THE STEM  Annual ring -layer of xylem tissues that are
-is a collection of tissues arranged in nodes and
internodes
Vital functions-support the leaves and the plant
body
-store a large amount of starch and water
-transfer fluids from the roots to the leaves and
vice versa
Nodes-the areas from w/c the leaves and
branches originate
Internodes-the areas between the two nodes
Herbaceous stems-soft and green,have small
diameters and are covered with epidermis,die in
one year
Woody stems-tough,not green,can grow
considerably in height,covered by corky bark and
diameter and live for many years
Tree-a woody-stemmed plant with a single main
trunk,20 feet or more
Shrub-has several main stems that are almost the
same size and usually smaller in diameter
EXTERNAL STRUCTURE OF A WOODY
STEM
Lenticels-tiny pores for gaseous exchange
Leaf Scars-are marks left by fallen leaves
Buds-are masses of meristematic tissues that
may result in growth in length/production of
leaves/flowers
 Terminal -located at the tip of a stem
 Lateral/axillary -located along the side of a
stem
 Flower bud - flower is produce
 Leaf/branch bud -leaf/branch is produce
 Naked bud -not covered by leafy scales
 Covered bud -has leafy scales
 Active/dormant -(resting) bud
Buds scales-leafy structures that cover and
protect the buds from drying out because of the
attack of parasites
Bud scars-marks(that form a ring around a twig)
left by fallen bud scales
INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF A WOODY
STEM
Parts
Bark-forms the outer layer of the woody stem
 Cork
 Cork cambium
 Cortex
 Phloem
Wood/xylem-forms the inner part of the woody
stem, contains the annual rings
THE LEAVES
-most active organs of plants
-major site of photosynthesis
-sources of food ,spices and clothing material,
-provide shade and shelter
added during one growing season
a. Spring wood- made up of large xylem
b. Summer wood-made up of small xylem
 Vascular Rays
STRUCTURE OF A HERBACEOUS
DICOT STEM
Epidermis- similar to the woody stem
Chlorenchyma cells- a type of parenchyma cells
that have chloroplasts(make up the
cortex,involved in photosynthesis and storage of
foods)
~The proportion of cortex and pith is much
larger. The xylem and phloem tissues are in
distinct vascular bundles(open bundles) separated
by cambium layer.
STRUCTURE OF A HERBACEOUS
MONOCOT STEM
-vascular bundles(closed bundles) are scattered
throughout the stem
-cambium layer is absent
-no mark distinction between the cortex and the
pith
MODIFIED STEMS
Aboveground modified stems
 Runners- grow along the soil surface
-vegetative reproduction e.g.bermuda
grass
 Tendrils &twining shoots-coil around
objects and help support the plant
body
e.g. ampalaya,upo,grapes,squash
 Cladodes-flattened stems that perform
photosynthesis e.g. asparagus, orchids and
cacti
 Thorns-for protection from grazing animals
e.g. bougainvillea, roses and pomelo
 Succulent stems-stems of cacti and other
desert plants,stores large amount of
water
Underground modified stems
 Rhizomes-slender or fleshy,for production
and
food storage,typical of gingers
 Bulbs-surrounded by fleshy,overlapping
leaves
-for storage,reproduction and adaptation
during seasons of unfavourable growth
e.g. onions and tulips
 Corms-has same function with bulbs e.g taro
 Tubers-usually rounded and fleshy,storage
and reproduction e.g. potatoes
EXTERNAL STRUCTURE OF A LEAF
Blade- a thin,adapted for the efficient absorption
of light and carbon dioxide
Leaf apex-tip of the leaf blade
Leaf base- expansion of leaf apex
Stalk/petioles-attached to the node of the stem arranged cells
Sessile leaves-plants that lack of petioles Spongy layer-has vascular tissues
Midrib-central vein MODIFIED LEAVES
Leaf margin-edge of the leaf blade Bud scales-protect the internal bud
Stipules-tiny flaps of tissues Bulb scales-serves for storage of food
VARIATION IN LEAVES Tendrils-specialized in climbing and clinging
1. Arrangement of leaves or phyllotaxis: to the other objects for support
Spiral or alternate-has only one leaf attached Spines-reduce the rate of transpiration,for
to each node e.g. gumamela, boguinvellea protection
and sampaguita leaves Bracts-attract pollinators
Opposite-consist of two leaves attached to a Insect-trapping leaves-attract,capture and
node e.g. guava,acacia,tamarind and digest insects
malunggay leaves Reproductive leaves-produce new plants from
Whorled-three/more leaves attached to a node the petioles/marginal notches e.g. katakataka
e.g. cassava,lagundi.kapok and poinsettia leaves
leaves
2. The number of leaves attached to a petiole:
Simple-has a single leaf blade attached to a
petiole e.g gumamela,sampaguita and
santan leaves
Compound leaves-several leaflets attached to a
petiole
 Pinnately compound-leaflets are attached
along a central stalk e.g. camia,rose
 Palmately compound-leaflets radiate from a
common point or from the petiole e.g.
cotton,lagundi
 Bipinnately compound-leaflets are further
subdivided into smaller leaflets e.g.
malunggay,acacia
3. Leaf venation or arrangement of veins:
Parallel-leaf veins are equidistant e.g.
corn,rice,banana,coconut,gabi(most monocot
plants)
Netted-leaf consists of main veins that branch
and rebranch into veinlets,forming a network
pattern(,most dicot plants)
 Pinnately netted-single midrib e.g.
guava,kalakuchi,star apple,mango Speaker:
 Palmately netted-has several main veins e.g. Maria Vanessa G. Sagario
papaya,cassava and lotus
4. The shape of the leaf margin:
Entire-entire leaf margin has a smooth edge
Serrate-serrate leaf margin ha s a saw-toothed
edge
Lobed-leaf margin has indentions e.g. papaya
INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF A LEAF
Epidermis-provide protection from mechanical
injury and from parasite attacks
-contain chlorophyll-bearing guard cells,which
pen to the stomata(sites for the exchange of
carbon dioxide,oxygen and water)
Mesophyll- contain chlorophyll-
rich,photosynthetically active cells
 Palisade tissues-consist of vertically
elongated cells
 Spongy tissues-consist of loosely