ANGIOSPERMS STEMS AND WOOD

Part I: Stem Models

DICOT: Examine the model of the dicot stem. Identify the following characteristics, and
sketch the model in the space below, labeling each of these features. You will use this
model to help you label the microscope slides of a stem cross-section.
Vascular Cambium tissue responsible for outward (lateral) growth; generates
additional vascular tissue
Cork cambium tissue responsible for outward (lateral) growth; outer ring of cambium
that generates additional layers of cork
Outer bark/epidermis external covering of stem, composed of dead cork cells
Phloem vascular tissue responsible for nutrient transport
Spring wood new cambium layer produced through rapid growth; lighter in color than
summer wood
Summer wood cambium produced later in the season by slower growth; darker in
color with more tightly packed cells
Vascular rays radial extensions of the vascular system, required to distribute material
from vascular bundle throughout stem
Xylem vascular tissue responsible for water transport

MONOCOT: Examine the model of the monocot stem. Identify the following
characteristics, and sketch the model in the space below, labeling each of these
features. You will use this model to help you label the microscope slides of a stem
cross-section.
Epidermis external covering of stem, composed of dead cork cells
Parenchyma loosely packed tissue making up the bulk of the plant
Phloem vascular tissue responsible for nutrient transport
Vascular bundle includes both types of vascular tissue used for transport
Xylem vascular tissue responsible for water transport

What are at least three major ways dicot and monocot stems are different? For at least
two of these, describe how that difference impacts the plant (appearance, growth, size,
etc.)

Part II: Stem cross-section slides

For each stem cross-section, sketch and label any of the structures you identified on the
stem model that are visible, and answer any associated questions.
Buttercup this
dicot is a
herbaceous plant, so
its leaves and stem
die down to soil level
at the end of each
growing season.
This means it does
not contain a woody
stem like you
observed in the dicot
stem model. Instead,
the xylem and
phloem are joined
into vascular bundles instead of being separated by layers of wood. Despite the
absence of woody layers, what features of the buttercup stem can you use to determine
it is a dicot?

Zea (corn) this C4

plant is a monocot.
What feature of the
stem structure do you
find most useful to
easily distinguish this
plant as a monocot?

Part III: Woody plants

Liriodendron (tulip tree) this dicot is a woody plant, rather than a herbaceous plant.
Examine slides for both first-year and older growth.
First year

Older stem

How many years of growth has the older plant had? How can you tell?

What other differences, besides just additional layers of wood, do you observe between
the young and older Liriodendron stems?

Next, examine and sketch the wood samples available, both by eye and under a
dissecting scope. Label the spring wood, summer wood, cork cambium, and
vascular cambium on your sketches. You should also be able to distinguish old wood
(also called heartwood the highly compressed wood near the center of the stem which
is no longer living) and new wood (also called sapwood the living wood that still
conducts water through the stem, and is less compressed).
Use the space below for sketches the available wood samples. If there is anything
unique to a sample difference in the appearance of any of the layers, for example be
sure to note that with your sketch.

Part IV: Twigs

Even during winter months when most angiosperms do
not have leaves, some features of the plant can be
determined using twigs. Examine the woody twigs
available. For at least three, in the space below, try to
identify and label the terminal bud, lateral bud, bud
scale, bud scale scar, node, internode, and leaf
scar (see Figure to right for help locating these
features).

For each twig, also determine:

1) whether the stem has alternate or opposite leaf
arrangement;
2) how many years of growth are apparent on the stem.