Anatomy of Zea mays

Devin Nichols

IB 423

5/1/06

General Information About Zea mays

• Angiosperm• Monocot• Poaceae (Grass) Family• Monoecious• Most widely planted crop in U.S.• Most economically valuable crop in U.S.

Zea mays General Structure

Tassel

Ear

Adventious Roots

Zea mays Inflorescences

Male Inflorescence (Tassel) Female Inflorescence (Ear)

Style (Silk)

Caryopsis(Kernel)

Zea mays Leaf XS

Bundle Sheath Cell Vascular Bundle Adaxial Epidermis

Abaxial Epidermis 600X

Zea mays Leaf Adaxial Epidermal Replica

Stomates

Vein

200X

Zea mays Leaf Adaxial Epidermal Replica

Stomate

Vein

Trichomes

100X

Zea mays Leaf XS

Trichome

BulliformCell

Major VeinMinor Vein

Xylem Vessels Sclerenchyma Fibers 200X

Zea mays Trichomes

Leaf XS Leaf Whole Mount

Trichome

Basal Cells

200X 100X

Zea mays Glandular Trichome

Capitate Trichome

100X

Zea mays Stem Internode XS

Vascular Bundles

100X Toluidine Blue-O

Zea mays Stem Node XS

VascularBundle

Vascular Tissue Interconnecting Bundles

200X Toluidine Blue-O

Zea mays Stem XS Vascular Bundle

Metaxylem Protoxylem lacunae

Phloem

Sclerenchyma Fibers 200X Toluidine Blue-O

Zea mays Shoot Apical Meristem

Tassel Primordium

Leaf Primordia

Ear Shoot

20X

Zea mays Root Whole Mount

Root Cap

Root Hair Zone

Zone of Elongation

40X Toluidine Blue-O

Zea mays Root Apical Meristem

Root Cap

Procambium

200X Toluidine Blue-O

Zea mays Root XS

Young Root Mature Root

200X Toluidine Blue-O 40X Aniline Blue

Zea mays Root XS

Phloem

Protoxylem

Metaxylem

Pith

Pericycle Endodermis

Cortex

200X Aniline Blue

Zea mays Root XS at Branch Root

Branch Root

100X Toluidine Blue-O

Zea mays Root LS

Cortex

Pith

PhloemSievePlate

200X Aniline Blue

Zea mays Germinating Pollen Grain

Pollen Grain

Pollen TubeCallose Plug

400X

Zea mays Style XS

Vascular Bundles

200X Toluidine Blue-O

References

• Esau, Katherine. 1977. Anatomy of Seed Plants Second Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York.

• Freeling, M. and V. Walbot, Editors. 1993. The Maize Handbook. Springer-Verlag. New York.

• Kiesselbach, T.A. 1980. The Structure and Reproduction of Corn. University of Nebraska Press. Lincoln.