Botany For Gardeners

Botany for Gardeners: by Brian Capon
3/21/2025 Introduction:
• These plants just seem to grow
• Ask how plants grow?
• Botany is the study of plants
• Ferns and mosses are plants, along with fungi
• They are a very diverse group of organisms
• Plants can live without animals, but animals need plants p. 12
• Language of Botany
• Botanical disciples p.13
• The plant kingdom
o Byby Robert Hooke p. 18
o 1/3 of plants do not have familiar roots, stems, or leaves P.13
o 150,000 plants do not produce flowers p.13
o Most plants use photosynthesis to produce their own food
o Most plants are anchored in one spot p. 13
There are 250,00 species of angiosperm (flowering plant) A living plant can reproduce p.16
Growth Patterns:
o They have indeterminate growth
o Due to sun, and water P. 17
3/22
Coordination of Plant Growth
• Animals grow and spend their lives in a variety of places p.17
• Key is mobility
• Plants are I in one place
• Root set the limitation
• Could be dealing with wind and sun
• A cell is a tiny unit by Robert Hooke in 1665
• Cell theory all living creatures have one or more cell p.17
• A cell has a protoplasm and the nucleus
• The other is mitochondria
• Nucleus of a cell is for operation p. 20
• Cells work by themselves P. 20
• Cell walls give support to the plant p. 21
• As much as 98%of the inner parts of trees are dead ells p. 21
• The cell has is predetermined length? p. 22
• Galls are ar planet cells stimulated by rapid growth by an invading organism p. 25
• Plants follow the primary growth process (like roots, height, etc) p.25
Seeds
• Are compact
• Good from freezing etc. p. 26
• Seed is well spread by bird poop p. 27
• Nick each seed like course sandpaper and shake p. 27
• Some seeds, like orchids, are like dust P. 29
• Seeds could be dormant
• Like 2% of seed weight is water (dehydrated condition) vs. 95% of mature seed P. 30
• During a freeze the cells expand
• Seeds were germinated after 10,000 years in the tundra p. 30
• In general: Too shallow is better than too deep p.31
p.33

3/23/2025
• TROPIC-NUTRIENT
Germination requirements
• All plants are staggered over time. Could be weeks, months, years
• Seed coat restrictions
• Rain needs to “wash” off seeds
• Seeds have growth territory
• Root extracted chemicals (could be good for weed killers)
• Seed needs to be stratified during the year (like over winter) or put seeds in fridge p 36
• Some seeds need to be scarified by fire P. 37
• The ashes from dead branches recycle in the ground p, 37
Root System
• Anchor plant (control soil)
• Store water
• Food is controlled in the root
• Lawns should be well soaked during infrequent time P. 39
• Roots cover the plant’s “drip zone” P. 39
• Cacti have small roots
• Root growth is in region of .25 inches
• Root hairs grow by the branching tip P. 40 (collect water)
• Leaves are to collect un and air circulation P. 44
• Leaves are either alternate, opposite, and whorled (arranged in a ring around stem) p.44
• Stems support leaves for photosynthesis P. 46
• Trees have one or a small # of main trunks P. 48
• Shrubs are smaller plants with many woody stems branching closer to ground p. 48
The Formation of Wood
• Woods come from secondary growth
• Cost a plant much to make wood (complexity) P. 49
• Leaf scar is covered by a thin layer of cork to seal from fungi p.49.
Page 51
3/23/2025
Leaf scares will tell age of tree
The Mature Plant: leaves
• Energy source for photosynthesis
• Petiole leaf is the blade attaching to the stem
• Compound leaves allow more light than simple leaf p. 52
• Leaves are used by botanist for taxemic purposes
• Leaves come in all sizes. Up to 80 in long, to .125in long
• A full-size leaf can support up to 165 pounds p.56
• Damaged to most leaves cannot be repaired p. 57
• Grass grows from the base p. 58
The internal structure of plants
• Live hifgly organized life p. 58
• Cells are organized as tissues
• Water condition occurs in an upward direction p. 58
• Cell differentiation P. 58
• Atoms are combined into molecules p. 59
• Cells are united to tissues p. 59
3/24/2025
The Anatomy of Herbaceous Stems
• More talk about “tissues” in the stem
• It’s full of water conducting cells
• Thus, the primary tissue is important p. 61
• Pith and cortex holds mte stems in place p. 63
• Vascular cambium cells are the dividing line between the pink cells p.64
• This divides is three sections (includes bark and cork) P. 65
• Corks used for wine are cut from a thick, soft cork of cork oak trees p. 67
• Cork is waterproof and prevents evaporation p. 67
• A scion is an offshoot which is needed for a graft p. 68
• Annual ring show one year of growth p. 71
• Ring growth happens spring or summer p.71
• A bristlecone pine is still alive today, after emerging from it’s seed 1000 years before Moses led the Israelite out of Egypt. P. 71
• Jungle specimens do not have growth rings p. 71
• Bambo can increase height 47.6 inches in 24 hours ???
• Epidermis cells take in water for the roots p.72
Page 75
3/25/25
• Vascular tissues discussed p. 76
• Branches develop in a root p. 76
• Branching occurs after the root tip. P.77
Leaf Anatomy
• Leaf blades are like a sandwich p. 22
• Photpsynethew=sis takes place at the leaf p. 78
• Needs to be supplied by the atmosphere (photosynthesis)
• Tightly packed wxylem and phloem cells (leaf cross section area p.81)
• Most leaves are coated with a waxy cuticle p. 81
• Stomata control the water of the plant P. 81
• A stoma opens when water is pumped into the guard cells p. 82
• Also passes gas for tissues p. 82
• Water and dissolved minerals flow through plants xylem p. 83

Plant Cell Types
• Size, shape and cell wall thickness are distinguishing features p, 84
• The dead sea scrolls were written on papyrus
• Documents in museums date back 5000 to 6000 years p. 84
• picture of water and food conducting cells p. 85
• water conductive cells are dead at maturity P.85
• physical support of roots is given by the surrounding soil p. 86
• fiber tissues are important P. 86
• Masses of fibers are manufactured into rope. P. 87
• Stone cells are for peach, apricot, plum, and cherry p. 87
Adaptions
Survival in a restless world
• Earth is a restless, ever-changing planet p. 88
• Plant and animals continue to survive as the eqarth is changing domtocollisions of the tectonic plates p. 88
• First algae has never changed since the beginning P.89
• 250000 species of angiosperms populate one or another corner of the earth p. 89
• Animals can move on foot for a better life
• Plants don’t move
• Survival changes include (Darwin survival of the fittest) p.89
• Like frost resistance, become climbing structures, natural pesticides, smell, poisonous plant etc. P.90
• Plants die when they can’t breed p.91
• Breeding bring hybrids for offsprings, also bring on mutation
Artificial Selection in the Garden
• Big reason is owners desire and COST$$$$$$$
• Nature is the final arbiter in all plant matters P. 92
Page 92
• You can’t grow tropical plants in Canada P. 92
• Because of frost potential, zone area, latitude etc. P. 93
• Humans have only used about 2000 species for food p. 93
• This is vital in global crisis.
• 40 species and major food sources p. 93
• It needs a good texture p. 93
• Fruits are very important to the human diet p. 95
• Center of origins are on p.95
• Bleeding heart is from Japan P.97
• Forget me not is from Europe p. 97
Environmental Modification
• Modify garden for thr specific plants desired to grow p. 98
• Plants are pitted against the environment P. 98
• Plant don’t reach there best because of limiting issues p. 99
• When a plant goes into dormancy the hardest p.100\
• Leaves are limited going into dormancy (in desery) P. 100
• Plants are above human invention potential by several million years p. 103
Page 103
3/27/2025
• Plant constantly struggle to adjust to the changing environment p.103
Protect Against Animals
• For photosynthesis the plant lures in animals
• Natural selection looks for defensive tools for lants p.104
• A thorn is a short branch p.194 (like a rose bush or a cactus) p.104
• Roses use prickles p.105
Protection by
Camouflage
• Heavy coats
• Different colors
• Rock like appearance (living stone)
Protection By Ants
• Lives in hallow stems
• Supports against animals
Wound Healing
• Surface area of plants act as barriers p.108
• Prevents water loss P.109
• Need rapid healing process
• An injured plant cannot escape being contaminated P.109
Chemical Protection
• Evolution takes place at the gene level P.111
• Metabolism are common in both plants and animals p. 112
• Tannins bind with protein P.112
• Causes cells to die p.112
• Alkaloids are used for pain relievers, cardiac and respiratory stimulants, muscle relaxants, blood vessel constrictors, cures malaria p.113
• Most psychedelic drugs are alkaloids P.114
• One fourth of the prescription drugs have origins as plants p.114
• Alkaloids are poisonous to animals p.114
• Only one to three seeds if eaten can be poisonous as a child p.114
• Hemlock has Ricin p.114
• Poisions plant chart on page 115-6
Page 117
3/28/2025
• Most plants stuff interferesnwith digestive system
• Some inhibit swelling, stinging in the eyes
• Chemical protection is current
• Planta bring pleasure to the human mind P.119
• Wind is damaging to a big plant p.119
Reaching Toward the Sun
• Limited sum the tree becomes spindky p.120
• Runners aree horizontal plants P.120
• This is vegetative population P.120
• Suckers grows by the root (must be removed
• Climbing stem cal become woody P.124
Supportive Roots
• Buttress roots
• Prop roots
Special Methods of Water Uptake
• Most plant collect water from roots
• Some use leaves. P.127 (in tropical rainforest)
• Plants rely on water left in stems when water is rough p.150
• A tree can store 25000 gallons of water (has circumfrance of 90 feet) p.130
Underground Food-and Water-Storage Organs
• These plants can enter dormancy to witghstand drought or cold P.131
Page 134
3/29/2025
• Enlarged fleshy stem to stor water is a rhizome. P. 134
• Has inter nodes
• Flower can appear
• Rhizome are used as proprative organs p. 135
• Offspring are clones of their parent
Saprophytes and Parasites
• Are important for recycling organic matter p.136
• Parasites bring on bacteria (thus plant disease) p.136
• Hemiparesis search for the hosts woos (seeking water) p.136
• The world’s largest flow is produced by a paracites p.139
• Some fungis don’t photosynthesize p.140
• Nitrogen cycle “world wide” due to it recycling between the atmosphere. P. 141
• Nitrogen will always be available to common plants. P.142
• Nitrogen is in short supply in marshes p. 143
• For a venus fly trap a large insewct will lead to the plants death digestion)
• The trap can close 10 times p.143
The Scientific Method
• It’s import to start study in libriart
• Second is hypothesis
• Result’s from each experiment is recorded
• Must be truthful p. 146

Plant Hormones
• To excite p.147
• Plant hotmones are synthesized in their cells P.147
Growth Response ti Light
• Phototropism is plants growing to light p.147
• Stem curvatures take place p.148
• Hormone is auxim “to increase” stimulate growth p. 148
Responses to gravity and Touch
• Roots grow with grqvity P. 150
Page 150
3/30/2025
• under gravity stems grow normal p. 152
• nastic movements
• root grows downward p. 152
• geotropism is an indispensable role in seed germination p.154
• this(growing process) is good for gardeners P.154
Hormones and the Aging Process
• fruits aging is senescence (process directed by hormones p.156
• is a irreversible act P.156
• when ripen color changes place, could produce sugar, and changes of cell walls. P.156
• use ethylene to ripen bananas p. 158

Control of Branches and Adventitious root formation
• remove some stems (tip removed) P. 159
• The vegetation process is called layering p.159
• Ethylene promotes stem thickness p. 159
• Herbicides are used for weed killers P.160 2,4-D
Environmental Control: Temperature

• Controls hormones p.160
• Dormant winter buds are a must to prepare for awakening P.161
• Promotes a hormone. P. 161
Vernalization
• This means belonging to spring p.162
• Florial initiation p. 166
• Know hormones p.166
The Uptake and Use of Water, Minerals, and Light
• Plant must exploit the area to et resources P.167
• Plants need water and fertilizer p.168
• Get goods from photosynthesis p.168
• Water goes into the root by osmosis P.169
• Most plant species wilt in soil in which significate quantities of salt has accumulated p.171
Development of Root Pressure
• Root hairs draw water from the soil by osmosis. P.171
• Line of least resistance p.171affects the traqnsporatio
• Water droplets are caused by root pressure p.172
172
4/5/2025
• Transportational pull of leaves brings up the tree p. 173
• 98% of water is lost through the leaves
• Average tomato takes about 30 gallons per year p.173
• Plants can close the leaf stomanta p. 175
• The environment control the transportation p. 175
• It’s a must to water after replanting
• Water comes to a standstill in winter p.176
Mineral Nutrient Needs

• Every Gardener has a list of favorite fertilizers p. 176
• Have both macro and micro nutrients P. 176
• Magnesium deficiency results in yellowing p.177
• Nitrogen deficiency results in weak stems p.178
• Reduced gwhen leaves lose colo rtgrowth is from poor cell development p.179
• Soil has a major roll for minerals p.179
• NPK ratio p.180chart of nutrient ratio P. 180
Soil
• From erosion of rock p.180
• Soil has clay which attacks war. P.182
• pH scale p.183
Leaf Pigments
• when leaves lose color they simply lose chlorophyll p.185

Light transforms Into the Energy in Food
• all by earths flora p.186
The Photosynthetic Process
• two stages
• breakdown of H20
• Carbon unites with the sugar p.188
• Stomata is needed for photsynthesis p.188
• Food, the primary product of photosynthesis, sustains all living creatures p. 190
Gas Exchaned with the Atmosphere
• Cellular respiration
• The burning of fossil fuels liberated the energy of sunlight first captured by plants. P.192
• Thus a green house effect might happen p.192
Reproduction and Inheritance
• Reproduction is the sole function for which flowers evolve p.194
• Use bright colors advertise their presence p. 193
• Grasses spread by wind p. 194
• This takes less energy p.194

Reproductive Cells
• Spores p.194
• Second take place in sexual reproduction p.194
• Talk about sperm VS. Egg p.195
The Flower Parts and their Function
• Some stems might not look as others (that’s because us reoriduction is under way p.195
• Sepal are protective cells around the bud p.196
• The female has the pistol
• Petal is Greek for “thin-plate” p. 201
• Stigma is greeek for spot p. 2014
• Ovary is Latin for egg p.201
Pollination by Animals
• Some plants need specific aninmals to pollinate and survive p. 202
Road Maps and Rewards
• Some of this pollen might e eaten by the visiting insect, like nector p. 203
• Nectar is only available to some insects p.203-4
Influences
• The shape depends on the shape of the insects to pollinate the plant p.208
Pollination by Wiond and Water
• Wind is the most typical means of pollination p.209
Pollination Alternatives
• Pollination can only take place among the same species p.210
• You could also have cross pollination p. 210
• So species have self-pollination (could happen in cold climates) p.211
4/6
The Reproductive Process
• There are two tube for a flower: one is the pollen tube (sperm) and the other ia tube that divides to two sperms. P.212
• After fertilization of the egg, most of the flower parts drop off
Seeedless Fruits and Unusual Embryos
• A few species are capable of producing full-grown fruits without the pollination or fertilization process p.214 Live navel orange, banana etc

Fruit
• Acorns
• Pepper: has fruit wall
• Poppy seeds shed through holes at the top of the capsule p. 215
• Apple develops from the perianth tube p.216
• Pineapple is a multiple fruit, derived from fusion of several ovaries p.217
• Arrregate fruit has many ovaris p.218
Seed Dispersal
• Dandies have many seeds p.218 disperse by wind
• Maple seeds have wings p.219
• Some seeds use hooks or barbs for dispersal
• 20% of resources of plants are used for reproduction. P.221
Genetics: the Science of Heredity
• Maybe gene mixing p.221
• The DSNA code P.222 for the code
Mitosis and Meiosis
• In cell replication is Mitosis, Meiosis are new cells formed in plant growth p. 222
• Meiosis cutsa chromosomes in half p. 223

Moss

• Primitive plants
• ½ are mail p.224
• Life cycle is development of 2 cycles P.226
Two Generation of Flower Plants
• Gamete-producing (create spores)
• See life history of a flowering Olant p.228
• Talk of three sets of chromosomes p. 230
Chromosome Segrega6ion during Meiosis
• Genes control thee psychical p. 231
• See table for segregation p.232
• Chromosomes are mixed in sexual/cross breeding p.232
• Talk about the size relating to chromosomes p.233
• This include fruit size and color p,.234
Consequences of Imperfection
• Need to reproduce by tube p.237
• More talk of chromosomes p.237
• Talk of interspecific hybridization p.239
• Plant breeding/gene transfer p.240
• The twenty-first century will provide super seeds-to grow super plants p.240
• Custom made plants P.240
• Also for medical reasons p.240
About Plant Names
• Names are from human invention p. 241
• Discipline for plant taxonomy p.241
• Linnaeus’s was the start p.243
• Subspecies are ssp. P.242
• Plant classification pyramid is show on p. 243
• Orcids has more than 18000 species p.243
• Color is used to namne some plants p.245
• Narcissus fell into water and drowned p.245
• What’s in a name p. 246