The shape of things “Morphology” – from the Ancient Greek – (morphḗ) meaning “form”, and (lógos) meaning “study”. In Botany it is used to classify plants based on the shape of their parts. Why pay attention ? What a plant looks like can give hints as to where it evolved and therefore […]
REPRODUCTION IN PRIMITIVE PLANTS
BRYOPHYTES (mosses) Bryophyte umbrellas ! When a bryophyte spore settles somewhere, it sprouts and grows into a gametophyte. This then is egg and sperm producing plant. It is this stage we mostly see as green. This attached plant is green and leafy, but usually very small. Commonly called liverworts, their reproductive organs (eggs and […]
THE SHAPE OF LEAVES
What is a leaf? A leaf is the main organ attached to the stem. It is specialized for photosynthesis. Over time, it has evolved into a plethora of different shapes, sizes and characteristics. These vary considerably depending largely on their adaptation to climate. Leaves have also adapted to the available sunlight, presence of grazing […]
SEPALS !
SEPAL The word comes from Latin – separatus “separate” + petalum “petal”. What is it? In Angiosperms (flowering plants) the sepal is a modified leaf found on the outermost part of the flower. They are usually green and therefore more likely to be confused with leaves. They are also often covered […]
The Best City Landscapers (New York Times)
WE LOVE CHUNKY !
THE MESMERIZING CAUDICIFORMS What are they ? Caudiciform plants are those that create a swollen base or trunk – which is called a caudex. Usually above ground, they can also develop under the soil level. The trunk can be smooth, bumpy or even have a turtle back arrangement! Many caudiciform plants […]
BLUE !
In my top three favorite spring flowers is Scilla siberica – Siberian squill. Bluest blue flowers ! And since my favorite color is blue (cerulean blue and especially a sky blue) this spring flowering bulb rules ! Looking from afar at planter full of Scilla is like looking at the sky! Caerulum – […]
