BASIC BOTANY

Wythe Morris, Presenter

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Taxonomy

• Classification of Landscape Plants

• Scientific Classification

• Analytical Keys

Taxonomy- the science of biological classification of plants and animals

Classification of Landscape Plants

• Trees

• Shrubs

• Groundcovers

• Vines

Classification of Landscape Plants

• Annual

• Perennial

• Biennial

Classification of Landscape Plants

• Deciduous

• Evergreen

• Semi-evergreen

Classification of Landscape Plants

• Hardiness

• Order of Bloom

• Ornamental Fruits

• Foliage Colors

• Trees for Various Purposes

From: Trees for American Gardens by Donald Wyman

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom-- Plant

• Division or Phylum-- Spermatophyta (seed plants)

• Class-- Angiospermae (seeds in fruit)

• Order-- Accruals

• Family-- Aceraceae

• Genus-- Acer

• Species-- rubrum

• Variety or cultivar-- var. ‘October Glory’

Taxonomy Chart: Hierarchy of Specification

Analytical Keys

Analytical Keys- a step by step process of elimination, beginning with the most general characteristics ( for example, evergreen vs. deciduous) and progressing to the most specific characteristics.

Analytical Keys

Holly (Ilex) Family Aquifoliaceae

Leaves not evergreen, never spiny-margined. Black Alder

Leaves evergreen, often spiny-margined.

Leaves never spiny-margined.

Low shrub, not usually over 6 feet high. Inkberry

Taller shrube, 8-20 feet high. Japanese Holly

Leaves always more or less spiny-margined.

Leaves distinctly paler beneath than above. American Holly

Leaves uniformly green and shining both sides.

Leaves ovalish, not rectangular, with several spiny teeth. English Holly

Leaves more or less rectangular, with 3 strong spines toward the tip. Ilex cornuta

Analytical Keys

Anatomy

Plant Parts and Functions

• Stems

• Leaves

• Roots

• Flowers

• Fruits

• Seed

Anatomy

Stems

Leaves

Roots

Roots

Flowers

Fruits

Seed

Seed

SEED

Physiology: Plant Growth and Development

• Photosynthesis

• Respiration

• Absorption

• Transpiration

• Translocation

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

Leaves act as the plant’s food producing factory. It takes in raw materials and converts them into food with oxygen and water as bi-products.

Respiration

The energy needed for plants to survive is produced when stored food is burned in the process of respiration. This is the opposite reaction from photosynthesis.

Absorption

Absorption- process by which water and nutrients are moved into the plant.

Transpiration

It has been estimated that a single corn plant may transpire up to 54 gallons of water in one growing season.

Cummings (1941) has estimated that a single 48-foot high open-grown silver maple tree may transpire as much as 58 gallons per hour.

Translocation

STEMS

Translocation

XYLEM carries the water and nutrients up from the soil to the leaves.

PHLOEM carries food from the leaves to parts of the plant to be stored.

Physiology: Plant Growth and Development

Think about it… • The plant manufactures food ( simple sugars) in the

leaves in the presence of sunlight during the day.

• The plant burns food (simple sugars) stored in the leaves, stems, roots, and fruits when it cannot manufacture food-- at night.

• If the plant manufactures the same amount of food during the day that it burns during the night, it is considered to be alive and surviving.

• If the plant manufactures more food during the day than it burns at night, not only is it considered alive and

surviving, but it is GROWING!!!

Physiology: Environmental Factors

• Light

• Temperature

• Water

• Nutrition

Light

Temperature

High?

Low?

Ideal?

Water

Too Much?

Too Little?

Nutrition

The “essential elements” are those which the plant must have for growth, and without any one of them the plant would die.

.

Nutrition

Nutrition

There was an old man named C HOPKNS, (spelled his name without an I) He owned a CaFe in Missouri (Mo) and also one in Minnesota (Mn). Both were Mighty Good (Mg). He kept a CuB bear in a zinc (Zn) covered, wire (galvanized) pen to entertain the customers.

Nutrition

• Found in nature (C,H,O) are supplied from air and water.

• Major nutrients (N,P,K) must be replenished on a regular basis.

• Minor nutrients (S, I, Ca, Fe, Mo, Mn, Mg, Cu, B, Zn) are available in most natural soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0

Nutrition

Nutrition

Questions?

Wythe Morris, Consultant

AG Con Agricultural Consulting

Wytheville, VA

Email swhortagent@gmail.com