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Saint Mary's University: School of Health and Natural Sciences
Saint Mary's University: School of Health and Natural Sciences
Saint Mary's University: School of Health and Natural Sciences
This laboratory activity shows the different external and internal structures of different
stem samples, both herbaceous stem and woody stem that can be found within the vicinity of
Cabarroguis, Qurino, Province. The stem samples are carefully picked to make sure there are
no damage in their external structure. The main objectives of this laboratory activity consist
of the following: (1) To identify plants with herbaceous and woody stems. (2) To label the
external and internal structures of stems and describe their corresponding functions. (3) To
identify plants whose stems are used in traditional medicine and describe the processing
method used in treating diseases/ illnesses that are claimed to be cured by these plants. (4) To
discuss reasons why some stems have medicinal properties.
INTRODUCTION
Stem, in botany, the plant axis that bears buds and shoots with leaves and, at its basal
end, roots. The stem conducts water, minerals, and food to other parts of the plant; it may also
store food, and green stems themselves produce food. Stems are a part of the shoot system of a
plant. They may range in length from a few millimeters to hundreds of meters, and also vary in
diameter, depending on the plant type. Stems are usually above ground, although the stems of
some plants, such as the potato, also grow underground. Stems may be herbaceous (soft) or
woody in nature. The primary functions of the stem are to support the leaves; to conduct water
and minerals to the leaves, where they can be converted into usable products by photosynthesis;
and to transport these products from the leaves to other parts of the plant, including the roots.
The stem conducts water and nutrient minerals from their site of absorption in the roots to the
leaves by means of certain vascular tissues in the xylem. The movement of synthesized foods
from the leaves to other plant organs occurs chiefly through other vascular tissues in the stem
called phloem. Food and water are also frequently stored in the stem. Examples of food-storing
stems include such specialized forms as tubers, rhizomes, and corms and the woody stems of
trees and shrubs. Water storage is developed to a high degree in the stems of cacti, and all green
stems are capable of photosynthesis
Saint Mary’s University
School of Health and Natural Sciences
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
Saint Mary’s University
School of Health and Natural Sciences
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
MATERIALS
Materials Quantity Cost
Mask 1 -
Phone/Camera 1 -
Table 1. List of Materials
Plants
Common Names Scientific Name
Oregano Origanum vulgare
Sulfur Cosmos Cosmos sulpherus
Air yam Dioscorea bulbifera
White vein Sargassum hystrix.
Bougainvillea Bougainvillea glabra
Aralia Poliscias guilfoylei
Table 2. List of Gathered specimens
An erect shrub that can grow The stem of this plant usually
to a height of 3 to 4 m, composed of plain cylindrical
sometimes as high as 7 m. tube where it is composed of
Branches are erect and many nodes. This helps the
vertical. Leaves are alternate, plants to have hard surface
up to 50 cm long, with 3 to area, that protects the plant
13 primary leaflets, 1-pinnate from insects and human that
with leaflets arranged can possibly hold of cut the
oppositely. plant.
Smooth Outer
Surface
Saint Mary’s University
School of Health and Natural Sciences
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
Bud
Lateral Bud
Node
Leaf Scar
2. Bud Scales
A modified leaf protecting and covering a bud.
3. Lateral Bud
Small buds along length of branch that develop into leaves, lateral branches, or flowers.
Saint Mary’s University
School of Health and Natural Sciences
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
4. Leaf Scar
Mark left on stem where leaf was attached. Often used in woody plant identification:
Heart-shaped scar on twig where last year’s leaf grew.
5. Nodes
Segment of stem where leaves and lateral buds are attached: Growth region on stem.
Region around bud or leaf stem
GENERALIZATION
Through this laboratory activity. I learned that plant stems have different parts according
to their classifications ether woody or herbaceous stems. I also learned to differentiate a woody
or an herbaceous leaf by just observing its color and external structure. Non woody or
herbaceous stems have green and sessile and soft stems while the woody ones have harder stem
with brown or black colored twigs, also woody stems contains wood scars caused by external
factors such as human deforestation or animals building their habitat inside the stem of a certain
tree. Furthermore I realized that not only the plants leaves have some medicinal properties but
also in plant stems (barks) as well. The barks are either boiled or pulverized in order to extract
the sap of the stem medicinal compounds.
Saint Mary’s University
School of Health and Natural Sciences
BAYOMBONG, NUEVA VIZCAYA 3700
REFERENCES
For Medicinal Purpose
De Guzman, E. T. et al. 1981. Guide to Philippine flora and fauna. Vol. I. Natural
Resources Management Center. Ministry of Natural Resources. Quezon City.114 pp.
Department of Health. 1995. Circular No. 168-A Series.
Fernando, E. S. and M. L. Castillo. Checklist of species in FBS 21 (Taxonomy of Forest
Plants): Handout. Department of Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and
Natural Resources, UPLB, College, Laguna. 23 pp.
Gutierrez, H. G. 1982. An illustrated manual of Materia Medica. Vol. 2, National
Research Council of the Philippines, Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila. pp. 375-376.