Vegetative Characters
Use the guides below to identify Vegetative Characters used to describe the vegetative parts of plants!
![veg43 crisped](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg43.jpg)
![veg18 tree](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg18.jpg)
![veg27 leathery leaf](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg27.jpg)
![fa05058 vine](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/fa05058.jpg)
Growth Form
-no woody tissue
![veg16 herb](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg16-213x300.jpg)
–woody, several stems from the base, less than about 25′ tall
![fa03005 shrub](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/fa03005-217x300.jpg)
–woody, usually one main stem, usually more than 25 ‘ tall
![veg18 tree](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg18.jpg)
–woody or herbaceous, stem climbing or twining
![fa05058 vine](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/fa05058-300x76.jpg)
Simple & Compound Leaves
-the blade is all in one piece, though it may be lobed, toothed, etc.
![lfpart blade & petiole](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/lfpart.jpg)
–the blade is divided all the way to the midrib (rachis) into two or more pieces.
–leaflets arranged along one undivided main axis.
![1pinn once pinnately compound](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1pinn-300x196.jpg)
–the blade is divided all the way to the midrib (rachis) into two or more pieces.
–main axis (rachis) with two or more branches and the leaflets arranged along the branches. The branch divisions are primary leaflets and the ultimate divisions are secondary leaflets.
![2pinn twice pinnately compound](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2pinn-300x211.jpg)
–the blade is divided all the way to the midrib (rachis) into two or more pieces.
–leaflets all arising from one point at the base of the leaf.
![palm palmately compound](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/palm-200x300.jpg)
Leaf Arrangement
-leaves arranged one per node
![veg25 alternate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg25-211x300.jpg)
–leaves arranged two per node
![veg24 opposite](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg24-208x300.jpg)
–leaves arranged two or more per node
![veg26 whorled](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg26-187x300.jpg)
-leaves grouped in small, tight bundles, eg., pine needles bundled into clusters of 2 or 3
![veg31 fascicled](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg31.jpg)
Leaf Shapes
-egg-shaped with the larger end at the bottom
![ovate ovate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ovate.jpg)
-shaped like an ellipse, tapered at both ends and with curved sides.
![veg38 elliptical](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg38.jpg)
-tapered to both ends, but with the sides more or less parallel
![veg27 leathery leaf](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg27.jpg)
-shaped like the tip of a lance, broadest at the base and tapered to a long point
![lance lanceolate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/lance.jpg)
-very long and thin, with the sides parallel
![Amsonia_illustris_leaves linear](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Amsonia_illustris_leaves-189x300.jpg)
nearly circular in outline
![veg40 orbicular](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg40.jpg)
-heart-shaped with the wide part at the bottom
![cordate cordate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cordate.jpg)
-with two basal lobes that point backwards (toward the petiole)
![veg45 sagitate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg45.jpg)
-circular in cross-section. (The example shown is from a succulent plant)
![veg46 terete](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg46.jpg)
Venation
-with a main midvein and secondary veins arising from it at intervals
![veg32 pinnate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg32-187x300.jpg)
-with the main veins all arising from one point at the base of the leaf.
![veg34 palmate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg34.jpg)
-with all the main veins parallel (usually also parallel to the sides of the leaf.)
![veg33 parallel](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg33-300x169.jpg)
-with each vein branching in two again and again (e.g. Ginkgo)
![gingko gingko](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/gingko-300x300.jpg)
Lobing
-with the lobes arising along the length of the mid-line of the leaf.
![veg35 pinnately lobed](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg35.jpg)
-with the lobes all arising from one point at the base of the leaf
![veg34 palmate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg34.jpg)
Margins
-smooth, with no teeth or lobes
![veg27 leathery leaf](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg27.jpg)
-with sharp, forward-pointing teeth
![palm palmately compound](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/palm-200x300.jpg)
with low, rounded scallop-like teeth
![veg38 elliptical](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg38.jpg)
-waving up and down
![veg36 undulate](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg36.jpg)
-with stiff points
![hdw04070080b spinose](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/hdw04070080b-300x148.jpg)
Parts of Leaf & Node
-the stalk of a leaf; a leaf without a petiole is sessile
![lfpart blade & petiole](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/lfpart.jpg)
–the flat, expanded portion of the leaf
![lfpart blade & petiole](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/lfpart.jpg)
—flat, often leaf-like flap below a leaf. Not all leaves have stipules. Stipules can be highly modified into tendrils, spines, scales, etc
![stipule stipule](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/stipule-300x226.jpg)
-the bud in the axil–the angle between the leaf and the stem.
![axil axillary bud](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/axil.jpg)
: Remember to look for stipules below the petiole and an axillary bud above the petiole.
Stem Anatomy
–A compressed, undeveloped shoot. Buds may be lateral or terminal.
![veg6 node, internode, bud, terminal bud of plant](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg6-300x200.jpg)
–point on the stem where leaf or bud is borne. The space between two nodes is an internode
![veg6 node, internode, bud, terminal bud of plant](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg6-300x200.jpg)
–mark left on the stem where a leaf was attached
![veg8 growth rings and leaf scar](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg8-200x300.jpg)
–the spongey tissue in the center of a stem or twig. Pith can be solid, chambered, or diaphragmmed
![veg9 pith types](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg9-300x200.jpg)
–a “breathing pore” in the skin or bark of a stem.
![veg10 lenticels on stem](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg10.jpg)
Stem Modifications
–underground stem enlarged for storage of food–has nodes (unlike tuberous root)
![veg13 tuber](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg13-300x227.jpg)
–underground stem, often has buds which sprout to form new shoots
![veg11 rhizome](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg11-300x214.jpg)
–aboveground stem, has buds which sprout to form new shoots
![veg12 stolon](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg12-300x205.jpg)
–underground stem with fleshy leaves which store food, e.g. onion
![fa08039 onion](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/fa08039-202x300.jpg)
–solid, fleshy underground stem with papery leaves, e.g. Gladiolus, water chestnut
![h20chestnut water chestnut](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/h20chestnut-284x300.jpg)
Roots
–main root enlarging and growing downward
![hdwt2-31 tap root](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/hdwt2-31-166x300.jpg)
–thin, thread-like roots, usually without a primary root present
![veg2 fibrous root](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg2.jpg)
-adventitious root produced above ground, often for climbing
![V&R005 aerial root](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/VR005-144x300.jpg)
–root enlarged for storage of food reserves, eg.
![PIC00009 sweet potato](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/PIC00009-300x161.jpg)
Armature
-modified stems; have stem-like vasculature (e.g. Honey Locust)
![LCP74 thorns](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LCP74.jpg)
–modified leaves, stipules, or bud scales (e.g. Cactus)
![veg48 spines](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg48.jpg)
-outgrowths of the epidermis, can be easily snapped off (e.g. Dewberry or Rose)
![fa04092 prickles](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/fa04092.jpg)
Texture
–swollen and juicy. Eg., cactus stems
and leaves of some plants.
![V&R047 succulent](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/VR047-179x300.jpg)
–stiff & leathery
![veg27 leathery leaf](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg27.jpg)
-thin and leaf-like (may be applied to many differnt sorts of parts, such as sepals, etc.)
![V&R034 herbaceous](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/VR034-300x300.jpg)
-thin and flexible, like a membrane. (In this photo, the bracts below the flowers)
![V&R079 membranous](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/VR079-300x219.jpg)
Climbing Plants
-the stem wraps around an object for support (e.g. Morning Glory)
![fa05058 vine](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/fa05058-300x76.jpg)
–modified shoots, petioles, leaves or stipules coil around the support (e.g. Vetch)
![fa02080 tendrils](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/fa02080-300x213.jpg)
-small roots, often with sucker-like tips (e.g. Virginia Creeper or Poison Ivy)
![V&R005 aerial root](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/VR005-144x300.jpg)
Duration
-plant which lives for one year or season, reproduces, and then dies
-plant which lives for two years or seasons, reproduces, and then dies
-plant which lives for several to many years or seasons. Perennials may be woody, with stems that persist aboveground over the winter, or they may be herbaceous, with stems that die back to the ground each year.
-having leaves which persist for two or more seasons. Broadleaf evergreens usually have thick, leathery leaves.
![veg27 leathery leaf](https://www.bio.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/veg27.jpg)
-having leaves which die and fall in the cold or the dry season.