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Chloroplasts in leaf cells of the moss Mnium stellare. Plant anatomy or phytotomy is the general term for the study of the internal structure of plants.Originally, it included plant morphology, the description of the physical form and external structure of plants, but since the mid-20th century, plant anatomy has been considered a separate field referring only to internal plant structure.
Plant habit can also refer to whether the plant possesses any specialised systems for the storage of carbohydrates or water, allowing the plant to renew its growth after an unfavourable period. Where the amount of water stored is relatively high, the plant is referred to as a succulent. Such specialised plant parts may arise from the stems or ...
Being one of the more visible features, leaf shape is commonly used for plant identification. Similar terms are used for other plant parts, such as petals, tepals, and bracts. Oddly pinnate, pinnatifid leaves (Coriandrum sativum, coriander or cilantro) Partial chlorosis revealing palmate venation in simple leaves of Hibiscus mutabilis
Although plants produce numerous copies of the same organ during their lives, not all copies of a particular organ will be identical. There is variation among the parts of a mature plant resulting from the relative position where the organ is produced. For example, along a new branch the leaves may vary in a consistent pattern along the branch.
In most plants, stems are located above the soil surface, but some plants have underground stems. Stems have several main functions: [3] Support for and the elevation of leaves, flowers, and fruits. The stems keep the leaves in the light and provide a place for the plant to keep its flowers and fruits.
Prickles on a blackberry branch. In plant morphology, thorns, spines, and prickles, and in general spinose structures (sometimes called spinose teeth or spinose apical processes), are hard, rigid extensions or modifications of leaves, roots, stems, or buds with sharp, stiff ends, and generally serve the same function: physically defending plants against herbivory.
Epidermal cells are tightly linked to each other and provide mechanical strength and protection to the plant. Particularly, wavy pavement cells are suggested to play a pivotal role in preventing or guiding cracks in the epidermis. [4] The walls of the epidermal cells of the above-ground parts of plants contain cutin, and are covered with a cuticle.
In a vascular plant, the stele is the central part of the root or stem [1] containing the tissues derived from the procambium. These include vascular tissue, in some cases ground tissue and a pericycle, which, if present, defines the outermost boundary of the stele.