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
We have these amazing, diverse plants because of their anatomy, physiology, and ability to fill niches Some plant parts lose water, some take up water (and nutrients) Areas of growth Vascular and apical http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/labs/plantanatomy.htm
Plants do these (and other things) differently MONOCOTS DICOTS Embryo with single cotyledon Embryo with two cotyledons Flower parts in multiples of three five Flower parts in multiples of four or 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 five Flower parts in multiples of four or 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 O 2 Photo courtesy Aaron Escobar / January 13, 2011 No O 2 http://www.kwch.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/ct-sun-garden-0116-morton-roots-20110113,0,7416892.story
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