Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following characteristics is associated with monocots, such as grasses, compared to dicots?
Which of the following characteristics is associated with monocots, such as grasses, compared to dicots?
- Fibrous roots (correct)
- Oval or palmate, net-like veins
- Flowers with four or five petals
- Ringed vascular bundles
Which of the following leaf characteristics is typical of grasses?
Which of the following leaf characteristics is typical of grasses?
- Leaves arranged in a spiral pattern around the stem
- Parallel veins (correct)
- Waxy, succulent leaves for water storage
- Oval shaped leaves with net-like veins
How do the stems of grasses differ from the stems of sedges?
How do the stems of grasses differ from the stems of sedges?
- Grass stems are typically triangular, while sedge stems are round
- Grass stems are always unbranched, while sedge stems are highly branched
- Grass stems are hollow and jointed, while sedge stems are solid and not jointed (correct)
- Grass stems grow horizontally, while sedge stems grow vertically
John Hendley named the family Poaceae in which year?
John Hendley named the family Poaceae in which year?
Which is the best description of 'veld' in the context of natural grasses?
Which is the best description of 'veld' in the context of natural grasses?
Which of the following is a key characteristic of cool-season grasses?
Which of the following is a key characteristic of cool-season grasses?
What is the primary distinction between vegetative and reproductive parts of a grass plant?
What is the primary distinction between vegetative and reproductive parts of a grass plant?
Which of the following represents a key difference in leaf structure between grasses and sedges?
Which of the following represents a key difference in leaf structure between grasses and sedges?
Which of the following is a characteristic of grass stems?
Which of the following is a characteristic of grass stems?
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the inflorescence in grasses?
Which of the following is the most accurate description of the inflorescence in grasses?
How does the arrangement of vascular bundles differ between monocots, like grasses, and dicots?
How does the arrangement of vascular bundles differ between monocots, like grasses, and dicots?
What is the meaning of the Mahatma Gandhi quote, If you give me rice, I'll eat today; if you teach me how to grow rice, I'll eat everyday?
What is the meaning of the Mahatma Gandhi quote, If you give me rice, I'll eat today; if you teach me how to grow rice, I'll eat everyday?
Which term refers to the part of a grass leaf that clasps the stem?
Which term refers to the part of a grass leaf that clasps the stem?
How does drought tolerance compare between warm-season and cool-season grasses?
How does drought tolerance compare between warm-season and cool-season grasses?
How does the flower structure generally differ between grasses and sedges?
How does the flower structure generally differ between grasses and sedges?
Among angiosperm families, where does Poaceae rank in terms of size?
Among angiosperm families, where does Poaceae rank in terms of size?
What is the term for the fruit that is characteristic of grasses, such as wheat and rice?
What is the term for the fruit that is characteristic of grasses, such as wheat and rice?
Which characteristic is associated with warm season grasses?
Which characteristic is associated with warm season grasses?
What role do stolons and rhizomes play?
What role do stolons and rhizomes play?
How many genera of grasses are estimated to occur in southern Africa?
How many genera of grasses are estimated to occur in southern Africa?
What is the function of the ligule in a grass leaf?
What is the function of the ligule in a grass leaf?
What is the former name of the family Poaceae?
What is the former name of the family Poaceae?
What function do fibrous roots serve for grasses?
What function do fibrous roots serve for grasses?
Which of the following crops is NOT part of the Poaceae family?
Which of the following crops is NOT part of the Poaceae family?
Which characteristic helps distinguish grass leaves with “blades”?
Which characteristic helps distinguish grass leaves with “blades”?
Which is a primary difference between the sheaths of grass leaves and sedge leaves?
Which is a primary difference between the sheaths of grass leaves and sedge leaves?
Which region of a grass plant includes stems, leaves, sheaths, collars, blades and ligules?
Which region of a grass plant includes stems, leaves, sheaths, collars, blades and ligules?
Where does the basic illustration of a grass plant contain the collar region?
Where does the basic illustration of a grass plant contain the collar region?
Which of the following occurs in rings?
Which of the following occurs in rings?
Which structure is unique to the reproductive part of the grass?
Which structure is unique to the reproductive part of the grass?
How can a grass leaf be described if it is 'keeled below'?
How can a grass leaf be described if it is 'keeled below'?
Which characteristic generally helps distinguish or identify grasses?
Which characteristic generally helps distinguish or identify grasses?
Why are common grains, such as wheat, maize and rice, so economically important?
Why are common grains, such as wheat, maize and rice, so economically important?
When viewed from the side of the stem, how can you distinguish grasses vs sedges?
When viewed from the side of the stem, how can you distinguish grasses vs sedges?
What is the role of ligules and collars?
What is the role of ligules and collars?
Flashcards
Poaceae
Poaceae
The family of grasses, also known as Gramineae.
Veld
Veld
Uncultivated land with indigenous vegetation suitable for grazing.
Monocot
Monocot
A plant with one seed leaf.
Dicot
Dicot
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Fibrous roots
Fibrous roots
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Taproot
Taproot
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Blade
Blade
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Sheath
Sheath
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Collar
Collar
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Ligule
Ligule
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Rhizome
Rhizome
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Stolon
Stolon
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Inflorescence
Inflorescence
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Vegetative parts
Vegetative parts
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Reproductive Parts
Reproductive Parts
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Spikelet
Spikelet
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Caryopsis
Caryopsis
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Nodes
Nodes
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Fibrous roots System
Fibrous roots System
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Sedges family
Sedges family
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Study Notes
- GRAS2614 is an introduction to grass
Poaceae
- Also known as Gramineae
- “Poaceae” was named by John Hendley in 1985
- It is the 5th largest angiospermic family, followed by Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Orchidaceae, and Rubiaceae
- There are 900 genera and ± 10 000 species
- Approximately 1/10 of grass species occur in southern Africa, represented by ± 950 species and 194 genera
- Grasses such as wheat, rice, rye, barley, oats, maize, sugarcane, bamboo and lawn grass are economically important
- Focus is on natural veld grasses, which is uncultivated land with indigenous vegetation that can be grazed by animals
Grass Characteristics (Monocot vs Dicot)
- Two major groups of angiosperms distinguished by certain characteristics.
- Monocots possess one cotyledon, while dicots have two
- Monocots have fibrous roots; dicots have tap roots
- Monocot flowers have petals in multiples of 3, while dicot flowers usually have 4 or 5 petals
- Monocot leaves have narrow, parallel veins; dicot leaves have oval or palmate, net-like veins
- Monocot vascular bundles are scattered; dicot vascular bundles are ringed
Grass Characteristics (Warm/Cool Season Plants)
- Distinguished by growth patterns and growing conditions
- Warm season grasses exhibit better drought tolerance and are adapted to hot, dry climates, with optimal growth temperatures between 27-35°C in warm summer months, and enter dormancy during cooler months
- Cool season grasses have better cold tolerance, thrive in regions with cold winters, optimal growth temperatures between 15-24°C during cooler seasons of spring and autumn and peak growth in cooler months with slower growth in warm months
- Focus is on warm season grasses in Southern Africa
Grass Characteristics (Stems)
- Hollow stems plugged at nodes
Grass Characteristics (Leaves)
- Blades are long, narrow, and 2 ranked leaves that originate at nodes
- Sheath is part of the leaf structure
- Collar and ligules are a feature of grass leaves
Grass Characteristics (Roots)
- Fibrous roots are a key feature
- Stolons are stems which grow above the soil surface
- Rhizomes are stems that grow underground
Grass Characteristics (Inflorescence)
- Contains spikelets and seeds, and in some, fruits (caryopsis)
- Examples of caryopsis include corn, rice, oat and wheat
Grass Structure
- Structure includes: spikelet, peduncle, leaf blade, internode, leaf sheath, node, stolon, and rhizome
Vegetative vs. Reproductive Parts
- Vegetative parts include stems and leaves (sheath, collar, blade, ligule)
- Reproductive parts include the inflorescence comprised of spikelets
Sedges vs Grasses
| Grasses | Sedges | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant family | Poaceae | Cyperaceae |
| Leaves | 2-ranked on opposite sides of the stem, sheaths usually open in front, though edges might overlap | 3-ranked in 3 columns when viewed from the side of the stem, sheaths usually closed in front |
| Stems | Stems are jointed, usually round in cross section, branched or not | Stems are not jointed or hollow, usually 3 sided (occasionally round) in cross section, not usually branched |
| Flowers | More conspicuous and usually perfect (have both male and female parts) | Less conspicuous and flowers may be male/female/perfect |
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