NAME:____________________________________________DATE SUBMITTED:________________________

COURSE/YR& BLK:_________________________________DAYS/TIME SCHEDULE:____________________

ACTIVITY 2

VEGETATIVE MORPHOLOGY: LEAVES AND STEM

I- OBJECTIVE
 The purpose of this activity is to familiarize with general plant morphology and anatomy
 To describe the vegetative(non-reproductive) features of the plant especially the leaves and
stem

II- MATERIALS:
 10 different kinds of leaves attached to the stem
 Scissor /Cutter
 Marker
 Data sheet

III- PROCEDURE:
1. Collect 10 different kinds of leaves attached to the stem. Use scissor or cutter.
2. Examine the specimens you collect be sure to note the differences in the vegetative portions
of the shoot of different specimens.
3. Additionally you should be able to identify and briefly characterize those structures/features.

 This lab. Focuses on leaves but you should also pay attention to the overall stem morphology as
well.

4. Examine each specimens. Be sure to note whether the leaves are simple or compound, and
if compound if they are pinnately or palmately compound. Also note their shape and how they
are inserted along the stem.

LEAVES AND NODES

Basic structures –The leaves are typically the major photosynthesis organ in the majority of vascular
plants and in most cases, can be divided into two distinct regions: the blade or lamina (the expanded portion of
the leaf) and the petiole (the stalk which attaches the leaf to the stem. The blade can also be divided into the leaf
base(towards the petiole) and the apex( away from the petiole). If a petiole is absent (i.e the blade is attracted
directly to the stem), the leaf is said to be sessile on the stem. If a petiole is present, the leaf is said to be petiolate.

Division- Simple leaves are those in which there is only a single-blade. When more than one blade is
present the leaf is compound and each blade is called leaflet or pinna ( pl.pinnae). These leaflets can arise from
common point at the tip of the petiole (i.e. a palmately compound leaf) or they can arranged along an extension
of the petiole called the rachis, in a pinnate fashion (I,e. pinnately compound leaf). Additionally,pinnately
compound leaves can be once, twice or even three times pinnately compound. Leaflets can be differentiated from
leaves by the presence of an axillary bud in the axil formed where true leaf meets the stem. Axillary buds are absent
from the axils formed where a true leaf meets the stem.

Vasculature-Leaves or leaflets as the case may be, also have characteristic. Arrangements of vascular
tissue, the so called “veins” of the leaf. Most dicotyledonous plants(dicots) have either a pinnate venation in which
secondary or lateral veins arise from a primary vein or midvein running the length of the leaf or a palmate venation
in which several (or more) major veins originate from a common point. A third type of venation pattern, parallel
venation, is typical of many monocotyledonous plants (monocots) such as grasses.

Morphology – Leaves also exhibit differences in the overall shape of the blade ranging from scale or
needle-like (as in many conifers) to linear to lanceolate to elliptic and orbicular. The leaf blade base can be
acute , obtuse rounded, cordate, or peltate. Yet another important feature of leaf blades is the type of margin
BIO3L- SYSTEMATICS LABORATORY
ACTIVITY #2-VM-L&S
PREPARED BY: MRRT-MATBio
(leaf edge) they possess. If there are no indentations of any kind along the margin the blade is said to be entire.
Alternatively , the margin may variously toothed(i.e. serrate, dentate or crenate). Leaf blades may be pinnately-
lobed,such as in many oaks (Quercus) or palmately –lobed as inmaples(Acer) or sweetgum(Liquidambar).

Arrangement – Leaves can be inserted along the stem in either an alternate, opposite or whorled
fashion. The point at which a leaf (or leaves) attaches to the stem is called a node and the region of the stem
between two adjacent nodes is an internode. In many but not all flowering plants there is oftentimes an additional
structure, called a stipule, at each node along the stem. Depending on the particular plant, the stipule may be
attached either to the leaf base or directly to the stem. Stipules vary greatly in shape and size and can be minute
and deciduous (i.e falling away) or persistent and enlarged sometimes to such an extent that they become the
major photosynthetic organ. Also associated with each leaf /node is an axillary or lateral bud. These buds may
be either exposed (i.e. ‘naked’) or surrounded by two or more bud scales. In addition to lateral buds, there are also
terminal buds at the tip of the shoot. Both types of bud are meristematic, that is they contain a region of actively
dividing, undifferentiated cells that produce new ( primary) growth. In the case of lateral buds, their growth results
in new branches ( and possibly flowers) being formed.

STEMS

Stems – Stems can be modified in many ways, and often serve as underground storage organs. A
horizontal underground stem with short internodes and scalelike leaves is called a rhizome (e.g. Zingiber,ginger).
A tuber is an underground storage stem with outer buds that usually lack leaves or scales(e.g.Solanum tuberosum),
potato).A stolon (also called a runner) is a stem with long internodes that grows on or just below the ground (e.g
Fragaria , strawberry). A corm is an underground storage stem with scalelike leaves.A bulb is a small underground
stem surrouinded by thick storage leaves 9e.g. Allium ,onion).

IV-ANALYSIS

1. What is the structure and functions of the leaves?

2. What are the importance of classification?

V-CONCLUSION

REFERENCES:

BIO3L- SYSTEMATICS LABORATORY