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Herbal Medicine > 11_Plant Anatomy > Flashcards

11_Plant Anatomy Flashcards

(106 cards)

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1
Q

What are the two main structural parts of plants?

A

Roots (below ground) and aerial structures (above ground)

Aerial structures include stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits.

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2
Q

Name the aerial parts of a plant.

A
  • Stem
  • Petioles
  • Leaves
  • Peduncles
  • Flowers
  • Node
  • Internode
  • Apical buds
  • Axillary buds

Aerial parts are crucial for supporting leaves and reproductive functions.

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3
Q

What is the function of peduncles in plants?

A

Supports the aerial parts and flowers

Peduncles are the flower stalks where petals emerge.

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4
Q

What is the main function of roots in plants?

A

Take up nutrients and water from the soil

Roots include main roots (tap roots) and lateral roots.

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5
Q

Define monoecious plants.

A

Plants with separate male and female reproductive organs on the same plant

Often found in hermaphrodite flowers.

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6
Q

What are dioecious plants?

A

Plants that produce single sex flowers and require separate male and female plants for reproduction

Example: Ginkgo biloba.

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7
Q

What does the term ‘perianth’ refer to in flowers?

A

Outer protective layer surrounding reproductive organs

Comprises sepals and petals.

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8
Q

What are the components of the female reproductive structures in flowers?

A
  • Pistil
  • Ovary
  • Style
  • Stigma

The ovary contains ovules, and the stigma acts as a pollen receptor.

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9
Q

What is the role of ovules in plants?

A

Maturing seeds inside the ovary/carpels

For fertilization, sperm cells in pollen travel down the style to fuse with ovules.

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10
Q

What are the male reproductive structures in flowers called?

A

Stamen

Comprises filament and anther.

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11
Q

Explain the significance of flower position relative to the ovary in plant identification.

A

The flower position can help in identifying plant species

Terms include hypogynous, perigynous, and epigynous.

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12
Q

Why are flowers important to herbalists and naturopaths?

A
  • Easiest part of the plant to identify
  • Give rise to edible parts like seeds and fruits
  • Many have medicinal properties

Examples include Red Clover, St John’s Wort, and Chamomile.

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13
Q

What medicinal properties does Damask Rose have?

A

Relaxant, hormone balancer, reduces liver heat

Recommended dosage is 15 drops of the tincture 3 times daily.

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14
Q

Fill in the blank: The flower of Red Clover is known as a _______.

A

blood cleanser, relaxant, anti-cancer

It is commonly used in tea form.

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15
Q

What is the effect of Chamomile flower?

A

Relaxant, digestive aid, good for children as a tea

Often used to soothe infant colic.

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16
Q

What are the benefits of St John’s Wort flower?

A

Nervine and vulnerary, promotes healthy sleep

Typically consumed as a tea for relaxation.

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17
Q

What is the primary function of roots?

A

Anchors plant in the ground

Roots also take up nutrients and water from the soil.

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18
Q

What are the two main types of vascular tissue found in roots?

A
  • Xylem
  • Phloem
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19
Q

What does xylem transport?

A

Water and nutrients upwards from roots

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20
Q

What does phloem transport?

A

Glucose downwards from leaves and stems

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21
Q

What is the root cap and its function?

A

Protects root tip and produces slime to facilitate movement

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22
Q

What is the epidermis in root anatomy?

A

The outer covering composed of a single layer of cells

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23
Q

What is the cortex in root anatomy?

A

Layer between epidermis and inner tissues containing cells for food storage

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24
Q

What is the pericycle?

A

Circular band of cells from which new roots grow

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25
What is meristem tissue responsible for?
Cell division to create growth
26
What is the function of the apical meristem?
Causes lengthening (primary growth) at root tips
27
What is lateral meristem responsible for?
Causes widening (secondary growth) running the length of roots
28
What are adventitious roots?
Roots that emerge from non-conventional structures like rhizomes or stems
29
What is the purpose of adventitious roots?
Provide the plant with oxygen and nutrients efficiently
30
What are pneumatophores?
Roots that give access to air for plants with underwater roots
31
What is the function of aerial roots?
Take in moisture from humid air
32
What do prop roots provide?
Flexibility against wind damage
33
What are contractile roots?
Pull bulbs deeper underground to reach stable temperature levels
34
What is one example of a plant with contractile roots?
Garlic
35
What is a tap root?
A root that stores energy as starch
36
Fill in the blank: Roots are very high in important nutrients, especially complex sugars, ______, and minerals.
starches
37
What are adaptogenic plants?
Plants that help combat stress, many of which are roots
38
Give two examples of adaptogenic roots.
* Siberian Ginseng * Astragalus
39
What is the significance of roots in herbalism?
They absorb important nutrients and are sources of essential foods
40
What is the use of Siberian Ginseng root?
Adaptogen, immune tonic, energy tonic
41
What is the recommended dosage of Astragalus root tincture?
15 drops 3 times daily
42
Fill in the blank: Parsnip is an important food source and energy providing ______ vegetable.
Winter
43
What are the main functions of stems?
* Support * Transport of water and nutrients * Photosynthesis ## Footnote Stems contain xylem and phloem vessels for transport and generally have less medicinal bio chemistry than flowers, seeds, or leaves.
44
What type of bud is located at the end of a stem?
Apical / terminal bud ## Footnote The apical bud contains cells to lengthen the stem (meristem).
45
What is the function of axillary buds?
They are located at the angle of the stem and leaf and can develop into new stems or flowers.
46
Define pith in the context of stems.
Parenchyma cells for food (starch) storage.
47
What does xylem do?
Carries fluid up from roots.
48
What does phloem do?
Carries glucose down from leaves.
49
What is vascular cambium?
Layer of dividing tissue that separates phloem from xylem.
50
What are lenticels?
Visible pores that allow gases to enter the wood.
51
What is heartwood?
Comprises dead xylem tissue at the core of a woody stem.
52
What are annular rings in tree trunks?
Concentric rings formed by varying amounts of xylem and phloem produced in different seasons.
53
Fill in the blank: A _______ is a continuously growing horizontal underground stem.
rhizome
54
What is a bulb in botanical terms?
A large bud surrounded with fleshy leaves for energy storage and asexual reproduction.
55
What is the primary purpose of a corm?
Made entirely of stem tissue, except for papery outer leaves.
56
What is a runner?
A creeping horizontal stem above ground that produces adventitious buds and roots.
57
What is the difference between a runner and a stolon?
A stolon grows vertically, while a runner grows horizontally.
58
What is a tuber?
Energy storage and asexual reproduction at the tip of a stolon.
59
What are cladophylls?
Flattened stems that look like leaves.
60
Why are stems important to herbalists and naturopaths?
* Generally less rich in nutrients or medicinal properties than roots and leaves * Aerial parts of a herb include stems * Adapted stems can be important sources of medicines * Food stems include Celery and Potato
61
True or False: The rhizome of Valerian is used as a nerve relaxant and sleep tonic.
True
62
What is the use of Ginger rhizome?
Circulatory tonic and digestive aid.
63
How can Celery be beneficial?
Helps to remove acid wastes from the blood.
64
What are the main functions of leaves?
* Gas exchange: takes in carbon dioxide, gives out oxygen * Converts energy from sunlight into usable chemical energy (photosynthesis) * Storage of nutrients * Evaporation of water (Transpiration)
65
At what points are leaves attached to stems?
Leaves are attached to stems at nodes, with internodes between.
66
What are the three main leaf regions?
* Epidermis * Mesophyll * Veins
67
What is the epidermis in leaves?
A single layer of cells with stomata for gas and water exchange, coated with a waxy waterproof cuticle.
68
What are stomata?
Pores for gas and water exchange located in the epidermis.
69
What is the function of the cuticle?
A coating of waxy waterproof cutin that protects the leaf.
70
Where does photosynthesis take place in leaves?
In the mesophyll, primarily in chloroplasts.
71
What is the composition of the mesophyll?
Loosely arranged parenchymal cells and air spaces.
72
What are the components of veins in leaves?
Consist of xylem and phloem surrounded by a sheath of thicker walled parenchymal cells.
73
How do leaves adapt to shade?
Leaves in the shade tend to be larger and darker due to more chloroplasts.
74
What adaptations do leaves in dry regions have?
* Thick leathery leaves * Fewer stomata * Succulent leaves * Reduced size to limit surface area for water loss
75
What adaptations do aquatic leaves have?
Less xylem and phloem, with large air spaces to allow the leaf to float.
76
What are spines in leaves?
Modified leaves for protection, while thorns are modified stems.
77
What is the purpose of tendrils in leaves?
Thin strands that curl around rigid objects for support.
78
What is the storage function of leaves in desert plants?
Storage for water or energy.
79
Why are leaves important to herbalists and naturopaths?
* Frequently used in herbal medicine * Rich in antioxidants, minerals, and anti-cancer properties * Chemical similarity between chlorophyll and hemoglobin
80
What is the health benefit of nettle leaves?
Blood cleanser and nourisher.
81
What is a recommended preparation for nettle leaf?
1 heaped teaspoon dried herb in 1 cup of boiled water for a nourishing drink.
82
What health benefits does peppermint provide?
Supports digestion, chest health, and immunity.
83
What is the literal meaning of chlorophyll?
Green leaf.
84
What are fruits?
Fleshy structures that contain seeds and are formed from a mature ovary, or pericarp.
85
What are the three layers of fruits?
* Exocarp: Outer layer (skin) * Mesocarp: Middle fleshy tissue layer between endocarp and exocarp * Endocarp: Inner layer surrounding the seed
86
What is a drupe?
Stone fruit, single seed enclosed in a hard endocarp, e.g. Cherry.
87
Define a berry.
Develops from a compound ovary and contains many seeds. A true berry has thin skin and soft pericarp at maturity.
88
What is an aggregate fruit?
Fruits formed from flowers that have multiple carpels in a single flower, forming a cluster of small drupes on a single receptacle, e.g. Blackberry.
89
What is a multiple fruit?
Fruits that form from the fusion of multiple flowers, e.g. Pineapple.
90
What is a pome?
Flesh is derived from an enlarged receptacle which engulfs carpels. For this reason, pomes are ‘false’ fruit, e.g. Apple.
91
What is a pepo?
Berries with thick skin, e.g. Melon and squashes like Pumpkin.
92
Define hesperidium.
Berries with leathery skin containing volatile oils, e.g. Citrus fruit.
93
What are dehiscent fruits?
Fruits that split at maturity.
94
What is a follicle?
A dehiscent fruit that splits down one side, e.g. Star Anise.
95
Define a capsule.
A dehiscent fruit with 2 or more carpels that splits in various ways, e.g. Poppy.
96
What is a legume?
A dehiscent fruit that splits on both sides, e.g. Peas.
97
What is a silique?
A dehiscent fruit that splits on both sides with a partition between seeds, e.g. Black Mustard.
98
What is a silicle?
Similar to a silique but shorter in length, e.g. Shepherd’s Purse.
99
What are indehiscent fruits?
Fruits that do not split at maturity.
100
Define achene.
A type of indehiscent fruit where the base of the seed is attached loosely to the surrounding pericarp, e.g. Sunflower seed.
101
What is a nut?
A one-seeded fruit like an achene but with a thick, hard pericarp within a cup or cluster of bracts, e.g. Acorn, Hazelnut.
102
What is a grain?
A type of indehiscent fruit where the pericarp is fused to the seed, e.g. Wheat.
103
What are the uses of fruits in herbal medicine?
Fruits are delicious food sources and have nutritive as well as curative properties.
104
What are Schisandra berries known for?
Adaptogen, nutritive tonic, liver protector.
105
What are the properties of nettle seeds?
Kidney strengthener, nutritive tonic; can be taken as tea or tincture.
106
What are wild oats used for?
Nutritive, relaxant, anti-anxiety, adaptogenic; a good addition to calming tea.

Herbal Medicine (13 decks)

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