Anatomy of Zea mays
Devin Nichols
IB 423
5/1/06
General Information About Zea mays
• Angiosperm• Monocot• Poaceae (Grass) Family• Monoecious• Most widely planted crop in U.S.• Most economically valuable crop in U.S.
Zea mays General Structure
Tassel
Ear
Adventious Roots
Zea mays Inflorescences
Male Inflorescence (Tassel) Female Inflorescence (Ear)
Style (Silk)
Caryopsis(Kernel)
Zea mays Leaf XS
Bundle Sheath Cell Vascular Bundle Adaxial Epidermis
Abaxial Epidermis 600X
Zea mays Leaf Adaxial Epidermal Replica
Stomates
Vein
200X
Zea mays Leaf Adaxial Epidermal Replica
Stomate
Vein
Trichomes
100X
Zea mays Leaf XS
Trichome
BulliformCell
Major VeinMinor Vein
Xylem Vessels Sclerenchyma Fibers 200X
Zea mays Trichomes
Leaf XS Leaf Whole Mount
Trichome
Basal Cells
200X 100X
Zea mays Glandular Trichome
Capitate Trichome
100X
Zea mays Stem Internode XS
Vascular Bundles
100X Toluidine Blue-O
Zea mays Stem Node XS
VascularBundle
Vascular Tissue Interconnecting Bundles
200X Toluidine Blue-O
Zea mays Stem XS Vascular Bundle
Metaxylem Protoxylem lacunae
Phloem
Sclerenchyma Fibers 200X Toluidine Blue-O
Zea mays Shoot Apical Meristem
Tassel Primordium
Leaf Primordia
Ear Shoot
20X
Zea mays Root Whole Mount
Root Cap
Root Hair Zone
Zone of Elongation
40X Toluidine Blue-O
Zea mays Root Apical Meristem
Root Cap
Procambium
200X Toluidine Blue-O
Zea mays Root XS
Young Root Mature Root
200X Toluidine Blue-O 40X Aniline Blue
Zea mays Root XS
Phloem
Protoxylem
Metaxylem
Pith
Pericycle Endodermis
Cortex
200X Aniline Blue
Zea mays Root XS at Branch Root
Branch Root
100X Toluidine Blue-O
Zea mays Root LS
Cortex
Pith
PhloemSievePlate
200X Aniline Blue
Zea mays Germinating Pollen Grain
Pollen Grain
Pollen TubeCallose Plug
400X
Zea mays Style XS
Vascular Bundles
200X Toluidine Blue-O
References
• Esau, Katherine. 1977. Anatomy of Seed Plants Second Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York.
• Freeling, M. and V. Walbot, Editors. 1993. The Maize Handbook. Springer-Verlag. New York.
• Kiesselbach, T.A. 1980. The Structure and Reproduction of Corn. University of Nebraska Press. Lincoln.