ASSIGNMENT No.
MORPHOLOGY OF VESCULAR PLANT
SUBMITTED TO:
MAM SHAZMEEN
SUBMITTED BY:
EMAN JADOON
DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
ROLL NO. BOT-24-762
SEMESTER – II
BATCH – VIII
GGDC NAWASHER ABBOTTABAD
Question :
Aerial Modification of Stem ?
Aims And Objectives
The aims and objectives of aerial modification of stem relate to understanding how
certain plants adapt and modify their stems for specific functions above the ground.
Aims:
1. To study how stems undergo aerial modification to perform specialized functions.
2. To understand the adaptive significance of aerial stem modifications in different plant
species.
3. To identify different types of aerial stem modifications and their roles in plant survival
and growth.
Objectives:
1. To classify the types of aerial stem modifications:
o Tendrils (for climbing, e.g., Passionflower)
o Thorns (for protection, e.g., Bougainvillea)
o Phylloclades/Cladodes (for photosynthesis, e.g., Opuntia, Asparagus)
o Bulbils (for reproduction, e.g., Dioscorea)
2. To explore the functions of each type:
o Support (e.g., tendrils)
o Defense (e.g., thorns)
o Photosynthesis in the absence of leaves (e.g., cladodes)
o Vegetative propagation (e.g., bulbils)
3. To understand evolutionary and environmental significance:
o How these modifications help in drought, poor soil conditions, climbing to reach
light, or avoiding herbivores.
Abstract
Aerial modifications of stems are fascinating adaptations observed in various
plant species, allowing them to survive and thrive in diverse environmental
conditions. Unlike typical stems, which primarily serve as structural and
conductive organs, aerially modified stems perform specialized functions such as
climbing, protection, photosynthesis, and vegetative propagation. These
modifications highlight the plant's remarkable ability to adapt through structural
transformation. Examples include tendrils in climbers like Passiflora, thorns in
protective plants like Bougainvillea, phylloclades in arid-region plants like
Opuntia, and bulbils in species like Dioscorea that aid in reproduction. This study
of aerial stem modifications not only enhances our understanding of plant
morphology but also provides insight into evolutionary biology and ecological
strategies of survival. By observing these modifications, we gain a deeper
appreciation of plant diversity and their intrinsic ability to adjust form for function.
Answer :
Aerial Modifications of Stem
The stems are modified into aerial forms to perform important functions such as climbing, food
storage, vegetative propagation, and protection. The stem modifications are as follows:
Stem Tendrils
The stem gets modified into a threadlike leafless structure called
tendrils. These are meant for climbing. These may not necessarily
contain a branch. Stem tendrils may be:
Axillary: E.g., Passiflora
Extra-axillary: E.g., Luffa
Apical bud: E.g., Grapevine
Floral Bud: E.g., Antigonon
Thorns
These are pointed, hard structures which may or may not bear leaves,
branches and flowers. The terminal bud gets modified into thorns. Thorns
are used as defence organs and help to check transpiration. E.g.,
Bouganvillea
Thorns can be distinguished from spines and prickles as they are deep-
seated with vascular connections. Prickles are superficial outgrowths on
the plant. Spines are the modified plant organs.
Phylloclades
These are leaves modified into scales or spines to check
transpiration. This is done by controlling the growth of the leaves.
These are fleshy, green, and take part in photosynthesis. This
modification is seen in xerophytic plants and stores water. E.g.,
Opuntia. It consists of fleshy internodes and the leaves are
modified into spines or small scaly leaves.
Cladodes
It is a type of phylloclade which consists of only one
internode. These are cylindrical but non-fleshy. These
help in photosynthesis. Eg., Asparagus. In this, the leaves
are modified into prickles.
Bulbils
These are modified axillary vegetative or floral buds meant for food
storage. They undergo vegetative propagation to form a new plant.
E.g., Dioscorea. In this, the bulbils are condensed auxiliary buds.
Thalamus
It is the axis of the flower and contains the flower organs such as
calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium. Silene exhibits clear
nodes and internodes.
Sub-aerial Modifications of Stem
In these kinds of plants, the stem is partly above the ground and partly below the ground. These
are modified into:
Runner
It is a creeper that runs horizontally on the surface of the soil. The
nodes have scale leaves, adventitious roots, and auxiliary buds.
Runners arise from the auxiliary buds.
A large number of runners are produced by a mother runner in all
the directions. Runners break off and grow into an independent
plant giving rise to vegetative propagation. E.g., C-Cynodon.
An underground runner is known as sobole.
Sucker
It arises from the basal part of the main stem. Before
separating from the original plant, it develops adventitious
roots and leafy shoots. It moves horizontally under the soil
for a distance and then grows obliquely upwards. E.g.,
Mentha
Stolon
These grow aerially for some time and then bend
downwards to touch the ground. Here, the terminal bud
gives rise to a new stem and adventitious roots. Stolon arises
from the base of the main stem. E.g., Jasmine
In horticulture, branches are lowered down to meet the soil
where they strike the root. Such natural stolons are found in
Mentha spicata.
Offset
It is shorter and thicker and is found in aquatic plants. It originates
from the axis of the leaf and grows horizontally. E.g., Pistia. The
leaves are produced above and the adventitious roots below. It is a
short runner with one internode in length.
References
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