5.

MORPHOLOGY OF FLOWERING PLANTS

Points to Remember
Morphology : The study of various external features, forms and relative position
of different organs of the organism is known as morphology. It may be further
divided into internal and external morphology.

External Morphology : It deals with external forms like shape, size, colour,
structure and relative position of different organs.
Internal Morphology : Further divided into anatomy and histology.

Anatomy : It deals with the study of internal structure exposed after dissection
and opening of various parts of an organ.
Histology : The study of tissues, their composition and structure.

Adaptation : Any alteration in the structure or function of an organism or any of

its part that results from natural selection and by which the organism becomes
better fitted to survive and multiply in its environment.

The Root : The root is underground part of the plant and develops from
elongation of radicle of the embryo.
Characteristics : It is inside the soil, chlorophyll is absent, absence of nodes,
internodes, leaves and buds; positive geotropic and hydrotropic and negative
phototropic.

Main functions of root system :

Absorption of water and minerals from the soil.
Provides anchorage to plant parts.
Stores reserve food material and synthesises plant growth regulators (cytokinins)

Various types of root

↓
Tap root Fibrous root Adventitious root

↓ ↓ ↓
Originates from radical Originates from base of Originates from parts of
the stem the plant other than radicle
Dicotyledonous plants, Monocotyledonous Banyan tree (Prop roots)
e.g., gram, pea, mango, plants, e.g., wheat, Maize (stilt roots)
mustard. paddy, grasses. Rhizophora (Respiratory
roots)
Regions of Roots
Root Cap : The root is covered at the apex by the thimble-like structure which
protect the tender apical part.
Region of meristematic activity : Cells of this region have the capability to
divide; cells are small, thin walled with dense protoplasm.
Region of elongation : Cell of this region are elongated and enlarged.This region
is responsible for the growth of root in length.
Region of Maturation : This region has differnentiated and matured cells. Some
epidermal cells form very fine and delicate thread like structures called root
hairs.

Modifications of Root : Roots are modified for support, storage of food,

respiration.
For support : Prop roots in banyan tree, stilt roots in maize and sugarcane.


For respiration : Pneumatophores in Rhizophora (Mangrove).


For storage of food : Fusiform (radish), Napiform (turnip), Conical (carrot),


Fasiculated fleshy roots (Asparagus).

The Stem : Stem is the aerial part of the plant and develops from plumule of the
embryo. It bears nodes and internodes.
Functions of stem : Exposure of leaves, conduction of water and minerals,
translocation of food, exposure of flowers and fruits.

Modifications of Stem :
In some plants the stems are modified to perform the function of storage of food,
support, protection and vegetative propagation.

For food storage : Rhizome (ginger, turmeric), Tuber (potato), Bulb (onion),
Corm (Colocasia, Amorphophallus/Zamin-kand)

For support : Stem tendrils of watermelon, grapevine, cucumber, pumpkins.


For protection : Axilliary buds of stem of Citrus, Bougainvillea get modified into
pointed thorns. They protect the plants from animals.

For vegetative propagation : Underground stems of grass (runner), strawberry (stolons),
leateral branches of mint and jasmine, Eichhornia (offsets).
For assimilation of food : Flattened stem of Opuntia and cylindrical stem of
Euphorbia contains chlorophyll and performs photosynthesis.

The Leaf : Develops from shoot apcial meristem, flattened, green structure
acropetally arranged manufacture the food by photosynthesis. It has bud in axil. A
typical leaf has leaf base, petiole and lamina (leaf blade). In some leguminous plants
the leaf base may become swollen which is called as pulvinus.
Leaf base → bears two lateral outgrowth called stipules

Expanded to enclose stem Swollen

Pulvinus
Sheathing leaf base

Covers stem totally Partially Mimosa

(Gram, wheat) (Butter cup) (Leguminous plant)

Types of Leaf
Simple Compound
(Single leaf blade) (Leaf has number of leaflets)
e.g., mango, peeple

Pinnately Palmately
Compound Compound
(Leaflets present on common, (Leaflets attached to common
axis rachis) point at petiole tip)
(Neem, rose) (Silk, cotton)
Venation : The arrangement of veins and veinlets in the lamina of leaf.
Types of Venation :

Reticulate : Veinlets form a network as in leaves of dicotyledonous plants (China

rose, peepal).

Parallel : Veins are parallel to each other as in leaves of monocotyledonous

plants (grass, maize,sugarcane).
Phyllotaxy : The pattern of arrangement of leaves on the stem or branch.

Types of phyllotaxy

Alternate Opposite Whorled

(Single leaf at a node)in (Two leaves at a node) in (More than two leaves in a
alternate manner opposite manner whorl at a node)
e.g., China rose Mustard, e.g., Calotropis, guava e.g., Nerium, Alstonia

Functions of Leaf
photosynthesis, gaseous exchange, transpiration, protection of buds and
conduction.

50 Modifications of Leaves :

Type Function Example

Tendrils : (Climbing) — Sweet Pea, Pea
Spines : (Protection) — Aloe, Opuntia, Argemone
Pitcher : (Nutrition) — Nepenthes
Hook : (Support) — Cat’s nail
Fleshy Leaves : (Storaged food) — Onion and Garlic

Inflorescene : The arrangement of flowers on the floral axis (Peduncle) Main

types of Inflorescence
Main types of Inflorescence

Recemose Cymose

It is indefinite inflorescene It is definite inflorescence

Main axis continues to grow and flowers Main axis terminates in flowers and the
borne in acropetal succession e.g. : Radish, flowers borne in basipetal succession e.g. :
Mustard, Amaranthus Cotton, Jasmine, Calotropis

Special Inflorescence type—Ficus,

Salvia, Euphorbia,Sunflower Flower—
Modified shoot meant for reproduction

On the basis of symmetry flower can

be :

Actinomorphic

(Radial symmetry)

Flower can be divided into two equal

halves in any radial plane passing
through centre eg : Mustard, Datura,
Ch
↓ ↓
Zygomorphic Asymmetric
(Bilateral symmetry) (Irregular)
↓ ↓
Flower can be divided into Flower cannot be divided
two similar halves only in in two similar halves by
one plane any vertical plane passing
through centre
eg : Pea, bean, Gulmohar, eg : Canna
cassia
On the basis of floral appendages flower can be :

↓ ↓ ↓
Trimerous Tetramerous Pentamerous
(multiples of 3) (multiples of 4) (multiples of 5)
On the basis of position of Calyx, corolla and androecium in respect of ovary,
flower can be—

of position of Calyx, corolla and androecium

↓ ↓ ↓
Hypogynous Perigynous Epigynous
(Superior Ovary) (Half inferior ovary) (inferior ovary)
↓ ↓ ↓
Mustard, China rose, Plum, Rose, Peach Guava, Cucumber
Brinjal ray florets (sun flower)

Thalamus/Receptacle : Swollen end of flower stalk (pedicel) which bears four whorls
of flower viz., Calyx (K), Corolla (C), Androecium (A) and Gynoecium (G).
 Flower can be

Bisexual
if have both Androecium
Unisexual can

Staminate flower Pistillate flower

(Male (Female
and Gynoecium flower) flower)
have only have only Gynoecium
Androecium/Stamen Carpel
52

Bract—Reduced leaf base found at the base of pedicel. Flowers with bracts are
called bracteale and without bracts are called ebracteate.

Perianth : If calyx and corolla are not distinguishable, they are called perianth.

Example : Lily

Aestivation: The mode of arrangement of sepals or petals infloral bud.

Types of aestivation :
Valvate : Sepals or petals just touch one another at the margin, withut
overlapping. e.g., Calotropis
Twisted : Sepals or petals overlap the next sepal or petal e.g., China rose,

Cotton, lady’s finger.

Imbricate : The margins of sepals or petals overlap one another but not in any
definite direction, e.g., Cassia, Gulmohar.
Vexillary : The largest petal overlaps the two lateral petals which in turn overlap
two smallest anterior petals, e.g., Bean, Pea.

Placentation : The arrangement of ovules within the ovary.

Types of Placentation :
Marginal : Placenta forms a ridge along the ventral suture of ovary, e.g., Pea.

Axile : Margins of carpels fuse to form central axis, e.g., China rose, Tomato,
Lemon
Perietal : Ovules develop on inner wall of ovary, e.g., Mustard, Argemone
Free central : Ovules borne on central axis, lacking septa, e.g., Dianthus,
Primrose

Basal : Placenta develop at the base of ovary, e.g., Sunflower, Marigold

Placenta : Parenchymatous flattened cushion inside ovary where ovules are
borne.

The fruit : After fertilisation, the mature ovary develops into fruit. The
parthenocarpic fruits are formed from ovary without fertilisation (seedless fruit-
Banana)

Fruit (Ripened Ovary)

Pericarp (Fruit Wall) Seed

Epicarp Mesocarp Endocarp Seed coat Embryo

(outer) (middle) (inner)

Embryonal axis (Plumule + Cotyledons (Store

Radicle) food)

Monocotyledonous seed—Endosperm bulky and stores food, covered by

proteinaceous Aleurone layer. Seed has single large cotyledon–scutellum.

Plumule is enclosed in Coleoptile and Radicle is enclosed in Coleorrhiza.

Dicotyledonous Seed—
Testa (Outer layer)

Seed Coat

Tegmen (Inner Layer)

Hilum —is a scar on the seed coat through which seeds attached to the fruit.
Micropyle—small pore, above hilum

Cotyledons—two; fleshy, full of preserve food materials

54 Biology Class - 11
Embryonal axis—Radicle and plumule.

Endospermous seed—endosperm present in mature seed. eg. castor Non-

endospermous seed—endosperm not present in mature seeds, eg. bean,

Questions
Very Short Answer Question (1 mark each)

Which part of Opuntia is modified to form spines ?

Name one plant in which leaf is pinnately compound.

In mangroves, pneumatophores are the modified adventitious roots. How are

these roots helpful to the plant ?

Which part in Ginger and Onion are edible ?

Why do various plants have different type of phyllotaxy ?

State the main function of leaf tendril.

Which plant family represent the following floral formula :

The endosperm is formed as a result of double fertilisation (triple fusion).

What is its function ?

Which type of venation do you observe in dicot leaf ?

In pea flower, the aestivation in corolla is known as vexillary. Give reason.

What is the name given to the cotyledon in case of Monocots.

Name the part modified for food storage in the following (a) carrot (b) Radish

(c) Potato (d) Dahlia (e) Turmeric (f) Sweet potato

Short Answer Questions-I (2 marks each)

Flower is a modified shoot Justify.

Name the type of root of the following :

Roots performing the function of photosynthesis.

Roots come above the surface of the soil to absorb air.

The pillar like roots developed from lateral branches for providing mechanical
support.

Roots coming out of the lower nodes of the stem and provide the support to the
plant.

Identify the type of tendrils found in the following plants—

Cucumber (b) Pea (c) Grape vines (d) Water Melon

Fill up the blank spaces (a), (b), (c) and (d) in the table given below :

Morphology of Flowering Plants 55

Provide the scientific terms for the following :

The leaf without a petiole (stalk).

The flat and expanded portion of a leaf.

Orderly arrangement of leaves on the node.

Lateral appendages on either side of the leaf.

Differentiate between peduncle and Pedicel

Short Answer Question-II (3 marks each)

Observe the given figure showing various types of placentration. Identify the
type of placentation. Give one example of each.

‘Potato is a stem and sweet potato is a root.’ Justify the statement on the basis of
external features.

Define aestivation. Which type of aestivation is found in China rose, Calotropis

Gulmohar and Pea.

Give two example of each type of phyllotaxy.

Differentiate between :
Actinomorphic flower and Zygomorphic flower

Apocarpous ovary and Syncarpous ovary

Racemose inflorescence and Cymose inflorescence

In the given structure of a Monocotyledonous seed label the parts a, b, c, d, e.

Give the function of part ‘a’.

56 Biology Class - 11
25. Maize grain usually called as a fruit and not a seed. Why ?

Long Answer Questions (5 marks each)

Describe various stem modifications associated with food storage, climbing and
protection.

Answers

Very Short Answers (1 mark each)

Leaves

Neem, Rose’, Acacia.

Pneumatophores is mangroves help in respiration.

Ginger–Rhizome and Onion–bulb

For proper exposure of leaves to get sunlight.

The leaf tendrils help the plant for climbing.

Lilliaceae

Endosperm stores the food.

Reticulate venation.
In peas, there are five petals. The largest one (standard) overlaps the two lateral
petals (wings) which in turn overlap the two smallest anterior petals (keel).

Scutellum.

12. (a) and (b) Fleshy tap root (c) Stem tuber (d) root tuber

(e) Rhizome (f) Fleshy root tuber

Morphology of Flowering Plants 57

Short Answers-I (2 marks each)

The flower is considered to be a modified shoot because the internodes in flower

are highly condensed and the appendages such as sepals, petals, stamens and
carpels(pistil) are generally large in number.

14. (a) Assimilatory roots (b) Respiratory roots

(c) Prop roots (d) Stilt roots
15. (a) Stem tendril (b) leaf tendril
(c) and (d) both stem tendrils

(a) Floral parts are situated below the ovary.

Half inferior

Epigynous

Floral parts are situated above the ovary.

(i) Sessile

Lamina

Phyllotaxy

Stipules

Short Answers-I (3 marks each)

Penduncle is the axis of inflorescence which generally bears a number of

flowers.

Pedicel is the stalk of the flower which bears a single flower.

Short Answers SA-II (3 marks each)

19. (a) Marginal placentation — Pea
(b) Parietal placentation — Mustard, Argemone
(c) Free central plancentation — Dianthus, Primrose

Potato is the swollen tip of an underground stem branch (stolon). It has nodes
(eyes) which consist of one or more buds subtended by a leaf scar. Adventitious
roots also arise during sprouting. On the other hand sweet potato is a swollen
adventitious root (tuberous root). It has no nodes, internodes and buds like a
stem.

The mode of arrangement of sepals or petals in a floral bud is known as

aestivation.

China rose – twisted Calotropis – valvate

Gulmohar – imbricate Pea – vexillary

58 Biology Class - 11
22. Type of phyllotaxy Examples
(i) Alternate China rose, mustard
(ii) Opposite Calotropis, guava
(iii) Whorled Nerium, Aistonia

23. (a) Actinomorphic Flower Zygomorphic flower

(1) Two equal halves are formed (1) Two equal havles are produ-
by any vertical division passing ced only by one vertical
through the centre. division
(2) It has a radial symmetry. (2) It has a bilateral symmetry.

(b) Apocarpous Ovary Syncarpous Ovary

The flower has several free free carpels The flower has fused carpels.
(ovary).

On maturity it forms fruitlet of aggregate On maturity it forms a single

type. fruit.

(c) Racemose inflorescence Cymose inflorescence

(1) The main axis has unlimited (1) The main axis has a limited
growth. growth.
(2) Flowers are arranged (2) Flowers are arranged
acropetally i.e., the lower basipetally i.e., the lower
flower are younger flowers are older

24. (a) Endosperm (b) Scutellum

(c) Coleoptile (d) Coleorrhiza
(e) Aleurone layer

Function of (a)—Provide nutrition.

Maize grain is a single seeded fruit in which the seed covering or testa is fused
with pericarp or fruit wall. A micropyle is not found but base of style is present.
Morphology of Flowering Plants 59
Long Answers (5 marks each)

Stem Modification :

For food storage : Ginger (Rhizome), Potato (Tuber), Onion (Bulb), Colocasia (Corm).
For climbing (support) : Sterm tendril (cucumber,grapevine,watermelon)


For protection : Thorn (Bougainvillea, Citrus, Duranta) Description : Refer page 68, NCERT, Text
Book of Biology for Class XI.