for photosynthesis.
Modification for vegetative
propagation
LEAF
 Laterally borne out of the stem.
 Usually flattened structure

2 TYPES OF VENATION
 Reticulate Venation- when the veins and
veinlets form a network.
Parallel Venation- when the veins are
parallel to each other
 Types of Leaves
Simple Leaves- when the lamina is entire or when
incised; the incisions do not touch the midrib.
Compound Leaves- when the incisions on the
lamina reach up to the midrib; breaking it into a
number of leaflets
 Pinnately Compound Leaf- a number of leaflets
are present on the rachis
 Palmately Compound Leaf- the leaflets are
attached at a common point; at the tip of petiole
 Phyllotaxy
The arrangement of leaves on the stem or branch
is called phyllotaxy.
 Alternate- a single leaf arises at each node in
alternate manner
 Opposite- a pair of leaves arise at each node
the leaves lie opposite to each other in this case
 Whorled- more than 2 leaves arise at a node
Example of Alternate Leaves
Example of Opposite Leaves
Example of Whorled Leaves
Modification of Leaves
• Spines – for defence and also help in
reducing water loss by preventing
transpiration.
• Bulbs- The leaves are modified
into bulbs for food storage.