Aerial
Subaerial
Underground
Stem Characteristics
Stem Functions
100

A thin, coiled modified stem for climbing

Tendril

100

A stem with long internodes that lays flat along the ground

Runner

100

A potato is an example of this underground stem

Tuber

100

From what region of the seed does a stem develop?

Plumule

100
Name two primary functions of stems

Support/direct leaves, transport water/minerals, bear flowers/fruits

200

A hard, pointy modified stem for protection

Thorn
200

A weak, lateral stem that arches up before coming back to the ground and growing a daughter plant

Stolon
200

A flattened stem that grows horizontally underground

Rhizome

200
Stems are ____________ phototropic and ____________ geotropic

positively, negatively

200

Name three secondary functions of stems

Food storage, perennation, vegetative propagation, photosynthesis, protection, climbing

300

A flattened stem with many nodes for photosynthesis

Phylloclade

300

A horizontal stem that grows slightly underground before sending up a daughter plant

Sucker

300

Saffron and taro are examples of this underground stem

Corm

300
Name two differences between tunica and corpus
Tunica - outer layer, 1-3 layers thick, 90º division (anticlinally)


Corpus - inner layer, many layers thick, 360º division

300

Define perennation

Waiting for favorable conditions to send up shoots

400

What is the difference between cladode and phylloclade?

Cladode is a phylloclade with limited growth (1-2 nodes)

400

In which type of plant will you find an offset stem and rosettes?

Aquatic plants

400

Name three functions of underground stems

Store food, perennation, support

400

Distinguish between vegetative and floral buds

Vegetative grows shoots, stems

Floral develops flowers

400

Define vegetative propagation

Asexual reproduction. Producing daughter plant from mother plant.
500

What is the difference between a citrus thorn and a carissa duranta thorn?

Citrus is axillary, carissa duranta is terminal

500

What is the main function of subaerial stems?

Vegetative propagation

500

Give two reasons why an onion is a stem, not a root.

Nodes, leaves (scale leaves, layers), adventitious roots from base

500

Why is is less difficult to break a lateral stem (compared to lateral root)

Exogenous origin vs. endogenous origin

500

Opuntia has stems with three secondary functions. What are they?

Photosynthesis, protection (spines), water storage

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