DICOT ROOT MONOCOT ROOT
1. Outermost layer – Epiblema “
EPIDERMIS Many of the cells of
(Uniseriate- epiblema protrude in the
Single layered; form of unicellular root
Hypodermis hairs.
absent in
roots)
2. CORTEX Several layers of thin “
walled
parenchyma cells
Intercellular spaces
present
3. Innermost layer of cortex – “
ENDODERMI Endodermis
S
(Passage cells single layer of barrel
lie directly shaped cells
opposite to without intercellular
metaxylem spaces.
and lacks The tangential as well as
casparian radial walls of the
strips endodermal cells have a
increasing the deposition of water
efficiency of impermeable, waxy
water material suberin in the
transport) form of casparian strips.
All tissue inside the
endodermis such as
pericycle, vascular bundles
and pith constitute the
stele.
4. PERICYCLE Few layers of thick walled No cambium ring
parenchymatous cells formation
Initiates lateral root and (secondary growth
vascular cambium during absent)
secondary growth
5. VASCULAR 2 to 4 xylem and phloem More than 6
BUNDLES patches (Polyarch) xylem
(Radial, Later, a cambium ring bundles.
exarche develops between the
xylem) xylem and phloem
6. Parenchymatous cells “
CONJUCTIVE Lie between xylem and
TISSUE phloem
7. PITH Small or inconspicuous Large and well
developed
DICOT STEM MONOCOT STEM
1. Outermost protective layer Cuticle present
EPIDERMIS of stem Stem hair absent
(uniseriate) Covered with thin layer of
cuticle
May bear multicellular hair
- trichomes and a few
stomata
2. CORTEX Multiple layers of cells
arranged between the
epidermis and pericycle
a) Located just below Sclerenchymatou
Hypodermi epidermis s
s Few layers of
collenchymatous cells
(provide mechanical
strength to young stem)
b) Cortical Below hypodermis GROUND
layers Consist of rounded thin TISSUE:-
walled parenchymatous Parenchymatous
cells Not
Have conspicuous differentiated
intercellular spaces into endodermis,
c) Innermost layer of cortex cortex, pericycle
Endodermi Cells are rich in starch and pith
s grains and layer is also
referred to as starch
sheath.
3. Present on inner side of
PERICYCLE endodermis and above the
phloem
In form of semi-lunar
patches
Sclerenchymatous
4. Large no. of vascular Large in no.
VASCULAR bundles arranged in a ring Scattered in
BUNDLES The ring arrangement ground tissue
of vascular bundles is a Each vascular
characteristic of dicot bundle is
stem surrounded by a
Conjoint collateral open sclerenchymatou
type s bundle sheath
Endarche protoxylem and a large
conspicuous
parenchymatous
ground tissue
Conjoint, closed
Peripheral -
smaller Central -
larger
Phloem
parenchyma
absent
Water containing
cavities are
present within
vascular
bundles.
5. PITH/ Comprised of a large no. of
MEDULLA rounded parenchymatous
cells
Possess large intercellular
spaces
Occupy central portion of
stem
6. PITH/ In between the vascular
MEDULLAR bundles, there are a few
Y RAYS layers of radially placed
parenchymatous cells
constituting medullary
rays.
DICOT LEAF MONOCOT LEAF
(DORSIVENTRAL LEAF) (ISOBILATERAL
The vertical section of a LEAF)
dorsiventral leaf through Similar to Dicot leaf in
the lamina shows three many ways
main parts, namely,
epidermis, mesophyll and
vascular system.
EPIDERMIS Covers both surfaces In grasses, certain
- Upper epidermis adaxial
Adaxial epidermis epidermis cells
- Lower epidermis along the veins
Abaxial epidermis modify themselves
Has conspicuous in to bulliform cells
cuticle Bulliform cells are
Bulliform cells absent - Large
- Empty
- Colourless
When the bulliform
cells in the leaves
have absorbed
water and are
turgid, the leaf
surface is exposed.
When they are
flaccid due to
water stress (low
water), they make
the leaves curl
inwards to
minimise water
loss.
STOMATA Abaxial epidermis Stomata present
generally bears more on both surfaces of
stomata than the epidermis
adaxial epidermis.
Adaxial epidermis may
even lack stomata
GUARD CELL Kidney shaped Dumb bell shaped
MESOPHYLL The tissue between Mesophyll not
the upper and lower differentiated into
epidermis palisade and
Possesses chloroplasts spongy
and carry out parenchyma
photosynthesis
Parenchymatous
A) PALISADE Adaxially placed
PARENCHYMA Made up of elongated
cells, arranged
vertically and parallel
to each other.
B) SPONGY Oval/ round
PARENCHYMA Loosely arranged
Situated below
palisade cells and
extends to the lower
epidermis
There are numerous
large spaces and air
cavities between
these cells.
VASCULAR Includes vascular The parallel
SYSTEM bundles, which can be venation in
seen in veins and monocot leaves is
midrib reflected in the
Size of vascular near similar sizes
bundles are of vascular
dependent on the size bundles (except in
of the veins main veins) as
Veins vary in thickness seen in vertical
in the reticulate sections of the
venation of the dicot leaves.
leaves.
Conjoint collateral
closed type
Xylem Towards
upper epidermis
Phloem Towards
lower epidermis
BUNDLE Vascular bundles Thin walled
SHEATH surrounded by layer of parenchyma
Thick walled
parenchyma
BUNDLE Parenchyma Sclerenchyma
SHEATH
EXTENSIONS
CHARACTERISTIC EXAMPLE
ROOT
Absorption of water and minerals from soil
Anchorage to plant parts
Synthesis of PGRs
Tap Root System Most Dicotyledonous plants
[Primary roots (Roots formed due (Mustard)
to direct elongation of radicle
which grows inside the soil and
bears lateral roots of several
orders) and its branches]
Fibrous Root System Monocotyledonous plants
Primary root is short lived and is (Wheat)
replaced by a large no. of roots
which originate from base of the
stem
Adventitious Root System Grass, Monstera and banyan
(Root arises from part of plant tree
other than radicle)
ROOT MODIFICATIONS: For support, storage of food and
respiration
Root Modified to Store Food Tap roots Carrot, Turnip
Adventitious Roots Sweet
potato, Asparagus
Prop Roots Banyan Tree
Stilt Roots Maize, sugarcane
(Supporting roots from lower
nodes of stem)
Pneumatophores Rhizophora
Many roots come out of the
ground and grow vertically
upwards
STEM:
Ascending part of ascending part of the axis bearing branches,
leaves, flowers and fruits.
Develops from the plumule of the embryo of a germinating seed.
Bears nodes (region of stem where leaves of borne) and
internodes (portion between two nodes).
The stem bears terminal or axillary bud.
Stem is generally green when young and later often become
woody and dark brown.
Functions: -
Spreading out branches bearing leaves, flowers and fruits.
Conducts water, minerals and photosynthates.
Some stems perform the function of storage of food, support,
protection
and of vegetative propagation.
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS OF STEM MODIFICATIONS :
Stem Modified to Store Food Ginger, turmeric – Rhizome
(Act as organs of perennation)Colocasia - Corm
Potato - Tuber
Zaminkand
SUB-AERIAL MODIFICATIONS OF STEM :
Runner Grass, Strawberry
Underground spread to new
niches and when older parts die
new
plants are formed.
Stolon Jasmine, Mint
A slender lateral branch
arises from the base of the main
axis and after growing aerially for
some
time arch downwards to touch
the ground.
Sucker Banana, Pineapple,
The lateral branches originate Chrysanthemum
from the basal and underground
portion of the main stem, grow
horizontally beneath the soil and
then come out obliquely upward
giving rise to leafy shoots.
Offset Pistia, Eichhornia (Water
A lateral branch with short hyacinth)
internodes and each node
bearing a rosette of leaves and a
tuft of roots is
found in aquatic plants like Pistia
and Eichhornia.
AERIAL MODIFICATIONS OF STEM:
Stem Tendrils Gourds (cucumber, watermelon,
( - Develop from axillary buds pumpkins) and grapevine
- Slender and spirally and help
plants to climb)
Thorns Citrus, Bougainvillea
(Axillary buds modify into woody,
straight and pointed thorns)
Protect plants from browsing
animals
Stem into Spine Bougainvillea
Phylloclade Flattened Opuntia
(Modifications of stem in arid Fleshy, Cylindrical Euphorbia
regions)
Contain chlorophyll -
photosynthetic
Bulbil Oxalis
(Spread and Vegetative
Propagation)
LEAF
Originate from shoot apical meristem
Arranged acropetally
Most important vegetative organs for photosynthesis
Lateral, flattened organs
A typical leaf consists of 3 main parts: Leaf base, petiole and
lamina
The leaf is attached to the stem by leaf base and may bear two
lateral
small leaf like structures called stipules.
The petiole help hold the blade to light.
Long thin flexible petioles allow leaf blades to flutter in wind,
thereby
cooling the leaf and bringing fresh air to leaf surface.
A bud is present in the axil of petiole in both simple and
compound
leaves, but not in the axil of leaflets of the compound leaf.
The lamina or the leaf blade is the green expanded part of the
leaf with
veins and veinlets.
There is, usually, a middle prominent vein, which is known as
the midrib.
Veins provide rigidity to the leaf blade and act as channels of
transport for
water, minerals and food materials.
The shape, margin, apex, surface and extent of incision of
lamina varies in different leaves.
Leaf base expands into a Monocotyledons
sheath covering the stem
partially or wholly
Pulvinus (Swollen leaf base) Leguminous plants
Reticulate Venation Dicotyledons
Parallel Venation Monocotyledons
Pinnately Compound Leaf Neem, Fabaceae
A number of leaflets present on a
common axis - Rachis (which
represents the midrib)
Palmately compound leaf Silk Cotton
Leaves are attached at a
common point
Alternate Phyllotaxy China rose, Mustard and
sunflower
Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Liliaceae
Opposite Phyllotaxy Calotropis and guava
Whorled Phyllotaxy Alstonia
LEAF MODIFICATIONS
Leaf Tendril Pea
Spines Cacti
Storage organ (fleshy leaves) Onion, garlic
Phyllodes Australian acacia
(leaves are small and short-
lived. The petioles in these
plants expand, become green
and perform photosynthesis)
Insectivory Pitcher plant, venus fly trap
FLOWER
A flower is a modified shoot wherein the shoot apical meristem
changes
to floral meristem.
Internodes do not elongate and the axis gets condensed.
The apex produces different kinds of floral appendages laterally
at
successive nodes instead of leaves.
When a shoot tip transforms into a flower, it is always solitary.
Racemose Inflorescence Fabaceae
- Main axis continues to grow
-Flowers borne laterally in
acropetal manner
Cymose Inflorescence Solanaceae, Liliaceae
- Main axis terminates in a flower
- Growth is limited
Flowers borne in basipetal
manner
Asymmetric flower Canna
- Flower cannot be divided into
two similar halves by any vertical
plane passing through the centre
Actinomorphic Mustard, Datura, Chili
- Flower can be divided into two
equal radial halves in any radial
plane passing through the centre
Zygomorphic Pea, Gulmohar, bean, cassia
- Flower can be divided into two
similar halves only in one
particular vertical plane
Perianth Lily
Hypogynous (Superior Ovary) Mustard, China rose, brinjal
Gynoecium occupies the highest
position while other parts are
situated below it
Perigynous (Half inferior) Plum, rose, peach
Gynoecium is situated at the
centre and other parts are
located at the rim of the
thalamus
Epigynous (Inferior ovary) Guava, cucumber and ray
The margin of thalamus grows florets of sunflower
upward enclosing the ovary
completely and getting fused
with it, the other parts of flower
arise above the ovary
AESTIVATION
Valvate Calotropis
Sepals or petals in a whorl just Fabaceae Calyx, Solanaceae
touch one another at the margin,
without overlapping.
Twisted China rose, lady finger and
One margin of the appendage cotton
overlaps that of the next one and
so on.
Imbricate Cassia and Gulmohar
Margins of sepals or petals Fabaceae Caylx
overlap one another but not in
any particular direction.
Vexillary/ Papilionaceous Pea and bean flowers
There are five petals, the largest
(standard) overlaps the two
lateral petals (wings) which in
turn overlap the two smallest
anterior petals (keel).
ANDROECIUM
Epipetalous Brinjal
Epiphyllous Lily
Adelphous : Only filaments fuse, anthers free
Monoadelphous China rose
Stamens united into one bunch/
bundles
Diadelphpous Pea
Polyadelphous Citrus
Variation in length of Salvia and mustard (2 short
filaments outer + 4 long outer)
GYNOECIUM
Apocarpous Lotus and rose
Syncarpous Mustard and Tomato
Solanaceae – Bicarpellary
Liliaceae - Tricarpellary
PLACENTATION
Marginal Pea
Placenta forms a ridge along the
ventral suture of the ovary and
the ovules are borne on this ridge
forming two rows.
Axile China rose, tomato and lemon
(Multilocular ovary)
Placenta is axial and the ovules
are attached to it in a
multilocular ovary
Parietal Mustard and Argemone
The ovules develop on the inner
wall of the ovary or on peripheral
part
(Ovary one chambered but
becomes two chambered due to
false septum)
Free Central Dianthus and primrose
(Septa absent, ovules on central
axis)
Basal Sunflower, marigold
Placenta develops at the base of
ovary and a single ovule is
attached to it
FRUIT :
- Consist of wall/ pericarp (may be dry or fleshy) and seeds
- When pericarp is thick and fleshy it is differentiated into outer
pericarp, middle mesocarp and inner endocarp
Drupe Mango Outer thin epicarp,
(Develop from monocarpellary middle fleshy edible mesocarp
superior ovaries and are one and inner stony hard endocarp
seeded) Coconut Mesocarp fibrous
SEED
Monocot Wheat, maize
Dicot Pea and gram
Endospermic seed Castor, Monocotyledons
(Endosperm formed as a result of (exception : orchids)
double fertilization is a food
storing tissue)
Non-endospermous seeds Bean, gram and pea, orchids
Seed coat membranous and Cereals such as maize
fused with fruit wall
All – Must See Cell (A: Alternate – Mustard, Sunflower, Chinarose
One Chicken Gravy (O: Opposite – Calotropis, Guava)
Whorled – Alstonia
Evil Saints Circulated Germs (E: Epigynous – Sunflower, Cucumber, Guava)
Pretty Puppies Rest Peacefully (P: Perigynous – Plum, Rose, Peach)
He Made Cheese Burgers (H: Hypogynous – Mustard, China rose, Brinjal)
Velvet Chair (V: Valvate – Calotropis)
Chinese Lady Twisted her Cotton shirt (Twisted – China Rose, Ladyfinger,
Cotton)
Imran the Gully boy lost his Casio (Imbricate – Gulmohar, Cassia)
V.P. of Britannia (V: Vexillary – Pea, Bean)
Mnemonic Placentation Examples
Many Marginal
People Pea
Are Axile
Living in Lemon
China China
rose
Today Tomato
Professors Parietal
Are Argemon
e
Meeting Mustard
First Free central
Dear Dianthus
Parents Primrose
Be Basal
Mostly Marigold
Seated Sunflower
CHARACTERISTIC EXAMPLE
ROOT
Tap Root System Most Dicotyledonous plants
(Primary roots and its branches) (Mustard)
Fibrous Root System Monocotyledonous plants
Originate from base of stem (Wheat)
Adventitious Root System Grass, Monstera and banyan
(Root arises from part of plant tree
other than radicle)
ROOT MODIFICATIONS: For support, storage of food and
respiration
Root Modified to Store Food Tap roots Carrot, Turnip
Adventitious Roots Sweet
potato, Asparagus
Prop Roots Banyan Tree
Stilt Roots Maize, sugarcane
(Supporting roots from lower
nodes of stem)
Pneumatophores Rhizophora
STEM:
UNDERGROUND MODIFICATIONS OF STEM MODIFICATIONS :
Stem Modified to Store Food Ginger, turmeric – Rhizome
(Act as organs of perennation)Colocasia - Corm
Potato - Tuber
Zaminkand
SUB-AERIAL MODIFICATIONS OF STEM :
Runner Grass, Strawberry
Stolon Jasmine, Mint
Sucker Banana, Pineapple,
Chrysanthemum
Offset Pistia, Eichhornia (Water
hyacinth)
AERIAL MODIFICATIONS OF STEM:
Stem Tendrils Gourds (cucumber, watermelon,
( - Develop from axillary buds pumpkins) and grapevine
- Slender and spirally and help
plants to climb)
Thorns Citrus, Bougainvillea
(Axillary buds modify into woody,
straight and pointed thorns)
Protect plants from browsing
animals
Stem into Spine Bougainvillea
Phylloclade Flattened Opuntia
(Modifications of stem in arid Fleshy, Cylindrical Euphorbia
regions)
Contain chlorophyll -
photosynthetic
Bulbil Oxalis
(Spread and Vegetative
Propagation)
LEAF
Leaf base expands into a Monocotyledons
sheath covering the stem
partially or wholly
Pulvinus (Swollen leaf base) Leguminous plants
Reticulate Venation Dicotyledons
Parallel Venation Monocotyledons
Pinnately Compound Leaf Neem, Fabaceae
Palmately compound leaf Silk Cotton
Alternate Phyllotaxy China rose, Mustard and
sunflower
Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Liliaceae
Opposite Phyllotaxy Calotropis and guava
Whorled Phyllotaxy Alstonia
LEAF MODIFICATIONS
Leaf Tendril Pea
Spines Cacti
Storage organ (fleshy leaves) Onion, garlic
Phyllodes Australian acacia
(leaves are small and short-
lived. The petioles in these
plants expand, become green
and perform photosynthesis)
Insectivory Pitcher plant, venus fly trap
FLOWER
Racemose Inflorescence Fabaceae
Cymose Inflorescence Solanaceae, Liliaceae
Asymmetric flower Canna
Actinomorphic Mustard, Datura, Chili
Zygomorphic Pea, Gulmohar, bean, cassia
Perianth Lily
Hypogynous (Superior Ovary) Mustard, China rose, brinjal
Perigynous (Half inferior) Plum, rose, peach
Epigynous (Inferior ovary) Guava, cucumber and ray
florets of sunflower
AESTIVATION
Valvate Calotropis
Fabaceae Calyx, Solanaceae
Twisted China rose, lady finger and
cotton
Imbricate Cassia and Gulmohar
Fabaceae Caylx
Vexillary/ Papilionaceous Pea and bean flowers
ANDROECIUM
Epipetalous Brinjal
Epiphyllous Lily
Monoadelphous China rose
Diadelphpous Pea
Polyadelphous Citrus
Variation in length of Salvia and mustard (2 short
filaments outer + 4 long outer)
GYNOECIUM
Apocarpous Lotus and rose
Syncarpous Mustard and Tomato
Solanaceae – Bicarpellary
Liliaceae - Tricarpellary
PLACENTATION
Marginal Pea
Axile China rose, tomato and lemon
(Multilocular ovary)
Parietal Mustard and Argemone
(Ovary one chambered but
becomes two chambered due to
false septum)
Free Central Dianthus and primrose
(Septa absent, ovules on central
axis)
Basal Sunflower, marigold
Placenta develops at the base of
ovary and a single ovule is
attached to it
FRUIT :
- Consist of wall/ pericarp (may be dry or fleshy) and seeds
- When pericarp is thick and fleshy it is differentiated into outer
pericarp, middle mesocarp and inner endocarp
Drupe Mango Outer thin epicarp,
(Develop from monocarpellary middle fleshy edible mesocarp
superior ovaries and are one and inner stony hard endocarp
seeded) Coconut Mesocarp fibrous
SEED
Monocot Wheat, maize
Dicot Pea and gram
Endospermic seed Castor, Monocotyledons
(Endosperm formed as a result of (exception : orchids)
double fertilization is a food
storing tissue)
Non-endospermous seeds Bean, gram and pea, orchids
Seed coat membranous and Cereals such as maize
fused with fruit wall
CHARACTERISTIC EXAMPLES
Tap Root System
Fibrous Root System
Adventitious Root System
Root Modified to Store Food
Prop Roots
Stilt Roots
Pneumatophores
Stem Modified to Store Food
Runner
Stolon
Sucker
Offset
Stem Tendrils
Thorns
Phylloclade
Bulbil
Leaf base expands into a
sheath covering the stem
partially or wholly
Pulvinus
Reticulate Venation
Parallel Venation
Pinnately Compound Leaf
Palmately compound leaf
Alternate Phyllotaxy
Opposite Phyllotaxy
Whorled Phyllotaxy
Leaf Tendril
Spines
Storage organ (fleshy
leaves)
Phyllodes
Insectivory
Asymmetric flower
Actinomorphic
Zygomorphic
Perianth
Hypogynous (Superior
Ovary)
Perigynous (Half inferior)
Epigynous (Inferior ovary)
Valvate
Twisted
Imbricate
Vexillary
Epipetalous
Epiphyllous
Monoadelphous
Diadelphpous
Polyadelphous
Variation in length of
filaments
Apocarpous
Syncarpous
Marginal
Axile
Parietal
Free Central
Basal
Drupe
Endospermic seed
Non-endospermous seeds
Seed coat membranous and
fused with fruit wall
