52 
PLANT MORPHOLOGY. 
CHAPTER II : THE VEGETATIVE AND 
REPRODUCTIVE PARTS OF 
THE PLANT. 
In the preceding chapter the nature and structure, 
together with the modifications of form of the units 
composing plants, namely, the cells, have been consid- 
ered. These units are grouped to form tissues 1 , and 
these are arranged in the higher plants to form more 
or less distinct and differentiated parts, which, accord- 
ing to their structure and function, may be divided 
into two distinct groups : (1) The vegetative and (2) the 
reproductive. The vegetative parts include the root, 
stem and leaf, and are principally instrumental in 
carrying on the work of absorption, conduction and 
assimilation of food material. The reproductive parts 
are included in the flower, from which are finally 
developed fruit and seeds. 
A. THE VEGETATIVE PARTS. 
I. THE ROOT. 
Inasmuch as the reproductive parts of the plant 
are considered to be modifications of stem and leaf, 
the vegetative parts will be considered first. To 
properly understand the nature of these, it is desir- 
able to begin with the germination of the seed. The 
1 The term tissue may be used in a restricted sense to include 
aggregates of cells which are similar in origin, shape and function; 
or it may be employed to designate groups of cells having different 
origin and shape, but which perform a similar function, as conduct- 
ing tissue, which may be composed of ducts, wood parenchyma 
and wood fibers; or it may be applied to still larger aggregates of 
cells which are different in shape and function but of similar ori- 
gin, as tibrovascular tissue, which is composed of the conducting 
and mechanical tissues formed from the cambium. 
